Circle of Life
"Circle of Life" is a song from Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King. Composed by Elton John, with lyrics by Tim Rice, the song was performed by Carmen Twillie and Lebo M. as the film's opening song. In an interview, Rice said he was amazed at the speed with which John composed: "I gave him the lyrics at the beginning of the session at about two in the afternoon. By half-past three, he'd finished writing and recording a stunning demo." Elton John sang a pop version of the song with the London Community Gospel Choir, which was included in the film's soundtrack and made into a music video.
"Circle of Life" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1994, along with two other songs from The Lion King: "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", the latter of which won the award. "Circle of Life" was also nominated for a Song of the Year Grammy. The song reached No. 11 in the UK and No. 18 in the US and is featured frequently in attractions based on The Lion King, such as Disney theme parks and parades. Michael Crawford sang it as part of a medley for The Disney Album in 2001.
The song was featured in Disney's 2019 photorealistic computer-animated remake of The Lion King and was used in the first trailer of the film, a near shot-for-shot remake of the opening of the original animated film. This new version of the song was performed by Lindiwe Mkhize, the actress who performed as Rafiki in the stage adaptation of the movie in London from 2005 to 2018. However, the new version also retains the original Zulu opening vocals by Lebo M. from the 1994 film.
Theatrical version
Act I
In the theatrical adaptation, the opening sequence is noticeably different from the opening of the film. For example, the song is sung by Rafiki instead of an off-screen female narrator.With the sun rising over the Pride Lands, Rafiki commences the start of the production by singing the opening chant of the song and summoning the animals of the Pride Lands for the presentation of baby Simba. As the first two verses of the musical number end, a representation of Pride Rock appears on stage carrying its two reigning rulers, Sarabi cradling the small puppet representing her son in her arms with Mufasa alongside her. As the choir chants excitedly in the background, Rafiki accompanies the monarch and his consort to the top of Pride Rock to bless the cub before raising him high in the air, singing joyfully alongside the chorus as the gathered animals bow before their new prince.
Act II
At the end of Act II, Simba's friends and family acknowledge him as the rightful king after Scar's defeat. Rafiki crowns Simba with the mantle of kingship after his victory and Simba ascends Pride Rock. There he gives a mighty roar which echoes across the whole kingdom, and the animals come back to the Pride Lands to recognise and salute Simba as the rightful king. The musical ends as Rafiki presents Simba and Nala's newborn cub to all of the animals, followed by a blackout that finishes Act II and leads to the curtain call at the end of the performance.The assembly of animals that appear are slightly different from the beginning of Act II. There are no wildebeests and adult elephant, only two zebras instead of three, nine gazelles instead of twelve, and half of the bird performers instead of four. Only the baby elephant, the rhino, the giraffes, three cranes, the cheetah, and the birds appear as poles on cranes as kites.
Other versions
The song was re-recorded in 2003 by the Disney Channel Circle of Stars, a group of actors and actresses who have appeared in Disney Channel television series and original movies, for the album DisneyMania 2. The line-up was significantly different when their next rerecording, "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", was released two years later.In 2017 American boyband 98° recorded a cover version of the song to help promote a re-release of The Lion King on Blu-ray as part of the Disney Signature Collection.
The single was released as a digital download on 22 September 2017.
The song was remixed by Mat Zo which was released in the album Dconstructed on 22 April 2014.
International versions
Movie version
When the movie was first released in 1994, it numbered collectively 28 versions worldwide, including a special Zulu version made in South Africa. This was not just the only Zulu dubbing ever made by Disney, but also the only one made in any African language, other than Arabic. Over the years, the number of official versions has increased to 45 official versions, including a couple of re-recordings of the pre-existing Arabic and Polish versions, where the song was re-dubbed, but not the rest of the movie, to which some unofficial versions have been added by local TV stations and studios in their local languages: namely Arabic, Armenian, Crimean Tatar, Kabardian and Nogai.Jocelyn B. Smith received a gold record as an award for her performance.
Musical version
The song has been recorded in multiple languages.Opening of song
The song is well known for its opening line, sung by South African composer Lebo M. in Zulu. Due to the difficulty to pronounce the lyrics for English speakers, they are often mispronounced. The Zulu version of the lyrics are:
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Ingonyama siyo nqoba
Ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw enamabala
Which translates to English as:
Here comes a lion, father
Oh yes it’s a lion
Here comes a lion, father
Oh yes it’s a lion
A lion we’re going to conquer
A lion
A lion and a leopard come to this open place
In popular culture
Due to the film's impact on popular culture, the song "Circle of Life" is often referenced in other media.The opening to The Lion King was parodied in an episode of the 1990s cartoon Animaniacs, in which the theme of "Circle of Life" was parodied with "Surprises in Life", with vocals by Jim Cummings and Cree Summer as lead singer.
The Tenth Doctor finds himself subconsciously quoting "Circle of Life" during a confrontation with the Sycorax leader in the 2005 Christmas special of the revived Doctor Who series, "The Christmas Invasion".
In one of Disney's many self-references, "The Circle of Life" appeared as a false beginning of the film Chicken Little, when Buck was trying to open the movie.
In Pixar’s 1998 film A Bug's Life Hopper explains to Flik’s colony that his protection in exchange for food is one of those "Circle of Life" kind of deals.
South Park did a parody song called "The Circle of Poo" that shows the endless circle of food and defecation in the episode "A Very Crappy Christmas".
It is currently the main theme song for Disney's Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney's Epcot featured a cinema-type film called from 1995 to 2018, with Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba discussing environmental topics.
At the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner, President Barack Obama jokingly claimed he was going to show his long-form birth video, spoofing an earlier controversy about refusing to show his long-form birth certificate to prove he was, in fact, born in the United States. The opening chant was played from the film, and Simba was seen being lifted to the skies. This was used to poke fun at Obama's alleged Kenyan heritage.
New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes started using the song as his walk-up music during the 2016 MLB season.
Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley began using the song as his walk up music after the All Star Break in the 2019 MLB season, debuting the song in what would be his 10 major league multi-HR game.
The Japanese band Da Pump recorded a cover version of the song in 2003.
It is used in the Modern Family pilot when Mitch and Cam introduce Lily to the family, and then again later in the series to introduce Hayley and Dylan's twins.
On 28 May 2017, the song was used in Stadio Olimpico during Francesco Totti's farewell, after the winning match of AS Roma against Genoa C.F.C. for 3–2.
The opening sequence was parodied during Robin's nightmare sequence in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
| Chart | Position |
| Germany | 79 |
| Sweden | 64 |
| Switzerland | 48 |