LogFAQs > #979208843

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91. The Phony King of England
Source: Robin Hood
Villain: Prince John
Nominator: Great_Paul (3 left)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCPSgC9LE4s

Villainy: 3
Characterization: 3
Melody: 3
Total: 9/30

"While he taxes us to pieces / And he robs us of our bread / King Richard's crown keeps slippin' down / Around that pointed head"

Group songs about a villain are tricky. They CAN be great villain songs when done properly. Gaston is a pretty famous one, where Gaston himself is only supporting singer, and it's mostly being sung about him. It gets even trickier when the song doesn't actually involve the villain directly though. Is being a rich, greedy tyrant villainous? Absolutely! But when it's shown from an outside perspective like this, it's hard to take it literally. Most of the song is openly mocking him in ways that are meant to exaggerate how much they dislike him, which by its nature puts a sort of fog over any specific characterization of John himself.

As a song? It's alright. It's a short, upbeat tune that isn't really trying to be anything all that special. Phil Harris is very distinctly known for being a favorite when it comes to early Disney songs, being the vocalist that made Bear Necessities and Everybody Wants to Be a Cat such timeless hits. The Phony King of England never really hits that point. I'll also be completely honest when I say the sound quality of the recording isn't doing it any favors. That's easily worth overlooking when the song itself is great, but for something like this it just drags it down a little more.