Last year I did Musical Mondays throughout the year. And while I did that, I often mentioned how I adored Disney musical villain songs (in fact, my #1 song on the countdown was one). So while the topper of this list might not exactly be a shock, I decided I'd give a solid look at the songs and give what is at least my current feeling toward them.
TOP 10 DISNEY VILLAIN SONGS
Note: I have not seen Hunchback of Notre Dame. I know a lot of people really like "Hellfire," and I've seen it through YouTube, but while I find it a good, dark psychological look at a twisted character... it's just not fun and catchy enough for me. I also have not seen Pocahontas, and while the likes of "Savages" is catchy... there's something about it I couldn't quite get behind.
Honorable Mention: I've gone on record as saying that while I love Tangled, "Mother Knows Best" is by far the worst Disney villain song ever written. However, there is a reprise late in the film (at the very end of the second act) that is much better. It's really hard to find a good video of that, and it's only about 30 seconds long anyway, so I'm not going to bother. I just thought I'd give that a special mention.
10) I Want To Be Like You (The Jungle Book)
This song maybe-sorta implies racism, and it might not exactly be what most people think of when they think of villain songs. But I count it. Louie is definitely a villain, albeit a fun-loving one. But it has all the tropes. He's making a shifty deal with the naive hero, and the naive hero is definitely in potential danger. And it's incredibly fun and catchy.
9) We Are Siamese If You Please (Lady and the Tramp)
Whereas the last song is maybe racist, this one definitely is. I haven't seen this movie in YEARS (like, I was probably a toddler the last time I saw it). But everyone remembers this song. These cats are just evil little creatures!
8) Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmations)
This is the first of two songs on this list where the villain song isn't really sung by the villain (this is the only one, though, where the villain doesn't sing any part of it). This is a song about the villain... and it's arguably one of the most famous villain songs.
7) Les Poissons (The Little Mermaid)
This one is just goofy, sadistic fun. From the perspective of a French chef, the song has him singing about what he's gonna do to all of the food he's going to cook and serve in very violent, disturbing ways. Made even the more disturbing due to the fact Sebastian is watching the entire time. It's a very minor villain song, but it's still worth mentioning. And it's super catchy.
6) Friends on the Other Side (The Princess and the Frog)
This is the newest song on the list, and it's the best song from the movie. Why? Um... it's an updated "Poor Unfortunate Souls." Seriously. Just listen to/watch it. It's not as good as the aforementioned song, but it's bright, colorful, and catchy while being dark and ominous. Oh, and it's sung by Keith David. And that's awesome in and of itself.
5) The Mob Song (Beauty and the Beast)
This is a song I always forget about when thinking about Disney songs. I'm not saying the song is forgettable. It's a very good song (and Pocahontas' "Savages" is basically just a poor rehash of this song... maybe that's one of my issues with that song?). Just give it a go.
4) Prince Ali - Reprise (Aladdin)
Jafar was originally going to have his own song in the film, but it was eventually cut. Instead, all Jafar gets is about a very short reprise of "Prince Ali" that is dark and a lot of fun as it turns it around on Aladdin.
3) Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)
This is the second song I alluded to early where it's a villain song that is more about the villain than sung by the villain. Though Gaston does have some very strong and memorable lines in the song. It's just an insanely catchy and very fun and light song in comparison to a lot of the darker, more sinister fare on this list.
2) Be Prepared (The Lion King)
Everything has been said about this song. It almost always makes either the #1 or #2 spot on this kind of list (it typically flip-flops with the following song depending on the person). It has such strong, symbolic visuals. And don't forget that Jeremy Irons actually stops singing 2/3s of the way through due to his voice giving out and hands it over to Jim Cummings... and you can't tell.
1) Poor Unfortunate Souls (The Little Mermaid)
'Nuff said.
The best video of this is not embeddable, so this will have to do: Click here.
Good list. I always put Gaston at the top of mine, then Be Prepared, love those too. By the sounds of it I need to rewatch the Little Mermaid, I don't remember either of the songs you mentioned from that one! And yes, Louie is definitely a Jungle Book villain.
ReplyDeleteI can understand Les Poissons, but I'm a little shocked that you don't remember Poor Unfortunate Souls. Even people who hate Little Mermaid love that song, and it's rare for it not to end up in the Top 2 of this type of list (Hell, I even saw it top a best animated Disney songs list in general). It's a 6-minute song where Ursula cons Ariel into becoming human and then transforms her. It's arguably the most pivotal song in the entire movie.
DeleteIt's been a while since I saw the film, don't think I've seen it since I was a kid, so that's probably why.
DeleteI definitely agree with your top three. It's funny, my family and I were watching The Great Mouse Detective on TV the other day, and during the "Ratigan" song we were joking about how all villians must be skilled in song and dance as well as being totally evil.
ReplyDeleteI think I would've included "Trust in Me" from The Jungle Book. It's short, but I always liked it as a kid.
I really considered Trust in Me, but in comparison to a lot of the other songs on the list (including the Jungle Book's own inclusion on this list), it just wouldn't make the cut.
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