Everybody loves Disney, right?
In light of Lana Del Rey's haunting new rendition of 'Once Upon A Dream' (for Maleficent , out now), we decided to take a look through the 'cover song' back catalogue and see what gems we could unearth.
From a cappella versions to seriously groovy reimaginings, here are 25 of the best...
1. Various Disney/Pixar Characters – ‘Let It Go’
Shelve the cynicism for just a second (we know you’ve heard this song too much already) and marvel at the wonder that is this guy, who sings ‘Let It Go’ as various Disney and Pixar characters. It’s RIDICULOUSLY good.
2. Good-Looking Parents - ‘Love Is An Open Door’
If only our parents were this cool. A couple who have fallen in love with Frozen entertain their kid (or, er, themselves) by perfectly lip-syncing ‘Love Is An Open Door’. Their kid’s not impressed but we definitely are.
If there’s one person you’d never expect to cover a Disney song, that person is Gene Simmons. Which, naturally, makes the pasty-faced KISS singer the perfect fit for something as innocuous as ‘Wish Upon A Star’, his rock-rinsed vocals lending poignancy to an otherwise wishy-washy number.
4. The Replacements – ‘Cruella De Vil’
Alt-rockers The Replacements tackle one of the Mouse House’s most famous villainesses for tribute album Stay Awake: Various Interpretations Of Music From Vintage Disney Films . It’s all guitar and drums, with frontman Peter Westerberg lending gravel-toned edge to the vocals.
5. The Supremes – ‘Whistle While You Work’
Diana Ross and her soul sisters perform a cover version of the Snow White song, which appears on their 1987 album, The Never-Before-Released Masters. If it doesn’t get you grabbing the hoover and doing a little dance as you clean the house, nothing will.
6. Lana Del Rey - ‘Once Upon A Dream’
Yes, it’s positively funereal and yes, it makes us want to scratch off great patches of our skin to get rid of the goosebumps, but there’s no denying this is one haunting rendition of the classic Disney tune. Not one for kiddies birthday parties, but definitely one if you’re in something of a black mood.
7. Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters – ‘The Three Caballeros’
A lesser-known number, this is the theme tune to 1945 animated flick The Three Caballeros , starring Donald Duck. Crosby and the Andrews Sisters give it a generous helping of class. Foot-tappingly good.
8. Sol Retuyk – ‘He Lives In You’
A French version of the theme song from The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. You don’t need to know what they’re singing (thought it seems like a fairly direct translation) to get swept up in one of the franchise’s most emotional songs.
9. The Piano Guys – ‘Let It Go’
How do you make one of Disney’s catchiest songs in years EVEN BETTER? Remove the lyrics (they never bothered us anyway) and get yourself behind a piano/cello. Oh, and shoot the music video in a frostbitten forest, naturally.
10. The Dave Brubeck Quartet – ‘Heigh Ho’
Jaunty, saxophone-infused, piano-tinkling version of the Snow White song. There’s no actual singing of the words ‘Heigh Ho’, but you’ll barely notice, this is so magical.
11. Los Lobos – ‘I Want To Be Like You’
Los Lobos break things out of the jungle for a salsa-flavoured cover of the Jungle Book favourite (which first appeared on the album Stay Awake – Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films ). You’ll want to grab a partner and dance. Or shake some maracas. Whichever.
12. Harry Connick Jr – ‘Bare Necessities’
Easily the best cover in DTV flick Simply Mad About The Mouse (well, it eclipses LL Cool J’s contribution, anyway), Harry Connick Jr’s Jungle Book cover is a drawling, smoky-voiced delight. The ’90s Beverly Hills video isn’t bad, either…
13. Steve Miller Band – ‘Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah’
A brilliantly ’80s version of ‘Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah’, replete with finger-clicks and electric guitars, performed by Steve Miller on his solo album ‘Born 2 B Blue’. It’s the kind of song we imagine the guys in 3 Men And A Baby schmoozing oh-so-ironically to.
14. Hellanbach – ‘Everybody Wants To Be A Cat’
There’s an electric guitar. There’s a piano. There’s some grooooovy vocals. This cover of the Aristocats theme song is almost too cool for school.
15. Alex G Acapella & Peter Hollens – Disney Medley
Peter Hollsen frontlines an a cappella medley of Disney classics. Sure, it makes us think of Glee , but that’s no bad thing, right?
16. Gipsy Kings – ‘I’ve Got No Strings’
One from DTV flick Simply Mad About The Mouse. There’s clapping and string-strumming as the Gipsy Kings give Pinocchio’s solo number a Spanish overhaul.
17. Squirrel Nut Zippers – ‘Under The Sea’
The North Carolina band make Sebastian the crab’s solo their own, infusing it with banjos and trumpets while Katharine Whalen tackles the vocals. It’s odd, it’s kooky, and we love it.
18. Miles Davis – ‘Some Day My Prince Will Come’
The title track on Miles Davis’ seventh studio album is a loving ode to Snow White & The Seven Dwarves . It’s brassy and moody and packed full of soul. Snow White would be proud.
19. Bette Midler – ‘Baby Mine’
So good it almost makes us forgive her for ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’, Bette Midler’s version of ‘Baby Mine’ (from Dumbo ) is a gorgeous little lullaby that we can’t help adoring. Even if it was recorded for maudlin melodrama Beaches .
20. Lara & Jonathan – ‘Under The Sea’
You have a keyboard. I have a keyboard. Let’s make beautiful keyboard music together! Sure, there are no lyrics, but when the playing’s this flirty, who needs em? And there are definitely sparks between Lara and Jonathan. We hope those kids worked it out.
21. Nick Pitera – Disney Medley
Disney fan Nick Pitera splits the screen up Brady Bunch -style and takes on all the fairytale archetypes for a catchy, mesmerising ditty that’s really funny – and brilliantly performed.
22. Mike Votano – Big Band Disney Medley
You want Jazz? You got it! Mike Votano and his Big Band give some of your favourite Disney ditties a brass polish. The video’s in black and white so you know it’s going to be good.
23. Hem – ‘A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes’
Just beautiful. Brooklyn folk rockers Hem indie-fy the Cinderella song and the result is part lullaby, part love song. We could listen to it on repeat.
24. Touchdown Boy – ‘You Got A Friend In Me’
Toy Story ’s moving theme tune is given a punk-y overhaul courtesy of Touchdown Boy, making it sound more like the theme tune of American Pie. Which we’re fine with.
25. Suburban Legends – ‘I Just Can’t Wait To Be King’
The guys who also covered the Gummi Bears theme tune (oh yes) come back for more, transforming Simba’s Lion King coming-of-age ditty into a trumpet-blasting soft rock number.
