Disney’s Golden Age of the Golden Statue

by Megan Xie

Remember when that little, unheard of song, Let It Go took home the beloved category of “Best Original Song” at this year’s 86^th Academy Awards? Alright, maybe the motion picture song from Disney’s Frozen wasn’t so unheard of after all. It was only the world’s most sung along song, causing an overnight frenzy with its renowned lyrics belted out by the ice queen, who finally learns to celebrate her true identity. The song was predicted to sweep every major cinematic-music award during awards show season thanks to its powerful message. Nevertheless, it certainly is not the first “Best Original Song” winner from an animated Disney film to do so. In fact, Disney been long known to sweep this category in the past. Its Oscar domination has an unquestionable history of rewarding the world’s most cherished songs with the top prize. Since Frozen contributed to the film studio’s once again, ever-expanding roster of Oscar winning ballads, let’s take a look back at the most memorable “Best Original Song” winners.

When You Wish Upon A Star: Pinnochio, 1940

            The studio’s first win ever for “Best Original Song” proved to be quite the momentous occasion. Many film critics and historians agree that the simple, lovable tune paved the way for Disney’s spot on reputation for composing heartwarming songs. The song was written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, sung by Cliff Edwards, who voiced the character of Jiminy Cricket. The song is ranked highest on the American Film Institue’s list of the 100 Greatest Songs in Film History. The song is even a popular Christmas song in Japan, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, depicting the story of the Star of Bethleham. To top off all of its success, the song was also deemed by the Library of Congress as “culturally, historically and aesthetically significant” and conserved the song into their National Recording Registry.

Under the Sea: The Little Mermaid, 1989

            This playful song began the legacy for Disney’s unstoppable music duo, composer Alan Menken and lyrcist Howard Ashman. Menken is the genius behind the famous musical scores for the Walt Disney Animation Studios; with a whopping eight Academy Awards under his belt. Howard Ashman’s perfect ability to pen lyrics to Menken’s pieces made them a collaborating dream team, as well as granting Ashman two Academy Awards. Under the Sea was based off of various sounds heard from the film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The song is recognized for its strong Caribbean flair and was preformed by Samuel E. Wright, who voiced the bubbly character of Sebastian the crab. True Disney fans will remember that this ballad opened for the film, setting the fun tone for the magical underwater world. Because of the song’s influence on sea life, it is now the trademark sound for the Disney Water Parks Resorts and Disney Cruise Line.

Beauty and the Beast: Beauty and the Beast, 1991

            With the same title song, Beauty and the Beast provides the harmony that paints the complicated, but affectionate relationship between the film’s two main characters, Belle and the Beast. The song was brought to life by Menken and Ashman, and proved to be one of their most critically acclaimed pieces of work. The original version seen in the 1991 animated film was voiced by British actress, Angela Lansbury who voiced the sweet and maternal Mrs. Potts. Beauty and the Beast was chosen to be the film’s theme song, and the actual theme of the song told that love can extend beyond any physical circumstances; that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. The song was so successful that Celine Dion covered the song and went on to perform it at the 64^th Academy Awards. Alan Menken himself declared that his composition of the song was a turning point in his career, because it was the first time that one of his compositions needed to be rearranged. This was because in that same year, Belle and Be Our Guest were also nominated in the  category for “Best Original Song.”

A Whole New World: Aladdin, 1992

           Perhaps, it can also be arguably said that A Whole New World is Menken’s most dazzling composition yet. The lyrics to the song were initially composed by Ashman, who unfortunately died before the piece was completed. British lyricist Tim Rice heroically stepped in and finished the masterpiece that Ashman had began. The ballad is sung between Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, who are in the midst of experiencing the wonders of seeing the world on a magic carpet ride. The song begins with a simple piano introduction and gradually adds on enchanting melodies which soar throughout the remainder of the piece. In order to achieve this distinct sound, an orchestra of seventy members was required when recording the song in studio. The voice of Aladdin was sung by Brad Kane while Jasmine was sung by Lea Salonga, who also notably provided the singing voice for Disney’s Mulan. A Whole New World made staggering history as well, being the first and only Disney animated movie song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

These songs are only just a few of Disney’s captivating and award-winning classics. It is normal to catch yourself humming along to these songs, or any Disney song in that matter. The studio continues to develop ballads that we simply cannot imagine not having in our lives. But why exactly are the songs still so prevalent in all of our lives? Besides giving us a great melody to sing karaoke to, they have the ability to pull us into the root of the song, associate ourselves with the characters and to truly feel the emotions that the song portrays. Allowing ourselves to surrender to each rhythmic journey, audiences envelope the joy that the characters bring. Since the characters are so dear to our hearts, we enjoy the music even more. So well done, to The Academy. Time and time again, thanks for reminding us how incredibly inspiring these songs can be for the soul.