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BigLovableChunkOfWarthogHere
"Do you see any other big, lovable chunk of warthog here?"
This article is about the 1994 version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".
You may be looking for the 2019 version, the stage musical version, the Elton John version, the 2003 remix version, the deleted version sung by Simba and Nala, or the deleted version sung by Timon and Pumbaa.


Can You Feel the Love Tonight
CanYouFeeltheLovetonightRomantik
Attribution information
Composer

Elton John

Lyricist

Tim Rice

Mixer

Jay Rifkin

Performers

   Sally Dworsky
   Kristle Edwards
   Nathan Lane
   Ernie Sabella
   Joseph Williams

Release information
Released

May 31, 1994

Track

5

Length

2:57

Albums
Appearances

   The Lion King
   The Lion King 1½

Samples
Versions

Anonymous Audio File Icon Clip ArtCan You Feel the Love Tonight 

Timon: Him. Her. Alone.
Pumbaa: What's wrong with that?
Timon and Pumbaa on Simba and Nala's burgeoning romance[src]

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is a song composed by Elton John for The Lion King. It was released on May 31, 1994, as part of the film's soundtrack. It was re-released on September 30, 2003, as part of the film's Special Edition soundtrack.

Conception and development[]

CYFTLT TP version

In an early draft of The Lion King, Timon and Pumbaa sang "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was the first song written by composer Elton John for The Lion King. Lyricist Tim Rice wrote fifteen different drafts of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", as the film's story continued to undergo significant changes during production. First, Simba and Nala sang the song as adults after having fallen in love as adolescents in the Pride Lands. Later, after the story changed so that Simba fled the Pride Lands as a cub, the lyrics changed to reflect how Simba and Nala remembered each other but were discovering love for the first time. Several other versions of the song were considered, including a version sung by Simba only, a version sung by Nala only, and a version sung by a heavenly choir. After being moved around to various places in the film, the song was eventually removed altogether.

Finally, Rice wrote a comical version of the song that was sung by Timon and Pumbaa. However, when the story reel was screened for John, he was "horrified to hear his beautiful love song warbled by a warthog." He argued that the film fell flat emotionally because its most tender moment was being played as a joke, and as a result, Rice wrote another draft of the song in which Timon and Pumbaa opened, while Simba, Nala, and the choir sang in the middle. Though this version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" ended up being the finalized version, John remained partial to the original lyrics.[1]

Releases and alternative versions[]

Special Edition

The Lion King: Special Edition soundtrack.

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was released on May 31, 1994, as part of the soundtrack of The Lion King. Also included on the soundtrack was a pop cover of the song performed by Elton John.[2][3]

The stage musical version of the song was released in 1997 as part of the original cast recording.[4][5]

Also in 1997, Disney released an album titled Jungle Boogie, which consisted of songs from both The Lion King and The Jungle Book franchises. The original version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was included on this album.[6]

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Official artwork of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Legacy Collection: The Lion King.

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was re-released on September 30, 2003, as part of the film's Special Edition soundtrack. Also included on the soundtrack was the Elton John version of the song as well as a remix of John's cover.[7][8]

Also on September 30, 2003, the karaoke version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was released as part of Disney's Karaoke Series: The Lion King.[9][10]

Best of The Lion King, an album comprised of songs from different installments in The Lion King franchise, was released on September 6, 2011. The original version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was included on this album.[11][12]

On October 3, 2011, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was released as part of The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition). Also included on the album was the Elton John version of the song.[13][14]

The song was re-released as part of The Legacy Collection: The Lion King on June 24, 2014, as was the Elton John version of the song.[15][16]

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was reimagined for the 2019 remake of The Lion King. It was released on July 11, 2019, as part of the film's soundtrack.[17][18]

Use[]

In the canon[]

Lion-king-disneyscreencaps

Simba and Nala embrace during the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sequence.

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is the last song heard in The Lion King. It begins shortly after Simba and Nala reunite as adults and find that their friendship has blossomed into love. As the two stride off into the jungle, Timon laments to Pumbaa that Simba will no longer be a part of their friend trio. Meanwhile, Simba and Nala spend a romantic evening together in the jungle, which culminates in Nala licking Simba's cheek and the two embracing. Timon and Pumbaa then sob over the loss of their "carefree days" with Simba.[19]

The Lion King 1½ shows the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sequence from Timon and Pumbaa's perspective, revealing that the duo tried to sabotage Simba and Nala's romantic night together. Though Timon and Pumbaa try multiple times to ruin Simba and Nala's evening, their plans continually backfire until at last they give up and sob over their friend's fate.[20]

In other media[]

A reimagined version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is heard in the 2019 remake of The Lion King. It plays during the same sequence of events as its 1994 counterpart.[21]

The stage musical version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is much the same as the original, occurring during the same sequence of events. However, its closing lyrics are sung by Simba and Nala rather than Timon and Pumbaa.[4]

An instrumental version of Elton John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is heard in the 1994 video game The Lion King. There are two slightly different versions of the song: one for Genesis and one for SNES.[22]

Lyrics[]

Timon:
I can see what's happening

Pumbaa: (spoken)
What?

Timon:
And they don't have a clue

Pumbaa: (spoken)
Who?

Timon:
They'll fall in love, and here's the bottom line
Our trio's down to two

Pumbaa: (spoken)
Oh.

Timon:
Ze sweet caress of twilight
There's magic everywhere
And with all this romantic atmosphere
Disaster's in the air

Chorus:
Can you feel the love tonight?
(Lalela thuli) (Listen to this quiet person.)
The peace the evening brings
(Lalela thuli) (Listen to this quiet person.)
The world, for once, in perfect harmony
(Lalela thuli) (Listen to this quiet person.)
With all its living things
(Lalela lelando/lelandu we) (Hey, listen to this history!)

Simba:
So many things to tell her
But how to make her see
The truth about my past? Impossible!
She'd turn away from me

Nala:
He's holding back, he's hiding
But what? I can't decide
Why won't he be the king I know he is
The king I see inside?

Chorus:
Can you feel the love tonight?
(Lalela thuli) (Listen to this quiet person.)
The peace the evening brings
(Lalela thuli) (Listen to this quiet person.)
The world, for once, in perfect harmony
(Lalela thuli) (Listen to this quiet person.)
With all its living things
(Lalela lelando/lelandu we) (Hey, listen to this history!)

Can you feel the love tonight?
(Lalela thuli) (Listen to this quiet person.)
You needn't look too far
(Lalela thuli) (Listen to this quiet person.)
Stealing through the night's uncertainties
Love is where they are

Timon:
And if he falls in love tonight
It can be assumed...

Pumbaa:
His carefree days with us are history

Timon and Pumbaa:
In short, our pal is doomed

Trivia[]

  • "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1995.[23]
  • In The Lion King, when Zazu informs Simba and Nala of their betrothal, flute notes of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" can be heard in the background score.[19]
Elton John Tim Rice Academy Award

Elton John and Tim Rice win the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1995.

  • "Of the Same Pride", a song from The Lion Guard, makes several nods to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight". For example, Kion pulls Rani into the water just as Simba pulled Nala into the water in The Lion King.[25]
  • In the original soundtrack version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", Timon and Pumbaa's sobbing at the end is prolonged.[2]

Media[]

References[]

  1. Keoenig, David. Mouse Under Glass (June 2, 1994). ISBN: 0964060515.
  2. 2.0 2.1 The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  3. The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Lion King (Original 1997 Broadway Cast Recording). iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  5. The Lion King - Original Broadway Cast Recording. Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  6. Various – Disney's Jungle Boogie. Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  7. The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Special Edition]. iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 11, 2019.
  8. The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  9. Disney's Karaoke Series: The Lion King. iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  10. Various – Disney Karaoke Series: The Lion King. Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  11. Best of the Lion King. iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  12. Best Of The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on January 20, 2023.
  13. The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition). iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on January 21, 2023.
  14. The Lion King: Deluxe Collection. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on January 21, 2023.
  15. The Lion King (Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Walt Disney Records: The Legacy Collection]. iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  16. The Legacy Collection: The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  17. The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). iTunes. Apple. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  18. The Lion King. Soundtrack.Net. Autotelics. Retrieved on October 8, 2019.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (1994). Written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton, and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
  20. Revealed in Disney's The Lion King 1½ (2004). Written by Tom Rogers and directed by Bradley Raymond. Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  21. Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (2019). Written by Jeff Nathanson and directed by Jon Favreau. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
  22. Revealed in The Lion King (1994). Developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment.
  23. The 67th Academy Awards | 1995. Oscars.org.
  24. Revealed in Disney's The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015). Written by Ford Riley and directed by Howy Parkins. Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  25. Revealed in "Journey to the Pride Lands" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 3, Episode 18. Written by Kendall Michele Haney, John Loy, Kent Redeker, and Ford Riley, and directed by Howy Parkins and Ford Riley. Originally aired November 2, 2019.
  26. Revealed in Adventures in Typing with Timon & Pumbaa (1998). Developed and published by Disney Interactive Studios.


The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Circle of Life    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    Be Prepared    Hakuna Matata    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    This Land    ...To Die For    Under the Stars    King of Pride Rock    Circle of Life    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    Can You Feel the Love Tonight
The Lion King: Special Edition
Circle of Life    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    Be Prepared    Hakuna Matata    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    The Morning Report    This Land    ...To Die For    Under the Stars    King of Pride Rock    Circle of Life    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    Can You Feel the Love Tonight (End Title)    Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Remix)    The Hyenas
Best of The Lion King
Circle of Life    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    Warthog Rhapsody    Lea Halalela    Hakuna Matata    Digga Tunnah Dance    Upendi    One of Us    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Be Prepared    They Live In You
The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition)
He Lives in You    Circle of Life    Lea Halalela    Upendi    Busa    One of Us    Love Will Find a Way    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    We Are One    One By One    It's Time    Noyana    In Youpendi    Be Prepared    He Lives In You    My Lullaby    Hakuna Matata    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Circle of Life    Grazing in the Grass    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    Warthog Rhapsody    Kube    This Land    Digga Tunnah Dance    The Morning Report    Love Will Find a Way (End Title)    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Be Prepared    They Live In You
The Legacy Collection: The Lion King
Circle of Life    Didn't Your Mother Tell You Not to Play With Your Food    We Are All Connected    Hyenas in the Pride Land    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    Elephant Graveyard    I Was Just Trying to Be Brave    Be Prepared    Simba, It's to Die For    Stampede    Mufasa Dies    If You Ever Come Back We'll Kill You    Bowling for Buzzards    Hakuna Matata    We Gotta Bone to Pick With You    Kings of the Past    Nala, Is It Really You?    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    Remember Who You Are    This Is My Home    The Rightful King    The Morning Report    Warthog Rhapsody    Circle of Life    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    Can You Feel the Love Tonight
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