Welcome Back to Disney! I hope you enjoyed my post last week where I created A Definitive Ranking of Every Song from Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. As promised, I am back this week with not just one, but three posts. Also, as promised, this post is definitely going to be Cheetahlicious. That's because I will be giving you A Ranking of Every Song from The Cheetah Girls. The Cheetah Girls franchise really changed Disney Channel history. As it was actually the first DCOM musical, even before High School Musical (I know, shocking right?). The Cheetah Girls were not only the first and only girl group to be featured on the channel but they were also the first multi-ethnic girl music group to come out of Disney Channel. Not only did the group feature four young women of various races, backgrounds, and sizes, but they also showcased music from various cultures around the world, which I will get into more in my next two posts. The fact that there hasn't been another girl group like the Cheetah Girls in Disney Channel history, really says something.
When I first saw the Cheetah Girls, I loved how confident the girls were and I really loved the friendship and girl power aspect of the movie. I have two sisters myself, so growing up with them and being surrounded by a lot of girls and women in my family at the time, made me be able to really relate to the movie in that way. As I'm all about "Girl Power". I actually just re-watched this movie and the entire Cheetah Girls trilogy with my little sister and I am still hooked on the songs. I feel like I love the movie(s) and the songs more than I ever did before. Cause when I was younger, and the Cheetah Girls were a big hit, I wasn't the biggest fan like some other kids/teens were at the time. But now looking back I wish I was more of a fan then and got to see them in concert, because I never did and I am sure it would have been a blast. Having said that I definitely appreciate the movie and songs more now than I think I ever did before. So, that is why I thought it would be fun to do A Ranking of Every Song from The Cheetah Girls, because it is the music that really made this movie franchise what it is today. Sadly, this movie only had 8 songs and they are all really good songs. So, it made it extremely hard to narrow down my least and most favorites just because they are all THAT GOOD.
A brief note before we begin: this ranking includes all the songs that were included in the movie (except "All Around the World") and on the soundtrack. Also, when I am ranking these songs, I am also ranking the performances of them in the movie. So, not just the song itself, but the overall scene/performance of it in the movie. Now, let's get into A Ranking of Every Song from The Cheetah Girls.
(from last to first)...
#8 Girlfriend by Char
Although this is on the bottom of this list, it doesn't mean it's a bad song. Like I said before, I love all the songs in this movie, this being one of them. But when it came down to ranking all of them together, this one just had to go last. This song plays in the background of the scene when Chanel and Galleria are dancing in front of a store. It's definitely an iconic scene and Chanel's pink outfit was everything to me as a kid. Even now. I mean who wouldn't want to dance to this song on the streets? I do. I love the whole vibe of this song. It's one of those feel-good dance songs. When I hear this song I don't really listen to the lyrics and I'm not really sure what she's talking about in the song or what exactly the message of the song is. But, you really don't have to understand the lyrics to enjoy this song. It's just really the beat that makes this song good. But, I still love it. Again, obviously not the best from the soundtrack/movie but it's still a good bop.
#7 End of the Line by Christi Mac
Okay, okay. I love this song so much. The only reason why I put it lower than the others on this list is because it is a very emotional song and it makes me sad when I listen to it and watch this scene in the movie. However, this song always stuck out to me as a kid watching this movie. I mean I have always been an emotional person, so it makes sense that I would gravitate towards this song in the movie. Even though it's a more sad and emotional song I always wanted this song to last longer in the movie for some reason. The scene when this song plays is also really sad, as it's after the Cheetah Girls have an argument and decide to go their separate ways, which makes the song even that much more sad. Overall, this song is just a beautiful, sad song that makes me think of the past and a lot of great memories, which is why I love it. But, just because I prefer to be happy than sad, that is why I did not put this song higher on this list. Oh, and Chanel's outfit in this scene is fire, just saying.
#6 Breakthrough by Hope 7
This is another song from the Cheetah Girls that makes me feel all the feels. It is played during the scene when Chanel goes shopping for a new Cheetah Girls outfit. I, myself, love shopping so of course I also love this scene in the movie. I just love the energy this song gives off. It's such a fun song to listen and sing along to. I also really love the message of this song. As it's all about just having fun and not being bothered by anyone/anything. It's also about knowing that you have the power to change your mind/attitude and make every hour, every day yours. Also, that whatever you set your mind to, no one can stop you. There's just so many positive messages you can get from this song, which is why it's so good. I love the line specifically when she sings, "Cause I have the power to change my life one day at a time/ And hour by hour, I'll be fine/ Yeah I'll be alright". The beat is fire, as well. This is another song/scene from the movie that I always wished was longer, because I love it that much.
#5 C'mon by Sonic Chaos
This is actually the one song that I always forget is in the movie for some reason, but I actually really like it. There's not much to it, at least lyric-wise. But, it's such a good, catchy, repetitive song from the movie. A good-repetitive song. This is the song that the Cheetah Girls' rival performs at the talent show. This is just a really fun rap, hip-hop song from the movie. It's fun just to keep repeating the words "C'mon, c'mon". Cause that's all they really say in the song. The message of this song is actually really important, as well. It's just all about inclusion and having fun. As they sing, "So cmon, cmon, cmon, cmon/ It don't matter who you are just cmon/ White, black, brown, Puerto Rican, or Haitian/ So cmon, cmon, cmon, cmon". This is the most simplest song in the movie, but it's such a fun song to sing and dance/jump along to. Also, I feel like at the end of the movie the Cheetah Girls should have given the talent show winner award to the guys who sing this song, because they actually showed up and did their thing when the Cheetah Girls couldn't or didn't want to be at the talent show, and the Cheetah Girls wouldn't have even sang the final song they did at the end of the movie (which made them win) if Galleria's dog Toto hadn't gotten stuck in an obstruction on the streets. Even though the guys' song wasn't better than the song that the Cheetah Girls sing at the end of the movie, it still would have been the right thing for the Cheetah Girls to do.
#4 Together We Can by The Cheetah Girls
This is another great song that the Cheetah Girls sing during the opening credits/scene of the movie at a kid's birthday party. It is a very catchy and fun song even though the lyrics can be questionable. I mean why would you want to shoot the moon? And you can't really ride a hurricane. But, I get the overall message and sentiment, which is why I love it. As it's all about, as the title suggests, being able to do anything and go anywhere together, because it's better to do things together than do them alone. Oh, and I almost forgot, but this is also the song that they sing over Galleria's distressed dog, Toto, that ends up calming him down and saving him from the obstruction. So, this song comes full circle in the movie, which is really cool. Especially, when the lyrics go, "Hold on, sit tight/ Are you ready for a crazy ride?" and what a crazy ride the Cheetah Girls go on in this movie and the two movies after it. Also, Chanel and Dorinda's outfits in this scene are fire, as well (just had to point that out).
#3 Girl Power by The Cheetah Girls
Okay, okay. I can't even explain how excited I am to talk about this song from the Cheetah Girls. Again, this song from the movie is just an iconic bop. I love this song so much and get excited every time for this scene to play in the movie. I mean this song is the whole theme of this movie, which is "Girl Power", and it doesn't miss a beat. Their outfits don't miss, either (specially, Chanel's). The Cheetah Girls perform this song at Def Duck Records in front of Jackal Johnson. As they try to prove to him that they can sing good enough that they don't need his vision of lip syncing and masks. This song, out of all the songs in the movie, has the most direct message. Cause with the other songs you kind of have to think more about what they are actually saying in the song (except for the Cheetah Sisters song). The message of this song is all about, well Girl Power, but also about knowing it's okay to make mistakes. As long as you're doing your best. It's also about refusing to compromise yourself for anyone or anything. In other words, this song is meant to encourage young girls to believe in themselves and really it can encourage people of all ages. It sure encourages me every time I listen to it. Jackal Jackson should have "bumped" this instead of wanting to go "All Around the World". This song/scene always stood out to me as a kid. It's one I always automatically think of when I think about this movie and the Cheetah Girls in general. It's also kind of funny because although the girls are supposed to be singing in an office, the way the scene is filmed makes it look more like a music video. I also love that Chanel sings some Spanish in this song, which makes it more unique than the others. But, my favorite part is when they are all going up close to the camera and doing their little solo parts. Something that is also very different from what you see in other DCOM musicals. I also love the dancing in this scene.
#2 Cinderella by The Cheetah Girls
This is another great song from the Cheetah Girls and another one of my most favorites from this movie. I had such a hard time rating all of these songs because they are so good, but I especially had the hardest time with this one and "Girl Power". But I ultimately put this song before "Girl Power" just because I feel like the message is a little more important, especially in today's world. This song promotes independence, individuality, and equality for girls, which is a message I am all about. It has a very catchy beat and empowering lyrics, such as with the chorus,...
I don't wanna be like Cinderella
Sitting in a dark, cold, dusty cellar
Waiting for somebody to come and set me free
I don't wanna be like Snow White waiting
For a handsome prince to come and save me
On a horse of white, unless we're riding side by side
Don't wanna depend on no no no one else
I'd rather rescue myself
It's crazy because as a kid I was always confused why they sang that they didn't want to be like Cinderella, because I never really understood the lyrics. But now, I of course, totally understand everything about this song and I love it. Having said that it has always been a favorite of mine and one of the most memorable Cheetah Girls songs.
#1 Cheetah Sisters by The Cheetah Girls
This is, of course, the BEST song and my most FAVORITE song/scene from the Cheetah Girls movie. I mean from the scene itself, the outfits (the purple being my personal favorite), to the beat, and the lyrics. Just the overall vibe of this song/scene is iconic. This song/scene just makes me want to grab three of my friends, put on complementary tracksuits, and belt this song about sisterhood at the top of my lungs. I mean still to this day every time after I watch this movie all I want is a cheetah print tracksuit with a matching headband. This scene is a huge production number that involves brooms, cars, smoke and lights, and a huge crowd of spectators on the street. I mean this song is THE ultimate girl power anthem of diversity if ever there was one. The Cheetah Girls perform this song near the end of the movie. Just after they rescue Galleria's dog and then Galleria tries to make up with the other girls in the group when she sees them leaving to go their separate ways again. This song brings them all back together. The scene changes as they are singing, and they perform this at the talent show and end up winning with it. Sonic Chaos (their rivals) also help do the music for this scene and performance. This song's message and just the title alone, greatly captures the whole theme of this movie and the franchise as a whole. As they even included this song in the second movie, as well. It's a song and message that still holds up today. As it's all about the power of friendship, family, and sticking together through the ups and downs. Knowing that no matter your background, or race/ethnicity/color, that all can come together and create a bond and make a difference. This song makes me feel the most nostalgic when I watch this movie and it also makes me laugh a little, as well. Such as when Chanel sings the lyric, " Cause momma didn't raise no fools". I also love when they sing, " Just lose faith, or trust your heart/ To somehow lead you through the dark". Again, I'm a believer, so I love that they mentioned the word "faith" in this song. I love how it starts out slow then the beat kicks in hardcore. That's my favorite part and it gets me hype every time I watch this movie.
Well, that concludes A Ranking of Every Song from The Cheetah Girls. I had a lot of fun creating this list. As I've had these songs stuck in my head for the past couple weeks after recently watching this movie. Although this was fun, it was also pretty difficult to rank my least and most favorite songs from the movie; because like I said before I really do love all these songs from this movie. I also really love the dancing in this movie, as well. For real though, I'm going to actually try to learn all these dances now that I'm thinking about these songs and this movie again. If you haven't seen the Cheetah Girls, which if you haven't, have you been living under a rock? No, just kidding. But, for real though, I highly suggest that you watch this movie and listen to these songs when you have the chance to. It's a classic, must-watch DCOM and the songs will be stuck in your head for days. If you love Disney Channel and you love musicals, then you will love this movie and the songs. If you've already seen the Cheetah Girls, I would love to know what your favorite song(s) are from the movie. So, let me know in the comments below and come Back to Disney tomorrow for some more Cheetahlicious content!
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