Toon Talk Special: The 101 Greatest Disney Songs - Part 2 of 2
Page 4 of 12

#66 - "Human Again"
Beauty & the Beast: The Broadway Musical - 1994
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman

"We'll be dancing again!  We'll be twirling again!
We'll be whirling around with such ease
When we're human again
Only human again
We'll go waltzing those old one-two-threes"

Lead Vocals: Gary Beach as Lumiere, Beth Fowler as Mrs. Potts, Brian Press as Chip, Heath Lamberts as Cogsworth, Barbara Marineau as Wardrobe and Stacey Logan as Babette
Source Album: Beauty & the Beast: The Broadway Musical Original Cast Recording

Behind the Music:

• Originally written for the film, where it was replaced with the shorter "Something There". This song was resurrected for the Broadway stage.
• A newly animated version of this song will be the highlight of the IMAX re-release of the film next year.

• The original demo recording of this song, sung by Ashman and including unused verses, is on The Music Behind the Magic.

(c) Disney

#67 - "Circle Of Life"
The Lion King - 1994
Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice

"But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round"

Lead Vocals: Lebo M and Carmine Twillie
Source Album: The Lion King Original Soundtrack
Alternate Track: The Lion King: The Broadway Musical Original Cast Recording with Tsidii Le Loka as Rafiki, Lebo M and Faca Kulu

Behind the Music:

• The original concept for this number was tamer, but Hans Zimmer's production, which added Lebo M's authentic chants, necessitated the grander scope seen in the final film.
• Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Song, the film won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Zimmer's score, and a Grammy for Children's Album.

• John provided his vocal rendition of the song in a separate track on the soundtrack.

#68 - "I Just Can't Wait To Be King"
The Lion King - 1994
Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice

"Let every creature go for broke and sing
Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing
It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling
Oh, I just can't wait to be king"

Lead Vocals: Jason Weaver as Simba, Rowan Atkinson as Zazu and Laura Williams as Nala
Source Album: The Lion King Original Soundtrack
Alternate Track: The Lion King: The Broadway Musical Original Cast Recording with Scott Irby-Ranniar as Simba, Geoff Hoyle as Zazu and Kajuana Shuford as Nala

Behind the Music:

• John's countrified version of this song, tailor-made for a line dance, is also available on the soundtrack album.

#69 - "Hakuna Matata"
The Lion King - 1994
Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice

"It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It's our problem free philosophy
Hakuna matata!"

Vocals: Nathan Lane as Timon, Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa, and Jason Weaver/Joseph Williams as Simba
Source Album: The Lion King Original Soundtrack
Alternate Track: The Lion King: The Broadway Musical Original Cast Recording with Max Casella as Timon, Tom Alan Robbins as Pumbaa, and Scott Irby-Ranniar/Jason Raize as Simba

Behind the Music:

• Oscar nomination for Best Song.
• An early version of Timon and Pumbaa's song, "The Warthog Rhapsody" by John and Rice, can be heard on Rhythm of the Pride Lands, as well as Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M's pop version.

• Also used as the theme song to The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa television series.

#70 - "Can You Feel The Love Tonight"
The Lion King - 1994
Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice

"It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best"

Vocals: Elton John
Source Album: The Lion King Original Soundtrack
Track Note: This is the end credit version, which was actually the first draft of Rice's lyrics.
Alternate Track: The Lion King: The Broadway Musical Original Cast Recording with Jason Raize as Simba, Heather Headley as Nala, Max Casella as Timon and Tom Alan Robbins as Pumbaa.
Original Vocals/Source Album: Joseph Williams as Simba, Sally Dworsky as Nala, Nathan Lane as Timon and Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa, The Lion King Original Soundtrack

Behind the Music:

• Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Song, plus a Grammy for John's Pop Male Vocal.

• The song, which went through several rewrites and repositions within the storyline, was almost cut from the film, but John insisted that the "traditional Disney love song" remain.