Can You Feel the Love Tonight

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is a song from Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King[1] composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice.[2] 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.[3] It was a chart hit in the UK, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart,[2] and achieved even more success in the US, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was a number-one hit in Canada and France. At the 67th Academy Awards in March 1995 it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The same year the song also won Elton John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
Single by Elton John
from the album The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
ReleasedMay 12, 1994 (1994-05-12)
Recorded1993–1994
GenrePop, soft rock
Length4:01 (album version)
Label
Composer(s)Elton John
Lyricist(s)Tim Rice
Producer(s)Chris Thomas
Elton John singles chronology
"Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing"
(1994)		 "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
(1994)		 "Circle of Life"
(1994)
Music video
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" on YouTube

History

The song, written by Tim Rice and Elton John, was performed in the film by Kristle Edwards (also known as Kristle Murden), Joseph Williams, Sally Dworsky, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella, while another version used in the film's closing credits was performed by Elton John. It won the 1994 Academy Award for Best Original Song,[2] and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. It also earned Elton John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Within around one and a half months before the film was released in June 1994, John's recording was released throughout radio stations and as a commercial single and entered the Billboard Hot 100.[4] It became the bestselling single.[5] The music video of John's recording contains montages of John performing the song and scenes from the film.[4]

In 2003, a remixed version of the song was included in the Special Edition soundtrack of The Lion King, again sung by Elton John.

In the followup The Lion King 1½, the romantic scene where the song was originally featured also had the song playing, but with a difference: interspersed with the romantic scenes were short comedic shots of Timon and Pumbaa trying to disrupt Simba and Nala's night out with the "Peter Gunn Theme" playing while they try.

Reception

The single release of John's recording (the closing credits version) peaked at number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for eight weeks.[6] It also sold 500,000+ units in France.[7]

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet described "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" as a "really good ballad".[8] Heather Phares from AllMusic stated that it is a "Lion King classic".[9] Cashbox commented, "From Hollywood’s The Lion King soundtrack comes the always welcome voice of Elton John, who takes a stab at reclaiming his talent for crossover hitmaking with this orchestrated ballad, his most affecting single choice in years." They added, "Moving performance and a heady theme add up to hits radio action as well the usual adult formats and even some classic rock attention. A winner."[10] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly noted that John's "croon and piano skills are aging quite well".[11] Another editor, Leah Greenblatt described the song as a "soaring Simba tribute".[12] Expressen called it a "typical Elton ballad with echoes of several of his old successes".[13] Gavin Report said it is "sure-to-be a summer of '94 anthem."[14] The Network Forty stated that it is a "elegant ballad".[15] People called it "sappy", adding that it is "sure to be song of the year".[16] In 2016, David Ehrlich of the Rolling Stone magazine ranked John's performance of the song at the 67th Academy Awards in 1995 at number 12.[17] The Staffordshire Sentinel said that "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" "creates the perfect romantic atmosphere".[18]

Early production

The song was planned to be sung only by Timon and Pumbaa, but Elton John disliked the comical nature of the concept. 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 final result was the song mainly sung by an off-screen voice (Kristle Edwards) with short lines from Simba (Joseph Williams) and Nala (Sally Dworsky), and the beginning and end parts by Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella).[3] It also included Zulu vocals that, while mostly muted in the on-screen version, were much more prominently featured in the audio-only releases.[19]

Track listing
7" single, UK (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Can You Feel The Love Tonight"3:59
2."Can You Feel The Love Tonight" (Instrumental)3:59
CD single, Australia (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Can You Feel The Love Tonight"3:59
2."Can You Feel The Love Tonight" (Instrumental)3:59
3."Hakuna Matata"3:31
4."Under The Stars" (Instrumental)3:43
CD single, US (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Can You Feel The Love Tonight"3:59
CD maxi, UK (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."Can You Feel The Love Tonight"3:59
2."Can You Feel The Love Tonight" (Instrumental)3:59
3."Hakuna Matata"3:31
4."Under The Stars" (Instrumental)3:43

Festival of the Lion King

In Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom's Festival of the Lion King, the song is sung by Nakawa and Kibibi. As they sing, two ballet dancers (one male, one female) dressed as birds dance on the stage. After the main chorus is sung, the male bird dancer attaches his partner to a harness that allows her to fly through the air.

Cover versions

English pop group S Club, Sara Paxton and Elliott Yamin all covered the song for Disneymania, Disneymania 4 and Disneymania 6, respectively. Jackie Evancho covered the song for her album Songs from the Silver Screen. Harajuku, a Eurodance band covered a dance version of the song in a 1995 release with singer Stephanie O'Hara, also known as Stefanie Obst, performing vocals.[20][21][22] Italian trio Il Volo covered the song releasing it in the special edition of their album We Are Love.[23] In 2017 D-Metal Stars created a Heavy Metal cover of the song on the album "Metal Disney" featuring Mike Vescera and Rudy Sarzo. Beyoncé, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, and Billy Eichner performed the song as Nala, Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon, respectively, in the 2019 remake of The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau.[24] Pentatonix released an a capella rendition in conjunction with the 2019 remake.[25] In April 2020 Christina Aguilera performed the song for the ABC's television special, The Disney Family Singalong.[26][27] In September 2020, Japanese composer Yoshiki created a new classical arrangement of the song for the Disney My Music Story: Yoshiki special on Disney+.[28]

We Love Disney

The song was covered in different languages for the series We Love Disney by:

Personnel

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[55] Gold 35,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[71] Gold 25,000*
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[72] Gold 45,000
France (SNEP)[73] Gold 500,000[74]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[75] Platinum 10,000*
Sweden (GLF)[76] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[77] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[78] Platinum 1,000,000[79]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
  1. King, Alex P. (2004). Hit-parade — 20 ans de tubes (in French). Paris: Pascal. p. 339. ISBN 2-35019-009-9.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 137. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. Roger Allers (director), Rob Minkoff (director) (October 7, 2003). The Lion King: Platinum Edition, Disc 1, Director's Commentary (DVD). Los Angeles, California: Disney.
  4. DeLuca, Dan (June 26, 1994). "Disney Is Lord of the Pop Charts". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. H1+ – via ProQuest.
  5. Hischak, Thomas S.; Robinson, Mark A. (2009). "Can You Feel the Love Tonight". The Disney Song Encyclopedia. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-8108-6937-0. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  6. Bronson, Fred (October 4, 1997). "Charting History". Billboard.
  7. Sexton, Paul (October 4, 1997). "Around the World". Billboard. p. EJ-34.
  8. Aftonbladet. 12 June 1994.
  9. Phares, Heather. "Elton John – The Greatest Hits 1970-2002". AllMusic. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  10. "Pop Singles: Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 7. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  11. "Top Summer Singles". Entertainment Weekly. July 29, 1994. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  12. "Chart Flashback: 1994". Entertainment Weekly. July 22, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  13. Expressen. 22 July 1994.
  14. "A/C: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. May 6, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  15. "Mainstream: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. April 29, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  16. "Picks and Pans Review: The Lion King Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". People. July 4, 1994. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  17. Jerry Portwood, David Ehrlich, David Fear (February 17, 2015). "20 Greatest Best Song Oscar Performances". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 22, 2017.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  18. "Why Simba is set to be a roaring success". The Staffordshire Sentinel. 15 September 1994. page 18. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  19. Finch, Christopher (1994). "Afterword". The art of The Lion King. Hyperion. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-7868-6028-9.
  20. "Harajuku". Discogs.
  21. "Stephanie O'Hara". Discogs.
  22. "Harajuku – Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Dance Version)". Discogs.
  23. "We Are Love (Special Edition) by Il Volo on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  24. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a26025999/beyonce-lion-king-can-you-feel-the-love-tonight/
  26. "Christina Aguilera Joins Disney Singalong To Perform 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight'". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  27. "VIDEO: Christina Aguilera Sings 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' on THE DISNEY FAMILY SINGALONG". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  28. "Watch Disney My Music Story: Yoshiki | Full movie | Disney+". www.disneyplus.com. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  29. "We Love Disney di Multi-interprètes su Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  30. "We Love Disney (Deluxe) by Various Artists on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  31. "Cakra Khan". November 18, 2015. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  32. "We Love Disney (Latino) di Various Artists su Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  33. "Australian-charts.com – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  34. "Austriancharts.at – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  35. "Ultratop.be – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  36. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2557." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  37. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2540." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  38. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  39. "Lescharts.com – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  40. "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  41. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (28.07.1994 – 03.08.1994)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir – Tónlist. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  42. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  43. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 8, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  44. "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  45. "Charts.nz – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  46. "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". VG-lista. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  47. "Notowanie nr654" (in Polish). LP3. August 26, 1994. Archived from the original on February 19, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  48. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  49. "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  50. "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  51. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  52. "Elton John Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  53. "Elton John Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  54. "Elton John Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  55. "1994 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  56. "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  57. "Top 100 AC tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  58. "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  59. 1994 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived August 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved January 30, 2009)
  60. "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  61. "End of Year Charts 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  62. "Årslista Singlar – År 1994" (in Swedish). Hitlistan. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  63. "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  64. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1995" (in German). Austrian Charts Portal. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  65. "Ultratop rapports annuels 1995". ultratop.be. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  66. "1995 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  67. 1995 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived March 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved January 30, 2009)
  68. "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  69. "VG-lista Topp 20 Single Vinter 1995" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  70. "Årslista Singlar – År 1995" (in Swedish). Hitlistan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  71. "Austrian single certifications – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  72. "Danish single certifications – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". IFPI Denmark.
  73. "French single certifications – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  74. "Elton John - 30 Years of Music". Billboard. October 4, 1997. p. EJ-34. Retrieved October 6, 2020 – via Google Books.
  75. "New Zealand single certifications – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". Recorded Music NZ.
  76. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
  77. "British single certifications – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Can You Feel the Love Tonight in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  78. "American single certifications – Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  79. "Best-Selling Records of 1994". Billboard. 107 (3): 57. January 21, 1995. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 5, 2015.

General

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.