Best Songs by Disney Actors
“Hurricane” - Bridgit Mendler
This music video played constantly on Disney Channel, and this song is ingrained in the minds of everyone who was watching it.
Bridgit Mendler became kind of a Disney darling after breaking through with a recurring guest role on “Wizards of Waverly Place.” She then went on to star as the main character in “Good Luck Charlie,” for which she sang the theme song. But it wasn’t until she starred in the 2011 Disney Channel original movie “Lemonade Mouth” that everyone knew she could sing.
This movie honestly changed Disney Channel, and the songs created for it are still popular with people among that age group. It also showcased the talents of its main actors really well, especially Mendler.
Also in 2011, Mendler signed with Hollywood Records and began working on her debut album. “Hurricane” was released on the album “Hello My Name Is…” (2012), and served as the second single from the album.
“Hurricane” showcases her vocal talent and includes a rap section as well, which is not common for Mendler. It is one of the best songs from her debut album, and a fan favorite. – Izzy Charboneau
“He Said She Said” - Ashley Tisdale
One of the most overlooked and underappreciated music careers to come out of Disney channel is Ashley Tisdale’s.
First of all, everyone can identify her with her iconic roles from Disney like Sharpay from “High School Musical,” but she is so much more than that.
“He Said She Said” is the most sexually tense and borderline raunchy (for Disney) song to be played during a commercial break. She gave this song everything she had and what did she get in return? Not enough appreciation from Gen Z.
She released this banger the same year that “High School Musical 2” came out. Ashley was putting her fans first and putting in the work!
This fast pace, and exciting song talks about movin’, touchin’ and kissin’ like that. It illustrates what would never be able to be portrayed in a Disney Channel Original Movie. – Savannah Swartz
“Round & Round” - Selena Gomez
Although not Selena Gomez’s most popular song, “Round & Round” debuted and was a huge hit during her prime time as a Disney star.
In 2010 on her “A Year Without Rain” album, “Round & Round” was the perfect song for all of her Disney fans. The song truly goes round and round, it repeats the chorus many times with the same techno beats the entire time.
To add even more appeal to the song, Gomez’s music video for “Round & Round” played as a regular commercial on Disney Channel to promote the song, video, and herself.
Towards the end of the song Gomez breaks into her version of ‘rap’ with “love me, or love me not I’m staring at the clock I pick them flower petals off and then I watch them drop.” These lyrics were life changing for all of Gomez’s fans.
Looking back, no one assumed Selena Gomez was going to be a household name, but even listening to her earlier songs it is obvious that she had talent and knew her audience from the very beginning. – Natalie Simone
“Potential Breakup Song” - Aly & AJ
The year is 2007 and sisters Aly & AJ have just released the hit of the year, “Potential Breakup Song” only a year after starring in the classic Disney Channel Original movie “Cowbells.”
Disney seems to love promoting sibling duos (Jonas Brothers and Cole and Dylan Sprouse to name a few), and Aly & AJ is one its best.
Riding the popularity wave after their amazing movie, the sisters released their third album, “Insomniatic.” What the world didn’t know was that it would be forever changed with the release of their single “Potential Breakup Song” before the album dropped.
The song quickly rose to fame, peaking at No. 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Not only is this the perfect scream-in-the-car-with-the-windows-down kind of song, it also has genius lyrics. The description tells a story and leaves the listener on the edge of their seat (and dancing out of it).
The song starts with the narrator’s boyfriend forgetting her birthday. She lets it roll off her back, but obviously it still affects her. She spends the majority of the song upset with him and eventually breaks up with him.
The story’s not over yet, though. At the end, the last few lines hint at the hope they might be able to get back together if only he would admit he was wrong. Come on, Aly & AJ. Everyone knows not to get back together with a toxic ex.
Overall, this is a fantastic song. The upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make for a song sure to get stuck in any listener’s head and show just what these Disney Channel actresses are capable of. – Ainsley Spitz
Izzy Charboneau is a second-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email ijc5186@psu.edu.
Savannah Swartz is a second-year communications major. To contact her, email sms9072@psu.edu.
Natalie Simone is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.
Ainsley Spitz is a second-year majoring in criminology and broadcast journalism. To contact her, email aes6441@psu.edu.
About the Contributors
Savannah Swartz
Second-year / Advertising and Public Relations
Savannah Swartz is a second-year communications major, focusing on advertising and public relations. She is a member of the arts department.
Isabelle Charboneau
/ Journalism
Izzy Charboneau is a second-year student majoring in digital and print journalism. She is from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Izzy is in the news department and the arts and entertainment department of CommRadio. In the arts and entertainment department, she contributes to many listicles, writes reviews, participates in talk shows, and co-hosts a podcast. In the news department, she is on a weekly newscast and writes news stories. To contact her, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Natalie Simone
/
Natalie Simone is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. She is from Cohasset, Massachusetts where she graduated from Cohasset High School. Simone is a member of the news, arts and entertainment, and production departments of CommRadio. She is responsible for a weekly newscast, a weekly talk show, called The CommRadio Table, a weekly DJ set, along with news and arts articles.
Ainsley Spitz
Second-year /
Ainsley Spitz is a second-year from Havertown, Pennsylvania majoring in broadcast journalism and criminology at Penn State. She is involved in the photography and arts and entertainment departments. She loves listening to music and writing album reviews, as welling as taking photos. To contact her, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
