Disney’s feline fantasy was also the first collaboration between Tim Rice and Elton John. Combining African influences with Rice’s plainspoken yet poetic lyrics, the pair’s songs work just as well without visuals, whether sung by the cast—including an amazing Nathan Lane, who takes lead on “Hakuna Matata”—or John himself. (The cast recording of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is a particularly buoyant take on the Oscar-winning hit.) Portions of Hans Zimmer’s sweeping score round out the album with appropriately cinematic flair.
