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| Circle of Life | |
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| Attribution information | |
| Composer | |
| Lyricist | |
| Mixer | |
| Performers | |
| Release information | |
| Released |
May 31, 1994 |
| Track |
1 |
| Length |
3:59 |
| Albums |
Best of The Lion King |
| Appearances | |
| Samples | |
| Versions |
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"Circle of Life" 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 the opening song of the film. It plays during the prologue as animals gather around Pride Rock to see the presentation of Simba, the son of Mufasa and Sarabi, who is to succeed his father as the king of the Pride Lands. A reprise of the song is heard at the end of the film as animals gather around Pride Rock once more to see the presentation of Simba and Nala's newborn cub.
Lyrics
| Lebo M: | |
| Nants ingonyama bagithi baba | Here comes a lion, Father |
| Sithi uhm ingonyama | Oh, yes, it's a lion |
| Ingonyama | A lion |
| Nants ingonyama bagithi baba | |
| Sithi uhhmm ingonyama | |
| Ingonyama | |
| Siyo nqoba | We're going to conquer |
| Ingonyama | |
| Chant: | |
| Ingonyama nengw' enamabala | The royal lion wears his leopard spots |
| (Repeat) | |
| Carmen Twillie: | |
| From the day we arrive on the planet | |
| And, blinking, step into the sun | |
| There's more to see than can ever be seen | |
| More to do than can ever be done | |
| There's far too much to take in here | |
| More to find than can ever be found | |
| But the sun rolling high | |
| Through the sapphire sky | |
| Keeps great and small on the endless round | |
| It's the circle of life | |
| And it moves us all | |
| Through despair and hope | |
| Through faith and love | |
| Till we find our place | |
| On the path unwinding | |
| In the circle | |
| The circle of life | |
| It's the circle of life | |
| And it moves us all | |
| Through despair and hope | |
| Through faith and love | |
| Till we find our place | |
| On the path unwinding | |
| In the circle | |
| The circle of life | |
Information
The Lion King
Rafiki holds Simba atop Pride Rock
The song takes place at the very beginning of the film. As the song progresses, various animal herds travel through the Pride Lands to gather at Pride Rock. There, Rafiki meets up with the current king of the Pride Lands, Mufasa, and his mate, Sarabi. After blessing Mufasa's newborn cub, Simba, Rafiki lifts the cub up high for all the animals to see, and the animals bow before their future king.
There is a reprise of the song at the end of the film, after Simba has taken the throne, in which Rafiki presents Simba and Nala's newborn cub to the animals of the Pride Lands.
The Lion King 1½
Timon and Pumbaa can be seen watching the musical number in a dark theater when Timon suddenly uses a remote control to skip to "Hakuna Matata". Pumbaa argues that the film shouldn't go out of order and attempts to rewind the film back to the beginning. Timon and Pumbaa start fighting over control of the film until they agree that the film should tell their side of the story. Throughout the rest of the film, it is occasionally interrupted to have Timon and Pumbaa comment on whatever is happening.
Other Appearances
The Stage Musical
In the film's musical adaption, the opening sequence is altered noticeably in certain ways; for example, the song is sung by Rafiki, who is accompanied by a chorus of multiple background singers garbed in unusual, distinctive costumes or manipulating animal puppets.
The opening song on Broadway
As the sun rises over the Pride Lands, Rafiki commences the start of the production by kicking off the song and summoning the various animals of the surrounding area for Simba's presentation. As the first two verses of the musical number end, a representation of Pride Rock appears onstage, carrying its two reigning rulers: King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, who is cradling the small puppet that represents Simba. As the choir chants excitedly in the background, Rafiki joins the monarchs atop Pride Rock to bless the prince before raising him high into the air, singing joyfully alongside the bowing chorus.
At the end of Act II, Simba's friends and family acknowledge him as the rightful king of the Pride Lands. Rafiki crowns Simba with the mantle of kingship after his victory, and Simba ascends Pride Rock. He then gives a mighty roar across the whole kingdom, and the animals come back to the Pride Lands to recognize Simba as the rightful king. The lionesses appear to celebrate with the other animals as Rafiki holds up Simba and Nala's newborn cub. A blackout finishes Act II and leads to the curtain call at the end.
Disney Parks
"Circle of Life" is currently the main theme song for Disney's Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney's Epcot park formerly featured a cinema-type film called Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable.
Trivia
- The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1995, but lost to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".[1]
- Originally, the "Circle of Life" sequence had dialogue, but after hearing how powerful the music was, the filmmakers threw out the dialogue.[2]
- The opening notes of "Circle of Life" can be heard in Chicken Little when Buck Cluck considers possible introductions to the film.[3]
- Hans Zimmer improvised the massive drum beat that ends the song due to time constraints.[4]
Media
References
| The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |
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| The Lion King: Special Edition |
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| Best of The Lion King |
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