CIRCLE OF LIFE
ELTON JOHN
SONGWRITER:
ELTON JOHN & TIM RICE
COUNTRY:U.
K.
ALBUM: THE
LION KING
LABEL: WALT
DISNEY
GENRE: SOUNDTRACK
YEAR:1994
"Circle of Life"
is a song from Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King. Composed by Elton
John, with lyrics by Tim Rice, the song was performed by Carmen Twillie (the
deep female lead vocals) and Lebo. (opening Zulu vocals) as the film's opening
song. In an interview, Rice said he was amazed at the speed with which John
composed: "I gave him the lyrics at the beginning of the session at about
two in the afternoon. By half-past three, he'd finished writing and recording a
stunning demo." Elton John sang a pop version (with alternative lyrics) of
the song with the London Community Gospel Choir, which was included in the film's
soundtrack and made into a music video. "Circle of Life" was
nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song in 1994, along with two other
songs from The Lion King: "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel
the Love Tonight" which won the award.
The song reached No. 11 in
the UK and No. 18 in the United States and is featured frequently in
attractions based on The Lion King, such as Disney theme parks and parades. Michael
Crawford sang it as part of a medley for The Disney Album in 2001.
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
Some say eat or be eaten
Some say live and let live
But all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give
In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life.