Alan Menken’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2025]

A Whole New World, from the movie AladdinAlan Menken50rank/position

“A Whole New World”- Sheet Music and Cover | Sax Duet Alto/Soprano

This song is from the movie Aladdin, and in performance it’s characterized by the slightly difficult high B-flat.

I think playing it with a tenor sax could be interesting, but matching pitch will make it a challenging performance, so why not practice it solo first? Try to play while envisioning a cool performance like jazz player Kenny G.

Arabian NightsAlan Menken51rank/position

Arabian Nights (Aladdin)

This is a famous Disney song that captivatingly expresses an exotic Middle Eastern worldview through music.

Composed by Alan Menken, it features a grand melody that evokes the mystique of Arabia and a spirit of adventure, instantly drawing the audience into the story’s world.

Premiering as the opening of the Disney film Aladdin in October 1992, it went on to win numerous music awards, including the Academy Awards and the Grammys.

It’s a track that not only shines when enjoyed with the film, but also sprinkles a bit of wonderful magic into everyday life when listened to simply as background music.

A Whole New WorldAlan Menken52rank/position

【Piano】Aladdin/A Whole New World/Disney/Piano cover/CANACANA

Disney’s Aladdin—recently remade as a live-action film—is probably familiar even to younger audiences.

“A Whole New World” is known as the theme song from Aladdin.

As for this piece’s difficulty, it feels suitable for beginners approaching the lower end of intermediate, rather than complete novices.

Depending on the sheet music, the difficulty can increase, but it still wouldn’t be considered particularly hard.

The performance in the video is challenging for absolute beginners, so if you’re going to work on it, choose a simpler arrangement.

Colors of the WindAlan Menken53rank/position

Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas)

The 1995 film Pocahontas was created based on Pocahontas, a Native American woman who lived from the 15th to the 16th century.

Its theme song, Colors of the Wind, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Grammy Award, and a Golden Globe.

It’s a sweeping ballad perfectly suited to Pocahontas, who lives freely in the great outdoors, and it questions the settlers expanding their territories.

Although the work has faced considerable criticism over racial issues and differing perspectives, I encourage you to watch it at least once.

Pocahontas "Color of the Window"Alan Menken54rank/position

POCAHONTAS – COLORS OF THE WIND – EASY Piano Tutorial(Synthesia) [Top Anime Music]

The beautiful melodies delivered by Pocahontas invite us to reflect on our connection to nature and the way we live.

The melody stays within a single octave, creating a simple yet striking tune that incorporates elements of Native American music.

While the film won an Academy Award in 1995, its acclaim stems not only from its musicality but also from its gentle message about the importance of living in harmony with nature and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Judy Kuhn’s vocals blend wonderfully with the sweeping, flowing lines of the music.

Its emotionally rich melody and universal themes offer a deeply moving experience—one that lets you feel the joy of playing the piano while resonating in your heart.

It’s a recommended piece for those who cherish kindness and wish to value harmony with nature and others.

Under the Sea from The Little MermaidAlan Menken55rank/position

Haruka Shimazaki gives a live saxophone performance of Disney songs, delivers a “god-tier” response to reporters’ unreasonable request — “Blast! The Music of Disney”

The theme song of the Disney film The Little Mermaid, “Under the Sea.” It’s the piece Haruka Shimazaki of AKB48 performed on the opening day of the Tokyo run of Blast!.

I hear she played saxophone in her middle school brass band.

Try practicing the lively rhythms in this piece.

The Little Mermaid “Under the Sea”Alan Menken56rank/position

Under the Sea “Under The Sea” The Little Mermaid Disney / Piano Easy Slow With Do-Re-Mi Notes

An insert song from the movie The Little Mermaid that makes you wonder with excitement, “How much fun is waiting under the sea?” The chorus melody stays within an octave and the chords are simple, but the key to mastering this piece is how you tackle its somewhat complex rhythms.

In addition to reading the notes, it’s a great idea to isolate just the melody’s rhythm and practice by tapping it on a desk to really internalize it.

Once you can handle this song’s rhythm with ease, you might find the rhythms in other pieces feel simpler and easier to grasp.