Music Behind the Magic

The Top 10 Pixar Songs with Tim Foster

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 21:04:15 GMT

With all of the Disney news that has come out in the past few months, it might have gone a bit under the radar that Pixar recently celebrated its 40th anniversary as a company. And Pixar in particular has established an incredible musical legacy, not in the traditional “Disney Musical” sense, but by using compositions and songs to drive the narrative of its films and maximize their emotional impact.

So, what better way to celebrate Pixar’s 40th than with a discussion of the best Pixar music? And who better to do that with than our pal Tim Foster for Celebrations Press, who shares my love—and emotional fragility—for Pixar movies and songs. So, in keeping with Tim’s patented Top 10 list format, we present to you our Top 10 Pixar songs.

Please check out Tim, Celebrations Magazine, and incredible keepsake books at celebrationspress.com

The Psychology of Disney Music with John Powell

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:34:30 GMT

We all know how Disney music makes us feel, but there is another, underlying question—why does it make us feel this way? Today we are joined by John Powell, who has written two books on the psychology of music, to help us understand the power of music and musical techniques that create such powerful emotional and physical responses in us.

You can find John's books on Amazon here and here. And check out the classical guitar piece he wrote, performed by Alexandra Whittingham on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N-7ohzLQKg4?si=psJFdruumcQnHcpD

Please follow us on IG @musicbehindthemagic, join of FB group at facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic, or on YouTube at @musicbehindthemagic.

A Conversation with Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award Winner Marc Shaiman

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 04:57:02 GMT

As we celebrate the 50th episode of the podcast, what better way to celebrate than with an incredible, legendary guest. Marc Shaiman, who has composed music for everything from Hairspray to City Slickers and from South Park to Mary Poppins Returns, has just published his memoir: Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, and he shares so many amazing stories, and even plays some of his work for us.

You can buy Never Mind the Happy on Amazon and bookstores nationwide. You can also follow Marc at marcshaiman.com and on Instagram @marc_shaiman.

Disney Preview 2026: Music in the Movies, TV Shows, and the Parks

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:09:29 GMT

Happy New Year! 2026 is shaping up to be a very eventful year for Disney, with lots of huge movies, new and returning TV shows, and theme park updates. Join me as I preview all these incredible upcoming releases, and the music behind all of them. What are you most excited about?

Please like and follow this podcast, and leave a good review if you think I deserve it. I would love to hear from you--reach out to me via email, on IG @musicbehindthemagic, or in our awesome FB community.

A Conversation with Simon Franglen, Composer of Avatar: Fire and Ash

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:37:46 GMT

The Avatar films have changed the way we experience the movies. They have been groundbreaking in almost every way--technologically, narratively, and sonically—not only transporting us to a new world, but making it so immersive that we are actually a part of it. But it is not only immersive--the world of Pandora has been created and rooted in so much detail and mythology that, paired with all the incredible technology created for the films, it is deeply authentic and as real as any planet in the universe. But it isn’t just the visuals that make the story so compelling, it is the incredible use of music and themes that really draw the audience into the story. And today we are so lucky to be joined by the composer of the newest Avatar film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Simon Franglen. Simon talks about the work that went behind making an epic 3 hour score, which included a deep collaboration with James Cameron, that intricate emotional theming, and even the need to create completely new musical instruments. You can listen to Simon’s amazing soundtrack to Avatar: Fire and Ash now on all streaming services, and the film comes out this Friday, December 19^th.

You can follow Simon at simonfranglen.com and on Instagram @simonfranglen

Tim Foster, "Spaceship Earth: The Definitive History," AND Disney Holiday Music!

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 04:44:54 GMT

Of all the iconic attractions at the Disney parks around the world, one of—if not the—most recognizable is Spaceship Earth at Epcot. A marvel of both engineering and imagineering, the attraction takes us on a voyage of mankind’s technological innovations across the centuries, with so many iconic moments and smells (if you know, you know). There are so many details associated with the attraction around its history, construction and storytelling that it could fit in a book. That’s a great idea, right! Fortunately, our pal Tim Foster of Celebrations Press has done just that—another terrific book called Spaceship Earth: The Definitive History. Tim tells us all about awesome facts about the ride and his favorite parts, as well as some fun discussions/debates around changes to the attraction over the years. And since it’s the holidays, we also dive into a fun musical scavenger hunt to find our favorite holiday songs in the parks, as well as our favorite Disney holiday songs in general.

You can find Tim, all his great books, and Celebrations magazine at celebrationspress.com. And if you are trying to get the Spaceship Earth book in time for the holidays, email him at subscriptions@celebrationspress.com and he will do everything he can to make that happen.

J.B. Kaufman and "Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia"

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 01:49:28 GMT

When you think of all the iconic imagery associated with Disney, lots of things immediately come to mind—Cinderella Castle, Tinkerbell, Spaceship Earth…and Mickey’s Sorcerer’s hat from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. That legendary vignette is the most famous part of Fantasia, the groundbreaking film that married music and animation in ways that were so far ahead of its time conceptually, musically, and technically. This year marks the 85^th anniversary of Fantasia, and to commemorate the film’s milestone, a new book has just come out, “Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney’s Fantasia” by noted film historian J.B. Kaufman. We are joined today by J.B. to learn more about the story of how Fantasia came to be, and the critical importance that music played in its creation.

Please follow J.B. at jbkaufman.com and find his book on Amazon and all other booksellers.

Celebrating Disney Legends with Jamie Hecker

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 04:47:51 GMT

Baseball has its Hall of Fame. So does Rock and Roll music. Hollywood has a Walk of Fame, and there are numerous other Halls, Walls, and Walks that recognize contributions to everything from sports and entertainment to business and science. So, how does Disney celebrate those who have made groundbreaking contributions to the company? It’s through the recognition of Disney Legends. Disney Legends is a Hall of Fame award that is awarded by The Walt Disney Company to individuals who "[have] made a significant impact on the Disney legacy." The honor was established in 1987, and was traditionally awarded annually during a special private ceremony. Since 2009, it has been awarded on a biennial basis during Disney's D23 Expo and there are currently 318 individuals who have received that recognition.

With all the incredible contributions that Disney has made to the world, it is no small feat to qualify and be recognized as a Disney Legend. And each recipient has a rich story that has made an impact to the company, culture, and our lives. That is where today’s guest comes in. Jamie Hecker is an author and friend who has written several books about Disney, including two volumes about these icons: Disney Legends: Makers of Magic Volume 1, and the recently released Volume 2. Jamie joins us today to give some history and context around the award, as well as discuss those Legends who have impacted Disney music.

Please follow Jamie at jamieheckerwriter.com and you can also find his books on Amazon

Todd James Pierce and Making Mary Poppins

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 05:00:33 GMT

One of the most beloved and cherished Disney movies is the classic Mary Poppins. It has amazed and delighted audiences for 61 years through its technical innovation, incredible set pieces, and of course, its iconic music by the legendary Sherman Brothers. Almost all of us love the movie and many of us know at least some of the background of the film through the movie Saving Mr. Banks, which shed some light on how Walt Disney made the film, how the Sherman Brothers wrote the music, and the interplay with the notoriously difficult author, PL Travers. But there is so much more history and context behind the film, with so much previously unknown information and details about the prominent role that the Sherman Brothers played in bringing it to life. All these stories are revealed in the new book “Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film” by Todd James Pierce. Todd joins us today to discuss the book and shares some of those stories with us.

You can find Todd at www.toddjamespierce.com and order the book on Amazon here.

A Conversation with John Musker: Movies and Music from the Disney Renaissance to the Revival

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 23:31:59 GMT

Disney, as we know it today, was shaped by the success and legacy of The Little Mermaid, which ushered in the Disney Renaissance, marrying Broadway musical sensibilities with character driven stories that emotionally bonded the audience to the movies through now-iconic songs. Today we are joined by the co-writer and director of the Little Mermaid, John Musker, who also wrote and directed so many other legendary movies including Aladdin, Hercules, The Great Mouse Detective, Treasure Planet, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana along with his long-time collaborator Ron Clement. Looking through this filmography, I am struck by the fact that John was able to create classic movies through three different eras, keeping music at the forefront while creating timeless stories with humor, adventure, and heart. John shares his amazing career with us while providing behind-the-scenes insight into the movies that we all know and love.

Zain Effendi and the Music of Test Track

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:04:05 GMT

One of the most popular attractions in Walt Disney World is Test Track in EPCOT. It has just reopened after a lengthy reimagining with a new storyline, and new music. Today we are very lucky to be joined by the extremely talented Zain Effendi, who composed all the music for the new version of that attraction. Zain is also no stranger to working for the Disney parks, as he also composed music for the Galactic Starcruiser and for Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge. If you haven’t heard the music for Test Track, it is available on your favorite streaming service and it is epic, wonderous, and uplifting in the best Disney tradition. And don’t take my word for it, the piece “Opening” from EPCOT’s Test Track on Walt Disney Records has been submitted for consideration in the Best Instrumental Composition category for the Grammy Awards, and I am so excited to share our conversation with you.

About Zain:

Zain Effendi is an award-winning American composer known for his work in film, television, video games, and theme parks. After studying composition and film scoring at both The Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, his career ignited when Hans Zimmer invited him to join Remote Control Productions, where he contributed to blockbuster scores including Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda.

Since launching his solo career, Zain has scored projects for Disney, Sony, Warner Brothers, Bad Robot, and more-earning honors such as Best Composer at the Hollywood Music & Media Awards, Multiple Telly Awards, an HMMA win for Best Live Concert (over Jennifer Lopez) and multiple World Entertainment Awards.

Most recently, Zain composed Disney’s 70-minute original score for EPCOT’s re-imagined Test Track attraction, a symphonic-electronic epic that defines a new era of theme-park music. Test Track’s ‘Opening’ is currently in contention for the GRAMMYs® in the category of Best Instrumental Composition. His music also resonates across Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s Starcruiser Hotel, and Shanghai Disneyland’s Adventure in Rhythm.

With a career bridging Hollywood blockbusters, award-winning concerts, and groundbreaking work for Disney Imagineering, Zain is redefining the possibilities of modern orchestral music.

Please follow Zain at www.zaineffendi.com and on Instagram @zaineffendi. You can also stream EPCOT: Test Track (Original Soundtrack) on your favorite streaming service.

Musician, Composer, and Producer Tim Heintz and Creating Disney's Nighttime Spectaculars

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 01:51:56 GMT

For many of us, there is nothing quite like experiencing a Disney nighttime parade or fireworks spectacular at the parks. The magic, the wonder, and the emotions that those shows evoke are near and dear to our hearts, and are the basis for so many incredible memories. And, of course, one of the main drivers of those emotional moments is the music that guides and elevates the story. And because the end result is so incredible, it’s easy to overlook how much work goes into tailoring and arranging those iconic songs to fit the timing, pace, and cadence of those shows. Today we are very lucky to be joined by Tim Heintz, an incredible musician and the music director for many of Disney’s nighttime spectaculars, both classic and new. Tim tells us about his musical journey and his work for Disney, Universal, and more.

You can learn more about Tim and his work at www.timheintz.com

Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator Dave Metzger and His Work on Iconic Disney Music

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 03:13:34 GMT

When you think about the music that we hear in Disney films, it’s easy to say, Oh, Alan Menken wrote that song, or Hanz Zimmer composed that score. And of course, those legendary songwriters and composers are responsible for crafting the melody, vision, and structure of the amazing music we know and love. But, beyond that, within film music there are musicians that work with those composers and songwriters to provide the depth, emotional resonance, and instrumentation that truly bring those songs to life—the orchestrators and arrangers. Today, we are incredibly fortunate to be joined by someone that has done it all—composed, arranged, and orchestrated many of the most popular and beloved songs and scores in Disney history, from Frozen to Moana and from The Lion King on Broadway to Mufasa: The Lion King on the big screen, Dave Metzger. Dave tells us all about his musical journey and how he contributed to the musical magic of so many movies we love.

You can learn more about Dave and follow him at www.davemetzgermusic.com

Disney Music Festival Recap and Review

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 22:54:07 GMT

Recently, I was very fortunate to have been able to experience the Disney Music Festival in Disneyland Paris. It is the first event of its kind, and it did an incredible job of capturing the power and magic that Disney music holds for us. In this special episode, I give a rundown of what the Disney Music Festival was about, what it involved, and my thoughts and impressions. I provide a recap of everything I saw and heard and give a ranking of my favorite performances. Please give it a listen and let me know what you think or what questions you have!

Composer and Conductor Mark Watters and Bringing Disney Music to Life

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:25:32 GMT

Disney music takes so many different forms—movie music, TV compositions, concerts, video games, live entertainment…and the list goes on. Today we are fortunate to be joined by Mark Watters, a six-time Emmy winning composer and conductor who has experience creating music for all of those genres. And in addition to his musical contributions, he has served as music director for 2 Olympics and has even co-conducted the Academy Awards with none other than the maestro himself, John Williams. Mark will tell us all about those experiences and stories, as well as his work bringing Disney music to life.

You can find Mark at www.markwatters.com and check out the Soundtrax Film Music Festival from October 16-18 at soundtrax.org

Disney Creative Veteran Dave Bossert and the Tunes Behind the Toons Documentary

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 22:27:50 GMT

We are joined today by Dave Bossert, who had an amazing 32 year career with The Walt Disney Company and worked on many of its most beloved classics, like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Fantasia 2000. He is also responsible for directing and producing Tunes Behind the Toons, an award-winning short film that perfectly captures the impact and importance of music in Disney animated films while speaking with musical luminaries like Alan Menken, Randy Newman, Bruce Broughton, and Mark Watters. We discuss his career and his insight into the history and importance of music in animated films.

You can find Dave at www.davidbossert.com to learn more about his career and books he has written. You can also listen to the Skull Rock Podcast on all streaming services. Also, you can find the Tunes Behind the Toons film here and listen to Dave's Tunes Behind the Toons show on XM Radio, Channel 133.

I have also recently become a Brand Ambassador for Find the Good, a clothing and apparel company that helps reinforce good habits for mental health and well-being. Mental health is something that affects so many families, including my own, and I appreciate the company’s mission and that fact that it donates 10% of its profits to Mental Health America. If you check it out and want to order something you can use the code “Music Behind the Magic” to get 10% off your order.

Tim Foster and "it's a small world: The Definitive History"

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 22:24:43 GMT

If I were to ask you what you think the most iconic attraction is at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, I’m betting that "it’s a small world" will be at, or near, the top of the list. The “Happiest Cruise that ever sailed” has its origins at the 1964 World’s Fair and has been a staple at Disney parks not just in the U.S., but overseas as well at Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneylan. It symbolizes a lot of what we love about Disney—joy, nostalgia, optimism, and wonder. And tying it all together is THE song…THAT song…the one that will stick in your head for hours (or days) on end—"It’s a Small World (After All)" by the legendary Sherman Brothers.

There is so much history and tradition steeped in the attraction that it could fill a book. Fortunately, we are joined today by our good friend Tim Foster from Celebrations Press who just happens to be releasing a collector’s edition book called ”it’s a small world: The Definitive History,” which is now available for pre-order. Tim talks to us about all the incredible details and facts around this history of the attraction, and of course, we tackle the iconic song as well. If you love the ride, or even if you are a bit more skeptical of it, I think you will learn a lot that will give you a new appreciation for what it represents.

You can pre-order the book at celebrationspress.com

Shaun Jex Discusses the World of Disney Video Games AND Remembers the Mighty Halyx!!

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 04:24:23 GMT

We all know that the Walt Disney Company is a huge and diverse conglomerate, from movies to theme parks to cruise lines to streaming networks and beyond. In between all these offerings, there has also been a fascinating history of Disney video games—from the earliest handheld games of the 80’s to the incredibly immersive 3-D rendered graphics of today. We are joined by author and friend Shaun Jex to discuss his latest book, Dreaming in Digital: The World of Disney Video Games, and explore this history and talk about some of his favorites. And, since Shaun is also a fellow Disney music connoisseur, we also dive in to one of the most interesting pieces of Disney musical history—the short-lived, but fascinating rise (and fall), of Halyx, the Kiss- meets-Star Wars rock band that played at Disneyland’s Space Stage during the summer of 1981 (and only the summer of 1981)

You can find Shaun's book here on Amazon, and check out his music blog at makeminemusic.com.

Composer Dan Romer and the Music of Lilo & Stitch

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 04:47:16 GMT

If you have been keeping up with the summer movie news, you know that the live action remake of Lilo & Stitch has been the runaway hit of the year. Building on the legacy of the much beloved 2002 animated original, the live action version takes everything people loved from that original film and adds new layers of emotional nuance and depth, humor, terrific acting, and a truly, ridiculously adorable CGI Stitch. And those emotional elements are captured and enhanced by the incredible score by composer Dan Romer. I was so lucky to have had the chance to talk with Dan about his work on the film as well as his work on another classic animated Pixar film, Luca.

You can follow Dan at danromer.com and on Instagram @danromer. And see Lilo & Stitch in the theaters and listen to the soundtrack by buying a copy of it at all major retailers or stream it on all streaming services.

Brett Nachman of Notably Disney and Disney End Credit Songs: Better or Worse Than the Original?

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 03:15:25 GMT

Starting with the Disney Renaissance, Disney decided to take hit songs from its films and add re-recorded versions to the end-credits from a wide array of pop and rock stars. This started with Beauty and the Beast and continues on today. Are any of those versions better than the originals in the film? Well, that is a great and highly subjective topic for discussion, and we attempt to tackle it today with our guest Brett Nachman from the terrific and long-running podcast “Notably Disney,” We talk about 5 end-credit versions that are better than the originals, and 5-ish that…are not so much. What do YOU think? Are there any we missed? Let me know your thoughts.

You can find Notably Disney here and on all streaming podcast services, and can follow Brett on IG at @drnachman.

Dr. Carissa Baker and the Academic Pursuit of Theme Park Music

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:54:46 GMT

Disney is such a complex, multifaceted company that there are all manner of topics and subtopics that fans can joyfully discuss and debate—music, the parks, movies, TV shows, the cruise line, books…you name it. And a lot of that discussion revolves around our own opinions, preferences, and passions. But, Disney is not just a provider of magical memories, it is a cornerstone of American culture and a highly profitable and innovative enterprise. As such, it shouldn’t be surprising that Disney has become a subject of numerous business and academic studies. And, in particular relevance to this show, there is a relatively new, but growing, focus on the study of Disney music as an academic discipline. Today we are joined by Dr. Carissa Baker, who is one of the organizers of the Theme Park Music and Sound Conference and a Professor at the University of Central Florida, to discuss her academic pursuits and her studies and work around theme parks and music. If there is any true theme park expert in the world, it is Carissa, and you’ll understand what I mean when you hear her story.

You can register for the Conference for free at https://themeparkmusicandsound.org/, and learn more about Carissa and her work here

Ron Fish and Composing Music for Theme Parks and Video Games

Tue, 27 May 2025 04:46:07 GMT

With the news of Disney opening up a theme park in Abu Dhabi, we are very fortunate to be joined in this episode by Ron Fish, an award winning composer who has experience writing music for theme parks at both Walt Disney World in Florida as well as Warner Brothers World in Abu Dhabi. Ron has also written amazing music for huge video game franchises, including God of War 1-3 and Batman: Arkham City and Batman: Arkham Asylum. We have a great conversation about his career progression from theme parks to video games, and how music plays such an important part in the story of each medium.

You can follow Ron at www.ronfishmusic.com.

Jeff Sherman and the Legacy of the Sherman Brothers

Sat, 17 May 2025 22:44:21 GMT

As we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Disneyland, It’s no wonder that it is called “The Happiest Place on Earth.” And, a lot of that happiness comes from the music that surrounds us when we visit. What songs come to mind when you think of Disneyland? I’m guessing that “It’s a Small World (After All)” and "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room" are high on the list. And those songs of course were written by Robert and Richard Sherman, the legendary Sherman Brothers, who have left such an incredible musical legacy across the Walt Disney Company, both in its movies and inside the parks. And to celebrate that legacy, we are incredibly fortunate today to have the opportunity to speak with Jeffrey Sherman, the son of Robert Sherman, to discuss his life and career, the blessings and challenges of growing up in the Sherman family, and the impact that his family has had on Disney history and on much broader musical and cultural history as well.

You can find Jeff on Instagram @jsher88888, on Facebook, and listen to his music on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon. You can also watch The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story, The Untold Story of Mary Poppins, and Jeff's various other credits (Au Pair, Boy Meets World) all on Disney+.

Tim Greiving and the Music of John Williams

Mon, 05 May 2025 03:13:08 GMT

Today is May the 4th, and as we celebrate Star Wars Day and all the joy the franchise has brought us, it is also a good time to reflect upon the importance of John Williams and the intense emotional bond he has created between the Skywalker Saga and the audience through his music. However, the Maestro's legacy goes well beyond Star Wars and is responsible for the soundtrack of many of our lives: Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and so many, many more.

Tim Greiving is the author of the upcoming book "John Williams: A Composer’s Life. It is the first comprehensive work on the life and works of the Maestro. Tim was gracious enough to join the podcast and we had a great discussion about Tim’s background, his love of film music, the legacy of John Williams, and the relationship he built with the legendary composer as he worked on his book.

You can find Tim at www.timgreiving.com and on his Behind the Moon substack. You can pre-order the book at Oxford University Press here and on Amazon.

Lou Mongello and Finding Your Disney Path

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 04:48:08 GMT

Disney inspires us--to dream, to believe, to dare, to do...and to create. We are joined today by one of the original Disney podcasters and content creators, Lou Mongello of WDW Radio, who inspired me to start this very podcast. Lou shares his incredible Disney journey from New Jersey attorney to Podcast Hall of Famer. We also discuss our shared East Coast upbringings, legal careers, love for Disney, and talk about the importance of music to Disney...along with some of our favorite Disney food-related songs!

We also catch up on lots of Disney music news, including the opening of the Disney Musical Festival at Disneyland Paris.

You can find Lou at www.wdwradio.com to listen to the WDW Radio Podcast and get the best information on Disney parks and experiences, and at www.loumongello.com to learn more about his speaking and business coaching services.

Stephen Anderson, Director of "Meet the Robinsons" and Author of "Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986"

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 19:00:00 GMT

There are so many different eras of Disney history--The Golden Age, The Silver Age, and the Renaissance. But what about the periods of transition that ushered in those new eras? We are joined by Steve Anderson, the director of the Disney animated classics "Meet the Robinsons" and "Winnie the Pooh" to discuss his new book "Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986." We learn about the importance of that overlooked era on Disney history and the impact that it had on the company's future success. We also learn about Steve's work on Disney animated films and how he uses music to help with storytelling and emotional engagement.

You can find the book on Amazon here and at The Old Mill Press website. You can follow Steve on Instagram @stevehatguy and on his website at www.stevehatguy.com

Composer Haim Mazar Discusses His Work From the Movies to the Disney Parks Worldwide

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 02:54:11 GMT

We love Disney music because it is capable of producing so many emotions—happiness, wonder, fear, and laughter--whether it is in a movie, on an attraction, or during a nighttime spectacular. And while it is so much fun to discuss and debate our favorite songs and themes at the “fan” level, it is easy to take for granted the creativity, ingenuity, and talent required to actually bring that music to life. It’s a lot of work, and a lot of pressure, to create something that will live up to the magic that Disney, and its guests, expect. So, we are so lucky to be joined today by composer Haim Mazar who has written music for movies, TV, and the Disney Parks around the world. Haim will tell us more about the music he has written, how he has done it, and what its like to experience it from the guest perspective for the first time.

Please follow Haim and his amazing work at www.haimmazar.com, on Instagram @haim.mazar, and on Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/haim-mazar

And if you have any questions, comments, or requests, email me at jonathan@musicbehindthemagic.com, follow us on Instagram @musicbehindthemagic, and join our FB community at www.facebook.com/groupsmusicbehindthemagic.

Disney Music Theory with Tim Foster

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:30:01 GMT

We love Disney music because it is capable of producing so many different emotions. And on the surface, it is great to just sit back and let the music make you feel. But, the amazing songwriters who craft these songs utilize different elements of music theory to pull those emotional strings. In this episode, we bring back Tim Foster from Celebrations Press to discuss some armchair music theory between two lifelong amateur musicians, and how it applies to the Disney songs we know and love. All this, and some Disney music news as well!

Check out Celebrations Press and all the amazing books they offer, as well as Celebrations Magazine, at www.celebrationspress.com

Please listen, like, and share this podcast with fellow Disney music fans. You can reach out to me at jonathan@musicbehindthemagic.com, on IG @musicbehindthemagic, and our FB group at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic.

Walt Disney World Trip Report and Disney Music News

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 19:51:46 GMT

After returning from a week in Walt Disney World, I wanted to provide a trip report to give some insight into Disney After Hours, a surprise at the Disney on Broadway Concert Series at EPCOT, and a few restaurant reviews (including The "controversial" Cake Bake Shop). And, there is a LOT of Disney music news to catch up on--Snow White, The Sherman Brothers, and Hercules!

Valentine's Day Special: Listeners' Favorite Disney Love Songs

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 06:35:40 GMT

We all know that Disney music has incredible emotional power. It can make us laugh, it can make us cry, it can make us scared and nervous, and it can make us excited. But, no matter what the emotion, it makes us feel. And that is a beautiful thing. One of the wonderful things about Disney movies is that is helps inspire us and bring out the best of what we can and should be. And a lot of that is being blessed with someone to love and share your life with, to keep you grounded and make you a better person.

So many Disney movies involve the power of love (thank you Huey Lewis and the News) and with that, there are so, so many Disney love songs. With 826 movies in total, of which 63 are Walt Disney Studios animated feature films, along with 28 Pixar films, and you have a pretty wide selection of songs to choose from.

I asked for your favorite Disney love songs and got a lot of responses, resulting in a list of 27 different songs. There were a lot of one-off songs, some very deep cuts, and then a grouping that coalesced into a proper Top 10-type list. So, in this episode we go through them, with some fun facts about them along the way.

Bob Weis and "Dream Chasing: My Four Decades of Success and Failure with Walt Disney Imagineering"

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 05:37:54 GMT

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide through creativity, technology, and pixie dust. We are privileged to be joined today by Bob Weis, who was an Imagineer for over 40 years as well as President of Walt Disney Imagineering. He has written a new book “Dream Chasing: My Four Decades of Success and Failure with Walt Disney Imagineering.” We talk about his career, the incredible projects he has worked on and brought to life, and even how music plays a part in the Imagineering process.

You can buy Dream Chasing on Amazon here as well as his other new book, Ghost Dog (link). You can find Bob online at www.bobweis.com and on Instagram at @bobweis.

"A Definitive Ranking of Every Disney Song, Ever" with Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:04:34 GMT

Few things inflame the passions of fans more than a ranked list, particularly when it comes to Disney. We are joined today by Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence, who published "A Definitive Ranking of Every Disney Song, Ever," which covers 317 songs across Disney's animated canon. I invite you to read the list, listen in, and join the discussion!

You can find the article here. And please follow Liz at https://lizshannonmiller.com/, on Letterboxd at https://letterboxd.com/lizlet/, and on Instagram @lizshannon.

Please join the community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic and follow me on Instagram @musicbehindthemagic, or email me at jonathan@musicbehindthemagic.com

Disney Historian Ross Care and the Music of The Golden Era

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 05:26:13 GMT

As we celebrate the New Year, this week we go back to the very beginning of Disney's feature films. Music was a critical part of the foundation that brought Disney success during it's first few groundbreaking films, known as the company's "Golden Era." To discuss the music and composers that helped contribute to this legacy, we are honored to be joined by Disney historian Ross Care.

Please check out Ross's latest book: Walt's People: Volume 29: The Ross Care Letters at Amazon. And find him on Facebook here

Happy and Healthy New Year!

Shawn Degenhart and the Musical Score for Cinderella; Mufasa Soundtrack and The Disney Music Festival

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:14:12 GMT

With the 75th Anniversary of the Walt Disney classic Cinderella approaching, we are joined by Shawn Degenhart, who has published--for the first time--the complete musical score of that movie. We learn about that project as well as his other Disney musical pursuits. We also explore the soundtrack to Mufasa and talk a bit about next year's Disney Music Festival in Disneyland Paris.

You can find Shawn at https://degenhartmusic.com/ and get your copy of the Cinderella score here. You can also listen to Shawn on the Hyperion Hub Podcast.

Please rate and leave a review of this Podcast if you have a few minutes, and share with a friend or family member. Also please join our FB community at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic and follow me on Instagram @musicbehindthemagic. You can always reach me with comments or questions at jrg@musicbehindthemagic.com.

Tim Foster from Celebrations Press and Disney Holiday Musical Memories

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:55:02 GMT

It's the Holiday season, which is magical in so many different ways, no matter which holiday you celebrate. And what is more central to the holidays than music? Whether its traditional Christmas Carols, holiday standards, or more modern songs, music is the foundation and backdrop for the emotions of the holidays. And as you can imagine—or have been fortunate enough to see for yourselves—there are few more magical places during the holidays than the Disney Parks. And so many memories are created there that have music at its core.

We are joined today by Tim Foster, who is the creator and driving force behind Celebrations Press, which produces the amazing full-color Celebrations Magazine as well as incredible books that belong on every Disney fans bookshelf. We learn about Tim’s Disney origin story as well as share our favorite Walt Disney World holiday musical experiences and some of our favorite Disney songs as well.

Please check out Celebrations Magazine and their catalogue of spectacular Disney-focused books at https://celebrationspress.com/. And listen to the Celebrations Disney Podcast here, or on all streaming services.

If you are enjoying this podcast, please tell a friend, like, and subscribe (and leave a good review if you think I've earned it). You can also join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic. Please follow me on Instagram @musicbehindthemagic as well. And if you have any questions, comments, or topics, email me at jrg@musicbehindthemagic.com.

Greg Ehrbar and the History of Disney and Hanna Barbera Records; Moana 2 Soundtrack Release

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:57:26 GMT

The history behind how Disney started its own record label and music business is often overlooked, but fascinating. We are joined today by Greg Ehrbar, author of Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records to discuss that history. Greg is also an expert on Hanna Barbera, and just released a new book, Hanna Barbera, The Recorded History: From Modern Stone Age to Meddling Kids. We discuss the parallel paths of the two companies and the importance of music to both.

You can follow Great at www.gregovision.net. You can find Greg's books on Amazon here . You can also listen to his podcast, The Funtastic World of Hanna & Barbera on Apple Music and all other streaming services.

Bambi Moe and "Part of the Magic"; Music for Disney Television Animation

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:58:27 GMT

We are joined by former VP of Music for Disney Television Animation Bambi Moe, who discusses her new book "Part of the Magic: A Collection of Disney-Inspired Brushes with Greatness." Bambi shares her amazing story, her strong lifetime ties to Disney, and her experience producing music for many much-loved animated shows and movies.

You can buy Part of the Magic on Amazon and follow her on Instagram @partofthemagicbook

Please join out Facebook Community at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic, follow us on Instagram @musicbehindthemagic, and email me at jrg@musicbehindthemagic.com.

Halloween Special--Listeners' Favorite Spooky Disney Songs

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 04:47:52 GMT

In this special Halloween episode, I reveal YOUR favorite Halloween/Spooky songs, as gathered from our social accounts. Which songs are most associated with the holiday, and what are some honorable mentions? Grab some full-size candy bars (none of that bite-sized trick-or-treating nonsense) and enjoy--Happy Halloween!!

Mike Vescera and Disney Super Guitar/ D-Metal Stars

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 04:09:33 GMT

There are two things I love in life more than anything (outside of my family)--rock guitar and Disney. And if you put them together, I am in full blown Nerd-vana. D-Metal Stars and Disney Super Guitar are two albums that combine classic Disney songs with hard rock and heavy metal stylings, and the results are incredible. I was so fortunate to have connected with Mike Vescera, the legendary heavy metal vocalist who happened to be the guiding force behind those two albums, who so graciously took the time to tell me about how they came to be. DISCLAIMER: Any professional broadcasting credibility I may have established has been completely abandoned in this episode. I go full Fanboy.

You can follow Mike on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/michael.vescera.1 and his latest project at https://animazex.com/.

Creativity and Innovation Expert Lee Kitchen and Music in Disney's Business

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 04:02:51 GMT

Creativity and Innovation are two of the hallmarks of The Walt Disney Company. We are joined today by Lee Kitchen, a 32 year Disney veteran and one of the founding members of the company's in-house marketing agency, Yellow Shoes Creative Group. Lee shares a lot of his tips on driving innovation, as well as stories from his Disney career and how music is used throughout Disney's business operations. We then do a bit of a lightning round to learn about his favorite Disney things!

You can learn more about Lee at www.magicaldude.com and follow him on Instagram @leebeexlt

Please follow us on Instagram @musicbehindthemagic and on our FB group at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic

Jim Spangler and the Top 5 Saddest and Happiest Disney Songs

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 04:42:07 GMT

We are joined today by Jim Spangler, host of The Goofy Guy Podcast and the Magic Music Review, to discuss our mutual love of music, of Disney music, and to try and pick our Top 5 saddest and happiest Disney songs. Join us on this emotional musical rollercoaster and let us know what your picks would be.

Please follow Jim at thegoofyguy.com and check out The Goofy Guy Podcast at https://thegoofyguy.podbean.com/ and the Magic Music Review at https://magicmusicreview.podbean.com/.

Also, please find me on Instagram at @musicbehindthemagic and join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic.

Michael Lyons and the Disney Renaissance; Favorite Songs from the Renassiance Era

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 04:48:25 GMT

The Disney Renaissance Era (1989-1999) comprises some of the most important years in The Walt Disney Company history, with commercial and critical hits starting with The Little Mermaid and ending with Tarzan. We are joined today by Michael Lyons, author of "Drawn to Greatness: Disney's Animation Renaissance," for a fascinating discussion about how the Renaissance era came to be, and the role that music played in it. We also pick just ONE song from each movie that is our favorite. It wasn't easy!

You can learn more about Michael at https://www.wordsfromlyons.com/. Listen to him on the Dis-order Podcast and the From Pencils to Pixels Podcast. Also read more of his work at the Screen Saver Blog. And, most importantly, check out Drawn to Greatness on Amazon.

And if you like this podcast, please like, subscribe, and tell your friends. You can find me on IG at @musicbehindthemagic and email me at jrg@musicbehindthemagic.com. Even better, please join our growing Facebook community at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic and join in on the conversation!

Lee Cockerell; Disneyland Paris Trip Report; D23 Expo Music Announcements

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 20:22:24 GMT

In our 10th (double digits!) podcast episode, we speak with Lee Cockerell, the former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World as well as the author of many best-selling books on management, including Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney. I also provide a full trip report from Disneyland Paris as well as break down all the music-related news from the D23 Expo.

You can find and follow Lee Cockerell at https://www.leecockerell.com/ and find his books on Amazon or most bookstores.

As always, thank you for listening, and if you enjoy this podcast, please tell your friends, like it, subscribe to it, and if possible, leave a rating. You can always reach out to me with questions, comments, or things you want to hear about at jrg@musicbehindthemagic.com, on Instagram at @musicbehindthemagic or on our FB Community group at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic.

James Warda and Theron Skees discuss their new book "How Does Disney Do That?"

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 04:52:10 GMT

Author James Warda and former Disney Imagineer Theron Skees join us to discuss their new book "How does Disney Do That? How Disney Makes us Feel and Why it Matters." We have an incredibly vibrant and emotional chat, talking about all the various things that make us feel the way we do about Disney, and of course, dive into the power of music and how the company harnesses that power to forge such a powerful emotional connection.

I mention during the conversation that "How Does Disney Do That?" is not a book you read, it is a book that you feel. You can order it on Amazon as well as at the How Does Disney Do That website. And if you order directly from the publisher here, you can get a signed copy of the book, a free bookmark, and free shipping if you enter the code "DisneyShipFree." You can also join the FB Group and find James at Jameswarda.com and Theron at designerscreativestudio.com.

And if you enjoy this podcast, please share it with your friends, like, and subscribe. And, if you have a few seconds, if you could leave a brief (and hopefully positive) review, that would be amazing. If you have any questions, comments, or things you want to hear about, please email me, or drop me a line on my social channels, @musicbehindthemagic on Instagram, and join in on the conversation on our FB group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic.

Award Winning Composer Bruce Broughton; Disneyland Paris Music

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 05:10:39 GMT

It was been a few weeks since the last podcast due to some international travel, including a trip to Disneyland Paris! But we return with legendary and award-winning film, TV, and Disney composer Bruce Broughton, who discusses his career and his work with Disney movies and attractions. We also provide some quick musical observations about Disneyland Paris, with a full trip report to come in the next few episodes, as well as Disney Music News

Please follow and support Bruce Broughton at brucebroughton.com.

If you like this Podcast, please take a quick second to rate it and share with your fellow Disney music afficionados.

Matt Hodge and the History of Jazz and Disney

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 04:52:15 GMT

We are joined for today's episode by Matt Hodge--composer, professor, and author of the award-winning book "Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse: A History of Jazz and Disney." We discuss how and why Disney and Jazz have been so intertwined over the past 100 years, and its influence on Disney movies and the parks.

You can follow Matt at www.matthodge.com and buy his book on Amazon

Dan Heaton and Favorite Musical Memories in the Parks

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 19:37:08 GMT

Today we are joined by Dan Heaton, the host of the terrific Tomorrow Society Podcast. We discuss Dan's Disney journey and then have a great discussion about our favorite musical moments and memories from the Disney Parks and Resorts. Please listen and let me know what your favorite musical memories are. I also catch you up on some recent Disney music news--there's been lots of stuff going on and announced in the past few days.

Please follow Dan at www.tomorrowsociety.com and on Instagram @tomorrowsociety. Also listen and subscribe to his podcast on all major streaming platforms.

And also please reach out to let me know how we are doing, questions you have, and what you would like to hear more about. You can email me at jrg@musicbehindthemagic.com, find me on Instagram @musicbehind the magic, or on our FB group at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic. And if you like what you hear, please let your friends, family, coworkers, and random strangers know about us as we continue to build our community.

Len Testa and the Buddy Baker Archives

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:43:55 GMT

This week we are joined by world-renowned Disney expert Len Testa, who shares his background and personal Disney journey that married his love of Disney with his background in computer science and optimization and resulted in TouringPlans.com and the Unofficial Guide to Disney World, among other essential planning books. We also discuss some recent undiscovered Disney musical history that he brought to life from the Buddy Baker Archives in NYC.

You can follow Len on Instagram @len.testa, and also utilize his knowledge and expertise at Touringplans.com. You can also find the Unofficial Guide to Disney World and all his other books at Amazon.

Tom Hischak and The Disney Song Encylopedia; Theme Park Music Conference; Disney News

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 23:35:47 GMT

Hello Disney Music Fans! It’s been a few weeks since our last episode, and that is because I was fortunate enough to have attended a first-of-its-kind conference in Orlando that focused specifically on theme park music. It was a tremendous experience that left me inspired, enlightened, and with lots of future guests for the podcast to give amazing perspectives on Disney and theme park music. We are also thrilled to be joined today by Tom Hischak to discuss his book, the Disney Song Encyclopedia, which is a critically acclaimed reference work that categorizes and analyzes over 1000 songs from Disney movies, TV shows, shorts, and attractions. All this, and some Disney music news as well

Follow Tom at www.thomashischak.com, and you can find The Disney Song Encyclopedia at Amazon. Also check out the programming for Theme Park Music and Sound Conference at www.themeparkmusicandsound.org

Brett Boles, Most Emotional Disney Musical Moments, Disney News

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 02:50:42 GMT

We are thrilled to be joined by Brett Boles--composer, songwriter, musical director and social media star. Brett discusses his career, his evolution into social media success, and the art and science of songwriting. Also, I will discuss some of the most emotional musical moments throughout the Disney movies, and give some Disney music news updates.

Please follow and support Brett Boles via all his channels here For those interested in the songwriting trip we mentioned, you can find details here:

As always, if you like this podcast, please Like, Subscribe, and Share and tell your friends. You can also find me on Instagram at @musicbehindthemagic, at www.musicbehindthemagic.com, and on our FB group at www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic.

James Bohn, Remembering Richard Sherman, Disney Super Guitar

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 01:07:24 GMT

We are honored to be joined today by James Bohn, author of "Music in Disney's Animated Features: Snow White to the Jungle Book," to discuss his book and the role music has played in Disney's success. We also pay tribute to the legendary Richard M. Sherman, who passed away this week at the age of 95. Finally, we reach a bit deep into the Disney music archives to discuss Disney Super Guitar, an album that resonates with me significantly. All this, and some other Disney music news as well.

Please like and subscribe, and follow on Instagram (@Musicbehindthemagic) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic).

Music Behind the Magic Intro

Tue, 14 May 2024 04:36:00 GMT

An introduction to me and what this podcast is about--sharing the magic of Disney music.