You Probably Never Noticed That These Classic Disney Movies Use the Same Sad Song
There's a reason those sad moments feel so familiar.
For those of us who grew up with them, the classic Disney films from the 1960s will always hold a special place in our hearts. Movies like One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), The Sword in the Stone (1963), and The Jungle Book (1967) made us appreciate the power of love and kindness and revealed some hard truths about the tragic aspects of existence, like death and disappointment, as well.
But there’s one thing about these 1960s Disney movies that you might have never noticed, no matter how many times you’ve watched them. Take a closer listen—yes, listen—and you’ll notice several of them use the same melancholy theme during the saddest parts of the movie.
On Thursday, animation reviewer @Animated_Antic posted a video compilation of heartbreaking Disney moments when the tune was used, and it immediately went viral. (Fair warning: Watching this video will probably evoke feelings of sadness.)
I just noticed how all of Walt Disney Animation Studios movies released in the 1960s have the same sad theme played at one part in the film. I put together a compilation that shows the movies with the theme. pic.twitter.com/hXn1FmDGv8
— Animated Antic (@Animated_Antic) May 2, 2019
According to one Disney fan, the tune is aptly named “Sad, Sad, Sad.”
Yep, it’s always made me smile how animation wasn’t the only thing recycled, but George Bruns’ bit of musical score too. According to the trivia track on the ‘101 Dalmatians’ Special Edition DVD from some years ago, the track is known as ‘Sad, Sad, Sad’.
— ✏🖍🎨Animation Fanatical ✏🖍🎨 (@Tre_Animation) May 2, 2019
Twitter users were quick to note that the melody comes up in other Disney films from the era as well, like Robin Hood (1973) and Sleeping Beauty (1959).
Yep, another instance of this Bruns sad music. pic.twitter.com/uDYN6e2mUp
— ✏🖍🎨Animation Fanatical ✏🖍🎨 (@Tre_Animation) May 2, 2019
It turns out, the theme was created by American composer George Bruns, who’s responsible for the scores of the aforementioned Disney classics, among many others. While he passed away in 1983, Bruns was named a Disney legend in 2001, in order to commemorate his astounding contribution to the magical world of Disney.
And while some might argue that it’s a bit lazy to recycle the same melody over and over again, those of us who grew up with these Disney movies know there is no better way to express feeling down than these descending strings.
Say what you like about the recycling of this tune, but I think it really captures how it feels to be in despair.
— Ryan Robotham (@RJRobotham) May 2, 2019
And for some more upbeat Disney knowledge, check out these 30 Disney Facts That Will Give You a Child-like Sense of Wonder.
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