Get ready for a whole new world of music! We're counting down the best original songs created for Disney's live-action remakes. From ballads to pop anthems, these tunes added something special to these reimagined classics. Which of these melodies had you humming?
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00:00The siren that guides me to wild uncharted waters.
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best new songs added
00:10to Disney's live-action remakes of animated classics.
00:20Number 10. What a shame. Lady and the Tramp.
00:24Some things just need a total revamp, and that cat number from the original
00:28definitely falls into this category.
00:40In this version, the chaos and mischief remain, but the offensive overtones are gone.
00:45The writers said that they kept tweaking the number until it actually made them laugh,
00:49which is when they knew they were onto something.
00:59Funny enough, Nate, Rocket Wonder, and Roman Jean Arthur, who co-wrote this song with Janelle
01:06Monet, weren't even supposed to sing it in the movie. But somehow, that's exactly what ended
01:11up happening. It's still just as brash and ridiculous as before, just without making
01:16future generations cringe. It was a much-needed update, for sure.
01:20If you've seen later releases of the original animation or the stage musical, you probably
01:26know the song Human again. For the 2017 live-action remake, they swapped it out for Days in the Sun,
01:32which gives us a deeper look at why Prince Adam became so cruel and why his staff still
01:36stands by him despite the curse.
01:49The song is a mix of nostalgia and longing, making their situation feel even more tragic.
02:05Composer Alan Menken gave it his signature touch, making it sound soft and wistful,
02:22but packed with sadness and hope. It gives the Beast a more elaborate backstory,
02:26adding layers to his situation and making breaking the curse feel more urgent.
02:348. I Will Always Dance – Pinocchio
02:46After Pinocchio joins Stromboli's theater, he meets puppeteer Fabiana and her puppet Sabina.
02:52While practicing in her room, Fabiana sings about how dancing keeps her dreaming.
03:04The movie didn't exactly get rave reviews, but this is one of its more charming additions.
03:11The song is light and uplifting, with a message about pushing through challenges,
03:15which fits Fabiana's story as a dancer who refuses to let an injury hold her back.
03:30The melody is sweet and even a little playful, with a fun Latin-inspired rhythm.
03:34It doesn't quite hit the emotional highs of the film's classic songs,
03:38but it's a catchy, welcome addition that brings some extra warmth to the movie.
03:547. For the First Time – The Little Mermaid
03:57This song takes place after Ariel seals the deal with Ursula, trading her voice for legs.
04:02Since she can't actually speak, it works as her internal monologue while she takes
04:07in the human world she's dreamed about, full of excitement, nerves, and wonder.
04:20In the original 1989 film, Ariel only gets one solo, so this basically gives audiences a chance
04:26to check in with her. Also, when you cast Halle Bailey, how could you not give her more chances
04:31to sing? It's got that classic Disney feel with a modern pop twist, pulling us right into Ariel's
04:45mind. Watching her soak up every new experience makes it even better, and the buildup makes what
04:50happens next hit even harder. 6. Waiting on a Wish – Snow White
05:03Since the story got some updates, Someday My Prince Will Come no longer fit the narrative.
05:08But Snow White still needed her big I Want song, so Benj Pasek,
05:11Justin Paul, and Jack Feldman gave us Waiting on a Wish.
05:20It perfectly captures that feeling of knowing who you want to be, but not quite knowing how
05:28to get there. And of course, Rachel Zegler delivers, pouring her heart into every note.
05:346. Waiting on a Wish – Snow White
05:49It makes this version of Snow White feel more real and relatable than ever. The song is absolutely
05:53beautiful, and while this film has gone down in infamy, our wish is that this song doesn't get
05:58lost in that unfortunate legacy. 5. How Does a Moment Last Forever – Beauty
06:13and the Beast Just like Days in the Sun gave us a peek into
06:16the Beast's past, this song does the same for Maurice and Belle. We first hear it when Maurice
06:21reflects on the good old days with his late wife. Belle later reprises it as she returns to the
06:35Paris of her infancy. The song has a lullaby-like melody, bringing warmth, comfort, and a touch of
06:41sadness. There's also the version sung by
06:52Celine Dion over the end credits, just like her rendition of the title song in the original.
06:56Despite initially hesitating to sign on after recently losing her husband,
07:00Dion ultimately performed it as a tribute to the career he helped her build.
07:046. How Does a Moment Last Forever – The Little Mermaid
07:174. Wild Uncharted Waters – The Little Mermaid If there's one thing we want from live-action
07:22remakes, it's for them to fill in the gaps left by the original. This song does exactly that.
07:28All I ever wanted was the open sea and sky, freedom from the life I always knew.
07:35In the 1989 animation, Eric is basically just… there. But in this updated version,
07:40he gets his own I Want song, which is like his version of Part of Your World,
07:45explaining why he's so drawn to the ocean and why his connection with Ariel makes sense.
07:49Just you hold me, and I hope you're there in the open air. There's no map or compass to guide me.
08:00Written by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the song captures the call of the wild waters,
08:05with Ariel representing the life Eric longs for. Jonah Hower King brings it to life with
08:10all the yearning and desperation that makes us root for this prince.
08:13Come find me again!
08:243. Spirit – The Lion King For a while,
08:28Spirit was this film's hidden gem. Hans Zimmer, whose iconic music scores both versions,
08:42admitted he was a bit anxious when Beyoncé first pitched the song.
08:46Apparently, she was too. But as soon as he heard it, he knew it had to be in the film.
08:58It was originally going to be played over the end credits, but Zimmer pushed to make it part
09:03of the story. We hear it as Simba makes his return to Pride Rock, a moment that Nala deserves credit
09:08for if you ask us. The song is about empowerment and connection to roots, with African rhythms that
09:24pack emotional weight. Critics loved it, earning multiple award nominations, including two Grammys.
09:382. Evermore – Beauty and the Beast One of the Beast's more, well,
09:49beastly traits is his struggle to express emotions. But that's where musical numbers
09:54come in, right? They let characters share what words can't. Apparently, the Beast didn't get
10:07a solo in the 1991 animation because Howard Ashman couldn't find the right moment for him
10:11to break into song. Well, we'd say that letting the woman he loves, and who might have just broken
10:16his curse, leave is a pretty good moment. And clearly the creators of the 2017 remake thought
10:21so too. This beautiful ballad reveals his softer side, which he rediscovers thanks to Belle. As she
10:36leaves, he reflects on how her memory will stay with him forevermore. Before we unveil our top
10:59pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Aria – Beauty and the Beast
11:03Certainly a surprising choice for Disney, but the pipes on Audra McDonald make it worth
11:08every note. Strong – Cinderella
11:20A strong ending sung by Sanarelle. The Scuttlebutt – The Little Mermaid
11:31We guess Scuttle really wanted a song. The Coachman to Pleasure Island – Pinocchio
11:50Joining a long line of Disney villains who've scored our childhood drama.
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12:20Number 1. Speechless – Aladdin
12:23Jasmine's always been one of Disney's most determined princesses. But in the 2019 live
12:28action remake, she truly breaks free from the usual princess mold. She's not just the love
12:43interest, she's driven to become the leader Agrabah deserves. As the movie goes on,
12:48we watch her grow stronger and more confident. Her song Speechless is a key part of that journey.
13:01It's all about finding her voice and standing up for what matters. The song unfolds in three parts,
13:06beginning with a stripped back melody. Its crescendo mirrors Jasmine's emotional growth,
13:26climaxing in a powerful showcase of Naomi Scott's incredible vocal range. It's a dynamic,
13:32unforgettable piece that resonates with anyone who's ever had to fight to be heard.
13:37Which original song from a live action remake do you wish had been included
13:53in the animated version? Let us know in the comments.
13:56Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
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