Counting Down The 12 Greatest Disney Villain Songs
Which one of these baddies' signature song is your favorite?
12. "Mad Madam Mim" from The Sword in the Stone
Villain: Madame Mim
In the song, Merlin’s powerful arch nemesis not only embraces her insanity, but also celebrates it.
Most villainous lyrics: “Black sorcery is my dish of tea.”
11. "Mine, Mine, Mine" from Pocahontas
Villain: Governor Ratcliffe
Unlike most Disney villains, Ratcliffe isn’t driven by evil, but rather by greed. This song perfectly sets up his intentions.
Most villainous line: “It's not that I'm bitter / But think how they'll squirm / When they see how I glitter!”
10. "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast
Villain: Gaston
A song that celebrates what the ultimate narcissist, Gaston, loves most: GASTON.
Most villainous lyrics: “As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating!”
9. "Mother Knows Best" from Tangled
Villain: Mother Gothel
This wonderfully upbeat song — about emotionally manipulating your (fake) daughter — perfectly disguises Mother Gothel’s true motives.
Most villainous lyrics: “Don’t ever ask to leave this tower again.”
8. "Prince Ali (Reprise)" from Aladdin
Villain: Jafar
Jafar demonstrates that the best way to humble and humiliate your enemies is through a song.
Most villainous lyrics: “Read my lips and come to grips with reality.”
7. "The World's Greatest Criminal Mind" from The Great Mouse Detective
Villain: Professor Ratigan
Voiced by the late, great Vincent Price, Ratigan gets high villainous marks for not only celebrating in his past crimes, but also killing one his minions during the course of the song.
Most villainous lyrics: “Worse than the widows and orphans you drowned?”
6. "Friends on the Other Side" from The Princess and the Frog
Villain: Dr. Facilier
The smooth and charming Dr. Facilier, aka "The Shadow Man," goes from simple showman to sinister evil voodoo witch doctor all through the course of one song.
Most villainous lyrics: “Hope you're satisfied / But if you ain't / Don't blame me / You can blame my friends on the other side!”
5. "Oogie Boogie's Song" from The Nightmare Before Christmas
Villain: Oogie Boogie
Oogie kidnaps Santa Claus and then proceeds to mock and torture him throughout the song — now that’s a badass villain.
Most villainous lyrics: “You aren't comprehending the position that you're in / It's hopeless, you're finished / You haven't got a prayer.”
4. "Hellfire" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Villain: Judge Claude Frollo
The darkest song on this list and for good reason: Religious zealot Frollo is conflicted over his intense hatred of gypsies and his growing lustful obsession over the gypsy dancer Esmeralda.
Most villainous lyrics: “Destroy Esmeralda / And let her taste the fires of hell / Or else let her be mine and mine alone.”
3. "Cruella De Vil" from 101 Dalmatians
Villain: Cruella de Vil
Unlike the other songs on this list, Cruella doesn't perform her own song. But a villain this fabulous doesn’t need to sing; she has songs written about her.
Most villainous line: “She's like a spider waiting / For the kill.”
2. "Be Prepared" from The Lion King
Villain: Scar
Of all the Disney villains, Scar is the smartest and most diabolical, and this song perfectly encompasses him. Also, the not-so-subtle imagery that references Nazi rallies give the song an extra layer of sinisterness.
Most villainous lyrics: “So prepare for the coup of the century/ Be prepared for the murkiest scam.”
1. "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from The Little Mermaid
Villain: Ursula
Ursula is a menacing and brilliant villain who doesn’t even need to trick Ariel into giving her what she wants — all she needs is her raspy voice and badass song to get her way.
Most villainous lyrics: “Now it's happened once or twice / Someone couldn't pay the price / And I'm afraid I had to rake 'em 'cross the coals.”
