American Idol 2023: Top 5 Season 21 Disney Song Suggestions

AMERICAN IDOL - 2023 COLIN STOUGH, WÉ ANI, IAM TONGI, MEGAN DANIELLE, ZACHARIAH SMITH
(ABC/Eric McCandless) COLIN STOUGH, WÉ ANI, IAM TONGI, MEGAN DANIELLE, ZACHARIAH SMITH

American Idol 2023: Top 5 Season 21 Disney song suggestions

The infamous Disney week returns on Sunday’s (May 14) Top 5 American Idol episode. Usually it has appeared as either a Top 7 or Top 10 week theme, but probably due to the absence of Katy Perry and Lionel Richie for the King’s coronation last week, it was postponed. Since there are only five contestants remaining, and loads of Disney songs, I chose 4 songs per singer. I tried to keep it interesting by providing some realistic choices alongside out-of-the-box choices that are less likely but still fitting for each singer.

American Idol Top 5 Disney Night airs on ABC Sunday May 14 coast to coast (8 pm ET/5 pm PT)

UPDATE: Enjoy Blake’s song suggestions. But in the meantime, the actual official setlist is out:

American Idol 2023 Spoilers: Top 5 Disney Night Song List

Colin Stough

American Idol 2023 -COLIN STOUGH
(ABC/Eric McCandless) COLIN STOUGH

Colin could go two different routes and each could work well for him. He could flip a Disney pop song to country or go with a straight up country song. “We Go Together” is from an out-of-the-box Disney movie, but Little Big Town’s rockin’ country style would compliment Colin’s raspy and twangy voice. “Our Town” was done by Dillon James in Season 18 (the infamous Covid season), but it has never been performed on the live stage. The ballad could allow Colin to take on a storyteller style. Both, “Beauty and The Beast” and “A Whole New World” have been countrified before by Diamond Rio and Collin Raye, respectively. I would love to see what Colin could do with one of these popular Disney melodies.

  • We Go Together (The Fox and The Hound 2)
  • Our Town (Cars)
  • Beauty and The Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
  • A Whole New World (Aladdin)

Iam Tongi

American Idol 2023 - IAM TONGI
(ABC/Eric McCandless) IAM TONGI

Moana is set in ancient Polynesia, so it’s fitting for Iam to take on a song from the movie and tie it back to his Hawaiian heritage. Hopefully, it’s not the typical song choice “How Far I’ll Go.” A stripped back version of “We Know The Way” could be a solid choice for him, even if the original has a lot going on with loads of backing vocals. “You’re Welcome” is the 2nd biggest song from Moana, and could translate to Iam’s easy breezy style. Plus pop versions of the song exist–Jordan Fisher’s take, for example.

“Under The Sea” fits Iam like a glove especially since a few of his arrangements have had reggae influences and the song has been made reggae before. Lastly, I’ve suggested this song for others in previous seasons, but the lullaby version of “All is Found” would suit Iam’s laid back style and could lead to a moment.

  • We Know The Way (Moana)
  • You’re Welcome (Moana)
  • Under The Sea (The Little Mermaid)
  • All Is Found (Frozen 2)

Megan Danielle

American Idol 2023 - MEGAN DANIELLE
(ABC/Eric McCandless) MEGAN DANIELLE

Both “Colors of The Wind” and “If I Never Knew You” appeared on The Best of Country Sing The Best of Disney album. I realize both are from the same film, but both would be good fits for Megan. “Colors of the Wind” is an easy choice for the singer’s style as she is most successful when covering ballads that feature her country and gospel sound. Pam Tillis’s country ballad version of the song would be a great fit. Shelby Lynne, who covered “If I Never Knew You” with Hal Ketchum has some soulful grit, similar to Megan, her version of the song for Megan could work.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame would allow Megan to tie her Christian background into her performance, as the movie features a church setting. I think a rearranged “Someday” would be a lovely choice. Although more obscure from the Disney+ catalog, “Hold Us Together” by H.E.R. would fit in with Megan’s Christian Contemporary sound the best. Plus, Tauren Wells, a popular Christian artist is featured on the Hope Mix of this soulful gospel-tinged song. The pick could serve as an opportunity to show the audience who she is as an artist.

  • Colors of The Wind (Pocahontas)
  • If I Never Knew You (Pocahontas)
  • Someday (Hunchback of Notre Dame)
  • Hold Us Together (Safety)

Wé Ani

American Idol 2023 - WÉ ANI
(ABC/Eric McCandless) WÉ ANI

Initially, I chose “Part of This World” as a top choice for Wé. It’s a popular song that hasn’t been done by a contestant on Disney week. It is also soulful and theatrical, and Halle Bailey’s version would fit her perfectly, but it appears Halle is performing the song herself as a guest. “Reflection,” the beloved powerhouse ballad, somehow hasn’t been done by a contestant on a Disney week, which seems crazy. It’s time for that streak to be broken. At this point, Wé is the only contestant left who is capable of covering Christina Aguilera’s famous version of the song.

The late Aaliyah sang a beautiful R&B version of “Journey To The Past” that would also suit Wé perfectly. The song could showcase her path into the contemporary R&B market. Cynthia Erivo recently covered “When You Wish Upon A Star” for the 2022 Pinocchio film and her jazzy theatrical sound would be a great fit as well. There’s a number of stripped back versions of the lively “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” and Ani’s tone would be beautiful on this song. This pick would allow the singer to take a few more creative freedoms than other songs suggested here.

  • Reflection (Mulan)
  • Journey To The Past (Anastasia)
  • When You Wish Upon A Star (Pinocchio)
  • I Won’t Say (I’m In Love) (Hercules)

Zachariah Smith

American Idol 2023 - ZACHARIAH SMITH
(ABC/Eric McCandless) ZACHARIAH SMITH

Zachariah’s entertaining style is a match made in heaven for Disney week. A smart pick would be “I Wan’na Be Like You” as the original swing version of the song could work. But there are also more rock-tinged covers of the song that could suit Zachariah. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” would be a good fit for Zachariah’s tone and the dramatic way it’s sung is fitting for him. “Why Should I Worry” is from a more of an obscure film, but the bluesy style Billy Joel uses for the song would match Zachariah’s style, and could translate into a moment for him.

Phil Collins can be a tall task due to his distinct tone. If he is covered once again, hopefully the song choice is not “You’ll Be In My Heart.” The mid-tempo, “Strangers Like Me” might be the perfect balance of energy and vocals after Zachariah displayed a more restrained vocal style this past week. The song could be a risk that pays off for him.

  • I Wan’na Be Like You (The Jungle Book)
  • I’ll Make A Man Out of You (Mulan)
  • Why Should I Worry (Oliver and Company)
  • Strangers Like Me (Tarzan)

What are some of your favorite Disney songs and which might fit each contestant for this coming week? Comment below with your song suggestions.

About Blake Busch 242 Articles
I am a graduate of Drake University with a BSBA in marketing and minor in data analytics. My favorite shows to follow are American Idol and The Voice. I also love crime thrillers, Top Chef, and Masterchef. My hobbies include cooking, baking, playing basketball, and watching sports.