I fully admit that I have a soft spot for The Return of Jafar. I also do fully admit it’s no where near as good as the original but it’s amusing and is different enough from Aladdin that it didn’t feel like a rehash. It also builds off of first movie very well. Ultimately it was unique in its story. As a direct to video Disney Sequel it’s not bad.
I did go on record when I reviewed The Return of Jafar that I thought the songs were okay. To quote myself from that review “The songs are ok…” To this day I maintain that opinion the songs are okay but maybe the songs are better than just okay. Maybe just maybe the songs in The Return of Jafar are good. *gasp.*
Though I do think it’s an interesting exercise in ranking songs from a movie that isn’t as well-regarded.
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There are only five songs in total in The Return of Jafar. The songs are not written and composed by a single writer or team. Each song is written and composed by duo. There is some overlap but there is no single creative vision behind the songs. But the songs are competent and entertaining enough with good musicality and lyrics.
There was an effort made for The Return of Jafar, there just wasn’t a massive budget or timeline for the production.
5. “Nothing in the World (Quite Like a Friend)”
Initially I thought Genie’s song “Nothing in the World (Quite Like a Friend)” would rank higher for me but alas it’s really just Genie just doing accents. It’s not much of a song, it’s just alright maybe it’s more geared for the kiddos.
I think this song is more of hard sell because Robin Williams didn’t reprise his role as The Genie. Instead the role was recast with Dan Castellaneta a.k.a Homer Simpson. While Robin Williams’ work as The Genie is a tough act to follow but again I have a soft spot for this movie as well as Aladdin Tv series so Castellaneta’s voice didn’t bother me but the performance and writing did feel more of approximation of what Williams would have improvised.
4. “Arabian Nights”
The Return of Jafar opens with a revised version “Arabian Nights.” This version was also used as the opening for the Tv show which this movie is basically the pilot for just with musical numbers. This version is more focused on setting up action, adventure, and excitement, rather than setting up a local.
Honestly as a fan of the show I heard this song a lot so it’s a little played out. Also despite this stirring song it’s just some a bunch random nameless guys riding horses in the desert so despite trying to come off as dramatic and arousing the visuals are understated for the song. At least is a different version of the song, there was an effort put into the lyrics.
3. “I’m Looking Out for Me”
Love it or hate Iago sings two songs in The Return of Jafar and they used Gilbert Gottfried provided that vocals. This a little bit of departure as Gilbert Gottfried also voiced Mr. Beetle in Thumbelina but he didn’t do the singing vocals. Though it does seem that people are a little more forgiving these day about Gottfried providing the vocals.
Anyway I might be in the minority but I think Gottfried’s vocals are used to good comedic effect in Iago’s songs. His first song is a solo. “I’m Looking Out for Me” showcases his worldview as he now just looking out for himself and how friendships haven’t really worked out for him. He’s a loner and he cool with that. The song is definitely a foil to Iago redemption arc as he does learn that he is better off with friend and looks out for other even though Iago is also a foil to Aladdin’s crew which works well to balance out the dynamics.
It’s a fun short song with some clever lyrics. Maybe it’s a little too short but the abrupt ending is because Iago was being annoying so it all works well together to a great comedic effect.
2. “Forget About Love”
The second of Iago’s songs is actually a love song, sort-of. Aladdin gets into some heat with Jasmine as he lied about Iago. As a way to make it up to Aladdin who stuck up for him Iago tries to get Jasmine to forgive Aladdin. However in classic Iago fashion he uses reverse-psychology in song form. It works as Jasmine can’t forget about love and makes up with Aladdin making this song technically a trio.
It’s a fun and different take of a love song and again there are clever fun lyrics “A Meal becomes a banquet when you eat alone.” Very true of course Iago is bluffing he is trying to help Aladdin but you buy that Iago isn’t really one for sentimental stuff so it his lyric very in characters.
I also like song’s sentiment of romance like “Love’s filled with compromises,” and “To wish, to want, to wander, To find the sun, Through rain and thunder.”
1. You’re Only Second Rate
One of the criticisms of the original Aladdin movie was that Jafar didn’t get a proper villain song. His “villain song” is a reprise of “Prince Ali” and was fairly short however despite that it does rank among the best Disney Villain songs. So for the Aladdin sequel Jafar gets a proper villain songs which is similar to “Prince Ali Reprise” in content as he delights in derision but it’s the Genie this time as Jafar is the more powerful Genie.
Basically the whole song is puns about how Jafar is greater than Genie and the animation follows suits to match the silly puns.
“You’re Only Second Rate” as far as a villain song goes it’s fun and does have a good amount of menace. It also did perform a little better than the villain song from Aladdin and the King of Thieves “Are You In or Out” but not by much. Honestly it’s rather underrated as fare as a far as Disney villain songs goes. It might not be top ten material but it’s solid maybe it’s in the top 20.
This songs has been stuck in my head for days and I’m okay with that.
