8 Rockers You Forgot Made Disney Songs

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There are eight rock artists you probably forgot worked on animated Disney movie soundtracks.

Regardless of whether you grew up with Disney movies or consider yourself a dedicated Disney fan, it’s tough to argue against the brilliance of their soundtracks. Although rock songs may not be abundant in Disney films, some prominent figures from the rock world have left their mark on these soundtracks in various ways.

Continue scrolling to discover the connections between popular rock musicians and Disney, and find out how they became part of creating the soundtracks for some of the most iconic animated movies ever made.

Elton John

In 1994’s The Lion King, it was Hans Zimmer who handled the movie’s score composition, but it was Sir Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice who created all the film’s songs together.

It was Rice who proposed that John might suit Disney, yet the company felt the Rocketman wasn’t accessible for the position at the time. Rice subsequently contacted John, and as they say, the rest became history.

In a past interview, I shared my personal journey with The Lion King. I was fortunate enough to receive a script, some initial animation sketches, and eventually witnessed the final product coming together. It was none other than Tim who played a pivotal role in this life-altering experience with The Lion King. That one phone call he made to me… it was that moment that transformed my life and my career.

It turns out that John was responsible for composing “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Be Prepared,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” If you aren’t deeply immersed in the culture of The Lion King,you might not have realized this, as the songs he sang only play during the film’s end credits.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I stumbled upon an interesting tidbit: One of the musicians on this list lent their voice for a track that echoed through the cinematic experience I recently watched. Keep reading to uncover the fascinating details behind this collaboration.

Elton John, ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’

Fall Out Boy

In 2014, Fall Out Boy were invited to create an exclusive track for the movie soundtrack of Big Hero 6, resulting in the song “Immortals”. This wasn’t their first offer for a movie soundtrack, but it marked the first time one of their film collaborations was successful. (LA Times reported this fact.)

In a blog post, Pete Wentz shared that Disney requested a meeting with us to discuss their director team. We attended this meeting where we talked about a specific scene and our song’s intended purpose. Afterward, we went home and composed the song before sending it to them. From there, communication flowed back and forth between us and Disney.

As a movie enthusiast, I found it fascinating to contribute my part to this grand production, as our song was merely a tiny thread in a vast tapestry. The thrill of becoming an integral piece of something so immense was truly exhilarating. It was an incredibly unique and memorable experience.

Fall Out Boy, ‘Immortals’

Phil Collins

Phil Collins’ involvement in the Tarzan (1999) soundtrack is so iconic that it’s become a meme.

The melodies and harmonies that Collins crafted for the movie’s songs were so grandiose they earned him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Grammy, and multiple other accolades. These compositions are not just exceptional within Disney‘s realm but also rank among the finest soundtracks in all of film history.

Did you realize that Collins, besides “Strangers Like Me” and “You’ll Be in My Heart,” was also involved with the soundtrack of the 2003 film “Brother Bear”? Not only did he write and compose songs for it, but he collaborated on the scoring with Mark Mancina, who is known for his work on “Tarzan” as well.

During an interview in 2004, Collins shared that they were asked about composing music for a film, which was something they had never done before. They admitted they couldn’t have pulled it off without Mark Mancino. Collins said their performance improved, and they relished the opportunity to take on a challenge to see if they could rise to the occasion.

Phil Collins, ‘On My Way’

Sting

I wasn’t surprised when I learned that Disney didn’t merely seek out one musician for the soundtrack of 2000’s “The Emperor’s New Groove”, but instead, they skillfully gathered artists spanning various music genres, one of whom was none other than Sting.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I once found myself in the unique position of being approached by Disney to create music for a film called “Kingdom of the Sun.” After diligently working on approximately seven melodies, unfortunately, they decided to abandon the project itself.

Later on, they invited him to contribute music for “The Emperor’s New Groove,” which he accepted. However, as reported by The Daily Record, the musician wasn’t particularly pleased when he found out the movie’s plot. Nevertheless, he managed to achieve something that only a few of his peers could claim at the time.

The rocker shared, “Growing up with Disney, I contemplated, ‘If I want an enduring legacy, what could be more fitting than contributing to one of these movies that will still be enjoyed 30 years from now?’ Plus, considering my six kids, I imagined it would boost their pride and respect if they saw their father involved in a Disney production.

I truly appreciated the experience, as it presented a stimulating challenge. Notably, my good friends Elton John and Phil Collins, who had collaborated with Disney in the past, inspired me to take part. It was an honor to be approached by Disney, knowing that they wanted me to contribute to something that had proven so successful for those two talented individuals.

In the film’s soundtrack, Sting is recognized for multiple tracks. However, the one he sung specifically for the movie is titled “My Funny Friend and Me.

Sting, ‘My Funny Friend and Me’

Billy Joel

In the 1988 movie “Oliver & Company,” Billy Joel lent his voice to a character named Dodger, a street-smart New York City dog. Known as The Piano Man, his native New York accent was spot-on for the role. Interestingly, he also composed and performed the song “Why Should I Worry?” for the film.

A piano even made a cameo in the scene, which Dodger played with his tail while wearing sunglasses.

It’s said that Joel was invited to compose a song for the movie, but he turned it down because he was currently working on his own album.

Joel reminisced [via Moving Picture Show], “For the past year and a half, I had been engrossed in creating my own album. It was challenging for me to switch gears suddenly and write a song for this character. So, I agreed to sing this song instead, to take on the role of just a singer for once – something I can’t recall ever doing before.

Billy Joel, ‘Why Should I Worry?’

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato, a former pop star, sang a version of the song “Let It Go” for the 2013 movie Frozen. However, Idina Menzel’s performance was the one featured in the film since she provided the voice for Elsa, the character who sung it within the story.

The tune was penned by the pair Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, known for composing tracks for multiple movies. In a conversation with Studio System News, they revealed that Demi Lovato was chosen as the performer for the song “because of her incredible talent.

Anderson-Lopez stated, “Being part of the Disney family certainly made things easier, but if she weren’t related, she would still be at the top of my list. Not everyone can belt out ‘Let It Go,’ it takes real talent. She has an exceptional voice.

Demi Lovato, ‘Let It Go’

Joseph Williams

From 1986 to 1988, as well as from 2010 onwards, Joseph Williams held the lead vocalist position for Toto. However, during the mid-’90s, he was given the opportunity to perform all of the main character’s songs in the film “Aladdin”.

Having completed the recordings for every scene, I, as a movie music enthusiast, found myself in an interesting predicament when the composer chose to retain the original actor’s vocals for the film’s songs. However, this decision opened up another chance for me – the opportunity to contribute to the enchanting soundtrack of the iconic film The Lion King.

Back in an old interview with Rock History Music, we learned that the musician had previously recorded various demos for the film. A couple of months following this, he received an invitation to perform “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” at Hans Zimmer’s recording studio.

Williams was told that they wanted him to sing when Simba transforms into an adult in ‘The Lion King’,” or

“It was requested of Williams that he should sing during the scene where Simba grows up in ‘The Lion King’,”

Both sentences convey the same meaning as your original sentence, but with a slightly different wording for variety and easier reading.

He also sang as adult Simba in “Hakuna Matata.”

The Lion King, ‘Hakuna Matata’

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus initially gained fame playing Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel show, but she had more ties to the brand than just that role. Notably, she collaborated with actor John Travolta on the song “I Thought I Lost You” for the 2008 movie Bolt, in which they both provided voices for their characters.

In the creation process of the movie, the filmmakers requested that Miley Cyrus compose a song that she and her fellow actor could perform together. As a result, she teamed up with country musician Jeffrey Steele to pen “I Thought I Lost You”.

Indeed, it was truly remarkable. Let me explain, the lyrics, the tune, and the choruses were all top-notch, if I may say so myself, as Travolta expressed to MTV News while discussing his collaboration with Cyrus.

Her talent for writing is exceptional, and when she endeavored to compose a remarkable piece as character Bolt, she collaborated diligently with her writing partner to produce something exceptional. Let me tell you, they truly delivered on their promise; the result left me speechless. As someone who appreciates music, I must say that I was utterly astounded.

Miley Cyrus + John Travolta, ‘I Thought I Lost You’

12 Surprising Character Cameos In Disney Movies You Might Have Missed

1. Sebastian in Aladdin

Among the standout moments in the movie “Aladdin” is Robin Williams’ extraordinary portrayal of the Genie. He’s quick-witted, unpredictable, and simply a blast to watch. With a snap of his fingers, he can transform himself and grant almost any wish (except for wishes involving murder or love spells). When Aladdin yearns to become a prince, the Genie whips out his enchanted spellbook. However, it appears that he hasn’t used it in a while, as a familiar character from another Disney movie— Sebastian the crab from “The Little Mermaid”— emerges instead. Could it be that the Genie has the power to traverse different cinematic worlds?

2. Buzz Lightyear in Finding Nemo

As someone who appreciates both marine life and toy story adventures, I found it fascinating to discover that Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story makes an unexpected appearance in Finding Nemo. At the start of the movie, young Nemo is captured by a diver, who also happens to be a dentist, with quite the unusual collection of tropical fish. It turns out that Nemo was meant to be a gift for the dentist’s rather boisterous niece. During our tour of the dentist’s office, we catch a glimpse of his treasure chest filled with toys, one of which is none other than Buzz Lightyear! While this Buzz may not be the same one we know and love from Toy Story, who knows what possibilities might exist in the vast universe of Pixar films?

3. Goofy, Donald, and Mickey in The Little Mermaid

In terms of understated character appearances, it doesn’t get any more discreet than Goofy, Donald, and Mickey in “The Little Mermaid”. This cameo isn’t immediately obvious; you need to carefully scan the scene. At the outset of the movie, King Triton enters Atlantica on a shell chariot drawn by dolphins. The crowd is assembled for a royal concert, and not everyone there is a merperson. If you scrutinize the area to the left of the carriage, you’ll spot the minuscule backs of Goofy, Donald, and Mickey. Isn’t that neat?

4. Rapunzel and Flynn in Frozen

In the movie “Frozen”, Elsa’s coronation day marked the first time the gates of Arendelle had ever been opened. And keen-eyed fans noticed a brunette Rapunzel and Flynn Rider among the crowd attending the event. This unexpected appearance even sparked a theory that Rapunzel is actually Anna and Elsa’s cousin, which could explain why she was on the VIP guest list (as “Tangled” takes place in Germany, while Arendelle is modeled after Norway). Although the filmmakers haven’t officially confirmed this connection, co-director Chris Buck told MTV News that fans are free to believe what they want and even link the stories together if they choose to!

5. Magic Carpet in The Princess and the Frog

It’s more likely for inanimate objects like toys or props to appear as Easter eggs in Disney films, but they don’t possess their own thoughts or identities. However, the magical carpet from Aladdin is an exception because it’s sentient and has its unique personality. Remarkably, it managed to travel from Arabia to New Orleans, where it made a cameo appearance in The Princess and The Frog during a scene when Tiana was walking to her second job. In one of the city street wide shots, you can spot a woman beating a rug on her balcony, but that’s not actually a rug – it’s Carpet!

6. Pinocchio in Tangled

Although Pinocchio’s story takes place in northern Italy and Rapunzel’s kingdom of Corona is reminiscent of Germany, you can spot a hint of the famous wooden doll in the Snuggly Duckling tavern from Tangled. During the song “I’ve Got A Dream,” keep an eye out for Pinocchio, who can be found near the ceiling in the upper right corner. Just wait for Shorty to spin around like Cupid to spot him easily. The pub is dimly lit, with only candles casting shadows, so you’ll need to look closely.

7. Bill the Lizard in The Great Mouse Detective

In the 1951 film “Alice in Wonderland”, although Bill the Lizard only played a minor role, he is certainly a character that stands out. He was directly taken from Lewis Carroll’s book and had a pivotal yet small task – attempting to evict an oversized Alice from the White Rabbit’s residence. Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t manage it and was expelled from the house by Alice’s sneeze, through the chimney. Years later, in 1986’s “The Great Mouse Detective”, Bill the Lizard resurfaced as one of Professor Ratigan’s minions. Could it be that his sneeze sent him to another world entirely?

8. Mrs. Potts and Chip in Tarzan

In the movie “Tarzan,” Mrs. Potts and Chip, characters from “Beauty and the Beast,” make a brief appearance during the song “Trashin’ the Camp.” Interestingly, Turk is seen drumming on their famous kettle and teacup. However, since both Mrs. Potts and Chip regained their human forms at the end of “Beauty and the Beast,” this scene might seem inconsistent. A fan proposed an explanation for this – the theory known as “The Jane Theory.” According to this theory, Jane Porter is a direct descendant of Princess Belle and Prince Adam. If we accept this theory, then Belle and Adam would have commissioned a tea set that resembles the human forms of their friends, Mrs. Potts and Chip, to be made as a special keepsake.

9. Scar in Hercules

In the animated movie “The Lion King,” Scar, the primary antagonist, doesn’t elicit much pity from viewers as he meets his fiery end. You might think you’ve seen the last of him, but in a clever and amusing twist, the character reappears in another Disney film, “Hercules.” In Greek mythology, one of Hercules’ 12 labors is slaying the Nemean lion; however, in the Disney universe, this fearsome feline is none other than Scar. Hercules proudly displays Scar’s pelt and wears his head as a helmet. Going back to “The Lion King,” remember when Zazu told Mufasa, “He’d make a very handsome throw rug”? In retrospect, he wasn’t far off the mark.

10. Belle in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The famous cathedral, Notre-Dame, is situated in Paris, France. Can you guess which Disney film also takes place in France? It’s “Beauty and the Beast.” It’s not surprising then to find Belle wandering around her town in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” given that this occurs a few years, or possibly even months, prior to “Beauty and the Beast.” Keep an eye out for a young woman dressed in blue and white, deeply engrossed in a book.

11. Jock in 101 Dalmatians

Jock, the cherished Scottish Terrier from “Lady and the Tramp,” pops up occasionally across various movies within the 101 Dalmatians series. In the scene known as “The Twilight Bark,” he’s the second dog to respond to Pongo’s barks, passing on the message through a drainpipe. Somehow, Jock managed to travel from the small-town setting of “Lady and the Tramp” to the bustling city of London. Moreover, you can also find him in another Disney film centered around dogs, titled “Oliver and Company.

12. Geri in Toy Story 2

In this instance, Geri is less commonly recognized – he hails from a Pixar short film instead of a full-length movie. You might remember him playing chess against himself in “Geri’s Game,” but that’s not all there is to Geri; in Toy Story 2, he also works as a professional toy cleaner. During the DVD commentary, John Lasseter shared that incorporating Geri into the story was more efficient than creating a new human character at a late stage in production.

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2025-03-25 17:25