Most people may be talking about Wicked, but I think Wonka is one of the best musicals I’ve watched in a long time. (Besides Once More, With Feeling, of course, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s musical episode). The idea of a chocolatier who’s a magician, and who most people think is a little mad, is a fun concept. I relate to Willy in many ways. They may not say it, but most people think I’m bonkers for how much time, effort and energy I put into what I love doing (writing and this website!).

I remember specific scenes from watching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory when I was a kid. I don’t recall loving it as much as I love its prequel, Wonka. Timothée Chalamet does an excellent job of playing Willy, and the songs are fun and catchy. They are my go-to songs when I need a pick-me-up! I highly recommend watching the movie in full. In my opinion, here are the 10 best Wonka songs ranked. 

10. Mamma’s Secret

There are many forms of expression, and music is one of them. Even without any lyrics, this song is powerful. At the heart of Wonka is Willy’s relationship with his mother, who passed away. Memories of eating the chocolate she cooked for him on his birthday are Willy’s driving force throughout the movie, especially when things don’t go to plan. I am especially fond of this quote that we hear from Willy’s mum when he questions the possibility of his dreams coming true:

“Everything good in this world started with a dream.”

9. Sweet Tooth

Don't give me that conscience nonsense
It's simply quid pro quo

The best family films are a little bit of fun, while having enough substance to appeal to adults. This song features members of the chocolate cartel bribing the Chief of Police with 1800 boxes of chocolate to ensure Willy’s business never takes off. Can you imagine how long 1800 boxes of chocolate would last? I love the idea, but I’m not sure it’d benefit my gym routine—unless they were protein chocolate bars. And if you’ve ever bought a protein bar, you’d understand why the Chief may be tempted. After all, they are not cheap but can sometimes taste like chalk. That said, the BSC brand is fire!

8. Oompa Loompa

Oompa Loompa doompety-day
When I awoke, they sent me away
I'm disgraced, cast out in the cold
'Til I've paid my friends back a thousand-fold!

I wasn’t sure about Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa, but hey, it works well. I also enjoy this line: “Too late, I've started dancing now. Once we've started, we can't stop.” Is it just me, or is this song seriously addictive? Grant may not have many scenes in the movie, but he certainly makes his mark whenever he appears. And in his own way, this Oompa Loompa ends up being the star of the show. I especially love the reference to Loompa Law!

7. Scrub Scrub

We all signed the dotted line, so we've gotta do our time
Scrub, scrub (scrub, scrub)

When Willy is pushed down into the wash house, we meet the people who will eventually become his small band of companions throughout the movie. While we meet Noodle early on, this scene introduces us to Abacus, a former accountant; Piper, a plumber; Larry Chucklesworth, a comedian; and Lottie, a switchboard operator who doesn’t talk much (or so we’re led to believe). Wonka and his allies all have one thing in common: they’ve been stooged by Mrs Scrubitt!

6. Sorry, Noodle

Sorry, Noodle
I guess I got carried away
Sorry, Noodle
I hope you'll forgive me one day

The below are sad but hard-hitting lines because who can’t relate to these feelings in some way?

I just wanted it
To feel the way that it did
When I was a kid

We’ve all had those moments when we’ve felt defeated, and this scene perfectly captures Willy’s exasperation.

5. For A Moment

For a moment
Life doesn't seem quite so bad
For a moment
I kind of forgot to be sad
He turns night to day
But don't get carried away

What hit me hard when first watching Wonka is how a kid should never have to feel like this. And I can certainly relate to Noodle’s confession:

Never let down your guard
Let them into your heart for a moment
Not for a moment

Few people in this world have made me feel comfortable enough to let down my walls. I likely am not the only person who feels this way.

4. You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This

Well, there's chocolate
And there's chocolate
But only Wonka's makes your eyes pop out their sockelets
Put your hand into your pockelet
Get yourself some Wonka chocolate
Come now, I insist
You've never had chocolate like this
No, you've never had chocolate like this

We’ve all had a piece of chocolate (or whatever your favourite food is) that tastes like it’s from another world. Imagine if there really was chocolate that could make us fly, increase our confidence and/or regrow hair! Chocolate is popular enough without having the ability to do any of these things. Death by chocolate takes on a different meaning in this movie!

3. A Hatful of Dreams

Here's my destiny, I just need to unlock it
Will I crash and burn or go up like a rocket?
I got nothing to offer but my chocolate
And a hatful of dreams

This song is light-hearted in nature, but there’s so much meaning behind the words. Especially as someone who is now onto her third business and has been in business for 10 years. I am genuinely starting to ask the hard questions like, Will I crash and burn or go up like a rocket?

I guess time will tell. And yes, I’m being incredibly transparent because instead of feeling embarrassed about my situation, I bet many of you feel the same way about something you’re pursuing in life. It doesn’t have to be a business.

2. A World of Your Own

Chocolate memories that a boy once saved
Before they melted away

How impactful is this line? In my most positive moments, I genuinely believe we are the creators of our reality. In some way, I feel that’s genuinely true, but it’s not the complete story. How cool would it be if a store like this really existed? As Willy sings, “Here’s a store that’s like no other.” We get to see the entire gang banding together and Wonka’s vision come alive... even if only for one fleeting scene initially. I also love the lolly rainbow backdrop!

1. Pure Imagination

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanna change the world?
There's nothing to it

I’ll mostly let the song do the talking here. 

This scene reminds me that there really are kind people out there. Seeing Noodle reunite with her mother makes for a fitting end. And how funny is the interaction between Willy and our Oompa Loompa friend?!

What I love most about Wonka is how creative the movie is. Whenever I watch it, I feel like anything is possible. And what a gift that is.