Oscar-Nominated Top Ten: Hakuna Matata (#5)

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The last Disney song on the list….but not the last kids’ movie. Into the top five of favorites that were nominated for an Academy Award for “Best Original Song,” and will you look at who’s back in the list…. #5: Hakuna Matata - Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba That’s right, Elton’s back! And he brought a jungle with him! Walt Disney had a philosophy that’s the polar opposite of this song: he liked interjecting misery into movies. What do you remember about Old Yeller? Yeah, the ending. Or Dumbo’s mom in the cage or Bambi’s mom dying. Sheesh, Walt, lighten up! Walt’s long gone but that “drag ‘em in with a catchy song and then make ‘em miserable” idea continues. Here you have Simba watching his dad die. Charming. Why do we like Disney movies again?? Oh, yeah, the music. Elton teamed up with Tim Rice to do the score for the movie, and he was rewarded handsomely. This song didn’t win the Oscar, but don’t feel too bad for Elton. He won that year for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” (He had three nominations, with the last one being “The Circle of Life,” from the movie.) I’d love to hear Elton sing this…I think. Hakuna Matata Written by Elton John and Tim Rice Recorded by Nathan Lane (Timon), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Jason Weaver (young Simba), and Joseph Williams (adult Simba) From The Lion King, 1994 It’s our problem-free philosophy: