10 Disney Song Truths

I think we all grew up thinking that Disney movie messages were just bull-shiz. Like, really, princesses? Like you have a clue about the real world? Oh yeah, little cricket, seriously? Wish upon a star… yeah right. Little did I realize just how jaded my little six-year-old heart had become. Mr. Disney and company spoke the truth y’all. And I’ll tell you how.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White was the typical princess- she actually worked for a living cleaning stuff up. She was good at that job too, even though she was a princess. Her most famous line may very well be, “someday my prince will come,” but I tend to like this ditty from the Wishing well…

“I’m wishing, for the one I love, to find me… today.” – Snow White, Wishing Well

The reason why I discounted this as a kid is because Snow White leads ladies into believing we just have to sit around and wait for a guy to show up. Well, it’s kind of true. You can go out there and look for dudes- but why? Why not just live your life, with birds and dwarfs and enjoy it. He’ll find you… right, SDubya? I’m on your side. I’m not searching for any guy.  I wrote about this in one of my previous blog posts. Some day my prince will come fo sho.

2. Pinocchio.

Isn’t it weird how a little insect can make you believe?

“When You Wish Upon a Star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires will come to you.” – Jiminy Cricket, When You Wish Upon a Star.

So, what’s crazy about this – is that it isn’t crazy. Take a moment and break down ‘wishing upon a star’… well, what is it really? I could see it as prayer or even meditation. I think what Jiminy failed to mention is not actually just saying, “I want this and I want that,” but more, if you have a dream for something, release it to God or the universe or whomever. Feel those feelings of achieving that goal, and visualize it coming back to you. I also posted this on visualization, if you need a refresher. Little dude is spot on.

3. Cinderella

“Have faith in your dreams and someday, Your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” – Cinderella, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

I kind of want to dismiss Cindy as a clueless blonde, but she and Jiminy are on the same page. Hers has to do more with love than his with life. I think having as many breakups and heartbreaks as I have, I would want to give up. But even though my heart is grieving, I keep on believing. And I’m taking a little from SnowyW and Cindy and mashing it together. I’m living my life with an open heart. I still have faith that my prince will come, but in the meantime, I’m livin’ the life I have.

4. Aladdin

I loved the story of Aladdin because there were two worlds being introduced to two very different people.

“A Whole New World, a new fantastic point of view. No one to tell us no, or where to go, or say we’re only dreaming.” – Princess Jasmine and Aladdin, A Whole New World

This song perfectly describes how I feel about travel and adventure and really opening your eyes to a whole new world. It really is a new fantastic point of view. If you haven’t tried it, hop on a magic carpet and get out there.

5. Ratatouille

This is actually my most favorite animated movie of all time. I know it seems weird, and it is a little less known, but I am a foodie at heart and love everything happening in this film.

“Let me free, I’ll astonish you; I’m planning to fly, I won’t let this party just pass me by.” – translated from Le Festin

The song in the beginning of the movie is in French, but I love this lyric because being a foodie is all about enjoying that one short moment something absolutely remarkable touches your lips for the first time. It’s another way of exploring the world, like Aladdin, but on a plate in front of you. Food is inextricably tied to culture, religion, love, friends, family. This movie perfectly captures that. Try stepping outside your Mac N Cheese box one of these days… and you’ll see what I mean.

6. Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast is all about misunderstandings, assumptions, and finding out who someone is on the inside. I do still think it’s f’d up that Belle fell for a dude that imprisoned her Dad. Pretty sure I’d have a hard time getting over that one.

“Bittersweet and strange, finding you can change, learning you were wrong.“– Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast

But it does remind us that beauty can be found in the ugliest appearing things – and ugliness in the most beautiful appearing ones. It is about love seeing beyond the physical, and understanding each other and communicating. Good job, Disney.

7. An American Tail

This is another random movie of the 90’s… about a mouse that is forced to leave his warm comfy home.

” And even though I know how very far apart we are, it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star, and when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby, it helps to think we’re sleeping underneath the same big sky.” – Fievel, Somewhere Out There, An American Tail

I actually adore this song… and it especially is sweet because I left my home as well. I’m sure many of you left your original hometown, and have to travel now to see family. Or maybe you are in a long-distance relationship (yikes, I feel for you on that one). I think this song is comforting in that (if you’re within a similar time zone) you are seeing the same moon. And we are under the same sky. We really are just small small people in this big big world. Deep thoughts.

8. Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Who doesn’t love it when Angie Lansbury belts a tune? There are a few tunes I love in this movie. But this one, I think is the best for this particular post, because she has a good message- even if she’s going off on a little boy. Take that, kid.

“You must face the age of not believing, Doubting ev’rything you ever knew
Until at last you start believing, There’s something wonderful… Truly wonderful in you” – Miss Price, Age of Not Believing

It is a reminder to stay young at heart. Always. No matter how old you are. Don’t stop believing. Hold on to that feeling. Ok, wrong song. But if you stop believing, you stop believing in yourself too- and who wants that?

9. The Little Mermaid

Oh, Ariel. I mean, I hear ya. There are so many places I want to discover. Only, I don’t need to sell my soul to go there.

“Up where they walk, up where they run, Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin’ free – wish I could be… Part of that world.” – Ariel, Part of Your World

I don’t necessarily think this quote is unattainable… in fact, she does get to that world and it all works out for her. My main takeaway from this movie is that you should always listen to your heart/gut as to where you should be in life. Whether it’s moving somewhere, taking a new job, whatever that new world is that you want to be a part of… you can make it happen. Just don’t sell your soul doing it. Seriously, it’s hard to get back once it’s gone. Just ask Ariel.

10.The Lion King

I still think it is funny that there are characters with New York accents in Africa. Anyway, I think most people love this song… but how many people practice it?

“It means no worries… For the rest of your days. It’s our problem-free philosophy: Hakuna Matata!” – Timon and Pumbaa, Hakuna Matata

Seriously, think about letting go of your worries and just trusting that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. A lot of times… it does. If you don’t believe me- listen to the talking animals. They know.