10. The Court of Miracles (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
You may feel like this shouldn't have made the list. I mean, there are so many other songs out there to choose from. Well I don't care, this song tops the Fun-o-Meter. Clopin turns out to be one surprisingly (not really) crazy guy who likes to hang people and comes up with a great song to get that message across. It's a great introduction to the world of the insane outcasts. And in the end, hey look who's also part of this crazy group!
9. Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
This song pretty much sums up three things. Belle hates her town (every morning just the same?), she's beautiful (I guess?), and Gaston wants her. This, plus the intro explaining the origin of the beast, tells us everything we need to know and the rest of the movie is just a build up to a fight between the two for her. It does all this whilst being an enjoyable song and so I place this at number 9!
8. Prince Ali (Aladdin)
Prince Ali isn't really a new character being introduced. It's more Aladdin after finding some magic guy who changed him into a prince. So he may not be a new character but the introduction to this fraud is catchy and the parade is a feast for the eyes. There's also the Genie's references to modern day things (they had to reference the Macy's parade) and his funny guy antics. This is one of the best songs in the movie and really does it's job as an introduction to a guy the princess isn't too fond of. Who would be?
7. I Wanna Be Like You (The Jungle Book)
Now this is a great song all around. Lyrics, music, and purpose. As the Monkey King tries to get the secret of fire from Mowgli, he tells us how all he wants is to be a human. Don't know about you but the idea of an orangutan obsessed with becoming human is pretty awesome. He kidnapped the kid in order to find out and for some reason he's so menacing while being a fun loving primate. Actually...he's kind of scary. But it's Louis Prima! Singing! In a Disney movie!
6. He Mele No Lilo (Lilo and Stitch)
I don't really know the lyrics but this is very different from the other stuff Disney has done. A good movie, there is never really a part where the characters break out into song. I mean, they do sing and dance, but it's different. Anyway, this song is catchy and does good in showing us what kind of person Lilo is. She's crazy, weird, and is not very responsible. I wonder who will change that.
5. Strangers Like Me (Tarzan)
Tarzan, for the most part, had no singing or dancing in it like most other Disney films. That still doesn't change the fact that the Tarzan soundtrack is AWESOME. Good job Phil Colins. While we were already introduced to Tarzan about twice already (Baby Tarzan whose parents get eaten, Young Tarzan who's an outcast but becomes accepted, and Adult Tarzan who's an outcast again but becomes accepted, again!). Every introduction has a pretty awesome song with it but this one is one of the better ones.
4. Friend Like Me (Aladdin)
One of the best songs AND scenes in Disney movies, Friend Like Me serves as the introduction to the Genie. Probably the best character in the movie (Jafar might be better), he also gives us the best song. He basically boasts how great he is and tells Aladdin that he can give him three wishes. Aladdin really messed up on the wishes though. Becoming a prince, freeing the Genie? Jafar was on the right path. One of the most memorable and effective introductions to a character, this one deserves its spot.
3. When We're Human (The Princess and the Frog)
I absolutely love jazz and therefore had to include some song from The Princess and the Frog. Though it's not really an introduction song, it does remind us of what the characters are searching for and also introduces us, at least in song for, to Louis (he's that alligator). The catchiest song from the film also has some pretty amazing animation to go along with it, Friends on the Other side being the other song which surpasses the animation. Thank you for this, Randy Newman.
2. The Virginia Company & Steady as the Beating Drum (Pocahontas)
It's kind of two songs in one but the transition between them is so subtle they might as well be one. Also, they're both introduction songs. They might as well be one song. The first part introduces us to Captain Smith and his quest with the Virginia Company. The song becomes a thousand times more epic as we turn to the Indians and their reaction to the newcomers. We are introduced to the guy who loves Pocahontas and Pocahontas herself, as the girl in search of something more. One of the best introduction songs ever, and one of the best introductions ever, this song deserves the second spot. And if you want to argue, think about this, there's Indian chanting (sort of)!
1. The Bells of Notre Dame (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
Even I was surprised when I realized that The Hunchback of Notre Dame earned two spots on this list. The music overall turned out to be pretty amazing. Epic and fitting for the period, actual words in all the music (that IS Latin they're singing), and great animation. The introduction is actually one of the most amazing things I've ever watched. It's so eerie and the story is intriguing. Also, they're reminded me how fucking crazy Frollo is. He is a genuine badass. The only thing that bothers me is when the boat guy asks for money. It didn't really seem to fit in but that's easily overlooked. If you haven't watched this or forgot about it like I did, you have to check it out. Hands down the best introduction song ever.
Honorable Mentions:
- Bare Necessities (The Jungle Book)
- Les Poissons (The Little Mermaid)
- Circle of Life (The Lion King)
- Two Worlds (Tarzan)
- Honor to Us All (Mulan)
Belle is sooooo good.
ReplyDeleteIt is, but I stand by my list. I need to get more followers.
ReplyDeleteScars introduction song is amazing too.
ReplyDeleteYou have to tell people to look at it. Just posting isn't going to work. Ill post is on my blog that noone reads.