The music of “The Lion King�? was an integral part of what made the film one of the highest grossing of all time, and the highest grossing animated film to that date. In addition to the standard soundtrack, Disney released a popular “inspired�? soundtrack, the pop version of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight�? got -and still gets- lots of radio play, and the music was adaptable to the wildly popular Broadway production. Everyone involved in composing and writing the music should still be proud.

By this time, Disney songs had been so dominant in film music that Randy Newman was having a difficult time competing with Disney songs for the Academy Award. Unable to beat Disney, he ended up joining Disney via Pixar, and so we have songs like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me�?.

My favorite soundtrack of the more recent films was from Menken’s teaming with Stephen Schwartz: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame�?. But then, it is impossible for me to separate the music from the film, which is my favorite Disney animated feature of the last few decades.

“The Bells of Notre Dame�? opens the story, introducing us to the characters in a dramatic way. “Out There�? shows that all of those years later, Frollo is as callous as he was the night his killed Quasimodo’s mother, then reveals Quasimodo’s longing for freedom. His daring foray into the people’s raucous celebration is depicted in “Topsy Turvy�?. “G-d Help the Outcasts�? portrays the good heart of Esmeralda, and "Heaven's Light/Hellfire" contrasts two of the people whose hearts want Esmeralda. The movie is bookended with a reprise of “The Bells of Notre Dame�?.

The music library from the animated features is quite rich indeed.

There was a song the AFI list from the Company’s 1988 live action picture under the Touchstone Pictures label, “Beaches�? starring Bette Midler. Her performance of "Wind Beneath My Wings" is still a popular radio tune.

There were some other notable songs from Disney live action films that didn’t make the list. With the demise (and failed attempts at revival) of the cinematic live action musicals, we’re only going to see the occasional live action film where a song is used someplace other than the closing credits, a montage sequence, or because someone in the story is giving a musical performance in the story. In other words, you’re not going to see many cases where a character simply breaks out into song to express an emotion or to advance the story. Sure, there was “Chicago�?, but for the most part, the musical has been consigned to the live stage.

Some of the songs that made the list weren’t written specifically for the films, but enjoyed a revival because of the film. That takes me to Queen.

There has been a recent discussion on this very site about talents of Freddie Mercury, the lead singer and songwriter for the rock group Queen. The Company acquired (via Hollywood Records) their songs, some of which have been very popular at sporting events and work well with some movies. It was “Bohemian Rhapsody�? that was in “Wayne’s World�?, but “We Will Rock You�? and “We Are the Champions�? are ever more recognizable favorites, used not only in films but in commercial advertisements.

There’s a symbiotic relationship between music and cinema. Am I a fan of Disney songs because I’m a Disney film fan? I’m not sure. Regardless of how I became attracted to the music, the fact is that I enjoy it on its own now. I’ll often pop in a soundtrack from an animated feature as I write or play online. I own soundtracks to many of the films even though I do not have a VHS tape of DVD of the film. So many of the songs entertain, inspire, or brighten my day, regardless of whether they were on the AFI list or not.

What are your favorite Disney film songs, and why?