Can You Feel the Love TonightElton JohnSara Jamhour

Composition

Can You Feel the Love Tonight" 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 in the film by Kristle Edwards, Joseph Williams, Sally Dworsky, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella.

The end title version was performed by Elton John.

Elton John was the composer and arranger. There was no transcriber.

Background

It was described by Don Hahn (the film's producer), Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff (the film's directors) as having "the most diverse history" in the film.

It was a chart hit in the UK, peaking at #14 on the UK Singles Chart, and achieved even more success in the U.S., reaching a peak of #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was a number-one hit in France.

It won the 1994 Academy Award for Best Original Song, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

It also earned Elton John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Biography

Nathan Lane, Timon

Ernie Sabella, Pumbaa

Joseph Williams, Simba

Sally Dworsky, Nala

Kristle Edwards, lead female vocal

Historical Perspective

The song was recorded in 1993 and released May 12, 1994.

John declared that "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was meant to follow "Disney's tradition of great love songs", and that it could "express the lions' feelings for each other far better than dialogue could".

The Lion King was released on June 15, 1994.

Technical Considerations

Animal sounds such as elephants along with drum solos and maracas are present throughout the piece.

The variety of instruments and voices can be difficult to emulate.

Stylistic Considerations

It includes African vocals that are more prominent in the audio-only releases, while they are mostly muted in the on-screen version of the song.

The lyrics should be sustained from each performer and should not be brusque or abrupt.

The tempo also picks up pace in the middle of the piece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h67RkwnchsI

Form and StructureIntro

[Timon]

I can see what's happening

(What?)

And they don't have a clue

(Who?)

They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line

Our trio's down to two.

(Oh.)

Ze sweet caress of twilight

There's magic everywhere

And with all this romantic atmosphere

Disaster's in the air

Chorus

Can you feel the love tonight?

The peace the evening brings

The world, for once, in perfect harmony

With all its living things

Verse 1

[Simba]

So many things to tell her

But how to make her see

The truth about my past? Impossible!

She'd turn away from me

[Nala]

He's holding back, he's hiding

But what, I can't decide

Why won't he be the king I know he is

The king I see inside?

Chorus

Can you feel the love tonight?

The peace the evening brings

The world, for once, in perfect harmony

With all its living things

Can you feel the love tonight?

You needn't look too far

Stealing through the night's uncertainties

Love is where they are

Extro

[Timon]

And if he falls in love tonight

It can be assumed

[Pumbaa]

His carefree days with us are history

[Timon and Pumbaa]

In short, our pal is doomed

(crying)

Title Version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTtgVSxfr5M

Verse 1

There's a calm surrender to the rush of day

When the heat of a rolling world can be turned away

An enchanted moment, and it sees me through

It's enough for this restless warrior just to be with you

Chorus

And can you feel the love tonight

It is where we are

It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer

That we got this far

And can you feel the love tonight

How it's laid to rest

It's enough to make kings and vagabonds

Believe the very best

Verse 2

There's a time for everyone if they only learn

That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn

There's a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors

When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours

Chorus and Extro

And can you feel the love tonight

It is where we are

It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer

That we got this far

And can you feel the love tonight

How it's laid to rest

It's enough to make kings and vagabonds

Believe the very best

Bibliography

http://www.biography.com/people/elton-john-9355335

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/canyoufeelthelovetonight.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Elliot_the_Musical#Awards_and_nominations

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/elton_john/can_you_feel_the_love_tonight.html