To write songs in the project, the poet Tim Rice was invited. Producers agreed with Rice's suggestion to invite Elton John as composer [32] after the failure of the ABBA band invitation failed due to the employment of Benny Andersson in the musical Kristina från Duvemåla. [23] John expressed interest in writing "super popular songs that children like; then adults will look at these films and will also enjoy them ", mentioning that the soundtrack of the Disney's" Jungle Book ", where, for his taste," music was so funny and appealing to both adults and children, could influence the music "[39]
Elton John and Tim Rice wrote many songs for the film, but only five of them entered there: Circle of Life, I Just Can not Wait for Be King, Be Prepared, Hakuna Matata and Can You Feel the Love Tonight 2 versions: in the film itself and in the credits performed by Elton John himself.) [40] One of the most famous written, but not included songs - "Warthog Rhapsody", which was, subsequently, replaced by the song "Hakuna Matata". Nevertheless, it was officially published by Walt Disney Records in the "Rhythm of the Pride Lands" in 1995, and also in a special edition of the soundtrack on 2 discs, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the film "The Legacy Collection: The Lion King" June 24, 2014. In IMAX and DVD versions, another song was added, written by Elton John and Tim Rice - The Morning Report, which was based on a song rejected during the creation of the cartoon, but later performed in a musical based on "The Lion King." [ 41] Music for the film was written by Hans Zimmer, hired because of his work on two films, which unfolded in Africa - "The Power of Personality" and "The Shared World [en]", [28] with the addition of traditional rhythms of African music and choral parts in the arrangement Lebo M. [40]
During the creation of the cartoon, about 15 versions of each of the songs were written. The very first versions of Circle of Life, Can You Feel The Love Tonight and I Just Can not Wait to Be King were sung by Elton John and used as additional promotional materials for the cartoon.
