Top 10 Disney "I Want More" Songs.

This is a continuing mini-series where I detail my favorite songs from Disney animated musicals via specific categories. Next on this journey is what I call the "I Want More" songs. These are those songs where our lead characters longingly wish to be somewhere/someone/something more than they currently are. This is the song that basically sets up what will happen a little later when they eventually gain that wish. The "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" moment, if you will.

TOP 10 DISNEY "I WANT MORE" SONGS

Honorable Mention: When Will My Life Begin (Reprise 1)

The reason this is just an honorable mention is this reprise isn't actually in the movie. It was cut for time purposes. But it's a very lovely rendition of the main version that is a lot less tongue-in-cheek and more straightforward about what Rapunzel wants in her life.




10) A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Cinderella)

A very sweet song, but as I'm really not a huge fan of this movie (not due to the film, just due to a lack of exposure in general), I only found the song through research. After listening to it, it's lovely... but it doesn't resonate with me like a lot of the other songs do.




9) Go The Distance (Hercules)

I liked this flick when I was a kid. But in retrospect, it is kind of a mess. Still, this is a pretty decent song. However, it isn't very long or detailed, and it really cuts to the point and gets him to his destination without much struggle or even a lengthy montage. And that kind of makes it not hit as hard as some of these other songs. But still, it's a nice one.




8) Just Around The River Bend (Pocahontas)

Another one I haven't seen, but I knew the song this time. I'm not crazy about the song, but it's nice in that the entire thing is one long metaphor for her behavior and life. She's struggling with her decisions and if she should coop up and become a wife or continue with her adventurous life and keep flowing. It's a much more female empowerment song (as, of course, she chooses to not go with the guy and instead live her own life and make her own choices). It's interesting in that she wants more... but she's not sure exactly what it is she wants beside the ability to want and achieve more.




7) Almost There (The Princess and the Frog)

This was a song I didn't much care for when I first heard it, though I think it was mostly due to a drastic animation style change that went with it and caught me off-guard. This is another song that's a little different from the lot. Tiana isn't longing for what she wants. She's working hard for it. There's no "if, ands, or maybes" for her. She knows what she wants and she's gonna get it, no matter what. So we're treated to a number about what she wants to achieve.




6) I've Got A Dream (Tangled)

This is another song I wasn't too sure about the first time I saw it. For the type of song it is, it's way too happy and silly and not the typical ballad-types they usually are. But it's really grown on me over repeated viewings. Not only is this a song about what Rapunzel wants, but what a whole bunch of minor side characters want. Is it a little goofy? Yeah. But its heart is in the right place. And strangely, when I read early reviews, this was one of the songs most people really liked. So there has to be something to it! (And it's not entirely pointless, as entire moments later in the movie are set up in this scene.)




5) When You Wish Upon A Star (Pinocchio)

Yup. It's only at #5. Sorry! Still, it's such a classic and beloved number that I couldn't fathom putting it outside the Top 5. I really don't think I have to explain it further. Though I couldn't find a video of it from the film, so this is the best I got:




4) TIE: Belle (Reprise) (Beauty and the Beast)/One Jump Ahead (Reprise) (Aladdin)

I tied them for fourth because both are incredibly short. They'r both just reprises of their Character Introduction songs that build into how they feel about themselves and their current situations. Belle's is a bit grander (and has a funny, smart-ass beginning to it), but I love Aladdin too much not to include it. So here they are together.







3) I Just Can't Wait To Be King (The Lion King)

This was originally going to be the #2 spot, but after some further, ahem, reflection... I just couldn't put it over what's there now for this particular category. Similar to "Almost There," this is an upbeat song about what our protagonist already knows he's gonna have by strives to exceed at anyway. He wants to be king and he, well, can't wait. It's pretty self-explanatory. Though has anyone ever noticed that Zazu is destroyed much more in this one song than Mufasa is in the stampede scene, yet Mufasa dies and Zazu is left without a scratch?





2) Reflection (Mulan)

This is such a great song. Mulan is basically having an existential crisis. She wants to honor her family, but she also wants to be herself. And she's starting to question who she really is and how she can just be herself while adhering to the social norms and familial respect. It's easily the most adult song on this entire list based on its themes alone. And I love the symbolic shot of her wiping the makeup off and you see half her face normal and half her face in the makeup, and then she wipes the rest off and turns to the dozen reflective surfaces around her. A really strong song and a good scene to go along with it.




1) Part Of Your World (The Little Mermaid)

It's pretty much the ultimate "I Want More" Disney song. Sure it's more childish than, say, "Reflection." But it's such a strong ballad. And it has some strong pre-Brave red hair animation going on, to boot.