The Disney Song Encyclopedia - fieldi

“COMFORTING TO KNOW” 35
ambitious young climber Rudi Matt (James MacArthur), who is determined
to reach the top of the treacherous Citadel, the Alpine peak on which his
father died. The song accompanies Rudi’s practice climbs, is whistled by
Rudi and his girlfriend, Lizbeth (Janet Munro), and becomes a soaring
instrumental piece in the film’s finale.
“Colonel Hathi’s March” is the comic military number for a line of elephants
in the animated movie The Jungle Book (1967). Richard M. and
Robert B. Sherman wrote the playful march in which the head elephant,
Colonel Hathi (voice of J. Pat O’Malley), leads his pack in military maneuvers,
his forgetfulness often causing collisions and pileups. Joining in the
march and the song are the colonel’s wife, Winifred (Verna Felton); his son,
Junior (Clint Howard); and the young man-cub Mowgli (Bruce Reitherman).
In the video sequel The Jungle Book 2 (2003), the song is reprised by
a quartet of elephants voiced by Bob Joyce, Rick Logan, Guy Maeda, and
Jerry Whitman. The number is sometimes listed as “The Elephant Song.”
“Colors of the Wind” is the Oscar-winning song of inspiration about
nature and racial tolerance written by Alan Menken (music) and Stephen
Schwartz (lyric) for the animated film Pocahontas (1995). (It was Menken’s
fourth Best Song Oscar in six years.) The Native American girl Pocahontas
(singing voice of Judy Kuhn) shows Captain John Smith the wonders of the
land in the New World, arguing that it must be preserved to be understood,
and tells him he must walk in the footsteps of the Native American in order
to understand her people. Menken’s expansive music and Schwartz’s vivid
imagery keep the song potent without being preachy. Vanessa Williams reprises
the ballad during the end credits of the movie, and her recording was
a popular favorite. It was also recorded by such artists as Harajuku, Kaitlin
Hopkins, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Michael Crawford, Christy Carlson Romano,
Ashanti featuring Lil Shi Shi, Sara Ramirez, Kerry Butler, and Earl
Rose, who made a pleasing jazz version of the song.
“Come Meet Santa” is the satirical song about commercializing Christmas
written by Michael Lembeck for the film comedy The Santa Clause 3:
The Escape Clause (2006). After Jack Frost (Martin Short) usurps Santa and
turns the North Pole into a theme park, he sings this hyperbolic number
about the terrific rides and attractions that are waiting for you if you are
willing to pay.
“Comforting to Know” is the reassuring lullaby written by Carly Simon
for the animated film Piglet’s Big Movie (2003). Simon sings the affecting