Revitalising your repertoire: Disney songs
Who wouldn’t love a new (or used and much loved) Disney song in their folder? We have a few ideas for you to get your thinking caps on.
But first we ask, why Disney? What is it about these songs that we love? For us a big attraction is that these songs are simple in story. This means they are easy to perform, show off your voice well, and can be suitable for all ages. For example, if you’re singing from Into The Woods, any song will involve the complexities of life, the human condition, parenthood, irony, desire, or all of the above. But compare these to a song out of Beauty And The Beast or The Little Mermaid. See what we mean? The songs are still fantastic, but, in a way easier to present. The lyrics involve one thing. Maybe that’s what attracts us to Disney in the first place? If life feels a little complex, it’s good to rest our brains a while!
“Practically Perfect” from Mary Poppins
This charming song was put into the musical of the movie to introduce its title character fully, and is a brilliant song for a soprano. Evenness in tone and level are key here to this fun up-tempo song. It’s also a really exercise in diction, because Mary Poppins’ diction is…. dare I say…. spit spot. “Pass the Pepper Penny” from Mouth Workout in Warm Me Up will be a must!
You may need the guidance of a musical director to help cut the song and make it into a solo.
You can get the sheet music here.
“Proud Of Your Boy” from Aladdin
This charming ballad suits a light musical theatre tenor with a lovely through line in the voice. Follow the nuances of the phrases with adding colour and vibrato/straight tone, or crescendos and decrescendos.
Sheet music here
“The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book
It’s always a great time for a fun, happy song and here’s one that requires not much more than a smile to lighten a room (or a panel!) The phrases are short, the melody is fun and the range is not too demanding, so make sure you have it in the right key for your voice. It’s suitable for all ages and voice types.
Sheet music here
“Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid
Slightly more of an acting piece than a vocal show-off, this hilarious and fun song is a must for any character actress, low voice or not. It’s mainly speak-sing, and there are a lot of words so make sure you’re familiar with all your “Mouth Workout” exercises from Warm Me Up!
Check out the original version:
Or the fabulous Queen Latifah (how about this to make you miss live theatre?)
And this one's not just for the ladies, just ask Titus!
Sheet music here.
“If I Can’t Love Her” from Beauty And The Beast
For a baritone, this wonderful yearning song can earn a place in your folder… beware of it being too long - it can easily be cut by starting at the first chorus, or the second verse, as well as cutting the orchestral break. As the phrases almost all descend, support and thinking of a crescendo through each phrase will be paramount, building to a heart-wrenching climax.
Here is a Josh Groban version which is a bit slow for a musical theatre setting but interesting to hear.
Sheet music here
“Candle On The Water” from Pete’s Dragon
Here is an unusual ballad that suits all voice types, as it doesn’t float up and down too much. It’s perfect for the younger singer too with its beautiful message of friendship. Also easily cut down by cutting straight to the bridge, we might suggest a more modern tempo that Helen Reddy’s version but this song has charm, is not heard often, and is a little unusual in flow.
Sheet music here
“Baby Mine” from Dumbo
Tissues at the ready? This charming lullaby-like song sums up our earlier points about Disney. Whether you like the recent movie version, the original or Bette Midler’s famous cover, you don’t need a long strong voice to make this song work as the lyric does all the work for you.
Sheet music here
Let us know how you go! And don't forget to warm up before every practice.