Song 193 - I just can't wait to be king - from the Lion King

I'm having an African inspired day today so for Saturday Sparkle, it seems really fitting to have "I just can't wait to be king" from The Lion King. The Lion King is, of course, the 1994 smash hit animated film brought to us by Disney and tells the story of Simba and his road in succeeding his father as head of the pride. It is a magical film, which Disney turned into a live musical in 1997. I saw the musical a few years ago and it captures your breath on how they brought such an iconic film to stage. It is understandable, that the musical broke the record of the longest-running musical, which was held by The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.

With the music written by Elton John and Tim Rice, there is a feast of iconic songs that could have been chosen for today so why choose I just can't wait to be king? I love the mischief-making lyrics of Simba and Nala, much to the annoyance of Zanu. They are spirited lion cubs, who don't need to be told what to do by an old hornbill, they do it their way.  It is an attitude that is inspiring, we, of course, know there's going to be consequences for their actions, but sometimes it is better to look at the rules and think how can I break them. I know I got to Africa because someone told me I was too fat to go and walk there. Never one to be told what to do, I put my walking boots and trained the weight off me.  I think what we learn as we get old is the balance of knowing what rules to break and what rules to live by. I'm a rebel at heart like Simba and Nala are. I also feel for Zanu as he is a teacher and being a teacher can be one of the hardest jobs in the world.

To hear this brilliant song, listen here and there is even lyrics so you can sing along:

I just can't wait to be king

Performed by Rowan Atkinson, Jason Weaver & Laura Williams
From The Lion King 
Lyrics - Tim Rice
Music - Elton John

Song 179 - The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens

So June is going to be the month of songs that almost make up some of the soundtracks of my life as I come to terms with this new decade. One of my favourite songs which also reminds me of one of the biggest adventures I've had in my life, is The Lion sleeps tonight, Mbube or Wimoweh depending on which you would prefer.

The version which I remember first is the hit by The Tokens in 1961 which reached number one on the US chart and number 11 in the UK Chart.  But the song itself is far older than the hit I know. 

Written in the 1920s, by Solomon Linda, a South African Singer of Zulu origin,  Mbube (Lion in Zulu) was first recorded in 1939 and within a decade the song had sold over 100,000 copies throughout Africa & in parts of GB. Perhaps not the most mind blowing tune, but there is something in the rhythm and chatting that just makes you smiles and the words "In the jungle, the mighty  jungle the lion sleeps tonight." You can hear that harmonic yodel inside your head as soon as you say the line.


Nowadays, the song is widely linked to The Lion King and the loveable characters Timon and Pumbaa. However, the use of the track in the 1994 smash hit Disney film led to a battle over copyright for the song and the journalist Rian Malan helped to secure the royalties for use of the song were paid to Solomon's estate. Disney and others had thought the song was a traditional folk song. To date, the estate had earnt somewhere in the regional of $15million dollars. It goes to show you only need one success hit song.

In 1982, Tight Fit took the song to the UK number one spot and looking at the date, it is more likely that this is the version I knew as a kid.   But whether it is this version, The Tokens or the Ladysmith Black Mambazo's version; my body will sway, smile and try to sing along all at the same time. Another modern day cultural reference to the song is its use in the hit comedy Friends when Ross sings it to Marcel the Monkey when he returns to New York with the film crew.

Listen to a piece of sunshine yourself:
The Lion sleeps tonight.


Written: Solomon Linda, 1920s
English translation: Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss & Albert Santon