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BigLovableChunkOfWarthogHere
"Do you see any other big, lovable chunk of warthog here?"
This article is about the 1994 version of "Hakuna Matata".
You may be looking for the 2019 version, the stage musical version, the Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M version, the Festival of The Lion King version, the location, the magazine series, or the motto.


Hakuna Matata
Lion-king-disneyscreencaps.com-5591
Attribution information
Composer

Elton John

Lyricist

Tim Rice

Mixer

Jay Rifkin

Performers

   Nathan Lane
   Ernie Sabella
   Jason Weaver
   Joseph Williams

Release information
Released

May 31, 1994

Track

4

Length

3:33

Albums
Appearances

   The Lion King
   The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa
   The Lion King 1½
   The Lion Guard

Samples
Versions

Anonymous Audio File Icon Clip ArtHakuna Matata 

Hakuna Matata. It means no worries!
Pumbaa[src]

"Hakuna Matata" 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 was re-released on September 30, 2003, as part of the film's Special Edition soundtrack.

Conception and development[]

"Hakuna Matata" was originally conceived as a musical number titled "Warthog Rhapsody". In this version of the song, Timon and Pumbaa boasted about their laid-back, grub-eating lifestyle to Simba. However, the filmmakers deduced that the song should move the plot along, and so it was changed to show Simba turning his back on his responsibilities.[1]

Releases and alternative versions[]

Best of The Lion King

Best of The Lion King album.

"Hakuna Matata" was released on May 31, 1994, as part of the soundtrack of The Lion King.[2][3]

The stage musical version of the song was released in 1997 as part of the original cast recording.[4][5]

Also in 1997, Disney released an album titled Jungle Boogie, which consisted of songs from both The Lion King and The Jungle Book franchises. "Hakuna Matata" was included on this album.[6]

In 1999, "Hakuna Matata" was re-released as part of The Lion King Collection.[7]

"Hakuna Matata" was re-released on September 30, 2003, as part of the film's Special Edition soundtrack.[8][9]

Also on September 30, 2003, the karaoke version of "Hakuna Matata" was released as part of Disney's Karaoke Series: The Lion King.[10][11]

In 2004, "Hakuna Matata" was released as part of The Lion King 1½: Songs From Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure.[12]

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Official artwork of "Hakuna Matata" from The Legacy Collection: The Lion King.

Best of The Lion King, an album comprised of songs from different installments in The Lion King franchise, was released on September 6, 2011. "Hakuna Matata" was included on this album, as was its original incarnation, "Warthog Rhapsody".[13][14]

On October 3, 2011, "Hakuna Matata" was released as part of The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition).[15][16]

The song was re-released as part of The Legacy Collection: The Lion King on June 24, 2014.[17][18]

"Hakuna Matata" was reimagined for the 2019 remake of The Lion King. It was released on July 11, 2019, as part of the film's soundtrack.[19][20]

Use[]

In the canon[]

Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

Timon and Pumbaa encourage Simba to turn his back on his responsibilities during the "Hakuna Matata" sequence.

"Hakuna Matata" is the fourth song heard in The Lion King. It starts when Timon and Pumbaa introduce Simba to their philosophy of the same name. In the face of Simba's confusion, Timon and Pumbaa clarify that "Hakuna Matata" means "no worries." They then show Simba around their jungle home and encourage him to eat grubs instead of meat. Eventually, Simba warms to the idea and embraces the "Hakuna Matata" philosophy fully. Over the seasons, he grows up with Timon and Pumbaa.[21]

In The Lion King 1½, Timon and Pumbaa sing "Hakuna Matata" when they first discover the jungle. The scene is framed as a sing-along.[22]

In the "Bunga and the King" episode of The Lion Guard, Simba performs "Hakuna Matata" with his family, Timon, Pumbaa, and the Lion Guard for Ma Tembo's herd.[23]

In other media[]

A reimagined version of "Hakuna Matata" is heard in the 2019 remake of The Lion King. It plays during the same sequence of events as its 1994 counterpart.[24]

A version of "Hakuna Matata" is used as the opening theme for The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa. An instrumental version of the song is used as the closing theme.[25]

The stage musical version of "Hakuna Matata" is much the same as the original, occurring during the same sequence of events.[4]

An instrumental version of "Hakuna Matata" is heard in the 1994 video game The Lion King. There are two slightly different versions of the song: one for Genesis and one for SNES.[26]

Lyrics[]

Timon:
Hakuna Matata
What a wonderful phrase

Pumbaa:
Hakuna Matata
Ain't no passing craze

Timon:
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It's our problem-free
Philosophy
Hakuna Matata

(Instrumental break)

Timon:
Why, when he was a young warthog

Pumbaa:
When I was a young warthog!

Timon: (spoken)
Very nice.

Pumbaa: (spoken)
Thanks!

Timon:
He found his aroma lacked a certain appeal
He could clear the savanna after every meal

Pumbaa:
I'm a sensitive soul, though I seem thick-skinned
And it hurt, that my friends never stood downwind!
And, oh, the shame!

Timon:
He was ashamed!

Pumbaa:
Thought of changin' my name!

Timon:
Oh, what's in a name?

Pumbaa:
And I got downhearted!

Timon:
How did you feel?

Pumbaa:
Every time that I-

Timon: (spoken)
Hey, Pumbaa! Not in front of the kids.

Pumbaa: (spoken)
Oh, sorry.

Both:
Hakuna Matata
What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata
Ain't no passing craze!

Simba:
It means no worries
For the rest of your days

Timon: (spoken)
Yeah, sing it, kid!

Simba and Timon:
It's our problem-free...

Pumbaa:
Philosophy...

All:
Hakuna Matata!

Instrumental Break

Timon and Pumbaa:
Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna!

Simba:
It means no worries
For the rest of your days

All:
It's our problem-free
Philosophy

Timon:
Hakuna Matata

Pumbaa:
Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna! Matata!

Simba:
Hakuna Matata!

Timon:
Hakuna Matata!

Simba:
Hakuna Matata!

Timon:
Hakuna Matata!

Pumbaa:
Ooh-ooh-ooh!

Timon:
Hakuna Matata!

Simba:
Hakuna Matata!
Hakuna Matata!
Yeah!

Timon:
Matata!
Matata!
Ha, ha, ha!

Trivia[]

  • "Hakuna Matata" means "no worries" in Swahili.[27]
  • In 2004, the American Film Institute placed "Hakuna Matata" at #99 on the list of AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs.[29]
SYD Timon & Pumbaa20

The "Hakuna Matata" sequence is referenced in the "Shake Your Djibouti" episode of The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa.

  • "Hakuna Matata" is referenced three times in The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa:
    • In "Swiss Missed", Timon is about to perform "Hakuna Matata" for Fronk Fegnugen, only for Fegnugen to interrupt him that he does not have time for an entire musical number.[30]
    • In "Shake Your Djibouti", after Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba accept Bartholomew as an additional member of their Hakuna Matata club, the four sing "Hakuna Matata" while walking on a log. But Bartholomew accidentally breaks the trunk due to his weight, causing the four to fall into a ravine.[31]
    • In "To Be Bee or Not To Be Bee", Timon tells Buzz to take a deep breath and repeat, "Hakuna Matata," after him. After Buzz does so, Timon and Pumbaa sing "Hakuna Matata" alongside Buzz and the rest of his colony, as they teach the bees to relax and enjoy life with no worries.[32]
  • "Hakuna Matata" is heard briefly during Toy Story. It plays inside Andy's mother's car as Molly watches Woody and Buzz Lightyear attempt to catch up to the moving van.
  • Director Bill Condon had actors sing "Hakuna Matata" at the auditions for the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast. The auditions helped measure the actors' singing voices and determined whom Condon chose for the final cast.[33]
  • There have been rumors that Tim Rice's "Hakuna Matata" lyrics were inspired by the British sitcom Bottom. However, Rice has stated that he meant to craft the number as a philosophical conversation.[34]

Media[]

References[]

  1. Keoenig, David. Mouse Under Glass (June 2, 1994). ISBN: 0964060515.
  2. The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  3. The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Lion King (Original 1997 Broadway Cast Recording). iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  5. The Lion King - Original Broadway Cast Recording. Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  6. Various – Disney's Jungle Boogie. Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  7. Various – The Lion King Collection. Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved on January 30, 2023.
  8. The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Special Edition]. iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 11, 2019.
  9. The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  10. Disney's Karaoke Series: The Lion King. iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  11. Various – Disney Karaoke Series: The Lion King. Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  12. The Lion King 1 1/2. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on January 22, 2023.
  13. Best of the Lion King. iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  14. Best Of The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  15. The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition). iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on January 21, 2023.
  16. The Lion King: Deluxe Collection. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on January 21, 2023.
  17. The Lion King (Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Walt Disney Records: The Legacy Collection]. iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  18. The Legacy Collection: The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  19. The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  20. The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  21. Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (1994). Written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton, and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
  22. Revealed in Disney's The Lion King 1½ (2004). Written by Tom Rogers and directed by Bradley Raymond. Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  23. Revealed in "Bunga and the King" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 1, Episode 13. Written by Jack Monaco and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired April 29, 2016.
  24. Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (2019). Written by Jeff Nathanson and directed by Jon Favreau. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
  25. Revealed in "Boara Boara" from Disney's The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa. Season 1, Episode 1a. Written by Roberts Gannaway and directed by Tony Craig and Roberts Gannaway. Originally aired September 8, 1995.
  26. Revealed in The Lion King (1994). Developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment.
  27. Online Swahili - English Dictionary. African Languages. Retrieved on January 22, 2023.
  28. The 67th Academy Awards | 1995. Oscars.org.
  29. AFI's 100 YEARS...100 SONGS. American Film Institute. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved on January 22, 2023.
  30. Revealed in "Swiss Missed" from Disney's The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa. Season 1, Episode 6b. Written by Mirith JS Colao and directed by Tony Craig and Roberts Gannaway. Originally aired September 29, 1995.
  31. Revealed in "Shake Your Djibouti" from Disney's The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa. Season 1, Episode 23b. Written by Kevin Campbell and Mirith JS Colao, and directed by Jeff DeGrandis. Originally aired December 16, 1995.
  32. Revealed in "To Be Bee or Not To Be Bee" from Disney's The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa. Season 3, Episode 1b. Written by Don Gillies and directed by Mauro Casalese and Joe Horne. Originally aired January 1, 1999.
  33. 'Beauty and the Beast' Full Movie Cast Were Made to Sing This Disney Song During Auditions. Christianity Daily. Retrieved on January 22, 2023.
  34. Ian Holubiak (June 26, 2014). Broadway Lyricist Tim Rice Sits Down with New York Magazine's Vulture to Discuss Five Iconic 'Lion King' Songs. Classicalite. Retrieved on January 22, 2023.


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 Collection
He Lives in You    Circle of Life    Lea Halalela    Upendi    Busa    One of Us    Love Will Find a Way    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    We Are One    One By One    It's Time    Noyana    In Youpendi    Be Prepared    He Lives In You    My Lullaby    Hakuna Matata    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    The Lion Sleeps 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 Lion King 1½: Songs From Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure
Grazing in the Grass    Digga Tunnah Dance    That's All I Need    Hakuna Matata    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Jungle Boogie    Timon's Traveling Theme    The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
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
The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition)
He Lives in You    Circle of Life    Lea Halalela    Upendi    Busa    One of Us    Love Will Find a Way    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    We Are One    One By One    It's Time    Noyana    In Youpendi    Be Prepared    He Lives In You    My Lullaby    Hakuna Matata    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Circle of Life    Grazing in the Grass    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    Warthog Rhapsody    Kube    This Land    Digga Tunnah Dance    The Morning Report    Love Will Find a Way (End Title)    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Be Prepared    They Live In You
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
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