As a long-time Disney enthusiast and music connoisseur, I must say that Elton John‘s involvement with The Lion King has been nothing short of magical. It’s fascinating to delve into the behind-the-scenes stories of how iconic songs like “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” found their place in the film.
The success of Disney’s The Lion King series can be compared to striking gold twice for the studio. Not only was the original release a massive hit, but even the live-action version is now getting a prequel titled Mufasa. However, unlike its predecessors, this new movie won’t feature music by Elton John, who previously made a notable statement about his Oscar-winning song from the film. In my opinion, this decision proved to be beneficial.
There’s a well-known tale about when Elton John learned that his song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?” was initially intended for The Lion King. Contrary to popular belief, he actually had concerns because Disney originally didn’t plan to use the song. Later, it was adjusted and used in the film instead. The renowned musician has since clarified that the story wasn’t entirely accurate.
During an interaction, the 77-year-old musician shared that during the creation process, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the head of Disney Studio at the time, showed him a version of The Lion King. He was taken aback to find his song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” missing from the film. Although it didn’t cause him significant concern, he recommended that they should consider incorporating it since top-notch Disney animated films often feature memorable love songs. In simpler terms, John pointed out…
During my meeting with the Disney crew in Atlanta, they presented an almost final version of the movie, but “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” was missing. I inquired about its absence, asking Jeffrey [Katzenberg], “Where’s ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’?” He replied that they couldn’t seem to find a suitable spot for it. I emphasized the importance of this love song in Disney animations and suggested they reconsider its placement. Although I was taken aback by its absence, I wasn’t upset – just genuinely surprised. Remarkably, they listened to my feedback and later found a place for it in the film, which went on to win an Oscar.
It’s hard to envision The Lion King without its heartfelt ballad now. Originally, the producers found it challenging to find the perfect spot for this song, which eventually resulted in a humorous rendition by Timon and Pumbaa. Interestingly, it was Ernie Abella, the voice actor of Pumbaa, who shared that Elton John proposed the idea of singing the ballad comically.
Ultimately, Timon and Pumbaa performed the opening and closing numbers, but a more conventional full-length song dominated in between. This melody eventually earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Despite his delight at winning the statue, Sir Elton John believes another Lion King tune deserved the Oscar, and it’s quite significant: a standout choice indeed.
Because it’s the song of The Lion King. It starts The Lion King and you hear The Circle of Life, and you think of The Lion King. To me, that’s the song that makes The Lion King, but I’m not going to complain.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but imagine how different things might have been if “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” had stayed as a comical number. In such a scenario, it’s quite plausible that “The Circle of Life,” with its captivating melody and powerful message, would have taken home the coveted Oscar. Given that three songs from The Lion King were nominated, it was almost inevitable that the film would claim victory in one category or another. There’s no denying Elton John’s genius in crafting such a timeless score.
With a Disney+ subscription, you can stream “The Lion King” and its sequels, offshoots, and remakes. Don’t forget to catch “Mufasa: The Lion King” when it hits theaters on December 20 as part of the 2024 film schedule.
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2024-09-10 04:07