Circle of Life

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This article is about the title song from The Lion King. For the attraction at Epcot, see Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable.

"Circle of Life" is an Academy Award-nominated song from Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King, composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. It was sung by Carmen Twillie (female vocals) and Lebo Morake (opening African vocals) in the film as the opening song, and Elton John also sung a pop version which was included in the film's soundtrack and made into a music video. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song in 1995 together with two other songs from The Lion King: "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Hakuna Matata". "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" won the award.

In 2003, Disney produced a new remixed version of the song, sung by the "Disney Channel Circle of Stars", which was included in the reissue of the Rhythm of the Pride Lands CD. The song's music video was included in the Platinum Edition DVD of The Lion King.

The song is also featured frequently in attractions that include The Lion King at Disney theme parks, such as parades.

The opening chant "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba / Sithi uhm ingonyama" is in Zulu.^[1]^[2] It means "Here comes a lion, Father / Oh yes, it's a lion".

[edit] Availability

The original song along with Elton John's version can be found on The Lion King Original motion picture soundtrack

Besides the versions from the movie, there have been other albums that contain other versions of the song:

Disney's Music From The Park (1996 CD) (Part of a medley from The Legend of the Lion King)
Disneyland/Walt Disney World Music Vacation (Finale of IllumiNations 25)
Festival of The Lion King (2001 CD) (Circle of Life is part of the show twice)

[edit] Song samples

Film version (help·info)
Broadway version (help·info)

[edit] References

The Lion King
Films	The Lion King \| The Lion King II: Simba's Pride \| The Lion King 1½
Characters	Ahadi \| Kiara \| Kopa \| Kovu \| Ma \| Mohatu \| Mufasa \| Nala \| Nuka \| Rafiki \| Sarabi \| Sarafina \| Scar \| Shenzi, Banzai and Ed \| Simba \| Timon and Pumbaa \| Tojo \| Uncle Max \| Uru \| Vitani \| Zazu \| Zira
Songs	"Circle of Life" \| "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" \| "Be Prepared" \| "Hakuna Matata" \| "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
Books	The Lion King: Six New Adventures \| The Lion King: The Brightest Star
Games	The Lion King \| Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games
Other media	Original motion picture soundtrack \| Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable \| Rhythm of the Pride Lands \| The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa \| Broadway musical \| Festival of the Lion King \| Festival of the Lion King soundtrack
Misc	Kings of the Pride Lands \| The Lion King family
See also	"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" \| Kingdom Hearts II \| Kimba the White Lion controversy