"Hakuna Matata" is a song from Disney's 32nd animated featureThe Lion King. The music was written by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. The song is based on Timon and Pumbaa's catchphrase in the movie, Hakuna matata, a Swahili phrase meaning "No problem". It is characterized by its simple 4/4 time, upbeat message and catchy lyrics.
Music
The song's music and melody were composed by Elton John, with lyrics by Tim Rice. In the film the song is sung by Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba, a young lion voiced by Jason Weaver and Joseph Williams. Taking place after the death of Mufasa, it features Timon and Pumbaa, the two main comedy characters in the film, talking to Simba about moving forward from their troubled pasts and forgetting their worries, and Simba grows from cub to adult as the song progresses. The song also provides a backstory for Pumbaa, explaining that he was ostracized from animal society for his excessive flatulence. It makes use of a large proportion of the orchestra as well as many other more unusual instruments including an elaborate drum kit. Rice is said to have got the idea for the lyrics for the song from watching the comedy series Bottom and at one point wanted the show's stars Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson to play Timon and Pumbaa. 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 has a slightly modified, previously unreleased verse focusing on Timon's past. It was partially rewritten with a different instrument arrangement, but remains very similar to the original. This version of the song 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.
Production
"Hakuna Matata" replaced another song written early on in the production stage, titled "Warthog Rhapsody". This song was eventually recorded and released on Rhythm of the Pride Lands, along with several other songs that did not appear in the finished film. The vocal melody of "Warthog Rhapsody" was later used for the song "That's All I Need" in the spinoff film The Lion King 1½.
Meaning
Hakuna matata is a phrase in Swahili that is frequently translated as "no worries". In a behind-the-scenes segment on The Lion King Special Edition DVD, the film's production team claim that it picked up the term from a tour guide while on safari in Kenya. 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
"Hakuna Matata" has become one of Disney's most celebrated and popular songs, establishing itself as one of the studio's greatest and most iconic. The song was nominated for Best Song at the 67th Academy Awards but lost to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", one of three Lion King song nominations. It was also ranked 99th in the AFI's list of the 100 best American movie songs of all time, Disney's seventh and last entry of songs on the list. A shortened version of "Hakuna Matata" was used as the theme song of the spinoff Timon & PumbaaTV series. Another shortened version of "Hakuna Matata" was used in the TV series The Lion Guard in the first-season episode "Bunga and the King", sung by the cast members. The film's 2019 photorealistic CGI remake features a new version performed by Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, JD McCrary as young Simba, and Donald Glover as adult Simba.
Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song in their 1995 album When You Wish Upon a Chipmunk, with Alvin and Simon performing Timon and Pumbaa's parts, respectively, and replacing "warthog" with "chipmunk".
In Mouse Hunt, Ernie Smuntz says "hakuna matata" to a guest at the house auction.
In one of Disney's many self references, the "Hakuna Matata" song can be heard briefly in the 1995 Disney·Pixar film Toy Story, in which it was played in Andy's mother's car while Molly sees Woody and Buzz Lightyear through one of the side-view mirrors. "Hakuna Matata" is referenced in Aladdin and the King of Thieves when Genie turns into Pumbaa and says, "Hakuna Matata".
In the Seinfeld episode "The Merv Griffin Show", Elaine says that she was caught in the office singing "Hakuna Matata".
An instrumental version of this song appears in Mannheim Steamroller's 1999 albumMannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse. It ends with the phrase "You Got a Problem with That".
The song was covered by Bahamian group Baha Men for the first Disneymania album.
The song was covered by Debby Ryan for the Disneymania 7 album.
The 2012 Japanese album Disney - Koe no Oujisama vol. 2, which features various Japanese voice actors covering Disney songs, includes a version of "Hakuna Matata" sung by Hiro Shimono and Nobuhiko Okamoto. A subsequent album with a similar concept, Disney - Koe no Durimu Dyuetto, includes a version sung by Mitsuki Saiga and Katsuyuki Konishi.
A parody of the song, Hasa Diga Eebowai, features in the musical ''The Book of Mormon
