I Just Can't Wait to Be King

Elton John single

Elton John performed the second version of I Just Can't Wait to Be King as a single.

Analysis

The song is "an ode to youthful arrogance, invincibility, and above all, impatience".

Critical reception

The New York Times Film Reviews 1993–1994 deemed the song to be derivative as well as "cute, lilting [and] safe", and likened the song to Michael Jackson singing "Under the Sea". The Cavalier Daily also compared the song to those from The Little Mermaid, and Popdust compared it to Billy Joel's "River of Dreams".

The New York Times Theater Reviews 1997–1998 felt that the song was "conventionally comic and upbeat". Lakeland Ledger wrote that it is a "dazzling Busby Berkeley-style dancefest" with a "Rockettes kickline". It has been described as "strutting", "bouncy", "grand", and a "hubris-filled fantasy song". News.com deemed it the underdog song of The Lion King, adding "this showstopper about the future didn't get the accolades its brethren received."

Less favorable reviews have described the song as "irritating" and not very "thematically rich". Popdust ranked the song 5 out of 6 songs in the film, and BoingBoing listed it as the 11th best "I Want" song in the Disney repertoire. The Cavalier Daily deemed the Elton John reworking "uneventful and boring".

Certifications

Context

In film

"I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a large contrast from the film's non-musical segments; the onset of the song sees a change from a neutral color palette. The song is performed near the beginning of the film by a young Simba and Nala as to enunciate Simba's desires to become King. It is a prelude to Simba's lost innocence, being tricked into thinking he killed his father, his leaving Pride Rock, and attempt to forget his past.

Direct-to-video prequel

It also appears in DisneyToon's 2004 direct-to-video followup The Lion King 1½. Timon and Pumbaa are disturbed by some noise from outside of their home, which is actually Simba, Nala, and the animals singing this musical number. Timon is angry and hits the leg of an elephant supporting the tower of animals with a stick. The elephant jumps in surprise and causes the tower to collapse, explaining why it collapses in the original film. Timon and Pumbaa's home is ruined by this event.

In musical

The song appears in the Broadway show and is performed by Scott Irby-Ranniar, Kajuana Shuford, and Geoff Hoyle on the 1997 Original Cast Recording. In the Spanish language version of The Lion King, "I Just Can't Wait to be King" was performed by the Mexican singer and entertainer Kalimba. Elton John also recorded his own version of the song for the film's soundtrack.

References

References

1. (24 June 2024). "'The Lion King' at 30: Jason Weaver Sang for Simba but Few Knew It". The New York Times.
2. (1994-05-25). "Lion King Production Notes". Walt Disney Pictures.
3. "Ranking the Songs From "The Lion King"". Popdust.
4. (1996). "The New York Times Film Reviews 1993-1994". Garland Publishing, Incorporated.
5. "The Cavalier Daily - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
6. (13 October 2014). "The New York Times Theater Reviews 1997-1999". Routledge.
7. "Lakeland Ledger - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
8. "'The Lion King 3D' review". Digital Spy.
9. AOL. "'Lion King' Actress Shannon Tavarez Dies at 11". PopEater.
10. Staff Writer. (8 June 2013). "The Lion King – A Review - Stabroek News". Stabroek News.
11. (4 February 2015). "Review: Kroll Show: "Karaoke Bullies" · TV Club · The A.V. Club". avclub.com.
12. "The best and most underrated songs from your favourite Disney films". NewsComAu.
13. (17 April 2015). "All of Disney's "I Want" songs, ranked". Boing Boing.
14. (1998). "Lighting Dimensions". Lighting Dimensions Associates.