I have always loved the villains in various kids movies growing up.  They are misunderstood and unusual, but they are also sassy and know how to sing a MEAN TUNE.  As much as many kids movies have awesome musical numbers, it’s the villain songs that definitely stick out.  They are creepy, dark, and a little quirky.  I’ve compiled my list of my favourite villain songs over the years, and no, they aren’t ALL from kids movies, but most of them are.

10. I’m Number One – Muppets Most Wanted

If you haven’t seen this movie, stop everything and watch it immediately.  The Muppets have always been pretty awesome, but this is by far the best Muppets movie simply due to the music.  This jazzy number has Constantine, the evil frog who looks just like Kermit, ensuring that Ricky Gervais’s character knows his place as his subordinate.  Constantine is number one.

9. You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch – The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Classic and simply one of the best, this one is a true villain song.  Not sung by the villain, but sung about the villain, You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch is one of the more memorable villain songs because almost everyone can sing along to it.  It’s great for the holidays and truly portrays just how horrible the Grinch is.  I love it because it’s definitely a nostalgic song, but it’s just a great ‘sing-a-long’ song.

8. Cruella De Vil – 101 Dalmatians

Cruella De Vil is honestly one of the worst villains simply because she wants to kill dogs for fur coats.  She is basically the symbol of anti-PETA.  It’s bouncy and silly but I think that’s why it’s so great.  The song is all in good fun without knowing how truly evil she really is.  Another song that many people can sing the lyrics to, Cruella De Vil is a jokey kind of song with seriously malicous undertones.

7. Playing with the Big Boys – The Prince of Egypt

I’m not a religious person, but I absolutely love this movie and the ‘villain’ song is oh so dark and creepy!  Who knew Steve Martin and Martin Short could be so damn evil?  While the characters of Hotep and Huy aren’t really the main villains of the movie, they work for Ramses and clearly show the power of the Ancient Egyptian religion.  I love creepy stuff and this one is super eerie dealing with supernatural powers and the Ancient Egyptian Gods.

6. Trust In Me – The Jungle Book (2016)

I realize this version of the song wasn’t in the 2016 film, but this is an incredible villain song.  It’s Bond-worthy really.  Super jazzy and reminiscent of the 60s, it’s truly hypnotic just like Ka.  Again, another creepy villain song (which is why I love it so much) with cheesy 60s organ, how can you go wrong?  I would love to see this nominated for Best Song of 2016 but I doubt that will ever happen.

5. Magic Dance – Labyrinth

I have to talk about Magic Dance because it’s not only a super upbeat villain song, but it’s also David Bowie.  Jareth is a truly misunderstood yet disturbing character that we somehow how freaking love.  Who doesn’t want to go hang out with Jareth?  Magic Dance is fun and shows Jareth’s fun and playful side while still being a little bit ‘odd’.  It might be the cheesiest song on the list, but I LOVE it.

4. Double Trouble – Team Rocket

Team Rocket’s Jessie, James, and Meowth are some of my favourite villains PERIOD.  Not only are the pretty much in every episode, which allows you to really get to know them, but they are extremely misunderstood.  They are actually good people deep down, but they just ended up in the wrong career paths…  Jessie and James as a duo are so lovable and this song from the anime includes their infamous motto combined with a totally groovy and mischievous song.  They are characters you route for and want to succeed; that’s rare with villains!

I am including the original Team Rocket Motto because although ‘Double Trouble’ is a song, the Team Rocket Motto is where it all began and like 80% of my childhood nostalgia.  Team Rocket changed their motto over the years to various things, but the original motto is simply the best.

3. Poor Unfortunate Souls – The Little Mermaid

Damn, Ursula is pretty messed up.  A magical anti-feminist octopus you do NOT want to gamble with, and worst of all, she makes these deals with helpless kids!  She is willing to basically turn people into vegetable-like creatures if they don’t follow the rules of the spells she casts for people.  While you could argue that she does tell people up front what will happen to them if they don’t follow the rules, she makes these deals with kids who don’t quite realize what they are getting into.  That is EVIL.  It’s very broadway-esque, which is why I love it.  It’s also a little sad at times, whether it’s portraying what Ariel is losing or the fact that this is how Ursula has to live her life now – just some sea witch.  Either way, it’s quite the tune.

2. Be Prepared – The Lion King

I love this song because it’s probably the first song on this list that truly portrays just how evil the villain is.  The fact that Scar sings it makes even better.  Scar is truly evil and this song does not hold back.  When the hyenas start to march and sing, it’s clear that this guy is basically a dictator and is literally pure evil.  Whenever a villain sings a song and then his henchman all laugh after, you know shit just got real.

1. Oogie Boogie Song – The Nightmare Before Christmas

Is this really surprising?  My love for Danny Elfman cannot be denied and the Oogie Boogie Song is ghoulish, demonic, jazzy, and in a positive way it is hopeless.  Santa Claus is DOOMED from what Oogie Boogie is saying and yet you LOVE Oogie Boogie!  He is disgusting, but you want him to sing with a live band, he’s just that good.  Danny Elfman’s incredible scoring and writing make this song what it is, and it is pure gold.

So those are my favourite villain songs!  What are yours?

Image Credit: http://cornel1801.com/disney/Little-Mermaid-1989/video-quotes/Deal-with-kiss-and-voice.jpg