Week 8 Assignment
The Lion King came out before I was born in 1994 and stayed an iconic Disney movie still to this day. According to a website published by Forbes the movie the Lion King helped produce 11.6 billion dollars throughout its life. Forbes stated that “Disney is celebrating more than 20 years of The Lion King by revealing numbers that confirm it as the top-earning franchise in box-office history.” This has made it one of the most successful movies in the industry and one of the most viewed. While the movie is over 20 years old it is still shown in schools and as a common childhood movie, even being commonly rerun on certain TV channels.
The song “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” is a great example of when the hero of a movie reaches a turning point in their journey. While the lion is known as the king of the jungle, the writers use this to show that Simba had a bright future ahead of him and foreshadowed that things will not be easy, but in the end it would be worth it. The song has a great playfulness to it and the syncopation really adds to that. During the song, we see shifts between playful and more assertive verses. Overall, this song symbolizes hardship that’s come upon one and how there are always good things to come even if there isn’t always an easy way to get there. Simba had to go through quite a bit to fully understand his role in the animal kingdom and what it really meant to be king someday.
My opinion on this movie and song is that it is a great symbol of what the world was going through. While the song was featured in the musical, it shows strength from a young age and how people always have a chance at greatness. It shows the authority and power within the lyrics to be away from adults but also how power can be exciting and be overly burdensome while not fully understanding what it means to be a leader and the challenges involved in this case to be King. The song also emphasizes a parallel to the real world about expectations on hierarchy/monarchy and how those roles shape people.
Beech, Mark. “Disney’s ‘Lion King’ Tops $11.6 Billion on Anniversary, Most Successful Franchise Ever.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 30 Oct. 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/markbeech/2019/10/30/lion-king-tops-116-billion-on-anniversary-most-successful-franchise-ever/.
“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Sept. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Just_Can%27t_Wait_to_Be_King#:~:text=The%20song%20is%20performed%20near,attempt%20to%20forget%20his%20past.
I agree with your analysis of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” especially its portrayal of Simba’s youthful energy and optimism, which foreshadows his growth into a leader. The song cleverly balances playfulness with hints of the responsibilities that come with power, making it both entertaining and meaningful. I also liked your point about societal expectations of hierarchy and how Simba’s eagerness reflects the excitement and burdens of leadership. Additionally, the song’s upbeat tempo and syncopation capture Simba’s defiance and enthusiasm, while Elton John’s African-inspired rhythms enhance its connection to the film’s setting. Comparing it to other Disney “I want” songs could further illustrate its role in showcasing a character’s dreams and challenges.
ReplyDeleteWhile Lion King was not my forte growing up, I do appreciate the art and what the Lion King stands for. "I Just Can't Wait to be King" i think has such a powerful impact on the movie. Simba is learning about new responsibilities while still being young and carefree. If you liked this Disney song, "Under the Sea' from The Little Mermaid this song has a similar joyful tone with an upbeat rhythm.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I did not know Elton John helped create this song. Your analysis of the song was great, and I completely agree with you! Disney is know for its uplifting songs and messages as well.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that this song has a deeper meaning than it seems. The song shows that while things may not seem great, good things will always come. However, it also shows that you should be careful what you wish for. Simba couldn't wait to be king and then soon after he would've had to be king if not for Scar being evil.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your perspectives of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”, I liked reading your input! I also liked the idea of how you explained the hidden genius behind the song and placing it strictly into the storyline of the movie and Simba’s development. How you connected it to themes of leadership and the pressure put on people is mind-boggling.
ReplyDelete"I Just Can't Wait to be King" has always been one of my favorite Disney movie songs, and I have always loved Jason Weaver who sings it. It is such a nice lighthearted song about how Simba sees himself as king, before everything changes for him. Thank you for sharing your view on this songs.
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