Wikipedia
The Lion King (1994 soundtrack)
The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album for the 1994 Disney animated film, The Lion King. It contains songs from the film written by Elton John and Tim Rice, and a score composed by Hans Zimmer. Elton John has a dual role of performer for several tracks. Additional performers include Lebo M, Carmen Twillie, Jason Weaver, Rowan Atkinson, Joseph Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy Irons, Cheech Marin, Jim Cummings, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, and Sally Dworsky. The album was released on May 31, 1994, on CD and audio cassette. The soundtrack was recorded in three different countries: the U.S., the U.K. and South Africa. It is the best-selling soundtrack album to an animated film in the United States with over 7 million copies sold, with 4,934,000 copies sold in 1994.[6]
| The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
One of the cover art for the original 1994 release | ||||
| Soundtrack album by Elton John and Hans Zimmer with various artists | ||||
| Released |
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| Recorded | 1993–94 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | Walt Disney | |||
| Producer | Hans Zimmer, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Chris Thomas | |||
| Walt Disney Animation Studios chronology | ||||
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| Elton John chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Lion King: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | (for 2003 Special Edition)[1] |
| Robert Christgau | C[2] |
| Filmtracks | [3] |
| Vox | (10/10)[4] |
| Sputnikmusic | 5/5[5] |
An expanded version of The Lion King soundtrack, featuring 30 minutes of previously unreleased material, was released as part of the Walt Disney Records: The Legacy Collection series on June 24, 2014. In 2014, Hot Topic released a vinyl picture disc of the soundtrack.[7]
In 2010, Rhapsody called it one of the all-time great Disney and Pixar Soundtracks.[8]
Track listing
All songs are composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. All scores are composed by Hans Zimmer.
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Circle of Life" | 3:59 | |
| 2. | "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" |
| 2:50 |
| 3. | "Be Prepared" | 3:40 | |
| 4. | "Hakuna Matata" |
| 3:33 |
| 5. | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" |
| 2:57 |
| 6. | "This Land" (score) | Hans Zimmer | 2:55 |
| 7. | "...To Die For" (score) | Hans Zimmer | 4:17 |
| 8. | "Under the Stars" (score) | Hans Zimmer | 3:45 |
| 9. | "King of Pride Rock" (score) | Hans Zimmer | 5:59 |
| 10. | "Circle of Life" | Elton John | 4:51 |
| 11. | "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" | Elton John | 3:37 |
| 12. | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (end title) | Elton John | 4:02 |
| Total length: | 46:40 | ||
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Circle of Life" | 3:59 | |
| 2. | "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" |
| 2:50 |
| 3. | "Be Prepared" | 3:40 | |
| 4. | "Hakuna Matata" |
| 3:33 |
| 5. | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" |
| 2:57 |
| 6. | "The Morning Report" |
| 1:36 |
| 7. | "This Land" (score) | Hans Zimmer | 2:55 |
| 8. | "...To Die For" (score) | Hans Zimmer | 4:17 |
| 9. | "Under The Stars" (score) | Hans Zimmer | 3:45 |
| 10. | "King Of Pride Rock" (score) | Hans Zimmer | 5:59 |
| 11. | "Circle Of Life" | Elton John | 4:51 |
| 12. | "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" | Elton John | 3:37 |
| 13. | "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" (end title) | Elton John | 4:02 |
| 14. | "Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Remixed By Dave Reitzas And Jochem Van Der Saag)" (remix) | Elton John | 4:08 |
| Total length: | 52:24 | ||
The Legacy Collection release
Walt Disney Records released an expanded edition of The Lion King soundtrack containing an additional thirty minutes of previously unreleased material from the film, as well as a collection of demo versions of cues.[7] This revision contains a new remastered mix by Alan Meyerson.
Commercial performance
The soundtrack shipped over 18 million copies in the U.S. and eventually went 10× platinum in 1995, thus becoming the biggest-selling soundtrack ever from an animated film. Its certification was promoted to Diamond when the award was instituted in 1999. According to Nielsen Soundscan the soundtrack, as of April 2014, has sold a total of 7.873 million copies in the US.[6] It is also the best-selling vinyl album in the Nielsen SoundScan era (starting 1991), with 1,043,000 copies sold as of June 2014.[9]
Accolades
| Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result |
| Academy Awards[10] | Best Original Song | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Won |
| "Circle of Life" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Nominated | ||
| "Hakuna Matata" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Score | Hans Zimmer | Won | |
| British Academy Film Awards[11] | Best Original Music | Hans Zimmer | Nominated |
| Best Sound | Terry Porter, Mel Metcalfe, David Hudson, Doc Kane | Nominated | |
| Golden Globe Awards[12] | Best Original Song | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Won |
| "Circle of Life" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Score | Hans Zimmer | Won | |
| Grammy Awards[13][14][15] | Song of the Year | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Nominated |
| "Circle of Life" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Nominated | ||
| Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Nominated | |
| "Circle of Life" – Elton John and Tim Rice | Nominated | ||
| Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | |
| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" performed by Elton John | Won | |
| Best Musical Album for Children | Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Chris Thomas, Hans Zimmer | Won | |
| Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) | Hans Zimmer and Lebo Morake – "Circle of Life" (performed by Carmen Twillie) | Won | |
| MTV Movie Awards[16] | Best Song from a Movie | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John | Nominated |
Personnel
Song Tracks (1-5 & 10-12)
- Elton John – composer (1-5, 10, 11, 12), piano and vocals (10, 11, 12)
- Davey Johnstone – guitar (10, 11, 12), backing vocals, (10, 11)
- Chuck Sabo – drums (10, 11, 12), backing vocals (10, 11), strings (12)
- Phil Spalding – bass (10, 11, 12), backing vocals (10, 11)
- Guy Babylon – keyboards (10, 11, 12)
- The London Community Gospel Choir – choir (10, 11, 12)
- Lebo M. – vocal arranger (1, 2, 3), background vocals (1, 2, 3), co-lead vocals (1), african chant (1)
- Mark Mancina – arrangements (2, 4, 5)
- Hans Zimmer – arrangements (1, 3) music supervision (1–5)
- Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella – lead vocals (4, 5)
- Jacqueline Barron, Charles Biddle Jr., Mary Carewe and Louis Price – background vocals (2, 3)
- Richard Harvey – ethnic pipes (2, 3)
- Joseph Williams – co-lead vocals (4, 5)
- Rodney Saulsberry – background vocals (1, 4)
- Carmen Twillie – lead vocals (1)
- Jason Weaver – lead vocals (2), co-lead vocals (4)
- Jeremy Irons – spoken word and lead vocals (3)
- Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin – spoken words (3)
- Jim Cummings – co-lead vocals (3)
- Rowan Atkinson, Laura Williams – co-lead vocals (4)
- Kristle Edwards – co-lead vocals (5)
- Sally Dworski – co-lead vocals (5)
- Rick Astley, Gary Barlow, Kiki Dee – background vocals (12)
- Nick Glennie-Smith, Mbongeni Ngema, Andraé Crouch – vocal arrangements (1)
- Jay Rifkin – arrangements (4)
- Edie Lehmann Boddicker, Zolile Zulu, Terry Young, Yvonne Williams, John West, Oren Waters, Maxine Waters, Luther Waters, Julia Waters, Sam Vamplew, Thandazile, Khuluiwe S’thole, Susan D. Stevens, Sindisiwe Sokhela, Kipizane Skweyiya, Happy Skhakhane, Alfie Silas, Philile Seme, Rick Riso, Phindile, Bobbi Page, Nini Nkosi, Bongani Ngcobo, Nandi Ndlovu, Bheki Ndlovu, Thembi Mtshali, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Vusi Mhlongo, Batho Mhlongo, Myrna Matthews, Abner A. Mariri, Khanyo Maphumulo, Tsidi Manye, Rick Logan, James Langa, Ron Kunene, Thembi Kubheka, Skhumbuzo Kubheka, Stella Khumalo, Faca Khulu, Sphiwe Khanyile, Faith Kekana, Bob Joyce, Kuyanda Jezile, Matoab’sane Jali, Clydene Jackson, Linda Cgwensa, Rick Charles, Lucky Cele, Baby Cele, Johnny Britt, Terry Bradford and Maxi Anderson – choir (1)
Score Tracks (6-9)
- Hans Zimmer – arrangements
- Lebo M. – vocal arrangements
- Andraé Crouch – choir arrangements
- Nick Glennie-Smith – chior arrangments
- Tonia Duvall – vocal contractor
- Don Davis, Brad Dechter, Gordon Goodwin, Don Harper, Larry Kenton, Henry Mancini, Dave Metzger, Conrad Pope, Carl Rydlund, Mark Watters – orchestrations
- Yvonne Moriarty – additional orchestrations, french horn
- Steve Becknell, David Duke, William Lane, Brian O'Connor, Richard Todd, Brad Warnaar, Phillip Yao – french horn
- Walt Fowler, Malcolm McNab – trumpet
- Sandy DeCrescent – orchestra contractor
- Bruce Fowler – vocal arrangements, trombone
- Alan Kaplan, Charlie Loper, Bill Reichenbach, Phillip A. Teele, Lloyd Ulyate – trombone
- Richard Harvey – flute, ethnic pipes
- Sheree Ali, Monica Zierhut – music coordinator
- Andy Hill – music supervisor
Charts
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications and sales
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Original album release | ||
| Australia (ARIA)[48] | 4× Platinum | 280,000^ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[49] | Platinum | 50,000* |
| Belgium (BEA)[50] | Platinum | 50,000* |
| Brazil | — | 1,200,000[51] |
| Canada (Music Canada)[53] | Diamond | 1,200,000[52] |
| China | — | 1,000,000[54] |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[55] | Platinum | 20,000 |
| France (SNEP)[57] | Gold | 500,000[56] |
| Germany (BVMI)[58] | 3× Platinum | 1,500,000^ |
| Italy | — | 600,000[59] |
| Japan (RIAJ)[61] | Gold | 150,000[60] |
| Netherlands (NVPI)[62] Mercury Records B.V. edition | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| Netherlands (NVPI)[63] Universal Music edition | Gold | 50,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[64] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
| Poland (ZPAV)[65] | Gold | 50,000* |
| Sweden (GLF)[66] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[67] | 2× Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[68] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[69] | Diamond | 10,000,000^ |
| Summaries | ||
| Europe (IFPI)[70] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000* |
| Original cast recording | ||
| Australia (ARIA)[71] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| France (SNEP)[72] | Gold | 100,000* |
| Germany (BVMI)[73] | Gold | 250,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[74] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[75] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| Sing-Along shortform | ||
| United Kingdom (BPI)[76] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[77] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
| Hans Zimmer Re-release | ||
| United Kingdom (BPI)[78] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| * Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
References
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- ^ Christgau, Robert (November 29, 1994). "Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
- ^ Clemmensen, Christian (September 24, 1996). "Review: The Lion King". Filmtracks Publications. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
- ^ Phillips, Shaun. "Review: Various Artists – The Lion King (Phonogram 522690-2)". Vox. No. VOX48, September 1994. p. 104.
- ^ "Soundtrack (Disney) - the Lion King (Album review ) | Sputnikmusic".
- ^ a b Grein, Paul (April 30, 2014). "Chart Watch: Sell 14K Albums, Make The Top 10". Yahoo Music.
- ^ a b Grisham, Lori (May 7, 2014). "Walt Disney Records to release legacy collection". USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
- ^ 10 Essential Disney & Pixar Soundtracks October 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Referenced July 27, 2010
- ^ Grein, Paul (June 18, 2014). "Chart Watch: Vinyl Boosts Jack White". Yahoo! Music.
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ . Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Archived from the original on July 12, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
- ^ "37th Grammy Awards - 1995". Rock On The Net. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Newman, Melinda (March 4, 1995). "Predictions For 37th Grammy Awards And Prizes For 3rd Annual Beatties" (PDF). Billboard. p. 12. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
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- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Soundtrack – The Lion King". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack – The Lion King" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – The Lion King" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – The Lion King" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 60, No. 3" (PHP). RPM. August 8, 1994. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack – The Lion King" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack – The Lion King" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Highest position and charting weeks of The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon Style. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
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- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Soundtrack – The Lion King". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Soundtrack Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Albums 1994". aria.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ^ . RPM. December 12, 1994. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard.BIZ – Year-end Charts – Billboard 200 – 1994". billboard.biz. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Albums 1995". aria.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
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- ^ Mayfield, Geoff (December 25, 1999). "1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade – The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
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- ^ "Austrian album certifications – Soundtrack – The Lion King" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
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- ^ Malena Segura Contrera (1996). O mito na mídia: a presença de conteúdos arcaicos nos meios de comunicação (in Portuguese). Selo Universidade, Annablume. p. 85. ISBN 9788585596552. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
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- ^ "Danish album certifications – Soundtrack – The Lion King". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "Elton John - 30 Years of Music". Billboard. October 4, 1997. p. EJ-34.
- ^ "French album certifications – B.O.F. – Le Lion King" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
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- ^ "Japanese album certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved July 21, 2022. Select 1994年9月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Diverse artiesten – The Lion King" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved December 16, 2020. Enter The Lion King in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1995 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle statussen"
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Diverse artiesten – The Lion King" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved December 16, 2020. Enter The Lion King in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2005 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle statussen"
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- ^ (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Soundtrack; 'The Lion King (Elton John)')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "British album certifications – Original Soundtrack – The Lion King – OST". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 22, 2017.Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type The Lion King – OST in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American album certifications – Soundtrack – The Lion King". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ . International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
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{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "French album certifications – B.O.F. – LE ROI LION" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Musical; 'Walt Disney – Der König der Löwen')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
- ^ "British album certifications – Original Broadway Cast – The Lion King". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 14, 2017.Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type The Lion King in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American album certifications – Soundtrack – The Lion King (Original Cast)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
- ^ "British album certifications – Various Artists – The Lion King Sing-Along". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 22, 2017.Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type The Lion King Sing-Along in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American album certifications – Various – Lion King Sing-Along". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "British album certifications – Hans Zimmer – The Lion King – OST". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 22, 2017.Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type The Lion King – OST in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
External links
- The Lion King at Discogs (list of releases)