What If ... Disney Music Was Being Pulled?

My List of 10 Songs to be Saved by Steve Burns

1. Magic of Walt Disney World underscore - written by Buddy Baker. I remember seeing the 30 minute film The Magic of Walt Disney World many years ago, long before my first Walt Disney World trip. But at the time I didn't pay much attention to it. But the Disney Channel would occasionally show the film in the 1980s and 1990s, and I always enjoyed watching it. One of my favorite things about it was the underscore by Buddy Baker. His themes and arrangements seemed to perfectly capture all the aspects of a visit to Walt Disney World - from the excitement of visiting the Magic Kingdom to the relaxed atmosphere of the Polynesian Resort. Whenever I visit Walt Disney World today, especially those parts of the resort that were featured in the 1972 film, I can still hear that music in my head.

2. Laserphonic Fantasy/Festival of Festivals - For the opening of EPCOT Center in 1982, Don Dorsey arranged and performed the music for the Festival of Festivals, which later became the music for the Laserphonic Fantasy, which was the park's first lagoon show. The music consisted of many well-known classical compositions all performed on synthesizer. I loved the music when I first saw the Laserphonic Fantasy, and I was delighted to find it a few years ago as bonus tracks on Don's "Busted" CD.

3. Suite of Dreams: Fantasy - written by Gavin Greenaway. Disney again used Gavin Greenaway to write music for the Share a Dream Come True parade at the Magic Kingdom for Walt Disney World's 100 Years of Magic celebration. Also included on the Music in the Streets CD, which featured music from the parades created for the celebration, was the Suite of Dreams, which featured slightly different arrangements of the main themes created for the four different parades at the parks. The Fantasy movement of the Suite is the theme from the Magic Kingdom's parade. I really enjoy the theme, as well as the arrangements and orchestrations of this version.

4. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth - written by Gavin Greenaway. For the Millennium version of Illuminations, Disney brought in Gavin Greenaway to write the score. And did he ever deliver! This wonderful orchestral piece helps to capture the emotions of a united world celebrating its diversity. Evidently, a lot of people liked the music, because it was also used for ABC's Millennium coverage on December 31, 1999.

5. Main Street Electrical Parade - written by Gershon Kingsley and Jean Jacques Perrey, among others. This always brings back memories of my first visit to Walt Disney World, when I saw the Main Street Electrical Parade for the first time. For my listening pleasure, I prefer the extended mix heard on the Fantasmic! CD from Disneyland. I love the bouncy rhythms along with the synthesizer arrangements, most of which were by Don Dorsey.

6. Flying Circus - underscore from The Rocketeer, written by James Horner. This piece of music is heard as the Rocketeer makes his first "public appearance", and this upbeat music adds to the excitement of the fast-paced action on the screen. This piece of music has also been used for the fountain show in Epcot's Innoventions Plaza.

7. Zorro theme - written by George Bruns and Norman Foster. When we first got the Disney Channel back in 1983, one of the first shows that I started watching regularly was Zorro. And of course the show always opened with the catchy theme song. I enjoy the Spanish-style arrangements, and it is always fun to sing along with the song.

8. Under the Sea - from The Little Mermaid, written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. I first heard this song standing in a Disney Store a couple of months before the movie was released. I knew right then that it was a great song, and I bought the CD the first time I saw it in the store, which was still three weeks before the movie came out. This song, with vocals by Samuel Wright, has always been one of my favorites.

9. I Wanna Be Like You - from The Jungle Book, written by Richard and Robert Sherman. This fun swing number features Louis Prima and Phil Harris as the characters of King Louie and Baloo. Great vocals, great writing, a great song.

10. Mickey Mouse Club March - Written by Jimmie Dodd, this is the well known theme song from the Mickey Mouse Club television show. Featuring cameo appearances by Jiminy Cricket and Donald Duck, this song always brings back great memories.

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