From Amazon.com
Elton John doesn't seem like a natural choice to write for a Disney musical, but he rose to the task on The Lion King, transcending his usual penchant for the softest of soft rock. Sir Elton's collaboration with Tim Rice (former writing partner of Andrew Lloyd Webber) helps connect the soundtrack to the theatrical lineage of all Disney musicals--so much so that, like Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King was eventually adapted for Broadway. Undistinguished songs like "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" are far outnumbered by stirring, stately tunes that lent the film so much of its sense of pageant and play. --John Sanchez

From the Label
Following the award-winning success of the original film soundtrack which sold over 10 million copies, the new Special Edition soundtrack contains 2 new tracks including "The Morning Report" from the all-new animated film sequence and a remix of Elton John's #1 hit single, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight".

The soundtrack, embracing authentic African rhythms and contemporary musical influences, features African vocalists recorded in their homeland and enhances the storyline with powerful imagery and narrative storytelling.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Animated Film Soundtrack of Choice!, 21 Jan 2004

By	S. Jolly "Jollything" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hold on now children. Sure, the Elton John songs are great. In particular, ‘Circle of Life’ (as heard in the film) sticks in the mind, as an irresistible blend of contemporary Western song writing with glorious African vocals. That spectacular opening zoom up to the head of Pride Rock as it hits the chorus (you know the bit) is a movie image that will probably never leave me, and its awesome impact owes BIG TIME to Elton’s songwriting talent. The quirky ‘Hakuna Matata’ and his likeable pop ballad version of ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight?’ are also definite high points of the album.

But hang on. We cannot speak of this soundtrack without mentioning the efforts of a certain Mr Hans Zimmer! (The previous user comment seemed to imply that Elton John also composed the orchestral cues – boy, did he get HIS lions crossed!)

The orchestral score aspect of ‘The Lion King’ is epic and beautiful, and simply WORKS, because it never allows itself to admit that all we’re really dealing with here is a few thousand cute animal drawings. Zimmer unashamedly approaches the drama and emotional nuances of the story with respect and straight-faced sensitivity; happily, no gawky cartoonish fluttery is anywhere to be heard.

His themes are great, and there are many. (Watched ‘The Lion King 2’ recently, and without Zimmer’s memorable leitmotifs, it seemed to have no soul.) Two or three of the motifs, in particular, capture just the right combination of majesty and tragedy (“a king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun…”), while the uplifting African chanting creates a nice contrast from the heavier stuff (heard, for instance, when Simba decides to leave the jungle and return to the Pridelands). The track ‘To Die For,’ however, is a cut above the rest, which underscores my favourite sequence in animation history: the Wildebeest Stampede. Did you ever hear anything darker or more intense written for any cartoon before this? Unlikely, my friend, unlikely!

There are a few holes in the album, and I’m disappointed that this Special Edition hasn’t been used as a chance to release more of Zimmer’s score. If you don’t own the first album, it’s well worth purchasing all the same.

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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly the best Disney soundtrack ever! , 6 May 2006

By	Kyle "KazSmurph" (Llangoed, Anglesey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lion King (Audio CD)

This is certainly the most amazing soundtrack that Disney has produced, proven by the fact that it has won awards for its brilliance. The music is absolutely mind-blowing, and there is something there to touch every emotion, from the dramatic "Circle of Life," to the beautiful heart-wrenching "Can You Feel The Love Tonight," the fun, bouncy "I Just Can't Wait to be King" and "Hakuna Matata," and of course there's no forgetting the dark "Be Prepared." There is, of course, the wacky "Morning Report" which, despite being very good in its own right, does not match up to the others, it being an additional song for the Special Addition. Of course, it is not only the Elton John/Tim Rice songs which make up the brilliance of this soundtrack. Hans Zimmer's scores, mixed with the amazing essences of African music, really bring the CD together! The hit songs at the end are also brilliant, especially the newly added "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" re-mix! Altogether, this is one heck of a soundtrack, and it is no wonder that it won the awards that it did! This may not have as many tracks as some other Disney soundtracks, but the quality of the music on this will make you listen to it over and over again!

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22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An album that's still Disney's best work!, 8 Jan 2003

By	Ahmed (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lion King (Original Soundtrack) Import (Audio CD)

This album is still one of Disney's best musical albums. Standing high up in the top 5 of the best selling soundtracks of all time, this multi-platinum album has sold 10 million copies in the US alone. The sweet melodies and flute inspired music is peaceful and relaxing. It's just like listening to new age music. Kids as well as adults will love this work of art. Some of Elton John's greatest works can be found on this album. The music from "El Dorado" is nothing compared to this masterpiece. Hans Zimmer's music and Elton John's vocals make a great collaboration. This multi-Grammy award and Oscar winning album is a sure winner. It's for lovers of all traditional Disney music (like the music from Beauty&the beast, Mary Poppins, and the Jungle Book). If you're also interested in great instrumental music and originality, you'll love this creative album! It was the first album I ever bought ( when I was 7).

The album starts out with the powerful popular "Circle of Life" with a great beat and a powerful vocal performance! It's a powerful passionate masterpiece! Next on the album is the ever-so-popular single that kids will still love today, "Oh I just can't wait to be king" another track with a good beat collaborated with great African drum sound sin the background!

Then the music suddenly changes into an evil creative track, "be prepared". But then you go on to the movie's most popular single at the time the fun-loving Timon and Pumba dance to "Hakuna Matata".

The album is filled with peaceful, fun-loving, romantic, and evil tracks as well as great instrumental works by Hans Zimmer. But still alongside the addictive "Hakuna Matata" is the romantic melody with great vocal performances. Yes it's "can you feel the love tonight" a passionate track with good lyrics and an influencing theme. Even though Elton John would probably be given the credit for making this album such a hit, it's hard not to think of Hans Zimmer. It's the main reason every track is fantastic in it's own way. If you're looking for an album for your kids, looking for peace, looking for enjoyable music, looking for instrumental new age type works, and looking for inspiring &influencing music-this is something you should buy!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Super King
Great CD - my kids insist on playing it incessantly in the car, and it stands up to it (mostly). Not so convinced with the Elton versions - or would have given it 5 stars, but... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Busybee

4.0 out of 5 stars Lion King CD
Bought it for my young son who loves the film and likes singing to the music.

Published 4 months ago by Mrs. S. Andrews

5.0 out of 5 stars I would say this is GRRREAT!
This is a puurrrfect cd for all the family. It has all the original songs, including one which wasnt put into the film called "The Morning Report". Read more

Published on 24 May 2004 by C. Crabtree

5.0 out of 5 stars the lion king
the lion king album is the best CD of audio i have ever heard. It is really good i loved it!

I recomend it really!!!!!

Published on 10 May 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars i love this!
EVERYONE SHOULD OWN THIS CD!!!!!

Published on 5 Nov 2003 by englandstar831

5.0 out of 5 stars The best movie ever!!
I love this CD, well i love the movie and i always sing along to the all the songs!!! I guess i would love this CD too. Read more

Published on 5 Nov 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Disney's done it again
The problem with disney films in general is that they do not appeal to both children and grown ups. Childrens films of the disney type are usually based around a fairy tale or... Read more

Published on 3 Oct 2003 by Mr. R. T. Jacobs

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure musical genius.
When the soundtrack to this amazing film was first heard, critics said it didn't live up to previous titles such as The Little Mermaid. Please don't believe them! Read more

Published on 17 May 2003 by Blue Phoenix

› See all 11 customer reviews...

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	74% buy the item featured on this page: The Lion King 4.8 out of 5 stars (11)
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