Music Fridays # 84: And The Award Goes To Pt. 1

Hello and welcome to Pt. 1 of a special multi-part Music Fridays, in which I'll be taking a look at the Disney songs that have won the award for Best Original Song.   Now to make this fair and try to keep my opinion balanced, not only have I listened to the songs that won but I've also listened to the songs that were nominated alongside the winners.    Well, okay most of them as some of the older ones couldn't be found.    With that out of the way, let's begin.

When You Wish Upon A Star  - 1940  (13th Academy Awards)

The nominees alongside When You Wish Upon A Star were...

• "Down Argentine Way" — Down Argentine Way • Music: Harry Warren • Lyrics: Mack Gordon

• "I'd Know You Anywhere" — You'll Find Out • Music: Jimmy McHugh • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

• "It's a Blue World" — Music in My Heart • Music and Lyrics: Chet Forrest and Bob Wright

• "Love of My Life" — Second Chorus • Music: Artie Shaw • Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

• "Only Forever" — Rhythm on the River • Music: James V. Monaco • Lyrics: Johnny Burke

• "Our Love Affair" — Strike Up the Band • Music and Lyrics: Roger Edens and Georgie Stoll

• "Waltzing in the Clouds" — Spring Parade • Music: Robert Stolz • Lyrics: Gus Kahn

• "Who Am I?" — Hit Parade of 1941 

Yeah, the Academy got it right, this year. Out of all the songs, nominated, this was the most memorable of the ones that I was able to listen to. It stuck with me and to be quite honest, had the most heart and charm to it. Now mind you, the other songs weren't bad. I'd say the best two that didn't win were Our Love Affair and Down Argentine Way but there is just something majestic about this one that to me, I can't deny it's rightful win.

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - 1947 (20th Academy Awards)

The nominees alongside Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah were....

• "A Gal in Calico" — The Time, the Place and the Girl • Music: Arthur Schwartz • Lyrics: Leo Robin

• "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" — The Perils of Pauline • Music and Lyrics: Frank Loesser

• "Pass That Peace Pipe" — Good News • Music and Lyrics: Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin and Roger Edens

• "You Do" — Mother Wore Tights • Music: Josef Myrow • Lyrics: Mack Gordon

Okay, I gotta be honest, in terms of music it appears that 1947 was a strong year and I'm not sure if Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah should've won (Ducks!)  Okay, hear me out, this is a great song that is a timeless classic and often considered the theme of Disney (ironic considering they won't release the film)    but...  You Do from Mother Wore Tights was better.    Here listen.    That song has so much weight and power to it and it is a loving tribute to that girl's mother and father.   When I had finished listening to that song, I was left speechless.   Getting back to Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,  it's great and fun and it would probably be in  my top 3 songs that were up for the award that year.  It'd probably be # 2 behind You Do and Pass The Peace Pipe would be at # 3.








Chim Chim Cher-ee - 1964 (37th Academy Awards)








The nominees alongside Chim Chim Cher-ee were...

• "Dear Heart" — Dear Heart • Music: Henry Mancini • Lyrics: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

• "Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte" — Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte • Music: Frank De Vol • Lyrics: Mack David

• "My Kind of Town" — Robin and the 7 Hoods • Music: James Van Heusen • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn

• "Where Love Has Gone" — Where Love Has Gone • Music: James Van Heusen • Lyrics: Sammy Cahn

Okay first off, I can say it's a crime that Feed The Birds wasn't nominated.   Anyways, out of all the songs nominated in '64, I was only able to listen to 3, being Chim Chim Cher-ee, My Kind of Town and Where Love Has Gone and I have to say out of the three I've listened to,  the Academy chose the right song. My Kind of Town while a great tribute to Chicago really didn't have any power in it and Where Love Has Gone was at best okay.  Whereas this song is perfect in every way and I like how quiet it is.  Not my favorite song from Mary Poppins but out of the ones I listened to, this was the right pick to win.




Under The Sea -  1989 (62nd  Academy Awards)







The nominees alongside Under The Sea were...

• "After All" — Chances Are • Music: Tom Snow • Lyrics: Dean Pitchford
• "Kiss the Girl" — The Little Mermaid • Music: Alan Menken • Lyrics: Howard Ashman
• "I Love To See You Smile" — Parenthood • Music and lyrics: Randy Newman
• "The Girl Who Used To Be Me" — Shirley Valentine • Music: Marvin Hamlisch • Lyrics: Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman

Okay, this makes me chuckle that we have a song from the same film nominated and it didn't win. Makes it a bit harder to judge. Though I think again, this was decided correctly. While I like Kiss The Girl, Scuttle ruins the song. (God, I hate that character!!!!!!) After All was a nice song, might have to add it to my ITunes library. I Love To See You Smile, I like Randy Newman but I couldn't finish that song because it was so boring and sounded so flat. The Girl Who Used To Be Me is a nice and powerful ballad but again Under The Sea is the better song. There is just so much life in that song, it feels like a party. Easily one of the best and it easily deserved the award.








Well, that's all for now. Join me next week for Pt. 2 as I continue my look at the songs that took home the prestigious award.