I Just Can't Wait to Be King

"I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a stylistic musical number from Disney's popular 1994 animated film, The Lion King.

"I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a large contrast from the film's non-musical segments, as emphasized by the number's usage of lively colors and sounds. The song is performed near the beginning of the film by a young Simba and Nala to distract Zazu, as well as to enunciate Simba's desires to become King of the Pride Lands. It also sets the character up for his profoundly shattering emotional fall when he is tricked into thinking he killed his father, Mufasa. Laura Williams (young Nala's singing voice) had only one individual line during the song.

The song was composed by Tim Rice (lyrics) and Elton John (music). It largely reuses the melody and chord structure of "A Word In Spanish" from Elton John's 1988 album Reg Strikes Back. It was performed by Jason Weaver, Laura Williams, Rowan Atkinson, and the chorus. In the original Broadway cast recording of The Lion King, it is performed by Scott Irby-Ranniar, Kajuana Shuford, and Geoff Hoyle. In the Spanish language version of The Lion King, "I Just Can't Wait to be King" was performed by Mexican singer and entertainer Kalimba.

Text

I'm gonna be a mighty king, so enemys beware

Well I'v never seen a king or beast

with quite so little hair

I'm gonna be the mane event

like no king was before

I'm brushing up on looking down

I'm workin on my roar

Thus far a rather uninspiring thing

Oh, I just can't wait to be king

You have rather a long way to go master if you think

No one saying do this

No one saying be there

No one saying stop that

No one saying see here

Free to run around all day

Well, thats definatly out

Free to do it all my way

I think its time that you and i arranged a heart to heart

Kings don't need advice from little hornbills for a start

If this is where the monarchy is headed count me out

out of service, out oof africa, i wouldnt hang about

This child is getting wildly out of wing

Oh, I just can't wait to be king

Everybody look left

Everybody look right

Everywhere you look I'm

standing spotlight

Not yet

Let every creature go for broke and sing

Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing

It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling

Oh, I just cant wait to be king (x3)

Cover versions

• The song is often performed live by the ska/funk band Suburban Legends, most often when performing at Disneyland's Tomorrowland Terrace, but occasionally while on tour as well. Vincent Walker sings the part of Simba, while Brian Klemm sings the part of Zazu.
• Pop star Aaron Carter remixed the song on DisneyMania.
• Allstar Weekend remade the song for DisneyMania 7.
• The Brazilian musical group “Exaltasamba” recorded a Portuguese version of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” (O que eu quero mais é ser rei, something like “What I want most is to be king”) in a samba style to the CD Disney Adventures in Samba.