When talking about Disney animations, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are the first characters that come to mind. Founded in 1923 in the United States, Disney has created countless beloved animated characters and films over its nearly century-long history. Many of these films have shone brightly at the Academy Awards. Music, an indispensable part of these movies, often features memorable singing and dancing sequences. Since the establishment of the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1934, Disney films have frequently been nominated and have won the award eight times. Today, let's take a look at these eight award-winning songs.

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When You Wish Upon A Star

"Pinocchio," Disney's second animated feature, includes a scene where Pinocchio's father wishes upon a star for a son. The accompanying song, "When You Wish Upon A Star," won the 12th Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1940. Since 1997, Disney has used this song and the Sleeping Beauty castle in their opening logo, symbolizing the idea that dreams can come true—aligning with Disney's vision of making dreams come true.

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Under The Sea

Released in 1989, "The Little Mermaid" is adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Little Mermaid." It marked Disney's 28th animated feature and a significant turning point, reviving the company's fortunes. The protagonist, Ariel, is a young mermaid yearning for freedom and curious about the world beyond the sea. With the help of her friends like Sebastian the crab, Ariel leaves the underwater world to pursue her dreams and love. The song "Under The Sea" won the 62nd Academy Award for Best Original Song.

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Beauty and the Beast

The 1991 release of "Beauty and the Beast" tells the story of a prince cursed into a beast and Belle, a young woman who comes to stay at his castle to save her father. They gradually develop feelings for each other, leading to the beast breaking the curse and living happily with Belle. The film's theme song, "Beauty and the Beast," performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. From the 1990s onwards, Disney's animated songs began to align more with mainstream pop music, with many becoming classic love songs and winning both the Oscar and Grammy Awards.

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A Whole New World

The following year's film, "Aladdin," featured the theme song "A Whole New World," originally performed by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. This song became the first from an animated film to top the Billboard charts, gaining worldwide popularity and countless cover versions.

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Can You Feel The Love Tonight

The 1995 film "The Lion King" is a cornerstone of many 80s children's childhoods. During that time, Disney's influence was pervasive, with their comics available in almost every bookstore. The song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight," composed and sung by Elton John, continues the tradition of classic love songs in Disney animations.

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Colors of the Wind

The 1996 film "Pocahontas" stands out in Disney's lineup of classic animated films. It is unique as it features a person of color as the protagonist and does not end on a completely happy note. The film's theme song, "Colors of the Wind," performed by Vanessa Williams, won the 68th Academy Award for Best Original Song.

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You'll Be In My Heart

In 2000, the theme song for "Tarzan," "You'll Be In My Heart," was composed and performed by British pop star Phil Collins. The song earned him the Oscar for Best Original Song, adding to his tally of seven Grammy Awards.

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Let It Go

For more than a decade, Disney's animated films were overshadowed by Pixar's creations (even though Pixar was acquired by Disney in 2006, both studios continued to operate independently). This changed in 2014 when "Frozen" won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and its song "Let It Go" won Best Original Song. This song contributed to one of the film's most spectacular scenes: a breathtaking ice dance performed by Elsa, the Snow Queen, who uses her powers to create a magnificent ice castle. The vibrant colors, crystal-clear textures, and grand scenes, combined with the powerful vocal performance, captivate the audience.

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In recent years, the quality of animated films has significantly improved, no longer dominated solely by Disney and DreamWorks. Many excellent production teams now create outstanding animated films, leading to a more competitive and diverse landscape. This is undoubtedly good news for audiences. Although this article is titled "Childhood Memories," it is exciting to think that future generations will have access to even more exceptional animated films and songs, celebrating the new era of animation.