Top Twenty Fives Songs of MLP FiM (Spoilers for the movie!) · 3:29am Nov 3rd, 2017
With Season 7 now over, and the movie's songs having been out for a while, I think it's time we bumped up the list to 25, even if (spoilers!) most of the songs won't really change positions. The biggest surprise is gonna be in which songs are added from where, and how they'll stack up. Maybe once the movie comes to DVD/Netflix, I'll see about ranking all the songs in it from worst to best. Anyway, if you still haven't seen the movie yet for any reason at all, expect a TON of spoilers in regards to the songs! And as always, this list is the result of my personal opinion, so please respect it but feel free to disagree. Here's the top twenty version from the first half of Season 7, let's see how the songs stack up with five newcomers added to the list. And of course, no honorable mentions because that'll take forever (there's too many to name).
25. You Got This (From: My Little Pony, The Movie)
Why it's on the bottom: With the exception of the ponyfied "We Got the Beat" featured in the opening credits, all the songs in the movie were pretty good, but "Rainbow" felt kind of wasted since it was only for the end credits (and Songbird Serenade's role amounted to very little in the grand scheme of things, you could've cut her and replaced her with Countess Coloratura, then called up Lena Hall and you'd have the celebrity singer covered), and "Time To Be Awesome" didn't carry nearly enough weight for the role it fulfilled, especially when it ended with Rainbow Dash doing a Sonic Rainboom to advance the plot. So I decided this song would be added on the bottom. It's alright, it serves nicely enough to introduce all the mane six as they reassure Twilight, but it's definitely not the song everyone remembers from the movie.
24. Hearts Strong as Horses (From: Flight to the Finish)
Why it was added: This song deserves recognition for being the first song to have Claire Corlett take over as Sweetie Belle's singing voice (prior to this song Michelle Creeber sang for Sweetie Belle, especially noticeable with "Hush Now, Quiet Now" when she couldn't break out of her Southern twang Apple Bloom voice) and she does a splendid job. The marching beat and symbolism really hold a lot of weight behind them for the first song of Season 4, a season whose songs were all over the place (most were good, especially since we had two musical episodes, but there were some duds along the way), and I'm not gonna talk about the joke of it featured in Ponies: The Anthology V. But about two and a half seasons later, we'd got a spiritual successor to this song that would make the narrative flow better, as this song sort of pauses the story.
23. It's Gonna Work (From: Spice Up Your Life)
Why it moved down: Though a stronger entry than his previous Season 6 song "I Can Do It On My Own", Daniel Ingram didn't exactly put his best foot forward here, even if the things that hold this song back are more the cameos than anything else (as well as Rarity preaching conformity when she's always been about defying trends and making her own). I've already said the last two times how this song has those Indian instruments and Bollywood musical feel to it, which is a nice dose of culture.
22. Find The Purpose In Your Life (From: The Fault In Our Cutie Marks)
Why it moved down: A montage song, plain and simple. But I don't think I talked about Gabby's singing voice. Say what you will about her speaking voice (and yes there are times where they probably overdid it), but her singing voice isn't too shabby. It's pretty sweet, and I do appreciate how Gabby's willing to do anything to get her cutie mark, even if that works against her. Kind of makes you wonder though how desperate some ponies might be, letting a griffon watch their children or teach in their schools, when they probably don't know her all that well (Rarity probably wouldn't fuss about having the floors cleaned, especially since Gabby probably introduced herself as a friend of Sweetie Belle's).
21. Glass of Water (From: Three's A Crowd)
Why it moved down: It just keeps moving down as better songs get added to the list. It's not that it does anything wrong, it's really the best thing about an episode that for the most part wasn't all that strong. Really, the only thing to even remotely fault it for is that it seems to be a "Big Lipped Alligator Moment" in an episode that seems to be all about them. I know it's Discord, and the references are outstanding, but clever visuals and flashy references will only get you so far. Still, it seems like this is the closest we're gonna get to a Discord song, unless one's in the works for Season 8 (fingers crossed), so I'll take what I can get.
20. Art of The Dress (From: Suited for Success)
Why it moved down: The first character song that wasn't confined to Pinkie Pie, and the first solo one that didn't involve her (though all the mane six did chime in briefly during the reprise). Once again, I don't hate this song at all, there's nothing to fault it for. It's just that I think everything above it is that much better, and I think that's a testament to how well the show's songs have been that they continue to push to be better than what they were, even when that means setting the bar ever higher.
19. Babs Seed (From: One Bad Apple)
Why it moved down: It still seems like this is gonna be the big impact Babs Seed had on the show, and it's such a shame to think that'll be the case. Of course, this song also deserves recognition for being the last CMC song to have Michelle Creeber singing for Sweetie Belle, even if she doesn't get any lines to herself (Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both get solo lines, but Sweetie Belle doesn't). And it harpens back to the golden years of the fandom, when songs would frequently get covers not just by Brony musicians, but also 8-bit and TF2 remixes. As far as I know, both remixes of this song are still up there on YouTube, so go check them out if you haven't already.
18. A True True Friend (From: Magical Mystery Cure)
Why it moved down: How fitting to talk about the last major song Rebecca Shochiet performed before she would go on to be the voice of Sunset Shimmer, right as the Equestria Girls' franchise has kicked off its YouTube series. Technically, her last song was "Life in Equestria", but considering it was just a reprise I can see why most people wouldn't notice it. Even though it gets a lot of flack, "Magical Mystery Cure" was good at using songs to move the pace along without seeming too rushed. It's nice that not only do the lyrics change a little with each mane six member, but the background melody does so too. Also, if Rarity perceived the switch as a dream, what did the other mane six members see that brief period of time as once things got back to normal? I know I'm being vague with my reasons, but I've talked about these songs so many times that I'm running out of things to talk about it. Maybe next time I'll just update the list with the songs, and explain only why the new songs were added, so I don't have to repeat myself over and over again.
17. I'll Fly (From: Tanks for the Memories)
Why it moved down: Even if "Secrets and Pies" raises a lot of questions about how good (or bad) a pet owner Rainbow Dash is, there's no denying that this song holds a lot of power and shows just how attached she's become to a pet she was initially not very enthusiastic about showing affection for her. Though apparently, if "Parental Glideance" is to be believed, she may not have been entirely unfamiliar with tortoises as a filly (though having a poster of one may not make you inclined to have one as an adult, anymore than having a cat poster would make you more inclined to want a cat over any other kid of pet).
16. Say Goodbye To The Holiday (From: A Hearth's Warming Tail)
Why it moved down: Again, something has to give to make room for the new songs, and just because this song has moved down doesn't mean I think less of it. It was the last villain song we had in the show (though not in universe) until the movie, and show wise we have yet to have a new villain song (I dare say, Season 7 was the first season since Season 4 not to have one, depending on what you count "Babs Seed" as), and it's really saying something when it's left such a lasting impression. If you'll excuse the pun, it's rather "chilling".
15. One Small Thing (From: My Little Pony, The Movie)
Why it was added: You didn't really think the movie was going to not have a Pinkie Pie song at some point, did you? Sure, it's not just a Pinkie Pie song, but there's no denying she plays a large role in it. Beautiful lyrics, stunning visuals (I dare say the Toon Boom was at its best with the sea pony designs, rather than the normal pony designs), and each of the mane six slowly joining in on the festivities. And of course, the unintentional moral is a nice boost. One small thing can lead to another, and eventually you can have something far greater than what you started out with. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. I would put it higher, were it not for the fact that Twilight more or less wanted this as a distraction to steal from the hippogryths (her intentions weren't completely selfish, but her head probably wasn't in the right place).
14. This Day Aria (From: A Canterlot Wedding Part 2)
Why it moved down: Lull and behold, the villain song that was the gold standard by which all villain songs in the show were judged, has been topped in its position! Daniel Ingram really drew inspiration from Disney with this song, and I think he tapped into that inspiration with the entry that has urspered this song for best villain song in the show. It's part of why I can forgive most of the flaws of "A Canterlot Wedding". Promotional material did nothing to suggest we'd be getting stuff like this that's been sticking with us for years.
13. Apples to The Core (From: Pinkie Apple Pie)
Why it moved down: It seems that love for banjos and guitars runs in the Apple family, and was sort of the first song to ever have Big Macintosh singing, it's just that his voice got drowned out by everyone else's in the chorus. You know a song's really catchy when the animatic version of it back in 2013 was enough to get people clapping and singing along. Country ballads always seem to work great with the Apple family, and it's really a shame that between this and "I'll Fly" it's about the only major solo songs Ashliegh Ball's gotten for herself, despite being the mane six VA with the most musical talent (seeing as she's part of the Indi. Rock group "Hey Ocean").
12. Pinkie's Present (From: A Hearth's Warming Tail)
Why it moved down: Pinkie Pie and the Ghost of Christmas Present was a winning combination from the get go, and it's nice that even if she hasn't gotten a tone of voice acting roles lately, Shanon Chan-Kent has been kept busy singing for Pinkie Pie and hasn't lost her touch. It's incredible to see how far Pinkie's come from her quick little viginetes back in Season 1, particularly from "Giggle At the Ghostly" all the way back in the pilot.
11. Luna's Future (From: A Hearth's Warming Tail)
Why it moved down: I still prefer Kazumi Evans to Aloma Steele for Luna's singing voice, because while she didn't really try to distinguish it from her Rarity singing voice, Kazumi had a better regal tone for Luna, whereas Aloma sounded like she was better suited for Zecora (and I really hope if that Zecora ever gets her own song, Aloma sings for her). I feel like that's part of what made this song stand out so much, had Kazumi Evans sang it I don't think it would've been nearly as noticeable or memorable, especially considering what it was up against.
10. The Battle For Sugar Belle (From: Hard to Say Anything)
Why it moved down: Fell off its pedastal a little bit, but it still holds up really strongly. I like both parts equally, but I'm kind of partial to Big Macintosh's since it's the first time he's singing as himself and not someone else. Plus, it's not really fair on his part, he's got to improvise, whereas Feather Bangs probably came prepared with multiple songs (not to mention autotune which he really goes overboard on). The "Seeds of Love" line isn't so innuendoish when you put it into the context of "The Perfect Pear", though it does beg the question of how much Big Macintosh knew about his parents (they may have told him a little about the whole planting seeds ritual, but not about some of the other stuff, especially if Buttercup didn't feel like talking about it). There are those who say the relationship between Bright Mac and Pear Butter draws more support for Big Mac to be with Sugar Belle, seeing as they have similar mane styles, but I don't see the connection.
9. Blank Flanks Forever (From: Marks and Recreation)
Why it was added: Though it's a bit slow to start, once it really gets going it doesn't stop. I can't deny that Vincent Tong pulled this off better than Ashliegh Ball or anyone else probably could've, even if I don't really feel like he was the best choice to be Rumble's speaking voice in his big re-debut. And of course, Rumble's a good (or at least decent) flyer now, given that he flys a lot in this song. He actually does have some good points here, even if he's misguided: "Your options get pretty stark, once you got that cutie mark." Cutie marks may not limit you, but how you interpret them probably will. "It's no work to just be who you are, no hunt to be some cutie star." There is such a thing as wanting to grow up too fast, and especially nowadays it's important for the young to cherish their youth (though that shouldn't be an excuse to be careless and unconcerned about the future). "You're perfect just being you, don't bother with what you cannot do." Knowing who you are and what you can and can't do isn't bad, particularly in college you're gonna want to know not only what interests you but also what you're good at and whether you can turn it into a profession or career, though it doesn't hurt to try new things every now and then because a little experimentation isn't bad and that's usually what it'll take for you to see what your best and worst skills and attributes are. And of course "Be proud of who you are!", pride in oneself isn't bad, it's just important not to be TOO prideful.
8. Our Town (From: The Cutie Map a.k.a Cutie Markless Part 1)
Why it moved down: Daniel Ingram always shows his work and inspiration, this was based on World War II propaganda films, and it's easy to see how that plays into this marching melody. Of course, the whole song has a creepy undertone to it, not only in seeing how happy the villagers are to have given up their individuality and have no dreams or desires of their own, but also in how Starlight not so subtlely inserts herself into the picture to correct any traces of individuality. In this day and age, it's still a cautionary reminder about blindly following those who promise great things when in power, for as they always say "Absolute power corrupts absolutely", and history is full of cautionary tales of leaders who rose to power on big promises, when what they really wanted was power and glory.
7. The Magic Inside Me a.k.a I Am Just a Pony (From: The Mane Attraction)
Why it moved down: It may be better than "Rainbow" from the movie (even if I kind of like it), but that wasn't enough to save it from moving down when one more song from the movie was so strong and so beautifully composed. This still remains the emotional highlight of what was Amy Keating Rogers' swan song, and had the episode ended on this I can imagine it would've been the tear jerker to end all tear jerkers. All I can say is, Amy, I hope that Disney's treating you well and that you've found work somewhere good.
6. Open Up Your Eyes (From: My Little Pony, The Movie)
Why it was added: This is the song I was talking about that topped "This Day Aria" for best villain song of the franchise. While Tempest Shadow's backstory may have been as poorly written as Starlight's (supposedly the comics contradict this by having her horn blow up because she tried to do more powerful magic than she could handle, and I think I like that story better than an Ursa Minor chopping off her horn), I can't deny that everything else about this song was amazing. The music, the lyrics, the vocal performance, the symbolism, all of it combines into the musical highlight of the film. Of course, the irony is that Tempest is talking about not depending on others, when she herself has loyally devoted herself to the Storm King, but that just makes it all the stronger, especially since at least one person commented that this sparks a realization in Twilight that she's teetering dangerously close to being like Tempest Shadow. A very serious concern about becoming that which you swore to fight against (in other words, you look into the abyss and the abyss blinks back). If Tempest's backstory had been stronger, this song probably would've cracked the top five. And suffice it to say, the top five hasn't changed.
5. Winter Wrap Up (From: Winter Wrap Up)
Why it stayed the same: Seasons come and go (no pun intended) but this song still holds so much sway because it was the first major musical number not performed by Pinkie Pie, one that established a trend that would continue to define the show over and over again, putting strongly planned out musical numbers into episodes when you least expect it. I could talk about stuff like "Sunshine and Celery Stalks", the countless remixes from Brony musicians, the NSFW parody by Animated James, or even the fact that we STILL don't have an SFM remake of it (seriously, fandom, what's taking so long?!), but at this point what is there to say that hasn't already been said about it? It's not overrated when it's the best thing about an otherwise forgettable episode, I just fear that as the fandom continues to grow, there's a sizeable chunk of it that's not going to think much of it compared to the stuff we get spoiled with nowadays (and probably will be spoiled with in Season 8 since Daniel Ingram will have his hands free to write more songs now that he's done with the movie and there's no Equestria Girls content to occupy him).
4. Smile, Smile, Smile a.k.a The Smile Song (From: A Friend in Deed)
Why it stayed the same: This is the song I remember listening to the most remixes on, and probably the one that has gotten one of its remixes noted, albeit for the infamous grimdark video that at least at one point was associated with it. And no, I'm NOT talking about it here, and neither am I talking about the grimdark connections to the song "Cupcakes". I believed I already mentioned how Amy Keating Rogers showed off a demo version of this song that among other things, would've included a cameo from Derpy Hooves (under the name of Derpy Doo, the cameo was probably cut before Derpgate even became a thing), but it's still interesting that this is probably one of the only songs were we know how much changed between its initial planning and the finished product heard in the episode. For about two years, this was the gold standard for songs in the show, and for Pinkie Pie songs in general.
3. You're in My Head Like a Catchy Song (From: The Perfect Pear)
Why it stayed the same: I may not have heard much about Felicia Day before this song, or listened to any other songs she might have performed prior to this one, but there's no denying she absolutely knocked it out of the park as Pear Butter a.k.a Buttercup. It's a beautiful love ballad with wonderful visuals (including a few cliche love story ones like two separate straws for the same drink, shielding someone from the rain with a hat or umbrella even while you're getting wet, falling asleep while doing something and having your loved one discover you sleeping), and it's probably one of the things people were looking forward to the most when "The Perfect Pear" was announced. Heck, it was so good that when it was first heard in Australia, there was a separate link just to hear the pitch corrected version on its own.
2. The Pony I Wanna Be (From: Crusaders of the Lost Mark)
Why it stayed the same: I've talked so much about this song that anything more I say would just be repeating myself, you all know what I've said about it and how it did what I personally (along with a good deal of fans) didn't think would be possible before this episode aired, making Diamond Tiara sympathetic and likeable. But I should mention that this is where the "Explain v.s. Excuse" arguement really comes into play. Diamond Tiara having a verbally (and possibly physically) abusive mother explains why she acts the way she does rather than excuses it, and you always want to go for explain over excuse when it comes to your characters and what makes them do what they do. Of course, you have to be careful because sometimes your effort will neither explain or excuse, as has been the case with characters like Zephyr Breeze, Sky Stinger, and Pharyanx.
1. Pinkie's Lament (From: Pinkie Pride)
Why it stayed the same: I really don't know if there's anything I can say about this song that I haven't said at least once or twice already. I prefer it slightly over "The Pony I Wanna Be" since Pinkie Pie seems to be keeping her sorrows mostly to herself, and she's quick to turn things around and get back out there and try, whereas Diamond Tiara seems to be openly expressing her sorrows within earshot of other ponies, but no one seems to notice what she's doing or saying. I guess I could mention that, at least at one point (don't know if you can still find it) there was an 8-bit version of this song, back when that was something that the fandom still did (I think they ceased doing it by the end of Season 4). Leave it to Amy Keating Rogers to top the standard that she herself set back in Season 2 with another Pinkie Pie song.
And there you have it, sorry for being so vague on the repeat entries. Come back tomorrow, when we'll take a look at my wishlist for Seasons 8+ and see what's changed in the wake of what Season 7 accomplished and failed to do.
What no “Time to be Awesome” from the movie?
You do know that the IDW comics are barely consider to be canon to the show, right? In the My Little Pony: The Movie Prequel chapter book is considered to be the official prequel to the movie. And while some things don't contrast to the movie (the amount of time passes by), but one thing that is canon to the movie is how Tempest lost her horn from the Ursa minor.
I don't have a top 25, but I have a top 12:
1. “The Pony I Want to Be” both versions
2. “Open Up Your Eyes”
3. “In my Head Like a Catchy Song”
4. “I’m the Friend You Need”
5. “We’re not Flawless”
6. “Best Friends Until the End of Time”
7. “We’ll Make Our Marks” both versions
8. “Light of Your Cutie Mark”
9. “Time to be Awesome”
10. “Say Goodbye to the Holiday”
11. “Luna’s Future”
12. “The Goof Off”