Part of the reason why I made this blog is because I want to share my opinion about things I like. I want to start by introducing to the readers my Top 10 Villain Songs from Animated Musical Films (Disney & Non-Disney):
#10 Poor, Unfortunate Souls- The Little Mermaid
Confession: I’m not really a fan of this song, nor any song from The Little Mermaid, probably why it’s on #10. But this song is just great and super villainous that I couldn’t just omit this song from my list. In this song, Ursula the hideous sea witch lured Ariel into selling her voice in exchange of having human feet.
What I like about this song is the lesson behind it. It does not only develop Ursula’s character, it also teaches us how our personal desires and ambitions could cloud our judgement of what’s real and what’s impossible. When Ariel signed that contract of dreadful trade, it’s like she just signed her own name to the Death Note. While this song doesn’t send chills down to my spine at all, it’s still a powerful song and it definitely deserves a position in being called one of the best villain songs in an animated film.
Favorite Line: “It's she who holds her tongue who gets her man/Come on you poor unfortunate souls! Go ahead, make your choice!”
#9 Pretty Bird- Rio
This maybe a bit bitter but… okay fine I’ll say it, Rio failed to amuse me as much as the other animated films do. Nevertheless, the song “Pretty Bird” defines what a true nasty villain is. In this song, the devious ugly cockatoo Nigel taunted the two protagonist blue macaws Blu and Jewel into making them ugly too. Like the other song in the film, it has a Latino Pop feel in it, which is new for a villain song. Nothing much can be said about this song aside from being creepy and nasty.
Favorite Line: “I'm unminceable, I'm unwashable, unrinseable/And like an abandoned school I have no principle”
#8 Mother Knows Best- Tangled
The next in line would be “Mother Knows Best” from Tangled. For some reasons, I found this song catchy; maybe it’s because of Alan Menken’s soft upbeat music which contrasts with Glenn Slater’s dark yet remarkable lyrics. Whatever it is, it certainly worked on Mother Gothel’s character.
In this song, Mother Gothel is trying to warn Rapunzel of the dangers she might get into if she doesn’t stay by her towering home. While this doesn’t seem so evil at all, the fact that she’s just trying to scare Rapunzel so that she would stay young and wild and free is pretty demonic. Despite all of that, it’s still a sweet song, especially when they said these lines: “I love you, Rapunzel” “I love you more, mother” “I love you most”. I mean for a moment there, I think they actually loved each other, didn’t they? DIDN’T THEY?!
Also, I’d like to mention Mother Knows Best reprise, which is more villainous than this song. Check out that one as well.
Favorite Line: "Mother's right here, mother will protect you/Darling here's what I suggest/Skip the drama, stay with mama/Mother knows best!"
#7 In the Dark of the Night- Anastasia
Anastasia is one of those animated films brave enough to compete with Disney during its Renaissance period, and I must say, I think Don Bluth’s efforts paid off.
BTW, in this song “In the Dark of the Night”, Rasputin sings of darkness and lullabies of Anastasia’s death. Since the film was based on an urban legend about the royal blood of Romanovs in Russia, I think none of these actually did happen.
Anyways, the song always gives me chills everytime, especially during the key change when Rasputin summoned those creepy ethereal gargoyles. But just like most blog posts about villain songs. The only problem with the song are those pretty little bugs singing and discoing to the dark tune. Nevertheless, this song rocks so much and fits the film very well.
Favorite Line: “Come my minions, rise for your master/Let your evil shine/Find her now, yes fly ever faster/In the dark of the night, she'll be mine!”
#6 The Mob Song- Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast is one of those girly films (call me sexist, I don’t care at all) that I actually loved, and I know I’m not the only one who thinks this film is super great. I mean for God’s sake, it was the FIRST animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture in Oscars. I think that says it all. I also love all the songs in this film.
Anyways, in The Mob Song, Gaston, the most annoying Disney villain ever, persuaded the townsfolk to join him in killing the Beast. For me, Gaston isn’t really a villain, well he’s not until he sang this song. In the song “Gaston”, he and the company just sing of how conceited and vain he is. It was until this song played that we realize his role as a fitting villain. This song is very powerful and dark and everything it gives me goosebumps. I mean, angry mob singing of death and darkness even though they haven’t the faintest idea of who this enchanted beast is. It’s just sad, and I learned that hatred can grow so big in our hearts that it could turn us against ourselves.
Favorite Line: “Sally forth, tally ho!/Grab your swords, grab your bow!/Praise the Lord and here we go! Let’s kill the beast!”
#5 Friends on the Other Side- The Princess and the Frog
“Friends on the Other Side” is sung by none other than Doctor Facilier in the Princess and the Frog. In this part, he lured Naveen and ugly Maurice (is that his name?) into a very dark voodooey trade. Storywise, this song somehow resembles The Little Mermaid’s Poor Unfortunate Souls, but this song has more feel in it.
This song is just, woah! The first time I saw the movie and heard this song, it literally gave me chills to the bones. I like the voodooey figurefest during the nasty exchange. Aside from Facilier’s creepy and tremendous voice, the background melody combined with the colourful visual parades just make it sound and looks grander and darker. Randy Newman is a musical genius!
Favorite Line: “You got what you wanted, but you lost what you had!”
#4 Blame Canada- South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
If you don’t know South Park and this awesome film, then you’ve got to be taught. But I’ll just assume that you don’t know South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (the title refers to the length, uncensorship and grandness of the film, not a penis). Anyways, the film is about our four protagonists (from the TV show) who discovered a Rated R film, and thus learned how to curse and other profane stuffs.
The songs are written by the showmakers Trey Parker (mostly) and Matt Stone, in collaboration with musical veteran Marc Shaiman. All songs in the film are greatly presented, and you can almost hear the Broadway spirit behind them.
So anyways, the song “Blame Canada” (which is the only Oscar~nominated song in this Top 10 list) isn’t technically a villain song (since there’s no actual villain in the film), but since the intention of the protesting parents is to put shame on Canada, I guess you could say that this song is EVIL! I’ve thought of putting Satan’s solo “Up There” (which is a great song btw) instead of this song but it’s not just that villain~y (Fun Fact: Up There is the only song in the film that has no curse words in it, which is ironic since Satan sang that song). Blame Canada, otherwise, is purely devious considering they are criticizing Canada and their culture, not just Terrance and Phillip (although they don’t actually blame Canada, they just don’t want the blame to be put against them). So anyways, this song is kind of like Les Miz’ Do You Hear the People Sing, with the anthem feel in it, especially on the chorus part. This song sounds so good and this proves that parents would do everything just to make themselves feel good about raising their children.
Favorite Line: “Blame Canada, blame Canada/With all their hockey hubbabaloos/ And that bitch Anne Murray too/Blame Canada, shame on Canada!”
#3 Savages- Pocahontas
Pocahontas is a great film. The reason why it speaks to me so much is because it tells the story of Native America under the cruelty of the “so~called civilized people” from European/ Western countries, which kind of resembles the history of my home country, Philippines. Another reason is because the songs are greatly written, they tell stories and they have broader meanings than they actually appear.
Actually I’ve been struggling as to what song I should put in this list: “Mine, Mine, Mine” or “Savages”; In the end, I decided to go with Savages because it’s darker and broader, even though I liked Mine, Mine, Mine better. Okay, so “Savages” resembles past Disney villain songs, but what makes this song unique is that it’s climactic, the animations are greatly dark, and there is a lesson to be learned here. We can’t say that Ratcliffe is the only villain during this part, because the Native Americans harboured grudge as much as the Englishmen. All the wars and hatred that happened in the film is just a cause of simple human misunderstandings, which is very true to our lives as it is now. I believe that the wars and abhorrence in our world is merely a fruit of the differences we’re trying to insist to other people. The thing about equality is that everyone’s equal only when their dead. Society is a rotten place made by human hatred, and the song proves it all. I couldn’t emphasize how much this song speaks to me. Especially that part when the two sides sing together with Pocahontas planning to stop the war once and for all with the guidance of earth and wind and spirits. The scene is very climactic and very great.
Favorite Line: “Destroy their evil race/Until there's not a trace left/We will sound the drums of war!”
#2 Be Prepared- The Lion King
Needless to say, Lion King is my favorite Disney film of all time. Lion King is not just appealing to kids; the dark themes speak for adults as well. The story is pretty unique compared to other Disney films. The animation is like woah, like to the highest level! (I’m losing my composure, aren’t I) And the music? DEYM! Elton John is crazily good at this, combined with Tim Rice’s powers, they’re almost unstoppable. There is also no denying the success of this film commercially and critically. It’d be one of those remarkable films that could live forever.
Okay so back to the article… The first time I heard “Be Prepared”, it made me shiver! Even as I played this song again and again, it would always give me chills. The whole number is branded to my mind with the fire and darkness that I felt from watching and listening to the song. “Be Prepared” doesn’t only define the paragon villain song, Scar also portrays the model villain. Scar’s profanity flows from his eyes, claws and fangs through his voice and words; it feels like a storm is brewing atop Scar and those crazy hyenas marching like rebel soldiers. The beginning starts very reserved, but as the song ensues with Scar singing, he’s like a demonic king accumulating dark energy. The song builds up with the hyenas joining, creating a very powerful climax. The song goes on, with high dark power, and ending up with a perfect grandeur of dark stiff cliff behind the shining moon in the middle of the night, I mean that is ONE HELL OF AN ENDING! This song may not be as meaningful as the likes of Savages or Hellfire, but “Be Prepared” is momentous and sinister enough to make me grab onto the edge of my seat.
Favorite Line: “Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared/Be prepared!"
#1 Hellfire- The Hunchback of Notre Dame
‘THE DARKEST SONG FROM DISNEY’S DARKEST FILM EVER!’ I think that’s enough to justify its place at #1 in my list, but for the sake of I~Don’t~Know, I’ll further describe how insanely great this song sounds to me.
BTW, for those who don’t know what Hunchback of Notre Dame is, it’s just one of the most underappreciated Disney film ever. I don’t think it’s really underrated; it really is just not for kids. I mean, I’m lucky because I watched it when I was 14 years old, but I swear if I was a kid when I watched this one, I wouldn’t like this movie one bit. The film was loosely based on Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, Notre Dame de Paris. The biggest mistake in this film is that Disney produced it into an animated film. But if this was made into a live~action film (retaining of course the awesome songs and score) and followed the novel as it is, I bet the film would be a great hit.
Anyways, the song “Hellfire” could be considered Disney’s most malicious song, but of course in a great way. Hellfire is sung by the antagonist Claude Frollo in his burning desire for Esmeralda. Yes, LUST! That’s how dark this film was, exploring sexuality and the concept of hell and damnation and everything. So in this song, Frollo is struggling between his sexual aspirations for Esmeralda and his religious faith, which is really hard for someone like him. What I like about this song is that it sings of self~conflict and struggles, not just personal desires and evil plans like in the past songs in this list. As Frollo sings Hellfire, he can see Esmeralda dancing in the flames (which is a really great way to represent lust and hell). He can also see those shady robed figures which I assume represent his conscience and guilt. The song is pretty climactic, with Tony Jay’s cold voice singing Alan Menken’s probably darkest song ever combined with creepy Latin chant; everything about this song is just perfect. So yeah the song ended with Frollo finally planning to make Esmeralda choose between him and her life, with eerie silhouettes creeping against the wall. That final note that Frollo hit and held always gave me goosebumps, and not the normal one. It feels more like I’m being possessed by the spirit of the song. That’s how powerful and momentous this song is.
Favorite Line: “Protect me, Maria/Don’t let the siren cast her spell/Don’t let her fire sear my flesh and bone”
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A.N. So apparently, I’m losing my words. But at last it’s finished. So yeah, thank you for those who read this ‘til the end.
Also please just click the link if you want to listen and watch the song. The video inserter doesn't seem to work for me. Sorry for that.
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