When You Wish Upon a Star - Dion and the Belmonts

DION AND THE BELMONTS didn't have a long career. Dion DiMucci, a singer since childhood who toured with many big names, joined the Belmonts in 1957 and left the group in 1960 to persue a solo career. They had a few hits together but the Belmonts were not as popular after Dion left.

An interesting fact: Dion and the Belmonts were part of the Winter Dance Party in 1959. They couldn't afford the $36 that it would cost to fly to the next gig so they stayed behind. The plane, which was carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Vallens and the Big Bopper, crashed. There were no survivors. This day is called "the day the music died."

Dion and the Belmonts released two albums. The second, released in 1960, is called WISH UPON A STAR WITH DION AND THE BELMONTS and contains a nice cover of When You Wish Upon a Star. I absolutely love the 50s do-op style that they give this song! It is totally authentic and a great representation of the musical styles of the day.

When You Wish Upon a Star Dion and the Belmonts 1960

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo - Bobby McFerrin

Even though majority of the world only knows BOBBY MCFERRIN as a one hit wonder from his song Don't Worry, Be Happy, he actually has quite an impressive body of work. He has never been popular in the commercial world because of his unusual jazz-influenced vocal arrangements but that never stopped Bobby from doing what he loves. In fact, he only recorded Don't Worry, Be Happy because his label rep told him to write something that could be commercially sold.

Bobby McFerrin has recorded a couple of songs for Disney, including this one: Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (the Magic Song) from Cinderella. This track was recorded in 1995 as part of a compilation album called THE MUSIC OF DISNEY'S CINDERELLA featuring famous pop stars singing the songs from Cinderella as well as a newly recorded version of the film's score.

This song is right up McFerrin's alley. His clever arrangement and his skill at manipulating his voice work perfectly with the nonsense words in this song.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Bobby McFerrin 1995

Hakuna Matata - Lebo M & Jimmy Cliff

It means 'No worries for the rest of your days'. Everyone now knows the meaning to the Swahili phrase 'hakuna matata' thanks to the Lion King. The song, written by Elton John and Tim Rice, and originally recorded by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, was one of the main plot points and one of the catchier tunes in the film. Timon and Pumbaa explains to Simba how they live their life.

While I love this song, it always sort of bothered me that this song gained so much popularity because it is teaching Simba a lesson that he later finds out is holding him back from achieving his goal. Not really the lesson to teach kids.

This version of Hakuna Matata can be found on the 1995 release RHYTHM OF THE PRIDE LANDS, a follow-up soundtrack to the popular LION KING soundtrack. The album features LEBO M, a South African composer who did a lot of work on the Lion King movies and Broadway musicals. Joining him on this track is JIMMY CLIFF who you probably as the guy who sings I Can See Clearly Now. You'll notice that this version not only expands on the origin of Pumbaa but it also goes into Timon's past.

Hakuna Matata Lebo M & Jimmy Cliff 1995

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride - Jump5

Although JUMP5 has reached Platinum and Gold record sales in the Christian music world, they really came into the spotlight through RadioDisney. Their style of pop/dance fit perfectly with the other tween bands on the Disney record label. They release their final album, HELLO & GOODBYE, on October 9th and plan to call it quits after the album tour.

Their contribution to DISNEYMANIA 3 is a remake of Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride originally performed by Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu & Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus in Lilo & Stitch. Their pop/rock version of this tune pumps up the energy and is a lot of fun.

Kiss the Girl - English Chamber Orchestra

BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BACH is the second of two albums that take classic Disney songs and reinterpret them in the styles of various classical composers. On this album the Little Mermaid's love ballad Kiss the Girl was scored in the style of Finnish composer JEAN SIBELIUS. This piece is performed by the ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA.

When I first heard this piece I thought it sounded a lot like Wagner. But I when I looked at the liner notes I saw that it was in the style of Sibelius. Now I'm no expert on classical music so I searched Sibelius on Wikipedia and found out that Wagner is one of Sibelius' greatest inspirations!

This version of Kiss the Girl takes on a more dramatic approach. It turns this love song into a full out opera. It is unique and inventive. You have to listen very closely or you may not even recognize the song! The themes are there but they go through a few different variations.

I Wan'na Be Like You - Gabriel Rios

Although born in Peurto Rico, GABRIEL RIOS started off his music career in Belgium when he decided to be a professional singer/songwriter instead of a painter at a local art school.

After a playing in a few bands he decided to go on his own and in 2004 he recorded his first album, GHOSTBOY. Then in 2005 Rios recorded EN VIVO, a live album that included a version of the Jungle Book's monkey song, I Wan'na Be Like You.

His take on the song is an interesting one. Acoustic guitar and vocals only. No flashy swing music or back up singers. His arrangement is fun and his guitar work is really good. I like how he interacts with the guitar solo by singing and playing together.

I Wan'na Be Like You Gabriel Rios 2005