As someone who grew up with Disney classics, I can confidently say that these underrated songs from the ’90s era of Disney are absolute gems! From the ominous “Be Prepared” to the hauntingly beautiful “The Bells of Notre Dame,” these tracks have a depth and complexity that often go unnoticed.
The 1990s served as the commencement of Disney’s artistic renaissance, a time marked by renewed creativity, commercial and critical acclaim for Disney. Starting with “The Little Mermaid” in 1989, extending up to “Tarzan” in 1999, Disney produced some of its most memorable films and soundtracks during this period. Hits like “Be Our Guest,” “A Whole New World,” and “Hakuna Matata,” along with numerous others, gained widespread recognition and are now synonymous with Disney for countless fans. However, there are also many underrated Disney songs from the ’90s that have yet to receive their due appreciation.
These overlooked tunes get buried beneath other great songs in the movie. Or, in some cases, it’s the movie itself that gets lost among all the notable ’90s films that Disney released. Whatever the case, these ten underrated Disney songs from the ’90s are sure to stroke your nostalgia and make you add these tunes to your Spotify playlist, if they aren’t on there already.
10 “Son of Man”
Tarzan (1999)
As a movie enthusiast, I’d say that for me, “Tarzan” stands out as the crowning jewel of Disney’s renaissance era. The iconic Phil Collins crafted its enchanting soundtrack, and among the many unforgettable tunes, “You’ll Be in My Heart” truly shines. This song swept multiple awards such as the Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy for Best Song. However, a track that deserves more recognition is “Son of Man,” a tune that, unfortunately, sometimes gets overshadowed in the movie “Tarzan.
Collins’ lyrics are coupled with a montage to capture Tarzan’s progress from childhood to adulthood, as he learns how to become an ape. It’s a pivotal moment in the film that wouldn’t work nearly as well without this tune to back it up.
9 “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)”
Hercules (1997)
In his path towards heroism, Hercules saves a distressed damsel named Meg. They quickly develop a connection, and Hercules becomes deeply smitten. Meg feels the same way, but hesitates to acknowledge or express her feelings. “I can’t say I’m in love,” she sighs sadly, with the Muses providing harmonious accompaniment.
This tune blends doo-wop, Motown, R&B, and pop styles to evoke the musical flavor of the 1950s. “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” is a lively take on conventional Disney love songs, serving as one among several underappreciated tracks from Disney’s Hercules.
8 “Just Around the Riverbend”
Pocahontas (1995)
Many Disney Princesses are known for their signature songs, which serve as an outlet for them to express their deepest dreams and aspirations. For instance, Ariel from The Little Mermaid sings “Part of Your World,” Moana voices her desires in “How Far I’ll Go,” Elsa from Frozen belts out “Let It Go,” and Pocahontas shares her longing for adventure in “Just Around the Riverbend.
In comparison to other songs, this one didn’t garner the same level of fame. Interestingly, in her movie, “Just Around the Riverbend” takes a backseat to the more renowned song “Colors of the Wind.” Nonetheless, it’s a wonderful tune. The melody of “Just Around the Riverbend” mirrors its lyrics beautifully, with its rhythm fluctuating between fast and slow, soft and loud, reflecting Pocahontas’ longing to explore the unknown.
7 “Out There”
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Not only Disney Princesses receive “I Want” songs; male Disney heroes do as well, such as “Go the Distance” for Hercules or “Out There” for Quasimodo. Interestingly, “Out There” is one of the more overlooked songs in our list. The movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” in general, is often underappreciated, and it’s easy to understand why. It is based on Victor Hugo’s mature and serious novel of the same name. The main character, Quasimodo, is ostracized from society due to his physical deformity.
In “Out There,” Quasimodo expresses his longing for companionship and yearns for a world where he belongs, painting a dreamy picture of acceptance. This poignant and impactful ballad, often underestimated, is one of the lesser-known “I Want” songs from Disney’s collection.
6 “Sally’s Song”
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas has become one of the greatest films in Disney’s catalog. This movie technically isn’t a part of the Disney Renaissance, though there’s a fierce debate among fans about whether it should be. The Nightmare Before Christmas comes with an iconic soundtrack that features ten songs by legendary composer Danny Elfman, who also provided the singing voice of Jack Skellington.
The soundtrack is filled with poetic lyrics that play over whimsical melodies. “This Is Halloween,” “Jack’s Lament,” “What’s This?,” “Kidnap the Sandy Claws,” and “Oogie Boogie’s Song” — all of these tracks are fire. But there’s one song that often gets buried beneath these other great tunes: “Sally’s Song.” Similar to “Jack’s Lament,” Sally uses music to express her sorrow and grief over her current situation. It’s even sung by Catherine O’Hara, who also voices the character. Sally’s melancholy words play over a sad, slow melody, creating one of the most beautifully haunting tunes in Disney’s catalog.
5 “I 2 I”
A Goofy Movie (1995)
You might have overlooked this one: Despite being produced during the ’90s, the film “A Goofy Movie” wasn’t included in Disney’s Renaissance era, perhaps due to its creation by Walt Disney Television Animation and Disney MovieToons instead of Walt Disney Feature Animation (now known as Walt Disney Animation Studios). As a result, amidst all the fantastic Disney films from the ’90s, “A Goofy Movie” often gets overshadowed. However, fans of this film will argue that the song “I 2 I” is an absolute hit.
This lively, cheerful pop song seems as if it could have been produced by a youthful Michael Jackson. The performer, Powerline, radiates similar energy to young Michael Jackson. This tune will have you dancing in no time and can comfortably sit alongside top-tier pop tracks on your playlist.
4 “One Jump Ahead”
Aladdin (1992)
Aladdin is another Disney classic that features hit after hit, from “Friend Like Me”, to “Prince Ali”, to “A Whole New World”. By the time this magic carpet ride is over, you’ve forgotten all about that great musical number in the beginning of the movie: “One Jump Ahead”. Aladdin’s first performance in the film, “One Jump Ahead” is a catchy tune that’s ironically about how the law can never catch him, a song that’s as upbeat and jumpy as its title.
3 “He Lives in You”
The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride (1998)
During the ’90s, Disney produced several direct-to-video sequels that aren’t widely recognized but are cherished by dedicated Disney fans. One of these lesser-known films is “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride,” a remarkable follow-up to its highly praised precursor. Notably, this movie reassembled the original cast, with Matthew Broderick voicing Simba, Nathan Lane as Timon, and Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa. Furthermore, it welcomed notable talents like Neve Campbell and James Marsden into the cast.
The music in The Lion King 2 doesn’t compare to the soundtrack of the original film — except for maybe one track: “He Lives in You” by South African musician, Lebo M. This song’s lyrics tie into Mufasa’s legacy, while its rhythm and background voices beautifully reflect the film’s African aesthetic. This song has no business being as good as it is, especially for a direct-to-video sequel. But it’s easily one of the most underrated, and also one of the best, songs from the ’90s era of Disney.
2 “Be Prepared”
The Lion King (1994)
As we mentioned earlier, The Lion King is brimming with fantastic tunes, thanks to the iconic Elton John. From the get-go, it greets you with “The Circle of Life” and its instantly recognizable opening. This is followed by other popular numbers such as “I Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.
Another fantastic tune from The Lion King that is sometimes overlooked is “Be Prepared,” Scar’s musical performance. This underappreciated song, sung by Jeremy Irons himself, brims with cunning and wickedness. It has become a favorite among villains, so powerful that even the heroes find themselves humming along.
1 “The Bells of Notre Dame”
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
As a true cinema enthusiast and ardent Disney fan, I’ve always been captivated by the popular consensus that “The Circle of Life” is the greatest opening in Disney history. However, there’s another contender that often goes unnoticed, a masterpiece that deserves more recognition – the opening sequence of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Drawing influence from Edgar Allan Poe’s work, particularly his poem “The Bells”, the song’s lyrics echo the gloominess found in both Hugo’s novel and Poe’s verses. The chilling tale is narrated by multiple vocalists, culminating in a grand climax marked by tolling bells and thundering voices. The captivating opening “The Bells of Notre Dame” warrants significantly more recognition and acclaim than it currently receives.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-08 02:34