Beauty and the Beast and Other Amazing Disney Soundtracks

This week Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast (finally) hits theaters. Movie goers have been able to purchase tickets since Valentine’s Day and big box office numbers are expected. The trailer, in a word, looks epic. It is pure Disney magic and for many reminds them of a simpler time. Who else went to the movies for the first time to see the cartoon version?

With the new movie comes a new soundtrack and this one is not for the faint of heart. John Legend and Ariana Grande take on Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson’s title track, “Beauty and the Beast”. Dion is back for an all-new song titled “How Does a Moment Last Forever”, add in a little Josh Grobon on yet another new song, “Evermore” plus all of the original songs from the cartoon featuring the movie’s stars, Emma Watson, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Emma Thompson and Ian McKellen and you’ve got yourself one heck of a soundtrack!

Disney has a track record of having stellar soundtracks featuring big name stars. Most recently Moana featured Lin-Manuel Miranada and Alessia Cara. One can’t forget Frozen’s soundtrack that had both Idina Menzel and Demi Lovato sing “Let It Go” – two very different takes on one phenomenal song! Menzel’s version made it all the way to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Looking back to 1999, Phil Collins composed the Tarzan soundtrack, and fun fact, *N SYNC was featured on one song titled, “Trashin the Camp”. That year, Collins’ song “You’ll Be in My Heart”, peaked at 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1998, before she was a “Genie in a Bottle”, Christina Aguilera sang “Reflection” on the Mulan soundtrack. Also on the soundtrack? 98 Degrees and Stevie Wonder. The boyband and Wonder sang together on “True to Your Heart”. It is also worth mentioning Donny Osmond sang “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” on the soundtrack as well as in the film, splitting voice duties with B.D. Wong for the character, Shang.

1994’s hit movie, The Lion King featuring “The Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” had Elton John at the helm of the soundtrack. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” also made its way up the Billboard Hot 100 chart peaking at number 4. That song, along with “The Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” were all nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards that year with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” taking home the golden statue.  

To get even more into the spirit of Beauty and the Beast, check out John Legend's and Ariana Grande's video for "Beauty and the Beast":

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​Speaking of that infamous golden statue, jumping ahead to the 2018 Academy Awards, it would be quite surprising if Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast was not nominated in more than a few categories.

Beauty and the Beast hits theaters nation wide, tomorrow!

Written by Kristen