35 Best Songs From "The Lion King"

Ray has been an online music writer for over four years. Having sung in multiple competitions as a youth, he has a passion for the art.

1. "Circle of Life"

Genre: Pop

Album: The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Artists: Carmen Twillie and Lebo Morake

Facts About "Circle of Life"

• "Circle of Life" is a pop song from the 1994 Disney animated film The Lion King.
• "Circle of Life" was composed by Elton John.
• It was nominated for the Best Original Song at the 1994 Academy Awards.
• It was also nominated for the Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
• In 2003, Disney Channel Circle of Stars re-recorded this song for the album Disneymania 2.
• This Disney song ranked 11th on the UK Music Charts and 10th in the United States.
• "Circle of Life" is the movie's opening song. It sets the mood for the film.
• It has an epic tribal sound that matches the movie's scenic visual.
• The song sends chills down your spine right from the very start.
• In the movie, this song gives you a comprehensive look at the Pride Lands and all the characters in the film.

2. "Hakuna Matata"

Genres: Reggae Fusion and Pop

Album: Rhythm of the Pride Lands

Artists: Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver, and Joseph Williams

Facts About "Hakuna Matata"

• "Hakuna Matata" is one of the most iconic Disney songs.
• "Hakuna Matata" is a Swahili language phrase from Eastern Africa that means "no worries."
• "Hakuna Matata" was written by Elton John.
• It was nominated for the Best Original Song at the 1995 Academy Awards.
• This Disney song ranked 99th in the American Film Institute (AFI) Top Movie Songs of All Time.
• After listening to this song, many Lion King fans live by this motto.
• "Hakuna Matata" is performed by Timon and Pumbaa, teaching Simba to forget his past and live in the present.
• It also provides the backstory to the funny lives of Timon and Pumbaa.

3. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"

Genres: Pop and Soft Rock

Album: The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Artists: Kristle Edwards, Joseph Williams, Sally Dworsky, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella

Facts About "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"

• "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is a ballad song from the 1994 animated film The Lion King.
• "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was awarded the Best Original Song at the 67th Academy Awards.
• It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
• This Disney song hit the 1st spot in Canada and France.
• "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" ranked 14th on the U.K. Singles Chart and hit the 4th spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
• "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is one of the most romantic love songs from the film. It gives the feeling of being in love. Let's give credit to Williams and Dworsky for their incredible singing performances.
• In the movie, it is the reunion song of Simba and Nala. The song digs into their relationship in the past.

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4. "I Just Can't Wait to Be King"

Genres: Pop and Rock Music

Album: The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Artists: Jason Weaver, Rowan Atkinson, and Laura Williams

Facts About "I Just Can't Wait to Be King"

• "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a youthful song from The Lion King.
• "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" was written by Elton John and Tim Rice.
• It is a song about youthful arrogance, impatience, and invincibility.
• It is a song that expresses a certain desire to do whatever you want once you assume a form of power.
• In the movie, the song is performed by Simba, Nala, and Zazu, showing Simba's ambition and character.
• It is a comical song about Simba being so eager to take over his father's position.

5. "Be Prepared"

Genre: Pop Music

Album: The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Artists: Jeremy Irons, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Jim Cummings

Facts About "Be Prepared"

• "Be Prepared" is a villain song from The Lion King.
• "Be Prepared" was written by Tim Rice and Elton John.
• The song is performed by Scar, who lusts for the king's position in the Pride Lands.
• The song delivers a threatening and chilling feeling.
• In this song, Scar reveals his plans to murder Mufasa and Simba.

6. "Spirit"

Genres: Pop, Contemporary R&B, and Gospel Music

Album: The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and The Liong King: The Gift

Artist: Beyonce

Facts About "Spirit"

• "Spirit" is a Disney ballad song from the remake of the Lion King.
• "Spirit" was written and produced by Labrinth, Beyonce, and Ilya Salmanzadeh.
• "Spirit" ranked 98th on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and hit the 6th spot on the U.S. Hot R&B Songs Chart.
• It is a song that discusses Simba's home return with Nala in the Pride Lands. Nala convinces Simba to return home to reclaim the kingship from Scar.
• This is another song with African musical undertones.

7. "He Lives in You"

Genre: Pop Music

Album: Rhythm of the Pride Lands

Artist: Lebo Morake

Facts About "He Lives in You"

• "He Lives in You" is a celebratory song written by Lebo Morake, Mark Mancina, and Jay Rifkin.
• In the musical adaptation of the film is performed twice. The first act is sung by Mufasa, and the second act is sung by Rafiki.
• "He Lives in You" was used for the opening sequence of the 1998 Disney film The Lion King II.
• The main point of the song is that, despite Mufasa's death, his legacy lives on.
• In the movie, animals are shown going to Pride Rock to behold the presentation of Simba and Nala's daughter, Kiara.

8. "Love Will Find a Way"

Genres: Pop Music

Album: Return to Pride Rock

Artists: Liz Callaway and Gene Miller

Facts About "Love Will Find a Way"

• "Love Will Find a Way" is a ballad from The Lion King II.
• "Love Will Find a Way" was written by Jack Feldman and Tom Snow.
• It is a song about lovers conquering hardships in life.
• The song is sung by Kovu and Kiara, who are both in love with each other.
• Kovu and Kiara sing about how their love will conquer their differences and difficulties in life.
• It was one of the most-streamed Disney songs on Deezer, second to "Circle of Life."

9. "King of Pride Rock"

Genres: Tribal Music

Album: The Liong King Soundtrack and Special Edition Soundtrack

Artist: Lebo Morake

Facts About "King of Pride Rock"

• "King of Pride Rock" is an instrumental score written by Hans Zimmer.
• "King of Pride Rock" is played during the final scene of the film The Lion King.
• "Battle of Pride Rock" was the new title of "King of Pride Rock," whic was created for the 2019 remake of The Lion King.
• In the 2019 remake, this song is played after Simba and the Pridelanders defeat Scar and the hyenas.
• In the movie, Simba ascends Pride Rock and reclaims the king's position in the Pride Lands.
• "King of Pride Rock" features African vocals and instruments, giving it a tribal vibe.

10. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

Genre: Children's Music

Album: Rhythm of the Pride Lands

Artist: Lebo Morake

Facts About "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

• "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was originally written by Solomon Linda.
• George David Weiss wrote the English version of this song.
• Disney used this song both in the film and in the musical stage productions of The Lion King.
• In 1961, The Tokens recorded a version of this song that hit the #1 spot in the United States.
• In 1982, Tight Fit recorded their version of this song and had a #1 hit in the United Kingdom.
• In the film, Timon and Pumbaa are singing the song, unaware that they are being followed by the lion.

11. "The Morning Report"

Genres: Pop and Children's Music

Album: The Legacy Collection: The Lion King and The Lion King: Special Edition

Artists: Jeff Bennett, James Earl Jone, and Evan Saucedo

Facts About "The Morning Report"

• "The Morning Report" is a playful song.
• "The Morning Report" was written by Elton John and Tim Rice.
• This song sets up the relationship between Simba, Mufasa, and Zazu.
• It appears as an extended scene in The Lion King: Special Edition.
• In the scene, Zazu delivers a morning report to Mufasa.
• This song was first released as part of the musical version of The Lion King. However, it wasn't shown in the re-release of the film in theaters.
• "The Morning Report" is the second song from the Broadway adaptation of a Disney film to be in a Special Edition DVD.

12. "Never Too Late"

Genre: Pop Music

Album: The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Artist: Elton John

Facts About "Never Too Late"

• "Never Too Late" was written by Elton John and Tim Rice.
• It is a song about Simba's journey to grieve his father and rediscover his faith.
• This song plays during the credits of the film.

13. "The Madness of King Scar"

Genres: Pop Music

Album: The Lion King (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

Artists: Heather Headley, Geoff Hoyle, Tracy Nicole Chapman, Stanley Wayne Mathis, Kevin Cahoon, John Vickery

Facts About "The Madness of King Scar"

• "The Madness of King Scar" was written by Elton John and Tim Rice.
• Critics say that this song adds value and depth to Scar's character in the film.
• In the movie, the hyenas express their disappointment with Scar's failure to deal with drought.
• This song expresses Scar's paranoia. It shows the tension between Scar and Mufasa.

14. "Not One of Us"

Genre: Pop Music

Album: Best of The Lion King, The Lion King Collection, and Return to Pride Rock

Artists: Carmen Carter, Kenin Dorsey, Joy Diggs, Carl Graves, Ellis Hall, Gene Miller, Rick Nelson, Bobbi Page, Luis Price, Anderea Robinson, Rose Stone, Carmen Twillie, Oren Waters, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, and Terry Young

Facts About "Not One of Us"

• "Not One of Us" is a unique Disney song from the 1998 Disney animated sequel The Lion King II.
• "Not One of Us" was written by Jack Feldman.
• This song is sung by Pridelanders as they push Kovu out of the Pride Lands.
• In the film, Kovu betrays Simba by attempting to kill him.

15. "My Lullaby"

Genres: Pop and Children's Music

Album: Return to Pride Rock: Songs Inspired by Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and The Lion King 2—Simba's Pride (Original Soundtrack)

Artists: Crysta Macalush Winton, Andy Dick, and Suzanne Pleshette

Facts About "My Lullaby"

• "My Lullaby" is a villain song from the The Lion King II.
• "My Lullaby" was written by Scott Warrender.
• In the movie, it is sung by Zira, Nuka, and Vitani as they plan to take over the Pride Lands.
• The song outlines Zira's motives for killing Simba and getting the kingship of the Pride Lands.

Best Lion King Songs #16—35

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2020 Ray