# Best performance in Disney animated musical? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 23, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973 "2008-06-23T21:29:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/1 "2008-06-23T21:29:55Z")
Inspired by the [Disney Animated Movie Madness Final Round thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=471373) , I am soliciting candidates for the best singing performance in a Disney animated film. My entry: [Samuel E. Wright](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXmLRHnoSAs) in _The Little Mermaid_. Here is [another sample](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzrIBut8Fo8) In the original thread, **Pochacco** responded with the formidable [Louis Prima](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX_7DmnAp_E) in _The Jungle Book_. Any other entries? My daughter is four years old now, so I need to start steering here towards shows with some good music. RR ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/2 "2008-06-23T22:06:28Z")
I’ll have to think about this for a while, but barring coming up with a better answer, I’ll throw a provisional vote in with Pochacco - I Wanna Be Like You is damn good. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/3 "2008-06-23T22:24:18Z")
We are fond of “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” from _Hercules_. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/4 "2008-06-23T23:41:17Z")
It’s a little dated now, and it’s not from a feature film, but “Who’s Afraid of The Big Bad Wolf” from _[The Three Little Pigs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFa67Rjnk5Q&feature=related)_ was pretty amazing for 1933. It’s probably the most famous song ever written for any Disney film and was quite a technical achievement for its day. The quality of _The Three Little Pigs_ is impressive, considering that the talkies had only debuted six years earlier. Pinto Colvig, Mary Moder and Dorothy Compton provided the voices of the pigs. Also from Jungle Book is Phil Harris performing [“The Bare Necessities”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o&feature=related). Not quite as good as “I Wanna Be Like You”, but still a great song. If you include live-action films with animated bits almost every song from Mary Poppins is a masterpiece. [“Feed the Birds”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oiueRe14p8) was reportedly Walt’s favorite song from any of his films. Even the songs without Julie Andrews’ prodigious vocal talent are great. Here’s Glynis Johns singing [“Sister Suffragette”.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nBiMmvhvd8&feature=related) And, I agree with **Helena**. Susan Egan’s performance in \*Hercules \* is great too. ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/5 "2008-06-24T14:26:23Z")
[QUOTE=Pochacco] If you include live-action films with animated bits almost every song from Mary Poppins is a masterpiece. [“Feed the Birds”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oiueRe14p8) was reportedly Walt’s favorite song from any of his films. [/QUOTE] That was amazing. I wasn’t as taken by the _Hercules_ piece, but that may be because I have never seen it in context. I did remember, though, enjoying Robin Williams’ frenetic version of [Never Had A Friend Like Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd07uvkTeKo) RR ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/6 "2008-06-24T14:58:04Z")
I started to list far too many Disney songs before I took another look at the OP and saw it was best performances, not just best song. In that case, I’d have to agree with I Wanna Be Like You and Never Had a Friend Like Me, which I give the advantage to because it’s actually Robin Williams himself singing, and he does it so well. Another one for consideration is Mulan’s [I’ll Make A Man Out Of You](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64). Strong performance by Donny Osmond, but the real jewel is the [Mandarin](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYV4z8dZozo) version, sung by Jackie Chan. Just stellar. The English and Mandarin versions on the soundtrack match so perfectly that I’ve been able to start both at the same time and listen to Donny and Jackie sing in concert. It’s really, really cool. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/7 "2008-06-24T15:04:50Z")
Ruminating through a few that pop into my head: (in addition to the aforementioned Phil Harris, Louis Prima, and Robin Williams) Richard White as Gaston in _Beauty and the Beast_: Sure he plays an asshole, but when he sings he’s got such a powerful voice it’s hard not to enjoy it. Mary Costa as Briar Rose/Aurora in _Sleeping Beauty_: “[I Wonder](http://youtube.com/watch?v=5kDrccg5sxs)” I’m still not sure how Walt was able to hire an angel to voice Aurora. Jodi Benson as Ariel in _The Little Mermaid_: “[Part of Your World](http://youtube.com/watch?v=or-xIhJ9ufM)” I find it hard to separate the performance from the perfection of the song itself, but I think the acting and the perfectly-timed vibrato is wonderful. Pat Carroll as Ursula in the same: “[Poor Unfortunate Souls](http://youtube.com/watch?v=VyFVG4VfPmg)” I’ve been working on my Ursula impression for quite a few years and I still don’t have it. and just for the fun of it, Tom Jones singing Kuzco’s Theme Song in _The Emperor’s New Groove_. For non-singing performance, Robby Benson works wonders as Beast, and Eleanor Audley as Maleficent. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/8 "2008-06-24T15:49:26Z")
Ooh, another awesome one: [Be Prepared](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0AiN8vrn9Y) from Lion King. Jeremy Irons never fails to give me chills. Great voice. ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/9 "2008-06-24T17:33:00Z")
[QUOTE=garygnu] Mary Costa as Briar Rose/Aurora in _Sleeping Beauty_: “[I Wonder](http://youtube.com/watch?v=5kDrccg5sxs)” I’m still not sure how Walt was able to hire an angel to voice Aurora. [/QUOTE] Wow. That was an astounding performance. Thank you for that one. And, **Bosstone** , I enjoyed watching that clip, too. Irons did a terrific job there. RR ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/10 "2008-06-24T17:55:04Z")
[Scatman Crothers](http://youtube.com/watch?v=CljLbqYUs54) in _The Aristocats_ gets my vote. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/11 "2008-06-24T18:16:51Z")
No love for the crows singing “When Elephants Fly!” from Dumbo? Plus, you get to point out the overt racism in the portrayal of the crows at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/12 "2008-06-24T20:10:08Z")
I’m gonna third (or fourth?) Louis Prima in _The Jungle Book_, and also Phil Harris in both _TJB_ and _Robin Hood_ (especially the latter’s “Prince John, the Phony King of England.” Also must echo Mary Costa’s Rose/Aurora, though my favorite song in that is of course “Once Upon a Dream.” Man, Disney films could really break out the heartstrings, couldn’t they? Speaking of angels, and heartstrings, and dreams for that matter: whoever sang Cinderella’s “[A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes](http://youtube.com/watch?v=KhTjnzlcIeI&feature=related)” makes me cry. Helps that this is one of Disney’s most gorgeous songs. And despite – or really, because of – her weaker voice as she’s aged, I must give props to Angela Lansbury’s version of “Beauty and the Beast.” So tender, fragile, and lovely. The slight flaws in her vocals add to the charm. Finally, I may be a big ol’ sap, but c’mon folks: give it up for [Cliff Edwards](http://youtube.com/watch?v=PufkuY-jEg4) as a certain little insect with an ethereal voice and tearjerking song. (Unfortunately, this is not the original recording, but I can’t find the full version on YouTube. Still, that last note is a killer… sob!) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/13 "2008-06-24T23:59:21Z")
There’s a lot to dislike about Hunchback of Notre Dame, but Tony Jay’s performance of the song [Hellfire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellfire_%28song%29) is just astonishing. Video clip [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyS3weMlxLA). ---
**Author:** ![phil417](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@phil417](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phil417)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/14 "2008-06-25T00:37:30Z")
**RiverRunner** , might I suggest _Pocahantas_…“Colors of the Wind.” [http://youtube.com/watch?v=TkV-of\_eN2w](http://youtube.com/watch?v=TkV-of_eN2w) Your daughter might be enchanted if you allow her to watch the you-tube video, and both my daughters (ages 14 & 8, granted, older than your child) loved the song & movie. Love, Phil ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/15 "2008-06-25T01:03:11Z")
I don’t know who sang “Baby Mine” in “Dumbo,” but anyone who doesn’t cry when that song plays and Dumbo’s mother is cradling him in her trunk is NOT HUMAN!!! ---
**Author:** ![Orual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orual)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/16 "2008-06-25T01:07:58Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone] Another one for consideration is Mulan’s [I’ll Make A Man Out Of You](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64). Strong performance by Donny Osmond, but the real jewel is the [Mandarin](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYV4z8dZozo) version, sung by Jackie Chan. Just stellar. [/QUOTE] That is so cool. [sub]Man, I love the internet.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![freekalette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@freekalette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freekalette)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/17 "2008-06-25T01:36:50Z")
Another vote for “I wonder” here. That entire movie is perfection! Although I’m hard-pressed to name second place, because there are so many great Disney songs. ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/18 "2008-06-25T13:57:05Z")
[QUOTE=astorian] I don’t know who sang “Baby Mine” in “Dumbo,” but anyone who doesn’t cry when that song plays and Dumbo’s mother is cradling him in her trunk is NOT HUMAN!!! [/QUOTE] Alison Krauss does that song on her CD _A Hundred Miles or More_. She does a good job with it. RR ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/19 "2008-06-25T14:30:23Z")
And Bonnie Raitt on the Disney compilation _Stay Awake_. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973/20 "2008-06-25T14:44:58Z")
[QUOTE=choie] And despite – or really, because of – her weaker voice as she’s aged, I must give props to Angela Lansbury’s version of “Beauty and the Beast.” So tender, fragile, and lovely. [/quote] And _joyful_. Second this nomination. Also, from the same film, Jerry Orbach singing “Be Our Guest.” Lea Salonga’s half of “A Whole New World” in _Aladdin_ is extremely well sung. And “Friend Like Me” is awfully good. Really, it would be easier, and take less time, to make a list of _bad_ vocal performances in Disney films. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-performance-in-disney-animated-musical/453973.md?page=2)