Real quick- although many of the characters singing these songs ARE the type I’ve connected them to, that’s not the case for all of them.
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ISTJ- “Let It Go” from Frozen
Most ISTJ Line- “Don’t let them in / Don’t let them see / Be the good girl you always have to be”
How awesome is it that probably the most unfairly maligned type can lay claim to Disney’s modern anthem? Elsa embodies the ISTJ and so does her power ballad; she sings of being haunted by her past (dominant Si), and being forced to conceal her feelings (tertiary Fi). And although she declares herself to be free, Elsa, like many ISTJs, continues to struggle with the expectations of her family and kingdom. “Let It Go” is a powerful look into the most personal thoughts of a private person’s life, and should be a reminder never to judge too quickly.
ISFJ- “Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the Beast
Most ISFJ Line- “Both a little scared / Neither one prepared / Beauty and the Beast”
Simple, elegant, and romantic, “Beauty and the Beast” captures the love and affection that ISFJs strive for in their lives. Although falling in love might have been done millions of times in the past (dominant Si), that doesn’t make it any less magical for Belle and Beast (auxiliary Fe). Even if Belle weren’t an ISFJ, the song would still perfectly suit such a quietly sophisticated type.
INFJ- “Friends on the Other Side” from The Princess and the Frog
Most INFJ Line- “I can read your future / I can change it ‘round some, too”
I want to establish now that songs sung by antagonists aren’t meant to vilify the types I’ve attached them to. INFJs are often considered to be almost supernatural, and while I don’t think such claims carry much weight, the type often can come across as being a bit otherworldly (dominant Ni). Similar to Doctor Facilier (who, to be clear, is NOT this type), INFJs can be rather charming (auxiliary Fe and inferior Se) and are quite adept at manipulating people should they choose to do so.
INTJ- “Be Prepared” from The Lion King
Most INTJ Line- “So prepare for the coup of the century / Be prepared for the murkiest scam”
Scar is all about long term planning- something that the INTJ will find greatly relatable (dominant Ni). “Be Prepared” is an ode to the relentless pursuit of power, even if that means killing a brother and an innocent child like Simba (auxiliary Te). This isn’t to say that every INTJ is misdirected or evil, but rather that each will do whatever suits their personal morals and experiences (tertiary Fi). Scar’s morals just so happen to accommodate fratricide.
ISTP- “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan
Most ISTP Line: “We must be swift as a coursing river / With all the force of a great typhoon”
This song reeks of physicality, which is well suited to the action oriented ISTP (auxiliary Se). Mulan, an ISTP, strives to find her place in the army because it works with her overarching plan to protect her father (tertiary Ni and inferior Fe). Ultimately, her ingenuity allows her to surpass all of her peers and retrieve the arrow at the top of the pole (dominant Ti), proving that the ISTP can do whatever they set their mind to.
ISFP- “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas
Most ISFP Line- “Come roll in all the riches all around you / And for once, never wonder what they’re worth”
“Colors of the Wind” is simultaneously spiritual and sensual, a combination that only an ISFP like Pocahontas can pull off. Aside from asking John Smith to appreciate the beauty of the world around him (auxiliary Se), Pocahontas also forces him to look inward and reevaluate his personal values (dominant Fi). “Colors of the Wind” was one of the easiest songs to determine for this list because it truly captures the spirit and ethereal quality of the ISFP.
INFP- “Reflection” from Mulan
Most INFP Line- “When will my reflection show / Who I am inside?”
Although people of every type ponder themselves and where they fit in the world, the INFP likely does so most of anyone. Mulan struggles to understand not only who she is (dominant Fi), but also how she can be herself and still uphold the honor of her family (tertiary Si). “Reflection” speaks to the search for an authentic identity that so many of us, but INFPs especially, find familiar.
INTP- “God Help the Outcasts” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Most INTP Line- “I thought we all were / The children of God”
First, I have to admit that I’ve never seen The Hunchback of Notre Dame- it’s the only movie on this list I have yet to watch (it’s on my Netflix queue though!). I also want to acknowledge that this might seem to be an unusual choice, because INTPs are often wrongly stereotyped as computer nerds with no social skills. Here’s my rationale. In this song, Esmerelda ponders the ways in which God operates (dominant Ti), and devotes her prayers to others (inferior Fe) amidst the splendor of an ancient church (tertiary Si). This song captures the complexity of the INTP’s mind and the generosity of its spirit. It is a raw and beautiful song that is unafraid to take on serious subject matter.
ESTP- “A Whole New World” from Aladdin
Most ESTP Line- “I can show you the world / Shining, shimmering, splendid”
*Swoon* Who wouldn’t want to be whisked away on a magic carpet ride? I imagine “A Whole New World” speaks particularly to the ESTP who has been long confined to a life of boredom and is eager to see what the world has to offer (dominant Se). The song is also incredibly romantic and has some, shall we say, sexual undertones that suit the type (tertiary Fe). Like the ESTP, Aladdin teaches us to be unafraid of the unknown and free ourselves, if only for a moment, from the monotony of everyday life.
ESFP- “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” from Lilo & Stitch
Most ESFP Line- “There’s no place I’d rather be / Than on my surfboard out at sea”
Just as ISTJs and ESTJs are often unfairly labelled as boring, the ESFP is often stereotyped as a shallow and fickle type. “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” reflects the truth about the type- that with a little bit of daily adventure (dominant Se), the ESFP is perfectly happy devoting itself to family and friends (auxiliary Fi). This devotion to family is a theme that runs throughout Lilo & Stitch, and it underscores the real nature of the ESFP.
ENFP- “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin
Most ENFP Line- “I’m in the mood to help you, dude / You ain’t never had a friend like me”
Anybody with an ENFP friend can attest to the fact that said person is probably in a league of their own. Quirky, quick-witted, and funny (much like Genie), the type will always keep you on your toes (dominant Ne). What makes the ENFP so great, however, is that they also make loyal friends who will stick by your side through and through (auxiliary Fi and inferior Si). They’ll keep you laughing and they’ll stay loyal to you forever; what more could you ask for in a friend?
ENTP- “Pink Elephants on Parade” from Dumbo
Most ENTP Line: “Pink elephants on parade / What’ll I do? What’ll I do? / What an unusual view!”
This song is TRIPPY. But let’s face it, the ENTP, even those who don’t imbibe in drugs or alcohol, has a very bizarre and wonderful quality that allows them to see the world from perspectives the rest of us could scarcely imagine (dominant Ne). The shapes and colors that play visually during this sequence are also sure to engage the intelligence and complexity of the ENTP’s mind (auxiliary Ti). Both the song and the type are very, very out there, but in the absolute best way possible.
ESTJ- “Heigh Ho” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Most ESTJ Line- “To dig dig dig dig dig dig dig is what we really like to do / It ain’t no trick to get rich quick”
Although every type can claim both spectacularly hard working and shockingly lazy individuals, my guess is that most ESTJs are found in the former camp. Aside from being a classic (auxiliary Si), “Heigh Ho” is a testament to the fruits of laborious effort (dominant Te). Something else particularly appealing about this choice is the variety of the dwarfs who sing it; although all of them, like all ESTJs, are hard workers, there is also considerable variety amongst personalities in the group (tertiary Ne).
ESFJ- “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid
Most ESFJ Line- “I wanna be where the people are / I wanna see, wanna see them dancing”
Just like Ariel, for better or for worse, ESFJs feel a strong need to belong to some type of community (dominant Fe). In The Little Mermaid, Ariel puzzles (often incorrectly) over what the function of relics from the human world are meant for, all with the intention of extending herself into that society (inferior Ti and auxiliary Si). At its core, “Part of Your World” is beautiful and sweet, an embodiment of the ESFJ’s vivacious and determined nature. (Note: Ariel is not an ESFJ).
ENFJ- “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” from The Lion King
Most ENFJ Line- “I’m gonna be the main event / Like no king was before”
Much like the popular and respected ENFJ, Simba is keen to take his place atop the hierarchy of his kingdom. He’s a bit mischievous but extremely charming, something that can also be seen in most people with the type (tertiary Se and dominant Fe). Additionally, Simba doesn’t plan to rest on the traditions of his predecessors; he has a vision of the way he wants things to be and is unafraid to challenge the norms to reach that place (auxiliary Ni).
ENTJ- “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid
Most ENTJ Line: “Now it’s happened once or twice / Someone couldn’t pay the price / And I’m afraid I had to rake ‘em ‘cross the coals”
What a deliciously evil song. Though she may hide it with her sensuality (tertiary Se), Ursula is unafraid to use whatever methods she can to get achieve her ultimate goals (dominant Te and auxiliary Ni). What’s awesome about this song is that though it might be sinister and manipulative, it’s also undeniably fun; I have a feeling that, whether a villain or not, most ENTJs have a sneaky sense of humor that they pull out at the strangest times.