Toon Talk Special: The 101 Greatest Disney Songs - Part 1 of 2 - Aug 17, 2001

Toon Talk Special: The 101 Greatest Disney Songs - Part 1 of 2
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#16 - "A Whale Of A Tale"
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - 1954
Music and Lyrics by Norman Gimbel and Al Hoffman

"Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads
A whale of a tale or two
'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I loved,
On night's like this with the moon above"

Lead Vocals: Kirk Douglas as Ned Land
Source Album: Classic Disney, Volume I
Track Note:
This track differs from the version sung in the actual film.

Behind the Music:

  • Yes, Kirk "I am Spartacus" Douglas croons this sea shanty, the first song in a Disney all live action film. There are no other songs in the film.

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(c) Disney

#17 - "Belle Notte"
Lady & the Tramp - 1955
Music and Lyrics by Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke

"Side by side with your loved one
You'll find enchantment here
The night will weave it's magic spell
When the one you love is near"

Lead Vocals: George Givot as Tony and Bill Thompson as Joe
Source Album: Lady & the Tramp Original Soundtrack

Behind the Music:

  • This song underscores the famous spaghetti scene.
  • Latin singers Carlos Ponce and Joy Enriquez covered this song for the end credits of Lady & the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure.

#18 - "The Mickey Mouse Club March"
The Mickey Mouse Club - 1955
Music and Lyrics by Jimmy Dodd

"Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me?
M-I-C-K-E-Y
M-O-U-S-E!"

Vocals: The Mousketeers
Source Album: Classic Disney, Volume II

Behind the Music:

  • Adult Mousketeer Dodd composed the title march to the famous mouse's first television series.It has since become Mickey's official theme song.
  • "The Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater" (available on The Music of Disney: A Legacy of Song) was heard at the end of each episode."See you real soon ..."
  • A very spooky rendition of the "Alma Mater", complete with Nat King Cole/"Unforgettable"-style vocals from Dodd, appears on Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse.

#19 - "I'm No Fool"
The Mickey Mouse Club - 1956
Music and Lyrics by Jimmy Dodd

"I'm no fool, no sir-ee
"I wanna live to be ninety-three!
I play safe for you and me
'Cause I'm no fool"

Lead Vocals: Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket
Source Album: The Music of Disney: A Legacy of Song
Track Note:
This version is "I'm No Fool With A Bicycle".

Behind the Music:

  • Everyone's favorite conscience sang this ditty in animated shorts, produced for the second season of The Mickey Mouse Club, to teach young Mousketeers the importance of safety.
  • "I'm No Fool as a Pedestrian" can be heard in a medley with "Stop, Look and Listen" on Classic Disney, Volume IV.
  • Other "I'm No Fools" included "Having Fun", "In Water" and "With Fire".

#20 - "Zorro"
Zorro - 1957
Music and Lyrics by Norman Foster and George Bruns

"Out of the night, when the full moon is bright
Comes the horseman known as Zorro!
This bold renegade carves a 'Z' with his blade
A 'Z' that stands for Zorro!"

Vocals: The Mellomen
Source Album: The Music of Disney: A Legacy of Song

Behind the Music:

  • Don't you just love the "swoop-swoop-swoop" sound as he "makes the sign of the 'Z'"?
  • Henry Calvin, the bumbling Sergeant Garcia on the show, recorded a version of the song from his character's point of view.It is available on Disney's 75 Years of Music & Memories.