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===Early production===
===Early production===
The song was based on an earlier song written early on in the production stage called "Warthog Rhapsody".{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} Although the two songs shared the same message and position in the film, when Elton and Tim began to work on the music the song was completely rewritten and it eventually evolved into "Hakuna Matata". "Warthog Rhapsody" was eventually re-produced and released on ''Rhythm of the Pride Lands''.
The song was based on an earlier song written early on in the production stage called "Warthog Rhapsody".{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} Although the two songs shared the same message and position in the film, when Elton and Tim began to work on the music the song was completely rewritten and it eventually evolved into "Hakuna Matata". "Warthog Rhapsody" was eventually re-produced and released on ''Rhythm of the Pride Lands''.

== Text <ref>[http://www.disneymusic.zafriko.pl/str/2__teksty_piosenek/krol_lew/hakuna_matata_ang]</ref> ==
Hakuna matata! What a wonderful phrase!

Hakuna matata! Ain’t no passin’ 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 warthog...

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!

Thoughta changin’ my name.

Oh, what’s in a name?

And I got downhearted...

How did you feel?

...every time that I...

Hey, Pumbaa, not in front of the kids!

Oh, sorry.


Hakuna matata!

What a wonderful phrase!

Hakuna matata!

Ain’t no passin’ 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!

Hakuna matata!



==Meaning==
==Meaning==

Revision as of 19:41, 20 August 2011

"Hakuna Matata"
Song
B-side"He Lives in You"

"Hakuna Matata" is a song from Disney's 32nd animated feature The Lion King.[1] The song is based on Timon and Pumbaa's common catchphrase in the movie, Hakuna matata, which is a Swahili phrase. It is characterized by its simple 4/4 time, upbeat message and catchy lyrics.

Music

The musical score was written by Elton John and the lyrics by Tim Rice. In the film the song is sung by Timon (a meerkat voiced by Nathan Lane), Pumbaa (a warthog voiced by Ernie Sabella), and Simba, a young lion voiced by Jason Weaver (singing voice as a cub) and Joseph Williams (as an adult). The two main comedy characters in the film, (Timon and Pumbaa), talking about moving on from their troubled past and forgetting their worries. The song also provides a backstory for Pumbaa, explaining that he was ostracized from animal society for his excessive flatulence. It contains several breaks at which the music grinds to a halt and then starts again. It makes use of a large proportion of the orchestra as well as many other more unusual instruments including an elaborate drum kit.

A second version of the song, produced for the companion album Rhythm of the Pride Lands, was performed by Jimmy Cliff featuring Lebo M. This version of the song is slightly modified (especially concerning the instruments used) but remains very similar to the original. It was released as a single with "He Lives in You" as a B-side, and was ultimately used in the Broadway theatrical version of The Lion King.

Early production

The song was based on an earlier song written early on in the production stage called "Warthog Rhapsody".[citation needed] Although the two songs shared the same message and position in the film, when Elton and Tim began to work on the music the song was completely rewritten and it eventually evolved into "Hakuna Matata". "Warthog Rhapsody" was eventually re-produced and released on Rhythm of the Pride Lands.

Text [2]

Hakuna matata! What a wonderful phrase!

Hakuna matata! Ain’t no passin’ 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 warthog...

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!

Thoughta changin’ my name.

Oh, what’s in a name?

And I got downhearted...

How did you feel?

...every time that I...

Hey, Pumbaa, not in front of the kids!

Oh, sorry.


Hakuna matata!

What a wonderful phrase!

Hakuna matata!

Ain’t no passin’ 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!

Hakuna matata!


Meaning

Hakuna matata is a Swahili phrase that is frequently translated as "no worries". In a bonus features of The Lion King Special Edition DVD, the film's production team claims that it picked up the term from a tour guide while on safari in Tanzania. It was then developed into an ideology that, along with the seemingly antithetical value of duty to the monarchy, is central to the moral content of the film.

The title phrase is pronounced with American English phonology within the song, including a flapped "t", rather than as it is pronounced in Swahili.

Critical reception

The song proved enormously popular and was nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards in 1995 and lost only to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", one of three Lion King song nominations (the other was "Circle of Life").[3] It was also ranked 99th in the AFI's list of the 100 best American movie songs of all time.[4]

A shortened version of "Hakuna Matata" was used as the theme song of the spinoff Timon & Pumbaa TV show.

In popular culture

  • Australian pop star Dannii Minogue performed the song on a UK Disney TV special.
  • Alvin and Simon Seville covered the song in their 1994 album When You Wish Upon a Chipmunk, respectively portraying Timon & Pumbaa. In this version, they covered it in their own style (i.g.,from "warthog" to "chipmunk"). However, The Walt Disney Company didn't endorse nor sponsor the album.
  • In one of Disney's many self references, the "Hakuna Matata" song can be heard briefly in the 1995 Pixar film Toy Story, in which it was played on Andy's mom's car while Molly sees Woody and Buzz Lightyear through one of the side view mirrors.
  • Bunny Wailer covered the song on Reggae for Kids: Movie Classics.
  • In the Seinfeld episode "The Merv Griffin Show", Elaine says that she was caught in the office singing "Hakuna Matata".
  • In the film Mouse Hunt, Ernie Smuntz (Nathan Lane) bows to a sheik who is seeking to bid for his home and greets him with the words "Hakuna matata," a reference to Nathan Lane's portrayal of Timon.
  • It appears in Mannheim Steamroller's 1999 album Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse.
  • The song was covered by Jamaican group Baha Men for the Disneymania CD.
  • The song was covered by Debby Ryan for the Disneymania 7 CD.
  • On Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, Whiskers says "Do you remember 'Ohana' and all that stuff? Or was it Hakuna Matata?"
  • On the episode of Moesha, Frank says to his work friend on the line "Hakuna Good-bye, Bye" on "The Whistle Blower" that aired in 1996.
  • In an episode of Pinky and the Brain while Pinky and the Brain are trapped in the wilderness, Pinky tries to cheer up the agitated Brain by saying he will tell him a phrase, and Pinky's phrase turns out to be "Hakuna Matata".
  • In Aladdin and The King Of Thieves, Genie turns into Pumba and says "Hakuna Matata"

Track listings

CD single
  1. "Hakuna Matata" — 4:24
  2. "He Lives in You" — 4:51
CD maxi
  1. "Hakuna Matata" (rap version) — 3:50
  2. "Warthog Rhapsody" by Nathan Lane & Ernie Sabella — 3:06
  3. "Hakuna Matata" (album version) — 4:24

Charts

References

  1. ^ King, Alex P. (2004). Hit-parade — 20 ans de tubes (in French). Paris: Pascal. p. 339. ISBN 2-35019-009-9.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "Academy Awards Database". Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  4. ^ American Film Institute (2004). "The Top Movie Songs of All Time" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  5. ^ a b c d "JIMMY CLIFF & LEBO M. - HAKUNA MATATA (CHANSON)". Lescharts.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  6. ^ a b "Single top 100 over 1995" (pdf) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  7. ^ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved August 6, 2008)
  8. ^ a b "JIMMY CLIFF singles". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  9. ^ 1995 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved August 6, 2008)
  10. ^ 1995 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved January 30, 2009)
  11. ^ French certifications Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved August 6, 2008)

External links