I Just Can't Wait to Be King facts for kids

"I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a super fun song from the Disney animated movie The Lion King, which came out in 1994. The famous musician Elton John wrote the music, and Tim Rice wrote the words.

In the original movie, a young Simba sings this song. He's voiced by Jason Weaver. Rowan Atkinson (who plays Zazu) and Laura Williams (who plays Nala) also sing along. The song was also in the live-action version of The Lion King in 2019. In that movie, JD McCrary, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and John Oliver performed it.

The Song in The Lion King Movies

What Happens in the Original Film

This song is a big, colorful moment in The Lion King. It's very different from the quieter parts of the movie. When the song starts, the colors on screen become much brighter!

Young Simba and Nala sing "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" early in the film. It shows how much Simba wants to grow up and become the king of the Pride Lands. He dreams of being in charge and doing whatever he wants. This song happens before Simba faces some really tough times and leaves his home.

Appearing in the Sequel Film

The song also pops up in The Lion King 1½, a movie that came out in 2004. This film tells the story of The Lion King from the point of view of Timon and Pumbaa.

In The Lion King 1½, Timon and Pumbaa are trying to relax in their home. But then they hear a lot of noise outside! It's Simba, Nala, and all the animals singing "I Just Can't Wait to Be King." Timon gets annoyed and pokes an elephant's leg with a stick. This makes the elephant jump, and the big tower of animals collapses, just like it does in the original movie! Timon and Pumbaa's home gets messed up because of all the singing and dancing.

The Song on Stage and by Other Artists

In the Broadway Musical

"I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is also a popular song in The Lion King Broadway show. On the 1997 Original Cast Recording, it was sung by Scott Irby-Ranniar, Kajuana Shuford, and Geoff Hoyle. In the Spanish language version of the musical, a singer from Mexico named Kalimba performed the song.

Other Artists Who Covered the Song

Many other artists have loved "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" so much that they've made their own versions!

• The band Suburban Legends often plays this song live, especially at Disneyland. Their version is on their 2012 album, Day Job.
• Pop star Aaron Carter made a remixed version for the album Disneymania.
• Allstar Weekend also remade the song for DisneyMania 7.
• The Brazilian music group “Exaltasamba” recorded a Portuguese version of the song in a samba style. It's called O que eu quero mais é ser rei and is on their CD Disney Adventures in Samba.
• Brian Wilson, a famous musician, covered the song for his album In the Key of Disney.