The Disney Song Encyclopedia - fieldi

228 “WHY NOT?”
that became internationally known and took on deeper significance during
hard times in the Great Depression. Frank Churchill and Ann Ronell collaborated
on the simple but tuneful song, sung by the three pigs as they
celebrate their victory over the wolf. It was written for the film short The
Three Little Pigs (1933), and soon everyone was singing it or whistling it
on the street. Americans in the 1930s saw the Depression as the “big bad
wolf” and the song was a form of defiance against the difficulties of the day.
The number was used in at least three subsequent Little Pigs cartoons,
including the Silly Symphony shorts The Big Bad Wolf (1934), Three Little
Wolves (1936) and The Practical Pig (1939). The song was translated into
several foreign languages, becoming popular around the world for the same
reasons it caught on in the United States. In Russia it was so successful
that it was turned into a popular children’s book that claimed the tune was
based on an old Russian folk song. Early successful recordings of the ditty
were made by Ethel Shutta, Ben Bernie, and Harry Reser, with later discs
by such varied artists as Wendy and the Wombats, Barbra Streisand, Jean
Sablon (in French), Burl Ives, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the group
B5, Massimo Farao, and LL Cool J. It can also be heard in the movies
Babes in Toyland (1934), Bottoms Up (1934), and Ship Cafe (1935). The
song inspired the punning title for Edward Albee’s play Who’s Afraid of
Virginia Woolf? (1962).
“Why Not?” is the up-tempo pop song about taking chances written by
Charlie Midnight and Matthew Gerrard for The Lizzie McGuire Movie
(2003), based on the popular television series. Lizzie (Hilary Duff) sings
the fervent number about opening your eyes and looking for new aspects
of life. Duff’s recording of the song was popular and she also made a music
video of it.
“Why Should I Worry?” is the driving “I am” song by Dan Hartman and
Charlie Midnight for the streetwise canine Dodger (voice of Billy Joel)
in the animated movie version of Oliver Twist, titled Oliver & Company
(1988). The confident dog sings the pulsating rock song to the young feline
Oliver as he shows him how to survive in New York City using street
savvy.
“W-I-L-D” is the jumping doo-wop number written by Lorraine Feather
and Paul Grabowsky for the animated video sequel The Jungle Book 2
(2003). Baloo the Bear (voice of John Goodman) entertains the man-cub
Mowgli and a gathering of jungle creatures with this jiving number about