Walt Disney movie soundtracks are known for beautiful compositions and thoughtful lyrics. The list of Disney songs that have yielded Oscar wins for “Best Original Song” is plentiful.
Like many people all over the world, I am a sucker for a Disney movie. The characters, the story, the actors- they all have a way of lifting me out of my everyday ho-hum world and into someplace completely different – a world with a blue fairy, where bluebirds can sing on my shoulder, and where I can jump into a scene from sidewalk chalk drawing.
It’s not just the people or animation that can take me to those places. Equally important are the songs that create the backdrop for the story.
What Disney songs have won Oscars?
It doesn’t surprise anyone that with Disney’s team of professionals, that songs featured on Disney soundtracks have regularly been nominated for an Oscar in Best Original Song.
Since the Best Original Song category came up for grabs in 1934, a total of 14 songs from Walt Disney Studios have won the Oscar in Best Original Song.
“When You Wish Upon a Star” from Pinocchio, 1940
It’s no wonder this song about dreams and wishes has become Disney’s theme song. Ned Washington wrote the lyrics to Leigh Harline’s lullaby-like lyrics. Disney has featured this melody countless times since to complement everything from movies, cruise experiences, and famous fireworks displays in Walt Disney World.
The song’s recognition goes beyond the Academy Awards. The American Film Institute acknowledged “When You Wish Upon a Star” in the number 7 spot on their list of 100 Greatest Songs in Film History, the highest rank of any Disney song.
“When You Wish Upon a Star” has been covered by countless artists and appears on several Disney soundtracks and compilations. If your ears are hankering to listen to it as sung by Cliff Edwards, the voice of Jimminy Cricket, I’d recommend the Magic of Disney Soundtrack (2009). This album has many Disney classics (both old and new classics) on one album.
“Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” from Song of the South, 1946
I can’t listen to this song and not get a smile on my face to the upbeat tune. Written by the team of Allie Wrubel and Ray Gilbert, James Baskett lent his voice (and his whistling abilities) to make this into a memorable song. If you have ever enjoyed the Splash Mountain ride at the Disney theme park, know that the ride was inspired by this cheerful ditty.
Because of fear that this film would offend the audience due to racial issues, Disney has never released the movie on DVD or VHS. However, the song appears on several soundtracks. Currently in print is A Musical History of Disney (2005). This boxed set is the largest release in Walt Disney Records history.
“Chim-Chim-Cheree” from Mary Poppins, 1964
“Chim-Chim-Cheree” was the personal theme song of the lovable Bert in Mary Poppins. The lyrics, written by the Sherman Brothers, capitalized on the folklore that to shake the hand of a chimney sweep would bring you good luck.
However, with a great song to work with and the vocal talents of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, no luck was needed, and this song clinched the Academy Award in 1964. This song is also featured on The Magic of Disney Soundtrack (2009).
After this hallmark song, it would take 25 years for another iconic Dinsey song to claim the Oscar. Since 1989, Disney has become a dominant fixture in the Best Original Song category, taking home the Oscar for several other films, which include:
- “Under the Sea,” The Little Mermaid, 1989
- “Beauty and the Beast,” Beauty and the Beast, 1991
- “A Whole New World,” Aladdin, 1992
- “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” The Lion King, 1994
- “Colors of the Wind,” Pocahontas, 1995
- “You’ll Be in My Heart,” Tarzan, 1999
- “If I Didn’t Have You,” Monsters, Inc., 2001
- “We Belong Together, Toy Story 3, 2010
- “Man or Muppet” The Muppets 2011
- “Let It Go” Frozen 2013
- “Remember Me” Coco 2017
What Disney song has won the most awards?
Although these 14 songs have climbed their way to Oscar recognition, several more have been nominated. However, I don’t think that it’s simply just about the Academy Awards. Millions of people, just like me, have found happiness and a personal connection to these memorable melodies and thoughtful lyrics.
