Hakuna Matata

"Do you see any other big, lovable chunk of warthog here?" This article is about the film 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
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	Best of The Lion King Jungle Boogie The Legacy Collection: The Lion King The Lion King 1½: Songs From Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure The Lion King Collection 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 The Lion Guard
Samples
Versions	Original Version (help·info) Jimmy Cliff Version (help·info)

"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. The song has made reappearances in spin-off films and series such as The Lion King 1½, The Lion Guard, and the stage musical. It is also used as the opening theme of The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa. It is sung by Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon as Simba accepts the "Hakuna Matata" lifestyle.

Lyrics

Trivia

General

• "Hakuna Matata" means "no worries" in Swahili.^[1]

• The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1995, but lost to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".^[2]

• In 2004, the American Film Institute placed "Hakuna Matata" at #99 on the list of AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs.^[3]

• "Hakuna Matata" can be 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.^[4]

• Bill Condon had actors sing "Hakuna Matata" at the auditions for the 2017 live action film Beauty and the Beast. It helped measure their singing voices and determined who he chose for the final cast.^[5]

In Development

• "Hakuna Matata" is based on "Warthog Rhapsody", which was written during early production of The Lion King.^[6]

• There have been rumors that Tim Rice was inspired by the British sitcom Bottoms. However, this rumor has been debunked, as Rice has stated that he meant to craft the number as a philosophical conversation.^[7]

Media

Hakuna Matata The Lion King 1994

The "Hakuna Matata" musical sequence in The Lion King

Lion Guard HAKUNA MATATA! Bunga and the King Song Clip

The "Hakuna Matata" musical sequence in The Lion Guard

Hakuna Matata (Vocal)

A vocal version of "Hakuna Matata"

Hakuna Matata (Instrumental)

An instrumental version of "Hakuna Matata"

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References

1. ↑ [1]
2. ↑ [2]
3. ↑ [3]
4. ↑ [4]
5. ↑ [5]
6. ↑
7. ↑ [6]