Top Ten Tuesday - Disney Villain (Songs)

Here at West End Best Friend, we love a bit of Disney, especially when it comes to the songs sung by our favourite villains. As much as we route for the good guys, there is a little part of us that secretly love the villains and vibe to some of their songs. This week, we will be counting down out top ten favourite Disney villain songs.

Will you agree with our choices? ‘Be prepared’ to let us know in the comments below!

10. The Bottom Line – Mr Pulitzer (Newsies)

It doesn’t matter what type of Disney list it is – Newsies will always have a place on it! ‘The Bottom Line’ is sung by the ‘bad guy’ of this musical and is just cruel, but in the best possible way. This song is a classic reflection of what it means to be in a capitalist society and because of that, we can relate to and understand everything, which is partly what makes this song mischievously brilliant. 

9. Cruella DeVil (101 Dalmations)

The woman’s name is Devil but with a fancy twist…how is that not the definition of villainous?! That and her entire motive of the story is to make a coat out of the fur of puppies and ‘she’s like a spider waiting for the kill.’ Dare I say more, Besties? 

8. The Queen of Mean – Audrey (Descendants 3)

A fantastic villain song telling the story of a good girl gone bad. As Audrey sings of her need and desire to get what she deserves and will do anything to get there, this song perfectly captures the good to bad theme and is the perfect tune to belt out when you have had a really bad day at work.

7. Fire (Camp Rock 2)

Although not technically a ‘villain’ song, it is sung by the antagonists of this DCOM classic, which is why it gets a place on this list. Not only this but the lyrics feature comments about taking what’s mine and not letting it go. It is a song of power and control, which angers us as audiences because we are cheering on the laid back and fun camp rockers who do not hide behind gimmicks and on-stage fire makers. 

6. Ways To Be Wicked (Descendants 2)

Another song from the DCOM hit, Descendants. In this catchy and modern villain song, the characters of Mal, Jay, Evie and Carlos remind us that they have all the ways to be wicked and once again, give audiences a feisty and passionate display of their family heritage. These modern villains-turned-heroes are an exciting bunch to watch but we will never forget who their parents are – and also why we love them!

5. Gaston – Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)

A song about male pride and arrogance. Gaston is known for his handsome looks but his not-so-handsome approach towards other people and this song is basically him telling us that he is better than everyone else. Evil yet catchy.

4. I Put a Spell on You – The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)

We never explicitly said that these songs were being plucked from the Disney Animated Classics..and if this song doesn’t make you want to be an evil witch who lives for thousands of years, then nothing will. Coming from one of our favourite Halloween films – and Disney films in general – this song puts into perspective the control of these three women and for that, we are reminded of how truly manipulative and evil they are.

3. Be Prepared – Scar (The Lion King)

It doesn’t matter which version of this song is heard, the outcome is still the same – there is a strange and creepy sense to the air around us after listening. And as Scar outlays his plans to take over the animal kingdom to his herd of hyena followers, the chills run down our spines and the hairs on the back of our necks shoot up. A brilliant display of villainous intent and behaviour.

2. Mother Knows Best – Mother Gothel (Tangled)

Disguised as the concerns of a worrying mother, this song is a brilliant display on villainy and manipulation. As a response to Rapunzel leaving her tower to watch the lanterns in the sky, Mother Gothel uses her incredible singing skills to show her daughter the threats of the world around her with the intent to keep her in the tower forever. And what for, I hear you ask? For the sake of vanity. This song gives us tingles, Besties, and we are yet to decide if they are out of horror or enjoyment.

1.Poor Unfortunate Souls - Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

In our opinion, there will never be a villain song that can match the perfection behind this one. ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ has some incredible lyrics, so brilliant in fact that you begin to forget that she is a villain at all. The emotive outbursts of words like the ‘miserable, lovely and depressed’ alongside the exclamative ‘pathetic’ become exciting and, dare we say, enjoyable to sing along to. 

Not only this but it becomes a really interesting case study when thinking about feminism because she attempts to teach Ariel that ‘on land it’s much preferred for ladies not to say a word’ and that she should never underestimate the importance of body language.’ Take that as you will, Besties, but it is a perfect display of how Disney comments on an issue that a prevalent to our current society. 

So, what do you think, Besties? Do you agree with our choices? Let us know in the comments below who your favourite Disney villain or what your Disney villain song is. We would love to hear from you!

But for now, this has been another edition of Top Ten Tuesday. Until next week!