Disney Playlists - Romantic Music

Disney has a reputation for it's "fairy tale" tendencies. Much of this is because Disney music lends itself well to that reputation. If you want some music for a romantic night in or just some Disney music to give you all those mushy feelings, these are the songs you've been looking for! 

So This Is Love (Cinderella)

Who doesn’t love the Cinderella and Prince Charming scene at the ball? The song romanticizes the entire moment. Though it is a little generic, that also makes it relatable. Have a nice waltz around your living room with this melodic tune.

Love Is a Song (Bambi)

Not one of the more traditional love songs, this tune still has some very sweet lyrics. Though it more so signifies love in general, rather than “twitterpatted” love, this song can definitely create a bit of a 

romantic atmosphere.

A Whole New World (Aladdin)

This one just screams exciting romance and a symbolizes all the great things a new relationship can be. Commitment isn’t settling down – it’s a new adventure and this song exhibits all the excitement of making that commitment and starting “a whole new world” with a whole new person.

Love (Robin Hood)

This is probably one of the lesser known romantic songs in the Disney musical archives, but it is a personal favorite of mine, with lyrics that show how love and happiness make time fly and create life’s sweeter moments.

Bella Notte (Lady and the Tramp)

A wonderful spin off those Old Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin loves songs, Bella Notte has that old romantic Italian musicality that makes you want to share a plate of spaghetti with your partner. Make sure you share the meatballs too!

 If I Never Knew You (Pocahontas)

In the original release of Pocahontas, this song only comes on during the end credits. In the newer DVD release, there is a version of it in the film when Pocahontas visits John Smith while tied up in the teepee. Stick to the original version, it’s much better and doesn’t ruin the romance of the song.

Once Upon a Dream (Sleeping Beauty)

Lighthearted and uplifting, Once Upon a Dream is another one of those get up and dance with your partner songs. If you ignore the fact that two strangers sing it to each other and immediately fall in love, it can hold a deeper meaning for you. Just don’t start singing it to random people you meet on the street, or in a forest.

I See The Light (Tangled)

This song has all the feels and is one of the most down to earth of the romantic Disney songs. Of course, it still depicts the notion of love in a romanticized way, but it feels less general and more authentic than some other Disney songs. If you’re ever on a boat and see a bajillion paper lanterns floating around, I hope you’ve got this song ready on your ipod.

Can You Feel The Love Tonight? (The Lion King)

I feel as though there are so many couples that choose this as a wedding song, and for good reason. This is one of the few Disney songs that was and still is popular in non-Disney culture and appeals to a wide audience, even if they haven’t seen The Lion King. I suppose we can thank Elton John for that.

 On The Front Porch (Summer Magic)

What I love about this song is that the lyrics represent the simplicity of love and that just being with the one you love is what creates happiness. Take away expensive dates, over the top vacations, and just appreciate each other in the nothingness of relaxing on the front porch.

Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast)

This is a classic of course. A Tale as Old as Time, if you catch my drift. This song has a well-deserved Oscar and can make even the hardest of hearts soften – especially if you watch the scene from the film. It helped melt the heart of a Beast, so it should do be able to do the same for others.

Kiss The Girl (The Little Mermaid)

A little more upbeat and faster paced than other songs on this list, this song still has some romantic nature to it. Everyone’s a little shy about romance, but Sebastian isn’t and uses the song to encourage everyone else to open up. Props to anyone who had this song playing during their first kiss.

 One Song (Snow White)

Seeing that Snow White is the original of all the Disney fairytales, I suppose that makes this the original of all the romantic Disney songs. Though like some of the aforementioned song, it has a very generalized depiction of love, it is nonetheless a classic and should be appreciated for the time period and culture it was written in. If someone ever wants to serenade you outside your window, or below your balcony this could be an epic song choice.

Disney Animated Movie Moments: The Biggest Tear-jerkers

Disney movies are famous for their fairytale happy endings. They're also famous for tugging at the heart strings of audiences all over the world. There are some unforgettable tear-jerking moments in Disney animated films that are unforgettable. Below are just a few. 

(The titles are also links to video clips)

The Lion King: Mufasa Dies

I don’t know what’s more upsetting about this scene – the fact that the majestic Mufasa was basically murdered by his brother, or Simba’s reaction to it all. It pulls at the heart strings when Simba nudges his dad saying “Dad? You gotta get up. We gotta go home,” and Simba and the audience realize at the same time that Mufasa won’t be waking up or going home. It’s fair to say that this scene is one of the better know tear jerkers in the Disney realm and Mufasa’s ultimate sacrifice has been buried in the hearts and minds of Disney fans everywhere.

The Fox and the Hound: Widow Tweed Says Goodbye

For anyone who has ever had a pet, this moment is sure to leave you sobbing. Pets become a part of our families and memories. Widow Tweed raised Tod and Tod gave her a comfort that she never had. In Tod’s best interest, Widow Tweed leaves him in the Animal Preserve. The monologue spoken when Widow Tweed drives Tod to the Preserve exhibits the emotional connection between humans and animals and shows what a difference one can make for the other. When the final dialogue is both spoken and sung, “Goodbye may seem forever, farewell is like the end, but in my heart’s a memory, and there you’ll always be,” and Tod is left in the preserve with Widow Tweed driving away and fading in the background, the audience is left with that sore feeling of loss when a comfort is removed. Let the tears fall.

Tarzan: Kerchak Dies

Kerchak and Tarzan didn’t have the greatest relationship as Tarzan grew up, but that may make Kerchak’s death even more impactful. The scene starts with Clayton and his men capturing the gorillas, including Kerchak. Tarzan comes and releases Kerchak from the net and when he does Kerchak says “You came back,” and Tarzan responds “I came home” and there’s a glimmer of understanding between the two. Then they buddy up to get rid of some bad guys for some “father-son” bonding.” The bonding doesn’t last very long as Clayton grazes Tarzan’s arm with a bullet and in a fury of anger, Kerchak attacks Clayton only to be shot in the chest. Tarzan (and his mother Khala) comfort Kerchak in his last moments. In his last breath, Kerchak calls Tarzan “my son,” and Tarzan receives the only thing he ever wanted from Kerchak – acceptance.

The Little Mermaid: Ariel Greets King Triton at the Wedding

This is a combination of a happy and sad cry. Preceding the wedding scene, we have King Triton releasing Ariel into the human world to follow her heart. It’s symbolic of every father letting his little girl go. And the only problem King Triton has with it is “how much [he’s] going to miss her.” Then the wedding comes, it’s a joyful celebration, except for the one solemn moving moment where King Triton water shoots himself up to the ship to hug Ariel. When Ariel whispers “I love you, Daddy,” my bittersweet tears start to fall. I imagine this hit the nail on the head for most father-daughter interactions on a wedding day.

Bambi: Bambi Loses His Mother

It starts pleasant, Bambi and his mother go out in the field to taste the new Spring grass together. Then we hear the string instruments in the background and we know something bad is about to happen. Bambi’s mother looks up, alert and concerned. The mother yells and they rush to the thicket, the crescendo grows and Bambi’s mother keeps telling him to run faster and faster. We hear the bang of the gun and you know what happened – but Bambi doesn’t. He thinks they both made it back to the thicket until he realizes he’s alone and calls out for his mother but receives no response until his father shows up. His face when he realizes his mother is gone exhibits heart break and loss, and our hearts ache with him.  Believe it or not, many of the animators wanted to completely change this scene. During a test run in front of a college aged audience, Bambi was calling out for his mother and a girl in the audience shouted “I’m right here Bambi!” and made everyone in the theatre laugh. The animators and Disney staff were concerned that this would be laughed at and even more concerned that it was too serious for animation. Walt Disney insisted on keeping the scene and as usual, his instincts were right. Sad as it is, this scene depicts the way of nature and the harsh reality of the world and the importance of bouncing back from it and developing new happiness.

Beauty and the Beast: The Transformation Scene

This is one of the best Disney Animated movie scenes ever made, in my humble opinion. The Beast gets stabbed, and all he cares about is that Belle came back for him – what a romantic. His dying breath is “at least I got to see you one last time,” as the rain falls. Belle whispers a tearful “I love you” and the scene cuts to the last petal of the magical rose falling and the enchanted objects crying. That’s enough to put tears in the eyes of any viewer. BUT WAIT, magical sparks? Trumpeted music? Could it be – a romantic miracle! The Beast not only lives, but he transforms into the handsome prince, breaking the curse upon the castle. It’s the ultimate heartbreak transformed into the ultimate happiness. All the feels, we can’t even handle it. Pure sadness and pure joy overwhelm us Disney fans and we just cry it out.

Big Hero 6: Tadashi Dies

I think most Disney fans that watched Big Hero 6 knew within the first couple of minutes of the film that Tadashi was a goner. Anytime we feel an extreme emotional connection to a relationship or a character immediately, it gets snatched away! That didn’t make it any less upsetting when Tadashi dies in the fire trying to do the right thing. Hiro’s reaction and loss was possibly even more upsetting that Tadashi’s death in itself. But at least Baymax’s healing powers come to the rescue.

Tangled: Flynn Saves Rapunzel

This moment can be quite a tear jerker as both Rapunzel and Flynn decide they want to make a sacrifice for each other. Rapunzel is willing to trap herself up in the tower (again) with Mother Gothel in order to save Flynn. Her plan is foiled, not by the villain, but by Flynn Ryder himself. When she tries to save him, he leans in for a kiss and instead chops her hair off, knowing that his death is imminent. As Rapunzel cries at the loss of her magical hair, her tears fall and reveal magical qualities as well. A Disney miracle!

Dumbo: Dumbo Visits His Imprisoned Mother

Though Dumbo is not one of my favorite Disney films, this scene is one of my favorite Disney moments. This is such a sweet mother-son interaction. Poor Dumbo has such a rough night – forced to be a clown and humiliated. Timothy the Mouse takes him to his mother who has been imprisoned for being a “mad elephant.” Timothy announces Dumbo to Mrs. Jumbo and Mrs. Jumbo runs to the bars to see him, but is chained to the ground

. All she can do is stick out her trunk and rock Dumbo back and forth as he cries and the sweetest song (Baby Mine) plays in the background. It just goes to show that moms know how to make everything better.

 Pocahontas: Pocahontas and John Smith Say Goodbye

This is one of the first Disney movies where the main couple does not end up together in the end of the film, which might increase the emotional impact. Pocahontas is left with the difficult decision of leaving her home to follow the man she loves. After deciding her place is with her people, her and John Smith share one last kiss good-bye and a reassurance of “I’ll always be with you.” The most heartbreaking part of their separation, however, is when John Smith gets boarded on the ship and as it sails away, Pocahontas sprints to the cliff’s edge for one final “good-bye.” When Pocahontas reaches the cliff, the wind and leaves around her pick up and are carried to John Smith on the ship who sees her in the distance as they wave to each other. The one sweet moment here is remembering that in the middle of the movie, the only hand wave Pocahontas officially teaches John Smith is “Wingapo,” the native language for hello, so we could interpret this as them never saying good-bye to each other. Romance at it’s peak.

Do you have a favorite Disney animated film tear jerker?

Disney Playlists - Work Out Music

Disney may be known for their romantic music and songs that touch the heart, but that doesn't mean Disney doesn't have songs that pump the heart either. Here's a workout Disney playlist to get you going when the going gets tough.

The song titles are also links to the songs on YouTube. They are the actual scenes of the song so some may start with dialogue from the film. Enjoy!

 I'll Make a Man Out of You (Mulan)

 

This is the ultimate work out song. Not only does the music get you rearing to go, but the lyrics are absolutely perfect for doing that extra set of lifting or pushing yourself through a cardio routine. You can be swift as the coursing river, you’ve got the force of a great typhoon, you’ve got the strength of a raging fire – just not sure if being mysterious as the dark side moon has anything to do with working out.

I Just Can't Wait to Be King (The Lion King)

This isn’t your typical workout song, but I do think it lifts the spirits and has that message of hope and excitement, kind of like what you get when you start a new exercise regime – you just can’t wait to get fit.

Touch the Sky (Brave)

When Merida is riding her horse Angus, shooting arrows at every target she passes, and climbing mountains with this song in the background, it always makes me want to do something physical. It’s the combination of the images in your head that go with this song which pump you up for your daily dose of exercise. Merida’s got it on lockdown so this song will do the trick.

One Jump Ahead (Aladdin)

This fast-paced song where Aladdin reminds us that he’s one jump ahead of everyone else because he’s so swift and cunning only inspires us to get ahead of the game. It could even get you ready for a sporting event – stay one jump ahead of the competition!

 

Stand Out (A Goofy Movie)

I love this song! It’s fast paced, uplifting, and tells us to stand out above the crowd. Whenever racing, this song makes me want to pace everyone ahead of me because first place always stands out! You gotta believe that you’ve got what takes – it’s a piece of cake.

He's a Pirate (Pirates of the Caribbean)

I don’t know what it is about this song that’s got me and so many people I know energized when working out. There are no lyrics but the music just sets something off that makes you want to push yourself a little further and gets the blood pumping.

Go The Distance (Hercules)

Though this is a slower song, these lyrics are perfect for distance runners. How many times on your run have you told yourself every mile will be worth your while and that you can go the distance? Well, even if you haven’t told yourself that, the song will tell you that you shouldn’t care how far, somehow you’ll be strong!

One Last Hope (Hercules)

The entire sequence for this song is quite literally a dude getting into shape! Hercules is training to the melody and lyrics of “One Last Hope,” and he ends up jacked so if it worked for him, it can work for you too! Remember every workout takes more than sinew and comes down to what’s in you.

Zero to Hero (Hercules)

Yeah, I know – half the Hercules soundtrack is on here, but it’s because it’s so perfect for this playlist! Zero to hero is such a pump-up song that it can get any lethargic person off the couch and out for some exercise. This song will get you ready for you toughest workouts and help you go from zero to hero in no time! Just don't forget to drink your "Herculade" to replenish electrolytes.

Got any Disney songs you like to work out to? Write it in the comments section :)