It's no secret that Disney's magic is in more than just its parks and the big screen. It's also blasting through the radio speakers, too! Disney's tunes are infectious, and we all have that one Disney song that we believe sits atop the Pride Rock of melodies. In terms of the charts, however, Billboard has a good take on Disney's greatest hits. We will be counting down Billboard's top 10 picks of chart-topping Disney jams of all time to see which tune wears the glass slipper of Disney's ultimate song!
10) “You’ll Be in My Heart”—Phil Collins, Tarzan (Number 21, 1999)
Remember Disney's “You'll Be in My Heart?” It's a tearjerker!
But it's not just about the tenderness between Tarzan and his gorilla mother, Kala. This tune also has a place in Disney history, as it's been translated to several languages performed by Phil Collins and other singers. Disney catered to different markets with multi-language renditions, proving Disney's magic really does speak to hearts in all corners of the globe! “You'll Be in My Heart” made its way up the Billboard charts, peaking at spot 21.
9) “Go the Distance”—Michael Bolton, Hercules (Number 24, 1997)
For anyone who has faced their share of life's ups and downs, Disney's “Go the Distance” from the 1997 Hercules movie hits home like a lightning bolt from Zeus. Every time you hear this song, it feels like a comforting pep talk–the ultimate “chin up, you've got this” anthem. This empowering tune truly went the distance and climbed the Billboard charts all the way to spot 24.
8) “Circle of Life”—Elton John, The Lion King (Number 18, 1994)
Let's reminisce about this treasured tune, Elton John's “Circle of Life,” from what is arguably Disney's greatest hit: The Lion King. Following the iconic shot of the blazing African sunrise, the savannah's wildlife begin to stir, and then Elton's anthem rolls in, elevating the 1994 classic's opening scene to pure magic. Just like Simba climbing Pride Rock, this unforgettable ballad ascended its way up to a roaring number 18 on the charts.
7) “Surface Pressure”—Jessica Darrow, Encanto (Number 8, 2022)
Remember when Disney's catchy tune “Surface Pressure” from the blockbuster musical Encanto had us all nodding along?Pressure that'll tip, tip, tip 'til you just go pop, whoa-oh-oh-oh. Give it to your sister, your sister's older. It hits the bullseye on the older-sibling experience, and this relatable anthem resonated so much that it danced its way up to the number eight spot on the Billboard charts.
6) “Beauty and the Beast”—Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson, Beauty and the Beast (Number 9, 1992)
Who can forget the classic, “Tale as old as time, true as it can be…?” This swoon-worthy ballad from Disney's 1991 animated film Beauty and the Beast, performed by vocal powerhouses Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, is a love song for the ages.
Remember the first time we watched Belle waltzing with the Beast in that grand ballroom? We were all swept off our feet, completely breathless, as the magic of this song filled the air. Just like a perfect waltz, this tune never skips a beat when it comes to stirring the heart.
5) “Colors of the Wind”—Vanessa Williams, Pocahontas (Number 4, 1995)
Remember Pocahontas belting out that legendary line: And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon? It's from the stunning song “Colors of the Wind” in Disney's 1995 animated film. It's not just a song—it's Pocahontas's love letter to nature as she schools John Smith about Earth's gifts and beauty.
This song has the warmth of a crackling campfire and all the wisdom of Grandmother Willow. Disney's classic hit “Colors of the Wind” peaked at number four in 1995.
4) “Let It Go”—Idina Menzel, Frozen (Number 5, 2014)
Some may argue that “Let It Go” is overplayed, but it's because this icy anthem from Frozen is so good, we just can't get enough. When Elsa belts out her frosty self-acceptance ballad, you can't help but feel spellbound. And let's not forget the golden voice behind the magic: Broadway superstar Idina Menzel.
Post-film release, this chilling chart-topper was played everywhere, climbing all the way to Billboard's top five! And that's just the tip of the iceberg: it also snagged both an Academy Award and a Grammy.
3) “A Whole New World” (Aladdin’s Theme)—Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle, Aladdin (Number 1, one week, 1993)
Disney's 1992 classic, Aladdin, featured an enchanting flying carpet, but the real sparkle came from the vocal magic woven by the pop R&B duo Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. This version of the song was nominated for Record of the Year and won Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. It climbed all the way to number one in the charts in 1993 for one week!
2. Can You Feel the Love Tonight—Elton John, The Lion King (No. 4, 1994)
Disney fans surely won't be surprised that The Lion King is on the list again with Elton John's love-struck anthem, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” From its opening whisper of “calm surrender” to its thrilling chorus, this tender tune takes us on a journey through the lush landscape of love.
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” won an Academy Award for best original song and landed number four on the charts in 1994.
1) “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”—Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz & Encanto Cast, Encanto (Number 1, 2022)
Elsa's reign as the Billboard queen was as icy and formidable as her castle…until Encanto came onto the scene. With songs like “Surface Pressure,” and “The Family Madrigal,” Encanto's tune-game was strong. But the song that finally sent Elsa's “Let It Go,” down the charts was “We Don't Talk About Bruno.”
This catchy number not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 but also became the second Disney animation song to do so, following “A Whole New World,” from Aladdin. Yet “We Don't Talk About Bruno” kept its crown for five weeks!
How did it achieve such a feat? Not through radio airplay, as you might expect from a traditional Disney hit. Rather, “We Don't Talk About Bruno” found its fame in a modern way: it became a viral sensation on social media. So here's to “We Don't Talk About Bruno,” the song that spoke volumes and rewrote Disney's Billboard history!
Do the rankings match up with your personal favorites? Or are you belting out a different Disney tune?
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My brother was mentally challenged. however, he and i rode on the Flying Saucers (like bump cars) at Disneyland in the summer of 1964. It was a ride we never forgot and it was so exciting to see him enjoy himself thoroughly. Very Happy Memories.