Lion King Soundtrack (2019 film) — Composer, Songs & Where to Stream

Adeeba

3 years ago

Lion King soundtrack: The Lion King is a 2019 Animated, Adventure, Drama film which is directed by Jon Favreau.

The screenplay was penned by Jeff Nathanson. It is based on “The Lion King” screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton, and ultimately on Disney’s original 1994 animated classic.

It stars Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and James Earl Jones, who reprised his 1994 role as Mufasa.

The film is produced by the trio of Jon Favreau, Jeffrey Silver, and Karen Gilchrist. The film was released in the United States on July 19, 2019, in IMAX.

This 2019 photorealistic version is a direct continuation of the music from Disney’s original 1994 The Lion King, re-recording Elton John and Tim Rice’s classic songs with the new cast. A prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), directed by Barry Jenkins, followed with a score by Dave Metzger and new original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, alongside contributions from Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams.

Quick Facts

Film	The Lion King (2019)
Genre	Animated Musical Adventure Drama
Director	Jon Favreau
Score Composer	Hans Zimmer
New Original Song	“Spirit” by Beyoncé
Classic Songs By	Elton John & Tim Rice (from the 1994 original)
Studio	Walt Disney Pictures
US Release Date	July 19, 2019
Related Film	Mufasa: The Lion King (2024, prequel)
Where to Stream	Disney+, Apple Music, Spotify

Who Composed the Lion King Soundtrack?

Hans Zimmer is a well-known German composer who has composed music for over 100 films, including Hollywood blockbusters like the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Gladiator, the original 1994 The Lion King, The Da Vinci Code, and Sherlock Holmes.

For the 2019 Lion King, Zimmer returned to expand on his Academy Award-winning 1994 score, using African rhythms and melodies to create an immersive experience. Elton John and Tim Rice’s original songs (“Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Be Prepared,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”) were re-recorded for the new cast, alongside a new song, “Spirit,” written by Beyoncé, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Labrinth.

Zimmer has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammys, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award, making him one of the most sought-after composers in the film industry.

Lion King Soundtrack List

Here is the complete list of Lion King Soundtracks that were released in 2019. The soundtrack album includes 19 tracks performed by various artists.

Circle of Life: Originally from the 1994 film, composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. The 2019 version is sung by Lebo M and Ensemble.
Life’s Not Fair: A 2019 instrumental cue composed by Hans Zimmer.
Rafiki’s Fireflies: A 2019 score cue composed by Hans Zimmer.
I Just Can’t Wait to Be King: Written by Elton John and Tim Rice. It’s sung by JD McCrary as young Simba, with Donald Glover, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and Beyoncé.
Elephant Graveyard: An eerie musical score cue by Hans Zimmer that captures the mood of the scene where the hyenas plot against Simba.
Be Prepared: Written by Elton John and Tim Rice, this 2019 version is delivered by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar.
Stampede: An orchestral score cue by Hans Zimmer for the wildebeest stampede sequence.
Scar Takes the Throne: A score cue composed by Hans Zimmer for the 2019 adaptation of Disney’s “The Lion King,” playing during the scene where Scar becomes king after killing his brother.
Hakuna Matata: Written by Elton John and Tim Rice. The phrase “Hakuna Matata” means “no worries” in Swahili.
Simba Is Alive!: A 2019 score cue by Hans Zimmer.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight: Originally written by Solomon Linda in Zulu and recorded for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939, featured here in a cameo performance by Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen.
Can You Feel the Love Tonight: Composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice, originally released as a single in May 1994.
Reflections of Mufasa: A 2019 instrumental score cue by Hans Zimmer, reflecting Mufasa’s teachings to Simba.
Spirit: Beyoncé’s “Spirit” is a gospel-influenced song written for the 2019 film by Beyoncé, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Labrinth.
Battle for Pride Rock: A 2019 score cue composed by Hans Zimmer.
Remember / King of Pride Rock / Circle of Life (Finale): Composed by Hans Zimmer feat. Ensemble and Lebo M.
Never Too Late: A 2019 song performed by Elton John.
He Lives in You: Lebo M and his South African choir wrote “He Lives in You” in 1995 for the “Rhythm of the Pride Lands” album, co-written with Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin.
Mbube: Solomon Linda wrote and recorded “Mbube” in 1939 for the South African Gallo Record Company; it later became the basis for “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

Lion King Official Trailer

You can watch the trailer below:

You can listen to the entire album, including all the songs and the score, on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube. The film itself streams on Disney+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who composed the 2019 Lion King soundtrack?

Hans Zimmer composed the score, expanding on his Academy Award-winning music from the 1994 original. Elton John and Tim Rice’s classic songs were re-recorded for the new cast, alongside a new song, “Spirit,” written by Beyoncé, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Labrinth.

Who sings “Spirit” in The Lion King (2019)?

Beyoncé, who voices Nala, performs “Spirit,” an original song written for the film by Beyoncé, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Labrinth.

Is the 2019 Lion King soundtrack the same as the 1994 original?

No, but it’s closely related. The 2019 version re-records Elton John and Tim Rice’s classic songs (“Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Be Prepared,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”) with the new voice cast, and adds Hans Zimmer’s expanded score plus the new song “Spirit.”

Is there a soundtrack for Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)?

Yes. The 2024 prequel, directed by Barry Jenkins, has its own soundtrack with a score by Dave Metzger and new original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, alongside contributions from Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams.

How many tracks are on The Lion King (2019) soundtrack album?

The soundtrack album includes 19 tracks, mixing Elton John/Tim Rice song re-recordings with Hans Zimmer’s instrumental score cues.

Where can I stream The Lion King (2019) soundtrack?

The soundtrack is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube, and the film streams on Disney+.