You know that feeling when the first few notes of a song just rip you out of your seat? That's The Lion King. Honestly, it doesn't matter if it’s 1994 or 2026; when that Zulu chant kicks in, you’re suddenly standing on a savanna in your mind.
But here’s the thing: most people just remember the big five. You know—the Elton John hits. In reality, the list of songs in The Lion King is this massive, sprawling ecosystem of music that spans across the original animated masterpiece, the Broadway stage, and that photorealistic remake from 2019.
Each version brings something totally different to the table. Some songs are basically religious experiences, while others, let’s be real, were just meant to sell toys.
The 1994 OG Soundtrack: Where the Magic Started
The original 1994 movie is the gold standard. Period. It was this weird, perfect storm where you had Elton John’s pop sensibilities clashing with Tim Rice’s lyrics and Hans Zimmer’s brooding, German-orchestral-meets-African-choir score.
If you look at the tracklist, it’s actually pretty lean:
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- Circle of Life – Performed by Carmen Twillie and that legendary Lebo M opening. It’s the ultimate "welcome to the world" anthem.
- I Just Can’t Wait to Be King – Basically a Technicolor fever dream. It’s Simba being a cocky kid before life hits him hard.
- Be Prepared – Jeremy Irons’ voice is literally dripping with malice here. It’s the best villain song Disney ever made. No contest.
- Hakuna Matata – The song that launched a million t-shirts. It's catchy, it’s fun, and it’s slightly nihilistic if you actually listen to the lyrics.
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight – This is the one that won the Oscar. Interestingly, Elton John had to fight to keep it in the movie because the directors originally wanted it to be a joke sung only by Timon and Pumbaa.
Beyond the vocal tracks, the "songs" people often forget are the score pieces like "This Land" and "King of Pride Rock." Hans Zimmer wasn't just making background noise; he was telling the story of Simba's grief. If you listen to "To Die For" during the stampede, you can hear the exact moment Mufasa falls. It's brutal.
That Weird "Morning Report" Situation
If you grew up with the Special Edition DVD, you might remember a song called "The Morning Report." Zazu sings it to Mufasa. Honestly? It’s kinda polarizing. It was originally a deleted scene that they finished for the IMAX re-release. Most purists (myself included) think it ruins the pacing of the opening, which is probably why Disney quietly scrubbed it from most modern streaming versions.
Broadway Changes the Game
When Julie Taymor brought this to the stage in 1997, she couldn't just use five songs. A Broadway show needs a lot more "meat" on the bone. This is where the music got really interesting because they leaned heavily into the African influence provided by Lebo M.
The Broadway list of songs in The Lion King includes these gems:
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- They Live in You – This is Mufasa explaining the stars to Simba. It’s arguably better than any song in the original movie.
- Shadowland – Nala gets a real personality here. It’s a haunting ballad about her leaving the Pride Lands to find help.
- Endless Night – Simba’s big moment of despair. It’s raw and beautiful.
- One by One – This serves as the Act II opener. It’s all Zulu vocals and pure energy.
What’s cool is how they repurposed music. They took stuff from an album called Rhythm of the Pride Lands—which was basically a "sequel" album to the original soundtrack—and turned it into stage gold.
The 2019 Remake: Old Classics, New Flavour
Then we have the Jon Favreau remake. This one is a bit of a remix. They kept the classics but gave them a modern, polished coat of paint. You’ve got Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) and Beyoncé taking over the lead roles, which obviously changes the vibe.
The 2019 list of songs in The Lion King added a few new entries:
- Spirit – Beyoncé’s big original track. It plays while Simba is running back home. It’s powerful, though some argue it feels a bit like a music video dropped into the middle of a movie.
- Never Too Late – Elton John returned to write this for the end credits. It’s an upbeat, Motown-style track that feels like a victory lap.
- Mbube – A deep-cut cover by Lebo M that honors the original "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" roots.
The 2019 version of "Be Prepared" was… different. Chiwetel Ejiofor basically speaks-sings it. It’s much shorter and way more "dictator-on-a-balcony" than the original's "cackling-theatrical-villain" vibe. People still argue about which one is better in Reddit threads to this day.
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Why This Music Still Matters
The reason The Lion King soundtrack dominates is because of the collaboration between Hans Zimmer and Lebo M. Zimmer brought the Hollywood drama, but Lebo M brought the soul.
Lebo M was actually a political exile from South Africa living in LA when Zimmer found him. When you hear those chants in "Circle of Life," you aren't just hearing "Disney music." You're hearing the authentic sound of a culture. It’s what keeps the movie from feeling like just another cartoon.
If you’re looking to dive back into the music, don't just stick to the hits. Check out the Broadway cast recording or the Rhythm of the Pride Lands album. There's a depth there that you just don't get from a three-minute pop single.
To really appreciate the evolution of these songs, try listening to the 1994 and 2019 versions of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" back-to-back. The 1994 version is a classic 90s ballad. The 2019 version? It’s basically a masterclass in vocal harmony.
The best way to experience this today is to find a high-quality "Legacy Collection" version of the soundtrack. It includes the demos and the "lost" tracks that show how these songs were built from the ground up. You’ll hear Elton John playing the piano in a rough cut of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" and realize just how much work went into making these songs feel timeless.