The Lion King is regarded as having one of the best soundtracks of 1990s Disney (or Disney overall) for good reason, especially since it benefitted from the contribution of talents such as Hans Zimmer, Lebohang "Lebo M" Morake, Sir Elton John, and Sir Tim Rice.
The album now has its own page.
- For an 88-minute animated feature, the film's score manages to pack in a fair number of memorable leitmotifs, the most prominent of which are Simba and Mufasa's themes. "This Land
," an album suite made up of parts from two different cues in the film ("We Are All Connected" and "Remember Who You Are" in the Legacy Collection), presents some of the most powerful renditions of their two themes. - Academy Award nominee "Circle of Life" surely blows many away, especially when accompanied by the gorgeously animated sunrise at the beginning of the film. Elton John's soundtrack version is much more poppy. Beware though: hear this song one time too many and you'll probably be hearing it every time you see a sunrise, be it in fiction or when watching one in Real Life. "NAAAAAAAANTS INGONYAMAAAAAAA...." The Broadway production adds puppets coming up the aisles. There's always at least one gasp of awe as a large scale ELEPHANT puppet mounts the stage from the center aisle.
- "King of Pride Rock" takes parts from both of the above, combines them, and adds to them to create a nearly six minute long masterpiece of modern orchestra.
- The Broadway version of "King of Pride Rock" takes from several other songs from that version, and ends up with a spine-tingly epic conclusion. (Too bad Simba's Roar of Awesome wasn't included in the soundtrack...) Also of note are "Shadowland", a slow, haunting song, "The Lioness Hunt" and "Grassland Chant", both sung in Zulu, and The whole Broadway production is amazing, actually.
- "Endless Night" is a truly epic Tear Jerker about Mufasa and a highlight of the already amazing Broadway production.
- CHA CHA CHA CHOW DOWN!. This song is a perfect musical description of the hyenas' plight and eagerness to wolf down any animal they prey on, back by a menacing orchestral rock track.
- "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" brilliantly showcases the relationship between Simba and Nala. The music video contains montages of Elton John performing the song and scenes from the film, including the romantic scenes between Simba and Nala. Fans agreed, and in 1994, it became a top 5 hit, nearly 25 years after Elton's first American hit. It surprised nobody when it ran away with the Academy Award for Best Song at the 1995 Oscars.
- Now sung in the language of love! Hear it yourself in all its glory.
- And now in Power Metal.
- Now sung in the language of love! Hear it yourself in all its glory.
- Scar's Villain Song "Be Prepared" is considered the gold standard in Villain Songs since the film's release (in fact, it's the page quote). That song cemented lyricist Tim Rice as a worthy successor to Howard Ashman.
- It's appropriately nightmarish in German.
- Jonathan Young's epic cover. Someone even synced it with the original scene.
- It's appropriately nightmarish in German
- "To Die For" (the punningly-named tune that plays during the stampede sequence—you know the one).
- More from the Hans Zimmer score, we have the great hyenas theme with a variation.
- Simba's song "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" manages to be quite the catchy number. The lyrics are fun and perfectly distill Simba's childlike innocence and ego, and the melody is easily one of the catchiest in the entire Disney music libary. Elton John's version is an equally catchy rockabilly version of the song in the style of Elvis Presley. The "king" that Elton wants to be is Elvis.
- In the Broadway musical, the final battle tune, "Simba Confronts Scar", is glorious. It combines electric guitar riffing with Hans Zimmer orchestration and African percussion.
- "Hakuna Matata" is both very catchy and a classic. Naturally, it became the Theme Song for Timon and Pumbaa's own show.
