10 Classic Disney Song Lyrics That Are Horrible Messages for Children
by: Jessica Anderson
Disney live-action versions of the classic animated feature are being churned out faster than movie popcorn these days. Disney has caught on that some of the stories are outdated, in their live-action Cinderella at least Prince Charming and Cinderella do things like have a conversation before they get married, but what about the music? The Disney musical numbers are often some of the most memorable sequences in the movies, but what messages do they send? Some messages are dated, some are questionable and some are downright racist (see #7 and #8). Which songs have or will make it to their live action remakes? And what messages do the lyrics send when you really think about them?
1. "Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons? - Li Shang, Mulan (1998)
From I'll Make A Man Out of You as all the men (and Mulan) flail as they're training for battle Li Shang looks on hopelessly because not all the men are as ripped as him and can't claim a pole. Then Li Shang/Donny Osmond bursts into song and sings the above line in frustration. Basically, it implies they're all a bunch of "girls" and of course girls can't fight, be strong, run, do martial arts or fish. The movie somewhat redeems itself when it proves girls can be girls while being strong as Mulan defeats Shan Yu and even does some of it in a dress.
2. "I steal only what I can't afford (That's Everything!)"- Aladdin, Aladdin (1992)
We're introduced to Aladdin by him stealing bread with a monkey and avoiding capture via song and dance in One Jump Ahead. But Aladdin's rationale for shoplifting: he takes what he can't afford and he currently makes zero dollars. So kids, you can steal- but only if you can't afford something. Don’t do things like look for gainful employment or find industrious ways to make some cash. Couldn't Aladdin and Abu have at least tried busking? Aladdin can sing and Abu's a monkey in a little hat surely that's worth something? At least tell kids to try and make an honest living before resorting to theft.
3. "Barely even friends then somebody bends, unexpectedly," – Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Think of the context behind this line in the title song: Barely even friends (because Beast locked Belle's dad in a cell and then swapped his freedom for Belle's lifelong imprisonment). Then somebody bends (because Belle's there forever she has to use survival tactics to as a coping mechanism). Unexpectedly (despite the forcible confinement and violent screaming, Belle now has Stockholm syndrome so Beast's not so bad). This whole Beauty and the Beast dance took place before Beast actually did the legal thing and released Belle, so this waltz was happening while she was still never allowed to leave. Tale as old as time right?
4. "It won't cost much, just your voice," – Ursula, The Little Mermaid (1989)
From Poor Unfortunate Souls, Ursula sings this song to try to convince a teenager to undergo radical body augmentation and run away from home forever. This is all because Ariel wants to chase after a prince she's never really met (singing in his face while he regains consciousness doesn't count). Ursula's reasoning that Ariel doesn't need her voice: "You'll have your looks, your pretty face," and "on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word" (also potential lines for this list). But the message that it's fine to give up your ability to verbally express your thoughts and feelings as long as your crush likes you back…that wins for the worst.
5. "I may not have a dime, but I got street savoir faire,"- Dodger, Oliver and Company (1988)
A pre-cursor to Aladdin's message that you'll survive on the streets even if you're broke (if you’re street savvy and have a three-octave singing range) –this line is sung by the dog version of the artful Dodger in the dog form of Billy Joel. Kitty Oliver helps Dodger steal sausages and instead of sharing, he hoards them and sings Why Should I Worry? He's got no dimes but lives the high life (they know him at the Chelsea and the Ritz), all due to his savoir faire. So why worry? You're just homeless in New York in the 1980s- can't foresee any worry in that scenario. Street living is a rock-star lifestyle isn't a great message but Dodger's also a dog…so this one may get a pass.
6. "I know you, that gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam"- Aurora and Prince Philip, Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Princess Aurora is reminiscing about a romantic dream in Once Upon A Dream and one of the ways you know someone will "love you at once" is that you'll recognize that special gleam in their eyes. So when Prince Philip approaches and Aurora's apprehensive about a stranger, he argue/sings it's fine for her to go dancing in the forest with him because he has that special gleam. So kids: it's fine if a strange man approaches you and asks you to go deep into the woods with him, as long as he has that special gleam in his eye.
7. "We are Siamese, if you please"- Si and Am, Lady and the Tramp (1955)- CW: Racism; Offensive Language and Imagery
We are not Siamese, even though we're singing a song titled the The Siamese Cat Song.
We are both played by a white jazz singer from North Dakota who (judging by her portrayal of our accents) has never set a foot in Asia. We are also drawn with slanty eyes so don't worry it's not just our accents that are racist. We are encouraging many archaic stereotypes about Asian culture in just one short song. We are not Siamese, if you please.
8. "What Makes the Red Man Red?" – Indian Chief, Peter Pan (1953) -CW: Racism; Offensive Language and Imagery
After Peter Pan recuses Tiger Lily and brings her home to her Chief father, Michael asks him the song title question: "What Makes the Red Man Red?" Then instead of educating the boy on how that's really offensive to Indigenous cultures he launches into this monstrosity of a song. If you listen to the whole song it includes words like "Injun," and "squaw" and a verse explaining why all Indians are red. Not racist enough for you yet? Then watch the literal red “Indians” dance and holler around a fire. In fact, the whole sequence is just a horrible message for anyone- not just children.
9. "So this is love mmm mmm mmm,"- Cinderella, Cinderella (1950)
Is this love? Cinderella gets a makeover, goes to the ball, the Prince sees her and asks her to dance. Actually he doesn't ask, they just move and stare at each other. Then Cinderella's so in love she sings So This Is Love in her head and it's so much love she can't even get out real words (half the song lyrics are actually mmm mmm mmm). Is this really love or relief that she's temporarily escaped indentured servitude? So this is love kids: get an extreme makeover, attract a rich guy and make him want to marry you before you know too much about each other, things like each other's names. Mmm mmm mmm.
10. "Someday my prince will come," – Snow White, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937)
The idea that you're miserable now but a handsome prince will come and make it better, is a message that permeates Disney movies and many of the fairy tales that inspired them. Nothing encapsulates it quite so well as this line from the ballad Someday My Prince Will Come from the very first Disney animated feature. Sure, my stepmother wants to kill me and I'm a servant to seven men with a variety of personality disorders, but I'll stick it out until a man I don't know comes and fixes it for me. We're past that now (I hope).