🎤 Ranking The First Songs From ICONIC Disney Channel Musicals ❤

Let's celebrate this week by ranking the FIRST songs that play when we turn on some of the iconic Disney Channel Musicals! I don't know about you, but when there is a movie with singing and dancing... I'm there!! 

Well, except for a few...

In this list, you won't find all of the Disney Channel Musicals because there are some I have never seen and don't plan on watching due to certain elements in the movies. But, you will find ALL the nostalgic ones, plus a couple of newer ones I did watch and enjoyed! 

So, are you ready for this?!? It's Now or Never 🏀 right?!? I mean the Party's Just Begun 🐾 It's A Brand New Day 🌞 and Together We Can 🧡 Turn Up The Music 🎹 and celebrate the Start of Something New! 🎤

So, What Time Is It? 🕐

It's time for some song rankings!! We Got This! 📣

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(from least to most favorite)

#11 - Cheetah Love (The Cheetah Girls: One World)

Fun fact... I refused to watch the third Cheetah Girls movie when I was a kid because I was so obsessed with the second movie and didn't like that Barcelona was no longer a setting in the last one! I know... I know... how small-minded of me... but I was nine years old... hated change... and didn't want to leave the vibes of the second movie! However, I recently watched it over a decade later and the songs are actually soooo good... except this one might be my least favorite and that's why it ranks last on this list too! I think it's just the glamor of it that takes the focus away from the lyrics. It doesn't "feel" like a Cheetah Girls song... except in a way it does. Am I making any sense here? I love the lyrics, but for some reason this song doesn't stick with me and it doesn't set up the movie like how the other songs on this list represent the rest of their movies really well!! Give it a listen and see if you feel the same... ↓

#10 - We Got This (Zombies 2) 

I have to admit, I was sad to put a Zombies song so low on this list. However, I have a good reason. So, like I mentioned above, I like when the first song in movies sets up the rest of the movie cohesively. Take this song for instance! In this song it describes basically what has been going on since the first movie ended and even talks about things to come, like Prawn (Zombies version of Prom). You feel like you get caught-up on things you've missed in Seabrook and get excited for the new things you'll get to watch! There is a downside though. I love songs that I can play and relate to and this one sadly isn't one of those. The only lyrics I can relate to is the chorus and while I LOVE the chorus that makes me feel like I do got this... this isn't a song I could sing any time and really "feel" apart of it. Does that make sense? I hope so! It still is a GREAT song for the movie though! My favorite part is when Zed is singing by the "Prawn Hall of Fame" wall... check it out ↓

#9 - My Year (Zombies)

I know... how can I list two Zombies songs back to back while being so close to last on this list?!? Well, I sort of just explained why up there ↑ and both songs have the same set-up when it comes to how the lyrics tell a story that isn't the most relatable, but that fit the movies really well! I love the vibe of this song and how you could totally listen to the chorus on New Years (or a new school year) and feel like this really will be your year! My favorite part is when Zed and his zombie crew breakdance, then it shows Addison with the cheer team also dancing while "Go! Go! Go!" is being sung in the background... Hip Hop Harry moment anyone? 

I do really love this song and if it was more relatable, then it would totally be way higher on this list! ↓

#8 - Together We Can (The Cheetah Girls) 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the vibe of this song and scene! Soulful, heartfelt, positive, fun... I could go on and on with adjectives to describe this song! The reason it's lower on this list is because it's a lot shorter than the others, which means we don't get a lot of different lyrics and mainly just the chorus... which is still really good though! I think this is a great first song for The Cheetah Girls franchise because they even begin to mess up towards the end and by the end of the movie you get to see how much they've improved! I would have liked to see the girls all on the same line because it was weird just seeing Galleria by herself as if she was the "star" of the group when they were supposed to all be equal in the group. I love how this song is sweet and relatable and has the message that together we can do anything! 

#7 - Turn Up The Music (Lemonade Mouth) 

If there was one thing that shocked me when creating this list it's how this song made it higher than the ones above! Going into making this, I figured this song would be last on my list. Not saying I don't like Lemonade Mouth songs... because hello... DETERMINATE... but I've always felt this song is sort of slow, but that's actually the thing I LOVED about it when watching it this time around! If you listen to the lyrics, it's such a sweet song! It's all about how if you're stuck and think the future is unclear, then turn up the music and set yourself free of all those worries!! It's soooo chill and heartwarming! Also, I love how the beginning is them making their own beats, then coming together to create a song. Kind of unrealistic, but that just makes it a legit musical! So, what are we waiting for?!? Let's turn up the music!! ↓ 🍋

#6 - Who Will I Be (Camp Rock)

This song/scene is simple, but I LOVED it as a kid and still do! First off, the scene itself is probably the most relatable Disney Channel musical moment because who hasn't rocked-out in their room and messed around with different outfit ideas and hairstyles?!? I know I have! The song is really special because it's all about realizing you have the choice to find out who you want to be and why not try everything... it works for Mitchie because she finds her place on stage! I love how this scene isn't over-the-top and has a homey-feel to it... probably because it's set in a bedroom... LOL! Fun question, which glasses are your favorite that Mitchie tries on? Can you guess my choice?!? It rhymes with blue... ↓🎸

#5 - Brand New Day (Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam) 

I was so close to putting "Who Will I Be" above this one... but this one is longer and has some fun choreography!! I used to overlook this song as a kid, but it's actually really good! I love how at the beginning you think it's going to be a slow acoustic song, but then the guitar picks up it's beat and the whole vibe of the song changes! I love the lyrics and how you feel refreshed while listening to a song about new beginnings! Again, there is a lot of choreography in this scene and it's fun watching everyone dance around the different camp settings. One of my favorite parts is when everyone is running up to Mitchie from different sides of the camp and asks (while singing) questions that she answers perfectly! The ending on stage is a great last transition... ↓

#4 - The Party's Just Begun (The Cheetah Girls 2) 

The setting is simple for this song, but the chorography and melody changes make this song what is it! I love how this song makes me want to get up and dance! It truly is Cheetahlicious!! 🐾 Like I said, the melody/beat changes are amazing!! There are two times when the flow of the song changes and it keeps the song interesting and entertaining! I just love how it's a girl group of best friends performing together because it totally reminds me of my sisters, cousin, and me dancing in the garage and "performing" for others! We were the Cheetah Girls no one knew about... but we still brought it with all the sass and energy! Another fun thing about this song is how many times it mentions to celebrate and you all know I love songs that talk about celebrating! Celebrate good times! 💛

I love the vibe of this song and I bet you'll get up dancing when you watch this scene! Don't believe me? Well, let's see and find out if you have growl power... hit it!! ↓

#3 - Now Or Never (High School Musical 3: Senior Year)

Technically, the third HSM movie isn't considered Disney Channel because it came out in theaters. However, I still count it as a DCOM because you have to include it with the other two movies in the series! Again, this one shocked me! High School Musical 3 has never been my favorite of the series, including a lot of the songs. However, this song is so hype! I mean, it makes me want to go to a basketball game (without having to hear squeaky shoes) and root on a team with as much vigor that the students have during this song! One of my favorite parts of this scene is when Troy is walking through everyone on the court and singing while keeping his eyes focused on the camera, but still catching the ball when it's passed to him. I used to laugh so hard when Gabriella dramatically yells Troy's name and he sings "Right now I can hardly breathe." I used to think that was soooo over-the-top. However, I started looking at that part of the song a lot deeper and came to this reasoning. ↓

Imagine how much pressure was on Troy during his last game. He himself sings that this is the last time to get it right. That's a lot of pressure! When he sings "Right now I can hardly breath," could he possibly not just be talking about getting knocked down, but also about all of the pressure weighing down heavily on him. Mind-blowing, right?!? When I look at it that way, I find that part so sweet how Gabriella is reassuring him and he even sings how she makes him strong... awww!!! 💓💓💓

Now let's watch this so our hearts can melt over Troy... I mean... umm... melt over this song... yeah... okay... let's just play the song... ↓ 

#2 - What Time Is It (High School Musical 2) 

One question... if they are so excited that school is over, then why are they choosing to stay longer than they have to by doing this big dance/singing number?!? Hey, I'm not complaining because this song is iconic and a total bop to play at the start of summer! I've listened to this song so many times that I've lost count! Don't we all wish we had a moment like this in high school where we got to dance carefree around the entire building? Only me... nah, some of y'all be lying to yourselves! One of my favorite parts is when they do the basketball breakdance scene... so good! I love the energy during this song and how it gets you so hyped for the rest of the movie! What time is it? Time for you to listen to this song... ↓ 🕐

Are you ready for my number-one FAVORITE opening song from a Disney Channel musical?!?

Do you already have a guess at what it is? 

You could be wrong...

Or you could be totally right...

Drum roll please... 🥁🥁

#1 - Start of Something New (High School Musical) 

The nostalgia!! This song! Everything about this song and scene is just so... what's the word?... so... hmmm... soooo absolutely, totally amazing, fantastically incredible, wonderfully nostalgic, awesomely awesome... okay... I'm going to stop now! You get the point! I mean, the title is called "Start of Something New" and the song is literally the start of a whole new franchise that will go on to live in our childhood memories! I love how this song is performed at a New Years Party because that makes it even more unique, since we never saw anything New Years related on Disney Channel before this! The whole karaoke vibe is GREAT! I love how Gabriella is shy at first and how it takes her some time to get used to being on stage, while Troy gets into his element quick when he realizes he's not half-bad and actually more than half-amazing! Confidence is everything and Gabriella finds a little singing beside Troy! How cute!! I LOVE this first song! It hits that part of my heart that is still attached to younger me! Let's sing along to this incredible opening song... some sing-along karaoke... why not?!? ↓🎤

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This post was so tough to create because I couldn't figure out which song went above another! I literally stared into cyberspace for a loooooong time trying to process it all! But, I love my final list and had so much fun making it!! I hope you enjoyed reading it. Which song is your favorite based on which is the BEST first song from a Disney Channel musical? Let me know in the comments! 💙

I hope you all are having a great weekend!! Don't forget to celebrate each day because each day is a memory in the making! 💛💗

 

**This post is a critical/commentary analysis of the Disney Channel movies listed. This is for educational purposes only. I intend no copyright infringement and this is not a replacement for watching the movies/listening to the songs. As covered under Fair Use copyright laws listed below, I simply share my commentary by giving constructive feedback, criticism, and comments. 

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