Whether it’s a Topsy Turvy Day or the Court of Miracles, the environment created for Disney’s movie, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame is certainly a vibrant one. The story is one that has been told in a variety of ways over the years, with Quasimodo and his life in the bell tower being something that a lot of people know. However, the Disney version is certainly one of the best, and a big part of that is the music that comes with it.
This movie has a huge range of songs, from upbeat party tunes during the Festival of Fools to very dark and sinister songs by the fire. Some of Disney’s greatest ever songs take place in this movie, but what is the greatest of them all?
“A Guy Like You”
This is certainly the weakest song of the movie, and even though it is actually a positive and upbeat song, it’s not one that really works. The main reason for this is that the three gargoyles, Victor, Hugo, and Laverne, don’t have the greatest voices in the movie.
It’s quite comedic, which is a nice break from what is one of Disney’s more serious movies. However, because of that, it is quite different in tone from the rest of the movie, and it doesn’t pop in the way that it should. They’re great sidekick characters who bring plenty of fun, but they just don’t quite deliver a great Disney number.
“Heaven’s Light”
This song is literally the light side to “Hellfire,” with the two songs coming back to back in the movie. Having that juxtaposition is something that makes these two songs stand out, and together, it is a very interesting point in the movie.
While this is a nice number, with Quasimodo singing about the light and good that is in him and the world, it’s not one of the stronger songs within the movie. However, having the instrumental melody of “Hellfire” in the background, in a much softer way, is a subtle and clever touch.
“The Court Of Miracles”
While Quasimodo and Phoebus are simply trying to help save Esmeralda, when they first find themselves in the Court of Miracles, they’re quickly captured. However, that doesn’t mean that this is a sinister or dark song because this is one of the more upbeat songs in the movie.
There’s great energy to this song, despite it being about an impending murder. It might be quite an overlooked song in comparison to some of the bigger numbers in this movie, but it’s certainly a good one.
“The Bells Of Notre Dame (Reprise)”
This song is the one that kicks off and also ends the movie, and the reprise version is a strong song. It’s one of the shorter numbers in the movie, but it wraps things up in style, as Clopin Trouillefou belts it out with real style and a huge performance from a vocal perspective.
The instrumental part of this song is ramped up to 100, as the movie looks to end in the biggest way possible, and having it all be focused around the bells of Notre Dame, which play such a significant part in the entire story is a great moment.
“God Help The Outcasts”
This number is Esmeralda’s big moment, as she prays to God, hoping that he can help her and the rest of the outcasts. It’s certainly an emotional song and showcases just how desperate the Roma are due to how they’re treated in the city.
Her singing is great, but it’s when the choir joins in where this one kicks it into another gear. It provides a big atmosphere and feels like a church hymn, which is certainly unique, and it helps to a softer side to her character.
“Topsy Turvy”
The Festival of Fools is a big moment in the movie, when the Romani people are able to enjoy themselves freely, having a party and celebrating everything unique. Quasimodo decides to get involved and he becomes a big part of the day, with Clopin Trouillefou taking a liking to him, as he believes he’s got the best mask possible.
He sings about the day and how everything is different and the fact it celebrates what is an important message. It’s one of the most upbeat songs in the movie, with Clopin bouncing around with a lot of energy while the rest of the crowd chants and joins in, which creates an enjoyable atmosphere.
“Out There”
This song highlights the wickedness of Claude Frollo at the start. It has a slow build throughout, but the early moments are all about the villain controlling Quasimodo, which gives audiences a clear idea of why he is happy to be locked in the bell tower.
However, once Quasimodo gets to sing on his own, the song picks up. The huge instrumental score behind his voice makes for an exciting moment as he sings about his desire to get out and see what is outside of his home. The score and the lyrics combined here with the strong vocals make this an ideal hero song.
“The Bells Of Notre Dame”
The opening song of this movie kicks it off in an epic manner. It introduces the tone of the movie and how serious the soundtrack can be. While it works as an introduction, explaining the backstory of Quasimodo and how he came to be in the possession of Claude Frollo, it is so much more than that.
The song has an epic choir singing throughout, which is something that takes place throughout the movie. The introduction of the bells was a great touch, with the final moments of this song building up in a huge manner, making this a great song.
“Hellfire”
While having a villain’s song as the best in the movie might seem strange, it is certainly the case of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. Claude Frollo’s big song is arguably the greatest Disney villain song of all time, and its dark tones and epic orchestral feel suit this movie to perfection.
This song has a real sign of desperation, as Claude Frollo is torn about who he is attracted to. The conflict inside of him comes out in this scene, with the deep voice of Tony Jay being absolutely perfect for this evil number, which is certainly the most well-known song in the movie.
