As a child of the ’90s who grew up with Disney’s The Lion King as a staple of my formative years, I can confidently say that Elton John made the right call when he decided not to let Timon and Pumbaa sing “Can You Feel The Love Tonight.” While Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella would have undoubtedly delivered their rendition with all the comedic charm they brought to their roles, the song is simply too romantic for those lovable characters.
In discussions about Walt Disney’s animated films, The Lion King is usually considered one of the top tier ones. This popular and Academy Award-winning movie (available on Disney+ with a subscription) is known for its memorable songs penned by Elton John. Interestingly, Timon and Pumbaa were initially intended to perform “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”, but Nathan Lane shared the reason why that plan didn’t come to fruition.
Originally, the renowned actor Nathan Lane nearly sang “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” a popular Disney tune that made it onto the Billboard charts and is considered one of the best Disney love songs. However, during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he shared this interesting tidbit about his involvement in the track.
At first, we sang every part of it, but Elton John was embarrassed that the warthog and meerkat were singing it. He expressed his displeasure saying, “I wrote the music score with the intention of creating a Disney love song. I never intended for it to be sung by a rat and a pig.
Indeed, that’s quite a memorable moment. Despite Laney possibly giving an outstanding performance with “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” Elton John logically chose Simba and Nala to sing it instead. Moreover, the final song is undeniably among the most inspiring Disney tunes ever created.
Ultimately, it seems Elton John’s judgment was sound in the end. Indeed, Nathan Lane concurs that the music legend made a wise decision, considering the nature of our performances as characters Timon and Pumbaa in “The Lion King.” In his own words:
Instead of recording a traditional version, we performed it with character-infused voices. Rather than aiming for a genuine Broadway rendition, we opted for two distinctly characterful tones. It proved challenging to balance those characterizations while maintaining a sense of romance. Elton’s assessment was spot on.
Absolutely, dedicated Disney enthusiasts recall that Lane and Sabella indeed contributed to the song. The characters Timon and Pumbaa initiate the tune and express their concern as they watch Simba seemingly fall in love right before them.
History has favored Elton John, since his song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” garnered a Grammy, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe. A performance by Timon and Pumbaa would have undoubtedly given it a unique twist.
Today, the influence of “The Lion King” remains evident, with its Broadway production still thriving and the franchise growing further due to the release of the live-action version and an upcoming film titled “Mufasa.” If the prequel proves successful, there’s a possibility that this rapidly expanding universe could continue to grow.
Right now, you can stream “The Lion King” on Disney+. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the 2025 movie release dates to make your cinema visits during the New Year!
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2024-11-28 19:07