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From the underwater jazz of "Under the Sea" to the powerhouse ballad "Let It Go" — 50+ trivia questions covering Disney's greatest songs, legendary songwriters like Alan Menken and Elton John, Oscar winners, and more.
Disney's musical legacy spans nearly a century, beginning with "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio (1940), the company's first Oscar-winning song. Legendary composer Alan Menken has won eight Academy Awards for Disney, creating classics like "Under the Sea," "Beauty and the Beast," "A Whole New World," and "Part of Your World."
Elton John and Tim Rice composed the songs for The Lion King (1994), including "Circle of Life" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," while Lin-Manuel Miranda brought his signature style to Moana and Encanto, with "We Don't Talk About Bruno" becoming Disney's biggest chart hit ever. Other Oscar-winning Disney songs include "Let It Go" by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, "Remember Me" from Coco, and "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan.
From the early classics like "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" to modern earworms, Disney music has shaped generations of listeners and continues to dominate streaming charts worldwide.
Disney films wouldn't be the same without their unforgettable music. Whether it's the Broadway-style showstoppers of the Disney Renaissance or the pop-infused hits of recent years, Disney songs have a way of burrowing into your heart and staying there forever.
In this trivia quiz, you'll face 50+ questions spread across four categories: Song Identification (guess the song from clues), Songwriters & Performers (who wrote and sang these classics), Movie Soundtracks (which songs belong to which films), and Oscar-Winning Songs (the Academy Award winners).
Think you know every lyric? Let's find out!
We'll give you clues about a Disney song — can you name it?
Answer: "Circle of Life"
The powerful opening to The Lion King (1994), composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice, features the iconic Zulu chant as a sunrise spreads across the African savanna. The song sets the stage for the entire film's theme of life's cyclical nature.
Answer: "Part of Your World"
This beloved ballad from The Little Mermaid (1989) is sung by Ariel in her grotto surrounded by her treasured human artifacts. Written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, it became the defining "I Want" song of the Disney Renaissance.
Answer: "Let It Go"
Idina Menzel's powerhouse performance of this Frozen (2013) anthem became a global phenomenon. Written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and has been streamed billions of times.
Answer: "Friend Like Me"
Robin Williams' showstopping performance in Aladdin (1992) showcases the Genie's magical abilities through rapid-fire references and jazz-inspired showmanship. The song was written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.
Answer: "A Whole New World"
Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle's pop version of this Aladdin duet topped the Billboard charts. Sung by Aladdin and Jasmine during their magic carpet ride, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1993.
Answer: "We Don't Talk About Bruno"
From Encanto (2021), this ensemble number written by Lin-Manuel Miranda spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing "Let It Go" as Disney's biggest commercial hit. It became the first original Disney song to reach #1 since 1993.
Answer: "Be Our Guest" — Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Originally written for Maurice (Belle's father), Howard Ashman cleverly reworked this song for Lumiere and the enchanted objects. The spectacular musical number was inspired by classic Hollywood Busby Berkeley productions and is one of Disney's most elaborate animated sequences.
Answer: "Hakuna Matata"
Timon and Pumbaa's philosophy-filled song from The Lion King (1994) teaches Simba to forget his worries. The Swahili phrase "Hakuna Matata" literally translates to "no worries," and the song became one of Disney's most recognizable tunes worldwide.
Answer: "When You Wish Upon a Star"
Written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for Pinocchio (1940), this ballad sung by Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards) became the anthem of the Walt Disney Company. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and plays over the Disney logo before every film.
Answer: "Beauty and the Beast"
The title song from Beauty and the Beast (1991) is performed by Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts during the iconic ballroom dance scene. Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson recorded the pop version, which won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Answer: "You've Got a Friend in Me" — Toy Story (1995)
Written and performed by Randy Newman, this song captures the friendship between Woody and Buzz Lightyear. It plays during the opening credits and reprises throughout the Toy Story franchise, becoming Pixar's signature song.
Answer: "Remember Me" — Coco (2017)
Written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (the same duo behind Frozen), this song is central to the plot of Coco. Its lullaby version, sung by Miguel to his great-grandmother Coco, is one of Pixar's most tear-jerking musical moments and won the Academy Award.
Answer: "I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)"
This powerful climactic song from Moana (2016), written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina, features a duet between Moana and the spirit of her grandmother. It represents Moana's full acceptance of her identity and destiny.
Answer: "Under the Sea"
Sebastian the crab's spirited attempt to convince Ariel that ocean life is better than the human world, from The Little Mermaid (1989). Written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with its infectious Caribbean rhythm.
Answer: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
Elton John's love ballad from The Lion King (1994) plays during Simba and Nala's reunion. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Elton John's pop version became a major hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Who wrote, composed, or sang these legendary Disney songs?
Answer: Alan Menken
Alan Menken is Disney's most celebrated composer, having won eight Academy Awards (four for score, four for songs). His collaborations with lyricist Howard Ashman defined the Disney Renaissance. Menken's other Disney credits include Hercules, Tangled, and Enchanted.
Answer: Howard Ashman
Howard Ashman was a groundbreaking lyricist and playwright who, alongside Alan Menken, revolutionized Disney animation. He tragically passed away from AIDS-related complications before Beauty and the Beast was completed. The film is dedicated to his memory.
Answer: Elton John
Sir Elton John composed the music for The Lion King songs with lyricist Tim Rice. His pop versions of the songs became massive hits, and he later returned to compose for the Broadway adaptation and the 2019 live-action remake.
Answer: Moana (2016) and Encanto (2021)
Lin-Manuel Miranda brought his signature hip-hop and Broadway fusion style to both films. For Moana, he wrote "How Far I'll Go," which earned an Oscar nomination. For Encanto, "We Don't Talk About Bruno" became a global #1 hit.
Answer: Lea Salonga
The acclaimed Filipina Broadway star Lea Salonga was the singing voice for Jasmine. She also provided the singing voice for Mulan in Mulan (1998). Salonga made her Broadway debut in Miss Saigon and is a Tony Award winner.
Answer: Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez
Robert Lopez is one of only 18 EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). Together with Kristen, they wrote "Let It Go" for Frozen and "Remember Me" for Coco, both of which won Academy Awards for Best Original Song.
Answer: Jenifer Lewis
Jenifer Lewis voiced the blind voodoo priestess Mama Odie, who guides Tiana and Naveen with the gospel-inspired number "Dig a Little Deeper." The song was written by Randy Newman, who composed all the music for this New Orleans-set film.
Answer: Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and Cars
Randy Newman is Pixar's musical voice, having composed for the Toy Story trilogy, Monsters, Inc., and the Cars franchise. His distinctive style and warm vocals on songs like "You've Got a Friend in Me" have become synonymous with Pixar's brand of storytelling.
Answer: Phil Collins
Phil Collins wrote and performed all the songs for Tarzan, including the Oscar-winning "You'll Be in My Heart." Collins' pop ballad style was a departure from Disney's usual Broadway-inspired numbers, and he performed all songs from both Tarzan's and the characters' perspectives.
Answer: Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel, already famous for originating Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked, brought her powerhouse vocals to Elsa. "Let It Go" became her signature song and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, though John Travolta famously mispronounced her name at the Oscars.
Answer: Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz (known for Wicked and Pippin) collaborated with Alan Menken on The Hunchback of Notre Dame and later on Enchanted (2007). Their work on "Hellfire" is considered one of the darkest and most complex songs in Disney history.
Answer: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (The Sherman Brothers)
The Sherman Brothers were Walt Disney's go-to songwriters, contributing to over 30 Disney films and attractions. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. They also wrote "It's a Small World (After All)" and songs for The Jungle Book and The Aristocats.
Can you match these songs to their correct Disney or Pixar films?
Answer: Tangled (2010)
Alan Menken returned to Disney for this fairy-tale retelling, collaborating with lyricist Glenn Slater. "I See the Light," the romantic duet between Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
Answer: The Jungle Book (1967)
The Jungle Book was the last Disney animated film that Walt Disney personally worked on before his death. The Sherman Brothers wrote most of the songs, with "The Bare Necessities" written by Terry Gilkyson being the exception and earning an Oscar nomination.
Answer: Hercules (1997)
Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel created a gospel-inspired soundtrack for this film, with the Muses functioning as a Greek chorus. "Go the Distance," performed by Michael Bolton in the film's end credits, was nominated for an Academy Award.
Answer: Coco (2017)
Coco celebrates Mexican culture and the Day of the Dead. The songs, written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, blend traditional Mexican music with Disney storytelling. "Remember Me" exists in multiple versions throughout the film, each serving different emotional purposes.
Answer: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
This film pushed the boundaries of Disney animation with its mature themes and darker musical tone. "God Help the Outcasts," sung by Esmeralda, is a powerful prayer for the marginalized, while "Hellfire" explores Judge Frollo's inner conflict.
Answer: Cinderella (1950)
The songs were written by Mack David, Jerry Livingston, and Al Hoffman. "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" was nominated for an Academy Award and became one of Disney's most iconic nonsense-word songs. This film was a major financial success that saved Disney from bankruptcy.
Answer: The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Randy Newman's jazz and blues-inspired soundtrack pays homage to New Orleans' musical heritage. "Almost There," an Art Deco-inspired number performed by Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Answer: Hercules (1997)
The film's unique gospel-music treatment, featuring the Muses as a Motown-inspired Greek chorus, set it apart from other Disney soundtracks. This creative choice was made to give the film a contemporary energy while maintaining its mythological setting.
Answer: Beauty and the Beast (2017)
This live-action remake featured new songs by Alan Menken with lyrics by Tim Rice (filling in for the late Howard Ashman). "Evermore," performed by Dan Stevens as the Beast, was nominated for a Golden Globe. The film also included all the original songs.
Answer: Encanto (2021)
Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote eight original songs for Encanto, each one revealing a different family member's personality and struggle. "Surface Pressure," performed by Jessica Darrow as Luisa, became a viral hit for its relatable message about carrying family burdens.
Answer: Mulan (1998)
The songs were written by Matthew Wilder (music) and David Zippel (lyrics). "Reflection," performed by Lea Salonga as Mulan's singing voice, became an anthem of self-discovery and was later recorded by Christina Aguilera for the film's soundtrack.
Answer: Mary Poppins (1964)
The Sherman Brothers' songs became instant classics. "Chim Chim Cher-ee" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The word "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (meaning "extraordinarily good") has entered popular culture and the Oxford English Dictionary.
Disney has won numerous Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Test your knowledge of these award-winning tunes!
Answer: "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio (1940)
Sung by Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket, this song won the Oscar at the 13th Academy Awards. It also became the official anthem of the Walt Disney Company and plays over the Disney logo before every theatrical release.
Answer: 2014 (86th Academy Awards)
The song, performed by Idina Menzel as Elsa, beat out "Happy" by Pharrell Williams from Despicable Me 2. Menzel performed the song live at the Oscars, though presenter John Travolta famously introduced her as "Adele Dazeem."
Answer: Alan Menken (music) and Stephen Schwartz (lyrics)
The song's message about respecting nature and understanding different cultures made it a standout. It was performed by Judy Kuhn in the film and Vanessa Williams recorded the pop version, which reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Answer: The Lion King (1994)
Elton John and Tim Rice's ballad won over two other Lion King songs that were also nominated: "Circle of Life" and "Hakuna Matata." This made The Lion King one of only three films to have three songs nominated in the same year.
Answer: Phil Collins
Phil Collins wrote and performed all five songs for Tarzan, including "You'll Be in My Heart," which won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Collins' pop ballad approach was a departure from Disney's usual Broadway style, and the soundtrack album sold millions of copies worldwide.
Answer: "Beauty and the Beast" (won) and "Belle" and "Be Our Guest" (also nominated)
Beauty and the Beast made history as the first animated film nominated for Best Picture. The title song, performed by Angela Lansbury and later by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, won the Oscar. It was the first of three consecutive Oscar wins for Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.
Answer: The other nominated songs were also from Mary Poppins
At the 37th Academy Awards, "Chim Chim Cher-ee" won Best Original Song while competing against two other Mary Poppins songs: "Feed the Birds" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." This rare situation demonstrated the Sherman Brothers' incredible output for the film.
Answer: It is the emotional centerpiece of the entire film and appears in multiple versions
The song exists as a flashy Ernesto de la Cruz showpiece, a tender lullaby between Mama Coco and her father, and as a climactic reunion song. Its theme about memory keeping loved ones alive ties directly to the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebration.
Answer: Caribbean calypso
Howard Ashman suggested a Caribbean feel for Sebastian the crab's music, and Alan Menken delivered with an infectious calypso beat. The song beat out another Little Mermaid nominee, "Kiss the Girl," and launched Disney's string of Oscar-winning songs that continued for years.
Answer: Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
Their duet topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and reached #1 on the Hot 100. It was the first Disney song to reach #1 since "Ballad of the Green Berets" in 1966. The song remained Disney's biggest commercial hit until "We Don't Talk About Bruno" in 2022.
Answer: Randy Newman
After being nominated 15 times without a win, Randy Newman finally won his first Oscar with this Randy Newman-esque duet between John Goodman and Billy Crystal's characters. He joked during his acceptance speech about having lost so many times before.
Answer: "Let It Go"
"Let It Go" was officially dubbed into 41 languages for the theatrical release, with each version performed by a native-speaking singer. The song has been covered by countless artists worldwide and has accumulated billions of streams across all platforms.
Answer: The Black Cauldron (1985)
Despite being an animated fantasy adventure, The Black Cauldron had no songs. It was also the first Disney animated film to receive a PG rating. However, the film was a box office failure and nearly bankrupted the animation division.
Answer: The Little Mermaid (1989)
Original director Ron Clements initially wanted the film to be more serious and song-free. However, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's Broadway-influenced approach convinced the studio to make it a musical, revolutionizing Disney animation and launching the Disney Renaissance.
Answer: First original Disney song to reach #1 in nearly 30 years
"We Don't Talk About Bruno" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2022, becoming the first original Disney song to top the chart since "A Whole New World" in 1993. It spent five weeks at #1, longer than any other Disney song in history.
Answer: Randy Newman (before his eventual win)
Randy Newman was nominated 15 times before finally winning for "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc. in 2002. He has since won two Oscars total (also for "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3 in 2011), making him one of Disney's most celebrated composers.
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