It’s the Elite Eight aka the tournament quarter-finals today. The 8 bracket champions include 3 songs from “The Lion King”, 2 from “Beauty and The Beast, and one song each from Pinocchio, Mary Poppins and the Magic Kingdom theme park. At the pace the tournament is unfolding the winner should be announced in a couple of days. Make sure you come back for the exciting conclusion. But before that on to the quarter-finals. The match ups are strategically important so let me announce my choices for the Goofy Guy Disney Music Tournament’s Final Four
Round 4 Match Up 1
“Circle of Life” VS “Be Our Guest”
I Love both of these songs. They are both great compositions from Disney’s 2nd golden age in the early 90’s. A couple of great song writing teams are going head to head as well. It’s Tim Rice and Elton John going up against Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.
Inherent in every person is the need to connect with something that’s “bigger” than themselves. “Circle of Life” explains that each creature is part of a larger dependent community and process. Although I don’t totally agree with this specific philosophy I do like the concept. As I stated in previous rounds this song has universal appeal and it validates everyone.
“Be Our Guest” is a fun song that features one of my favorite things in life, a wonderful multi-course meal. It’s about good food and good service. In spite of the fact that the meal is being served by enchanted flatware and a singing candle stick it’s about eating till you’re full. That’s a great song in my book.
Having made legitimate arguments for each of these songs it’s time to choose a winner.
Advancing to the Final Four is…”Circle Of Life”
Round 4 Match Up 2
“Just Can’t Wait To Be King” VS “Be Prepared”
This is the ultimate match up of good versus evil. Hero against Villain. But for the songs in this bracket this is not the first time this battle has played out. It just so happens that this quarter finals match up has 2 songs from “The Lion King”. It’s a musical rematch of Simba vs Scar.
This decision stays true to the unspoken Disney principal: good always triumphs over evil.
Advancing to the Final Four is…”Just Can’t Wait To Be King”
Round 4 Match Up 3
“When You Wish Upon A Star” VS “It’s A Small World”
This match up is “old school” Disney. Both songs have ties to Walt Disney, the man. “It’s A Small World” is the song that proved to be the most successful of his 1964 World’s Fair exhibits which he transferred to Disneyland and then Walt Disney World.
“When You Wish Upon A Star” has claimed title as champion of the strongest bracket in this tournament.
Advancing to the Final Four is…”When You Wish Upon A Star”
Round 4 Match Up 4
“Beauty And The Beast” VS “Feed The Birds”
“Beauty And The Beast” tells the story of how a person can be influenced and changed by someone else and end up caring more for that person than they do themselves. It’s the ultimate tale of romantic love.
“Feed The Birds” is a musical reminder of our moral obligation to look beyond ourselves and reach out to the least of those in the world.
Advancing to the Final Four is…”Feed The Birds”
The Disney Music tournament is now in its home stretch. After starting out with a 1.56% chance of winning a Final Four song it now has 25% chance. The next round will give us our final match up.
