Mufasa: The Lion King Soundtrack Guide& When They Play

The following contains spoilers for Mufasa: The Lion King, now playing in theatersMufasa: The Lion Kingadds new songs to the Disney music library that expand the story of Mufasa and fleshes out characters like Scar. Serving as a quasi-sequel to 2019’sThe Lion Kingas well as a prequel to the earlier days of the world,Mufasa: The Lion Kingreveals how a lonely cub grew to become a mighty king of the Pride Lands. Thecast and characters ofMufasa: The Lion Kingbring new layers to their characters, particularly Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, the prideful but cowardly prince who eventually becomes the villainous Scar.

Mufasa: The Lion Kingboasts a new soundtrack that feels inherently familiar for fans of the original. This includes bringing back South African composer Lebo M for a new song, along with a score that feels reminiscent of the original films. Helping flesh out theMufasa: The Lion Kingsoundtrack is Lin Manuel-Miranda, who wrote several new songs for the film. Here’s every major song in theMufasa: The Lion Kingand where it plays in the film.

young Mufasa looking scared in Mufasa The Lion King

Anika Noni Rose and Keith David

Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Aaron Pierre, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Mufasa-from-Mufasa-The-Lion-King-and-Imagery-from-The-Lion-King-2019-Movie

Mads Mikkelsen, Joanna Jones, and Folake Olowofoyeku

“We Go Together”

Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman, and Kagiso Lediga

Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone

When Every Song In Mufasa: The Lion King Plays In The Movie

Mufasa: The Lion KingHas Seven New Songs

“Ngomso” by Lebo M:The first song inMufasa: The Lion Kingis “Ngomso” by Lebo M. The legendary producer and composer wrote some of the most iconic music fromThe Lion King, including the Zulu chant that opens the film. Lebo M has returned previously to the franchise over the years, including the2019 version ofThe Lion King. His new track, “Ngomso,” serves as the introductory music to the film and reintroduces audiences to the Pride Lands after the events ofThe Lion King. This gives the new film a natural thematic connection to the previous entries in the franchise.

“Milele” by Anika Noni Rose and Keith David:“Milele” is the first full musical-style song inMufasa: The Lion King, and introduces the concept of a promised land known as Milele. The song is sung by Afia and Masego, Mufasa’s biological parents. The visuals for the song enhanced the moment, with a young Mufasa running through the desert landscape and imagining it overflowing with flowers and fauna. It also serves as one of the film’s only showcases for Afia and Masego, who more or less leave the film not much longer after “Milele.”

“I Always Wanted A Brother” by Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Aaron Pierre, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.:“I Always Wanted A Brother” plays after Obasi has reluctantly accepted Mufasa into their pride at the insistence of his son, Taka. The main crux of the song is that it’s Taka singing with Mufasa about always wanting a brother, and how excited he is that the pair of them will be able to grow up together. The song is also a montage song, with the final stretch introducing the older versions of Mufasa and Taka that serve as the primary focus of the film’s narrative. It’s a cute song that feels at times referential to “I Just Want To Be King” fromThe Lion King.

“Bye Bye” by Mads Mikkelsen, Joanna Jones, and Folake Olowofoyeku:“Bye Bye” is the big villain song ofMufasa: The Lion King. The song is primarily sung by the murderous white lion Kiros when he tracks down Mufasa’s pride, with accompaniment by the lioness hunters who serve him. Kiros uses the song to reveal his overall plan to bring down the other lions of the local lands, taking power and establishing himself as the true “lion king.”

Mufasa’s Positive Early Reactions Shouldn’t Be Surprising Thanks To 1 Key The Lion King Difference

Mufasa: The Lion King’s first reactions have been revealed, highlighting some major truths about how it compares to the 2019 The Lion King remake.

“We Go Together” by Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman, and Kagiso Lediga:“We Go Together” is a road song sung by Mufasa, Taka, Sarabi, Zazu, and Rafiki after the group has been fully established during their journey to escape the white lions. The song highlights the friendship that forms between the group, with the lighter lyrics and tenor reflecting that upbeat tone. However, the song also establishes that Taka has developed romantic feelings for Sarabi, laying the groundwork for Taka’s eventual betrayal of his brother over his bruised emotions.

“Tell Me It’s You” by Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone:“Tell Me It’s You” is the big love song ofMufasa: The Lion King, focusing on Mufasa and Sarabi admitting their feelings for one another. The song serves as a spiritual successor to “I Can Feel The Love Tonight” fromThe Lion King, with a similar pacing and visual cues. However, the snowy environment allows the filmmakers to insert some new visual tricks, such as the pair looking at one another through a sheet of ice that gives the song some unique and powerful romantic energy.

“Brother Betrayed” by Kelvin Harrison Jr.:“Brother Betrayed” is the last big musical number beforeMufasa: The Lion King’s ending. It’s the film’s big showcase for Kelvin Harrison Jr., who sings a heartbreaking personal screed against Mufasa where Taka finally acknowledges his jealousy and rage at Mufasa for being everything he’s not. It’s a big personal moment for Taka, setting the stage for his betrayal and the final stretch ofMufasa: The Lion King’s plot.

Where To Listen To Mufasa: The Lion King’s Soundtrack

Mufasa: The Lion King’s Soundtrack Is Now Available

Mufasa: The Lion King’s soundtrack is now available on multiple platforms. As with other recent Disney releases likeMoana 2, all the original songs were put on websites like YouTube ahead of the film’s release, allowing fans the chance to hear the music ahead of the film’s release. The soundtrack can also be listened to on apps like Spotify and can be purchased through Apple Music or Amazon Music.

Mufasa: The Lion King’s soundtrack has some solid additions to the Disney canon, even if none of the music reaches the heights of either the originalThe Lion Kingor Miranda’s other Disney output. Still, the musical connections betweenMufasa: The Lion Kingand the rest of the films in the series give the movie a thematic connection and throughline that benefits the scope of the new movie.Mufasa: The Lion Kingcan still boast a solid soundtrack that fleshes out Mufasa’s life in exciting ways.