
The most charming song in the 1994’s beloved The Lion King is where Pumbaa, Timon, and Simba sing Hakuna Matata. Which means, as the meerkat and wildebeast cheerfully describe, “No worries.” A good philosophy…can you watch this scene without smiling?
It’s pleasant, funny, and even meaningful — remember the iconic moment where the three friends walk across a log, signaling the passage of time as Simba grows from cub to adult lion? (Sniff. Awww.)
Something you probably didn’t know is that Elton John was one of the songwriters for this sweet little film little interlude. We can only hope Hakuna Matata is included in the rebooted “live action” (actually CGI) Lion King movie, out this summer in 2019.
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Note: Hakuna Matata’s got…farting and belching jokes. A little risque for 1990s Disney, but it underlies the underdog and acceptance theme well. We would all be lucky to have accepting, affectionate friends like Pumbaa and Timone. We should also try to adopt a certain No Worries mind-set in such troublesome times. We’d all be a lot happier and nicer to each other. 🙂
Watch the Hakuna Matata sequence and learn the lyrics (below)
Lyrics to The Lion King’s Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata!
Ain’t no passing craze
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It’s our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
Why, when he was a young warthog
When I was a young wart-hoooog!
Very nice!
Thanks!
He found his aroma lacked a certain appeal
He could clear the Savannah after every meal
I’m a sensitive soul, though I seem thick-skinned
And it hurt that my friends never stood downwind
And oh, the shame
(He was ashamed!)
Thought of changin’ my name
(Oh, what’s in a name?)
And I got downhearted
(How did you feel?)
Every time that I-
Pumbaa! Not in front of the kids!
Oh… sorry
Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata!
Ain’t no passing craze
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
Yeah, sing it, kid!
It’s our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It’s our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata…
[Songwriters: Elton John / Tim Rice
Hakuna Matata lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company]
Best #LionKing song? #hakunamatata #NoWorries #EltonJohn #LionSleepsTonight #CircleOfLife #canyoufeelthelovetonight #Disney #TheLionKing #RunPeePoll @RunPee
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Co-Creator of RunPee, Chief of Operations, Content Director, and Managing Editor. RunPee Jilly likes galaxy-spanning sci fi, superhero sagas, fantasy films, YA dystopians, action thrillers, chick flicks, and zany comedies, in that order…and possesses an inspiringly small bladder. In fact, that little bladder sparked the creation of RunPee. (Good thing she’s learned to hold it.)
DanaSimone Stovall Author
I can’t wait until this movie comes out….again! In my top ten favorites for sure.
Jill Florio Administrator
I remember it as such a charming film, up there with The Little Mermaid and The Beauty and the Beast, all in the Disney Renaissance Era.
I hope I get to see the animated original again before the reboot comes out and review it.
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[…] John and Tim Rice wrote the award-winning songs for the soundtrack. Remember Hakuna Matata, and Can You Feel the Love Tonight? Hans Zimmer himself composed the […]
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Jill Florio Administrator
And YES, I watched the original before seeing the remake. I like both versions for different reasons. Both are just lovely films. This is the best animation to ‘live action’ remake yet. IMO. I know a lot of folks like the remade Beauty and the Beast best.
Dana, what did you think of the remake?
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[…] and said furniture, we’d have a perfect film. Cogsworth and Lumiere aren’t quite Pumba and Timon, but come close. And that doggy footstool deserves a special mention as a delightful idea. […]