 |
| Can You Feel the Love Tonight | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General Information | |
| Composer | |
| Lyricist | |
| Performers |
Sally Dworsky |
| Released |
May 31, 1994 |
| Track |
5 |
| Length |
2:57 |
| Usage Information | |
| Album |
Best of The Lion King |
| Appearances | |
| Versions | |
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is a song from The Lion King, the stage musical, and The Lion King 1½. It is sung by Nala, Pumbaa, Simba, and Timon after Simba and Nala reunite as young adults and find that their friendship has blossomed into love.
Lyrics & Translations
| 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 |
Information
The Lion King
Simba and Nala during "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
As the song begins, Timon and Pumbaa realize that Nala and Simba being alone together will likely lead to love. The two worry that this will bring an end to their carefree days with Simba. Their prediction comes true, and the two lions fall in love during a stroll though the jungle. During the walk, Simba wonders if he should tell Nala why he'd left the pride, while Nala questions herself as to why Simba doesn't want to be the king. The two eventually embrace, and Nala gives Simba a kiss on the cheek. 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 romantic love scene is interspersed with scenes showing Timon and Pumbaa trying to disrupt Simba and Nala's romantic night out. 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, 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, including Simba and Nala.
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
- And if he feels the love tonight
- Simba:
- It's enough for this restless wanderer...
- It's enough for this restless wanderer...
- Simba and Nala:
- Just to be with you
- Just to be with you
Trivia
General
- The song was ranked #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3]
- This song was the first song Elton John wrote for the film.[4]
- When Zazu talks to Simba and Nala about their betrothal, flute notes of the song can be heard in the background score.[5]
- In the original soundtrack version of the song, Timon and Pumbaa's sobbing at the end is prolonged.[6]
- 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!"[7]
- Adventures in Typing with Timon & Pumbaa reference the song when the player must type the sentence "Our trio's down to two," for practice.[8]
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.[9]
- According to Mouse Under Glass, Tim Rice wrote 15 different drafts for the song before finally settling on the final version.[10]
- 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.[10] 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.[11]
Media
References
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]
- ↑ [3]
- ↑ [4]
- ↑ [5]
- ↑ [6]
- ↑ [7]
- ↑ [8]
- ↑ [9]
- ↑ 10.0 10.1
- ↑ The Lion King Laserdisc, Disc 2, Side 1. 1995. Walt Disney Home Entertainment.
| The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
|---|---|
Circle of Life • I Just Can't Wait to be King • Be Prepared • Hakuna Matata • Can You Feel the Love Tonight • This Land (Score) • ...To Die For (Score) • Under the Stars (Score) • King of Pride Rock (Score) • Circle of Life • I Just Can't Wait to be King • Can You Feel the Love Tonight • The Hyenas • The Morning Report | |
