Changes: Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Revision as of 15:15, 15 October 2019

"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 song sung by Elton John, the 2003 remix version, the deleted song sung by Simba and Nala, or the deleted song sung by Timon and Pumbaa.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Attribution information
Composer	Elton John
Lyricist	Tim Rice
Mixer	Jay Rifkin
Performers	Sally Dworsky Kristle Edwards Nathan Lane Ernie Sabella Joseph Williams
Release information
Released	May 31, 1994
Track	5
Length	2:57
Albums	Best of The Lion King Jungle Boogie The Legacy Collection: The Lion King The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) The Lion King: Disney Karaoke Series The Lion King: Special Edition
Appearances	The Lion King The Lion King 1½
Samples
Versions	Can You Feel the Love Tonight.ogg (help·info)

“

Timon: Him. Her. Alone.
Pumbaa: What's wrong with that?

—Timon and Pumbaa on Simba and Nala^[src]

”

"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. 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

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

File:Tlkscreenshots act3 50.png

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 through 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

File:RomanticMotivesWebb.png

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.^[1]^[2]

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 references the song when the player must type the sentence "Our trio's down to two," for practice.^[8]

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.^[9]

“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.^[10]

According to Mouse Under Glass, Tim Rice wrote 15 different drafts for the song before finally settling on the final version.^[11]

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.^[11] 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.^[12]

Media

References

↑ [1]
↑ [2]
↑ [3]
↑ [4]
↑ [5]
↑ [6]
↑ [7]
↑ [8]
↑ [9]
↑ [10]
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1
↑ 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 • ...To Die For • Under the Stars • King of Pride Rock • Circle of Life • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Can You Feel the Love Tonight

The Lion King: Special Edition
Circle of Life • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Be Prepared • Hakuna Matata • Can You Feel the Love Tonight • The Morning Report • This Land • ...To Die For • Under the Stars • King of Pride Rock • Circle of Life • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Can You Feel the Love Tonight (End Title) • Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Remix) • The Hyenas

The Legacy Collection: The Lion King

Circle of Life • Didn't Your Mother Tell You Not to Play With Your Food • We Are All Connected • Hyenas in the Pride Land • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Elephant Graveyard • I Was Just Trying to Be Brave • Be Prepared • Simba, It's to Die For • Stampede • Mufasa Dies • If You Ever Come Back We'll Kill You • Bowling for Buzzards • Hakuna Matata • We Gotta Bone to Pick With You • Kings of the Past • Nala, Is It Really You? • Can You Feel the Love Tonight • Remember Who You Are • This Is My Home • The Rightful King • The Morning Report • Warthog Rhapsody • Circle of Life • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Best of The Lion King
Circle of Life • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Can You Feel the Love Tonight • Warthog Rhapsody • Lea Halalela • Hakuna Matata • Digga Tunnah Dance • Upendi • One of Us • The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Be Prepared • They Live In You

[1] [1]

[2] [2]

[3] [3]

[4] [4]

[5] [5]

[6] [6]

[7] [7]

[8] [8]

[9] [9]

[10] [10]

[MUG-11] 11.0 ^11.1

[12] The Lion King Laserdisc, Disc 2, Side 1. 1995. Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Multiple|the 1994 song|[[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (2019 soundtrack)|the 2019 version]], [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (stage musical)|the stage musical version]], [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John)|the song sung by Elton John]], [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Simba and Nala)|the deleted song sung by Simba and Nala]], or [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Timon and Pumbaa)|the deleted song sung by Timon and Pumbaa]]}}
+{{Multiple|the 1994 song|[[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (2019 soundtrack)|the 2019 version]], [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (stage musical)|the stage musical version]], [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John)|the song sung by Elton John]], [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Remix)|the 2003 remix version]], [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Simba and Nala)|the deleted song sung by Simba and Nala]], or [[Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Timon and Pumbaa)|the deleted song sung by Timon and Pumbaa]]}}<br />
-<br />
 {{Song infobox
 |image = [[File:CanYouFeeltheLovetonightRomantik.png|350px]]
 |composer = [[Elton John]]
 |lyricist = [[Tim Rice]]
+|mixer = [[Jay Rifkin]]
 |performers = [[Sally Dworsky]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Kristle Edwards|Kristle Edwards]]<br />[[Nathan Lane]]<br />[[Ernie Sabella]]<br />[[Joseph Williams]]
 |released = May 31, 1994
 |track = 5
 |length = 2:57
-|album = ''[[Best of The Lion King]]''<br />''[[Jungle Boogie (soundtrack)|Jungle Boogie]]''<br />''[[The Legacy Collection: The Lion King]]''<br />''[[The Lion King (1994 soundtrack)|The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)]]''<br/>''[[The Lion King: Disney Karaoke Series]]''
+|albums = ''[[Best of The Lion King]]''<br />''[[Jungle Boogie (soundtrack)|Jungle Boogie]]''<br />''[[The Legacy Collection: The Lion King]]''<br />''[[The Lion King (1994 soundtrack)|The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)]]''<br/>''[[The Lion King: Disney Karaoke Series]]''<br />''[[The Lion King: Special Edition]]''
 |appearances = ''[[The Lion King]]''<br />''[[The Lion King 1½]]''
 |versions = {{Audio|Can You Feel the Love Tonight.ogg}}
@@ Line 152: / Line 153: @@
 ===''[[The Lion King (film)|The Lion King]]''===
 [[File:Tlkscreenshots_act3_50.png|thumb|right|250px|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 [[Hakuna Matata (location)|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 [[Ruler of Pride Rock|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.
+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 through the [[Hakuna Matata (location)|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 [[Ruler of Pride Rock|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]]''===
@@ Line 192: / Line 193: @@
 * On June 20, 2019, a TV spot for the [[The Lion King (2019 film)|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]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ZNepoCsPQ]</ref>
+* “[[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 [[The Lion King|original film]].
 ===In Development===
@@ Line 211: / Line 214: @@
 {{The Lion King (1994 soundtrack)}}
+{{The Lion King: Special Edition}}
 {{The Legacy Collection: The Lion King}}
+{{Best of The Lion King}}
 [[Category:Best of The Lion King]]
 [[Category:Jungle Boogie]]
@@ Line 222: / Line 227: @@
 [[Category:The Lion King (1994 soundtrack)]]
 [[Category:Timon songs]]
+[[Category:The Lion King: Special Edition]]