The List
I have to admit I'm a little addicted to lists. I love making them and reading them. In fact, when I'm flipping through T.V. stations and "The Top 25 Palm Trees Grown in a Swimming Pool" comes on I have to stop and watch it. So in this space I will present my lists. Today's list is. . .
 
The Top 10 Most Wonderfully Cheesy Disney Songs Ever!
 
#10 - "Gypsy Song" & "Floretta" from "Babes in Toyland"
"Gypsies, we are the gypsies." The song reminds of the Lucy episode when she writes, "The Pleasant Peasant." The Floretta part of the song rhymes swami with salami. Enough said.
 
#9 - "Universe of Energy" from "Universe of Energy"
What can be more cheesy than "feel the flow, here we go?"
 
#8 - "Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" from "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes"
Seriously, this song sounds like somebody wrote it over a lunch period. The lyrics are hilarious with lines like "never met a groovier dude and an electric kind of guy."
 
#7 - "Sherwood Forest" from "Let's Hear it for Robin Hood"
Who knew that Sherwood Forest could inspire such a nice relaxing lounge-style 70s ballad? Louis Prima brings so much seriousness to the silly lyrics ("something's wrong with you if this don't turn you on") that the whole performance is just pure cheese. This entire record is one of the must fun albums I've ever heard.
 
#6 - "Canada (You're a Lifetime Journey)" from "O Canada!"
Now I know how non-Americans feel when they hear syrupy patriotic songs. Complete with a bilingual duet (well it is Canada after all) this song is the ultimate cheesy EPCOT song.
 
#5 - "Half of Me" from "The Last Flight of Noah's Ark"
Seemingly written to become the torch-light ballad at weddings nationwide, Half of Me is the ultimate cheesy Disney love ballad. The syrupy lyrics include lines like "if I were a tree, I'd be your roots, we'd grow together."
 
#4 - "Destiny" from "Mission: Space"
The odd placement of this song adds to it's cheese factor. After such an amazing an exciting ride Mission: Space, the last thing guests expect to hear is a loud ballad. Brings a smile to my face every time I hear it, it's nice to know that the cheesy EPCOT songs are back.
 
#3 - "Remember the Magic" from just about every Disney theme park
The cheesy song that wouldn't die. This song, first written for the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World was resurrected more times than the Friday the 13th franchise. It even surfaced with new lyrics for "Believe...In Holiday Magic." OK, enough is enough.
 
#2 - "You Make the World Spin 'Round and 'Round" from "Follow Us to Walt Disney World"
From 1984, this special had undeniable the most cheesy ending to a Disney special. Cast Members from all departments performed a song and dance number around Spaceship Earth, complete with sign language (hey, it was the 80s!). This song almost became the #1 one cheesy song, but that title has to go to...
 
#1 - "A Friend" from "Herbie Goes Bananas"
I don't know maybe it's the singers or maybe the lyrics, but this definitely is to me the cheesiest Disney song ever. Any song that tries to rhyme "banana" with "manana" is just asking for trouble. The fact that they spell friend, "f-r-e-n-d" is just icing on the cake.

 

A Look Back...
This is the educational part of the column, where we cover what historical Disney dates that have been already missed over the past week and totally neglected. It's sad that such amazing milestones could be overlooked and I feel it's my duty to the Disney community to stand up for these days and make sure they get what they deserve.

 

May 30th marked the 52nd anniversary of "Don's Fountain of Youth." This social commentary on the lack of interest in history by America's youth is still profound. The scene in which the nephew's poke precariously at an egg believing it's Donald and burst into tears is incredibly moving. The adult in this story, namely Donald tries to use manipulations to get his way, a sobering message for us all.

 

The same date marks the 38th anniversary of the official "breaking ground" ceremony for Walt Disney World. Well, technically it was a "breaking swamp."

 

June 1st marked the sad 18th anniversary of the closure of If You Had Wings at the Magic Kingdom. It had to have been expected, as the overt advertising and somewhat bland airline theme wasn't that thrilling of a concept. The next year brought it's innovative replacement, Delta Dreamflight with it's airline theme and overt advertising.

 

The World of Film
Now it's time to leave the world of Disney and enter the world of Hollywood box office.

 

This weekend's first place race should be very fascinating to watch as 4 films have the chance to make about the same amount.

 

The most anticipated release of the weekend is Cinderella Man from acclaimed director Ron Howard. While the subject matter is not one that will send mass audiences running to the cinemas, the combined star power of Russell Crowe and the positive critical reviews should lead to a strong opening weekend. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants has also been well reviewed by the movie critics. The film opened on Wednesday to $2 million dollars, not a bad but certainly not an amazing start. The weekend should give it a nice boost. Lords of Dogtown is probably the most volatile film being released this weekend. The 1970s skater flick has not recieved much publicity and consequently doesn't seem destined for a big box-office take this weekend.

 

#1 - Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith $26 million
#2 - Madagascar $24 million
#3 - The Longest Yard $24 million
#4 - Cinderella Man $23 million
#5 - Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants $14 million
#6 - Lords of Dogtown $9 million
#7 - Monster-In-Law $5.5 million
#8 - Crash $3.5 million
#9 - Kicking and Screaming $3 million
#10 - The Interpreter $1.5 million

 

If it were a Disney film. . .
Kicking and Screaming would be a film about Disney trying to get guests into Disney's California Adventure.
 
Did I leave your favorite cheesy Disney song off the list? Do you think that my predictions are way off base? Write me..