Can You Feel the Love Tonight

"Do you see any other big, lovable chunk of warthog here?" This article is about the 1994 song. You may be looking for the 2019 version, the stage musical version, the Elton John version, the 2003 remix version, the deleted version sung by Simba and Nala, or the deleted version sung by Timon and Pumbaa.

“

Timon: Him. Her. Alone. Pumbaa: What's wrong with that? —Timon and Pumbaa on Simba and Nala's burgeoning romance

”

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is a song composed by Elton John for The Lion King. It was released on May 31, 1994, as part of the film's soundtrack. In the film, it is heard after a full-grown Nala reunites with her childhood friend, Simba, in the jungle. The two embark on a romantic evening and find that their friendship has blossomed into love.

Lyrics

Timon:
I can see what's happening
Pumbaa: (spoken)
What?
Timon:
And they don't have a clue
Pumbaa: (spoken)
Who?
Timon:
They'll fall in love, and here's the bottom line
Our trio's down to two
Pumbaa: (spoken)
Oh.
Timon:
Ze sweet caress of twilight
There's magic everywhere
And with all this romantic atmosphere
Disaster's in the air
Chorus:
Can you feel the love tonight?
(Lalela thuli)	Listen to this quiet person.
The peace the evening brings
(Lalela thuli)	Listen to this quiet person.
The world, for once, in perfect harmony
(Lalela thuli)	Listen to this quiet person.
With all its living things
(Lalela lelando/lelandu we)	Hey, listen to this history!
Simba:
So many things to tell her
But how to make her see
The truth about my past? Impossible!
She'd turn away from me
Nala:
He's holding back, he's hiding
But what? I can't decide
Why won't he be the king I know he is
The king I see inside?
(Repeat Chorus)
Can you feel the love tonight?
(Lalela thuli)	Listen to this quiet person.
You needn't look too far
(Lalela thuli)	Listen to this quiet person.
Stealing through the night's uncertainties
Love is where they are
Timon:
And if he falls in love tonight
It can be assumed...
Pumbaa:
His carefree days with us are history
Timon and Pumbaa:
In short, our pal is doomed

Appearances

The Lion King

Simba and Nala embrace during the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" musical sequence

The song begins shortly after a full-grown Nala reunites with her childhood friend, Simba, in the jungle. As the two embark on a private escapade into the jungle, Timon and Pumbaa lament Simba's new romantic life, worrying that it will bring their carefree friendship to an end. Meanwhile, Simba and Nala wander the jungle together and find that their friendship has blossomed into love. Along the way, Simba wonders if he should confess his past to Nala, while Nala questions why Simba no longer wants to be the king of Pride Rock. At the end of the song, Timon and Pumbaa begin to cry over the loss of their friendship with Simba.

The Lion King 1½

The song is much the same. However, it is interspersed with attempts made by Timon and Pumbaa to disrupt Simba and Nala's romantic night. They continually fail to break apart Simba and Nala.

Other Appearances

Elton John's Version

The romantic atmosphere of the song in the third film

This version was released as a single by Elton John and was featured on the official soundtrack. A different cover version of the song, with Elton John's lyrics, but sung in a duet form appeared on the Sing-Along Songs video "Colors of the Wind", in which it was set to clips of romantic/loving couples from previous animated Disney films, not just Simba and Nala (whose love clips begin and end the sing-along).

The Stage Musical

The lyrics are mostly the same, except for the ending, in which Simba and Nala sing instead of Timon and Pumbaa. The song ends with these lyrics:

Nala:

And if he feels the love tonight
 

In the way I do...
 

Simba:

It's enough for this restless wanderer...
 

Simba and Nala:

Just to be with you
 

Trivia

General

• The song won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1995.

• The song was ranked #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• This song was the first song Elton John wrote for the film.

• When Zazu talks to Simba and Nala about their betrothal, flute notes of the song can be heard in the background score.

• In the original soundtrack version of the song, Timon and Pumbaa's sobbing at the end is prolonged.

• The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar makes a nod to the song when Kion says, "Dad, we already had that talk! “Can you feel the love tonight?” I know all about that mushy stuff!"

• Adventures in Typing with Timon & Pumbaa references the song when the player must type the sentence "Our trio's down to two," for practice.

• On June 20, 2019, a TV spot for the 2019 remake of The Lion King was released that featured the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sequence. It included vocals by Donald Glover and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

• “Of the Same Pride”, a song from The Lion Guard, makes several nods to the song, such as when Kion pulls Rani into the water, mimicking Simba pulling Nala into the water in the original film.

In Development

• Originally, the song was not going to be used in the film. It was only through the insistence of composer Elton John that it was included in the movie.

• According to Mouse Under Glass, Tim Rice wrote 15 different drafts for the song before finally settling on the final version.

• Several demos of the song were recorded during the film's production. One demo was sung by Timon and Pumbaa, but Elton John disliked the comical nature of the concept. Another demo was recorded as a love ballad between Simba and Nala, but it was also scrapped, as it was considered an "unearned" moment between the two characters.

Media

The Lion King - Can You Feel The Love Tonight

The "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sequence in The Lion King

Add a photo to this gallery