When it comes to “Frozen” fandom, “Let It Go” gets all the love. Not only is YouTube now essentially a snowstorm of “Let It Go” covers, the song also won an Oscar. But anyone with a child in the house will tell you that the hit animated film, which arrived on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, has another instant classic: “Do You Want To Build a Snowman?” Kids everywhere love it, and, lyrically, it’s the far more interesting song. That got us thinking — what other Disney songs have been overlooked for their flashier film siblings? Here, we break down the big hits and their underdog kin.
The Lion King
Iconic hit: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
Elton John and Tim Rice’s love song for the mating of Simba and Nala took home the Academy Award for Best Song, beating out fellow nominees from the film “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.” It also peaked at an impressive No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Underdog: “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”
Most of the songs from “The Lion King” are pretty well-known, but this showstopper about the future didn’t get the accolades its brethren received.
Aladdin
Iconic Hit: “A Whole New World”
The Alan Menken-Tim Rice song took home the prize at the Academy Awards and the Peabo Bryson-Regina Belle version that closed the film topped Billboard’s Hot 100. The duet is also a centerpiece of the new Broadway adaptation, opening Thursday, thanks to its magic carpet ride.
Underdog: “One Jump Ahead”
It’s an also-ran when compared to “A Whole New World” and even Robin Williams’ enthusiastic “Friend Like Me,” but “One Jump Ahead” is a witty masterpiece by Tim Rice with powerful vocals from Brad Kane.
Mulan
Iconic Hit: “Reflection”
A cover by Christina Aguilera that hit No. 19 on the Adult Contemporary chart gave the Chinese princess’ ballad a boost, even though none of the film’s songs were nominated for the Oscar (the overall score did get a nod).
Underdog: “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”
Captain Shang’s battle-preparation anthem is the movie’s most quotable, with a memorable chorus and a slew of one-liners from supporting characters.
Pocahontas
Iconic Hit: “Colors of the Wind”
The film version of the song took home the Oscar, and Vanessa Williams’ cover from the soundtrack swept to No. 4 on the Hot 100.
Underdog: “Just Around the Riverbend”
The Powhatan princess’ other major song is the epitome of a Disney power anthem — all about what lies ahead.
Tarzan
Iconic Hit: “You’ll Be in My Heart”
Phil Collins wrote many beautiful songs for the film, and this Oscar winner stands out, in part, to the emotional place it holds in the film between Tarzan and his mother.
Underdog: “Trashin’ the Camp”
The “Stomp”-esque song in which monkeys destroy Jane’s camp is the kind of stuff a kid never forgets.
Beauty and the Beast
Iconic Hit: “Beauty and the Beast”
There’s no touching Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s legendary love song, especially when it’s performed by Angela Lansbury.
Underdog: “Belle”
The introductory song to the film lost out on the Oscar to the namesake track (as did the Candelabra’s showstopper, “Be Our Guest”). But it’s cacophony of voices has made it a musical-theater classic.
Hercules
Iconic Hit: “Go the Distance”
The young god’s hopeful anthem was nominated for an Oscar, but lost out to Céline Dion’s untouchable soundtrack smash from “Titanic,” “My Heart Will Go On.”
Underdog: “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)”
Still one of the sassiest romantic interests in a Disney movie, Meg’s refusal to fall in love is accompanied by a Greek chorus of muses for a funny riff on classic love songs.
The Little Mermaid
Iconic Hit: “Under the Sea”
Sebastian the crab’s underwater extravaganza took home the Oscar, beating out “Kiss the Girl.” Ariel’s song, “Part of Your World,” was shockingly snubbed.
Underdog: “Poor Unfortunate Souls”
Ursula the sea witch’s evil luring of the little mermaid is perhaps the best-known Disney villain song, and for good reason: The performance, based on part by the drag queen Divine, is camp-y goodness to the max.