This month’s soundtrack is a salute to the Disney movies that were on a constant loop in the background of my childhood. And by “childhood,” I mean high school and college. When your lifelong dream is to work at the happiest place on earth, you become a bit obsessive. It was a time for reinvention for the Disney Company and I think Alan Menken deserves a great big THANK YOU from the peanut gallery. I hope you enjoy this playlist while wearing Mickey ears with an embroidery of you name on the back!

THE LITTLE MERMAID
Daughters of Triton
Some people fast forward through this roll call, but I insist on singing every lyric and matching my pitch with each daughter.

Part of Your World
It’s a Disney classic. It’s also the reason I thought my sister named her dog Gizmo in the ‘90s. That would have been a really cool story for this post had she not named him after the gremlin in Gremlins.

Under the Sea
Because of Sebastian, I have mastered a Jamaican accent. This one is a joy to sing.

Poor Unfortunate Souls
Pat Carroll has one of the raspiest voices in animation. She is the perfect Ursula. There’s so much depth and range in her performance too. Think of the popping sound she made when she warned, “No talking, singing, zip!”

Les Poissons
I guess The Little Mermaid is responsible for my love of accents, because I mastered a French one thanks to this song. Plus, I have a good chance of getting a Trivial Pursuit piece of pie since I know “les poissons” means fish. Educational and fun! Oh Disney…

Kiss the Girl
I may have developed a self-proclaimed weird, yet I totally owned it crush on Prince Eric during this song. I still think he’s one of the hottest princes out there. Walt would be so proud to hear this.

ALADDIN
Friend Like Me
Thanks to Robin Williams, this song lives on a multitude of “Friends” playlists from my youth. Fun fact: I also danced to this song in drill team my senior year. It was a box routine with a pole sticking out of the middle. We literally pole danced on the 50-yard-line. Go Bobcats.

Prince Ali
Another classic in which Robin Williams slayed the track with tons of different voices. I can do them all. (He’s got the monkeys…let’s see the monkeys…)

A Whole New World
Duh.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Prologue
To this day, if you ask me to recite the prologue from Beauty and the Beast, I can do it. This is a true story. I’m definitely bragging.

Belle
Best song EVER. I love Paige O’Hara’s voice and have been known to belt out, “Ooohhhhh isn’t this amazing? It’s my favorite part because…you’ll seeeeeeee. Heeeeerrrrrreee’s where she meets Prince Charming! But she won’t discover that it’s him til chapter three.” Another fun fact: This used to bother me because I never thought the girl would discover that this dude is the Prince until way later than chapter three in the book. But I let it go for rhyming purposes.

Gaston
Best song EVER. I met Gaston with my friend Amy at my last trip to Disney World. I can confirm that he is roughly the size of a barge.

Be Our Guest
This is another song where my French accent is showcased. It’s such a happy song. Did you know that you can try the grey stuff at the Be Our Guest restaurant? I hear it’s delicious. I know this because I asked the dishes.

LION KING
Circle of Life
Best song EVER. I was lucky enough to help host the Broadway cast at a radio event in Dallas many years ago. The woman who sang “Circle of Life” dressed up in full costume and belted it in the ballroom of a fancy Marriott downtown. It still gives me chills to this day.

I Just Can’t Wait To Be King
Kids singing adorable lyrics will get me every time. It’s addictive. I appreciate the crescendo at the end and often sing in harmony with young Simba.

HERCULES
The Gospel Truth
Y’all know how I believe that everything sounds better with a gospel choir. Well, Disney spoke to my soul on this soundtrack. Those muses brought us to church and I loved every minute of it.

Zero to Hero
Again, gospel music with lyrics that include swooning over Hercules. This is my sweet spot.

I Won’t Say I’m In Love
Susan Egan channels every frustrated girl out there who is fighting against falling for the guy who is more than likely going to break your heart. Oh how young Lincee identified with this theme. Heck, old Lincee still identifies with it too!

MULAN
I’ll Make a Man Out of You
Um, hello! It’s Donny Osmond!

TARZAN
You’ll Be In My Heart
Such a sweet, sweet song about a parents’ love for their child. There’s a fast version and one that’s more of a lullaby. I like both.

Trashin’ the Camp
I was going through a major NSYNC phase. Let me have this.

Simple Disclaimer
Some of you may be wondering why “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is not on my Lion King list. The answer is simple: that song is annoying. Don’t ask me why, but I’ve never embraced it like I probably should have. You may also be wondering why I didn’t show Michael Bolton any love with “Go the Distance.” Perhaps if he had invited the muses to back him up, he would have made the list. And last but not least, a few of you think I forgot about Pocahontas. Well I didn’t. I’d like to forget this abysmal movie, but asking people if they’ve ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon always seems to pop up in conversation.