Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Isaac (class of 2025) and features piano/vocal selections from The Lion King. Thanks, Isaac!
The score from The Lion King by Elton John, with lyrics by Tim Rice, has long fascinated me, compelling me to explore its depths beyond the surface level of its widespread appeal and just songs I’ve heard since I was little. As someone who has always enjoyed children’s movie scores, I find this score to be a particularly striking example of how melodies intertwined with poignant lyrics can create a tapestry of sound that is both enchanting and something that was stuck with me for quite some time––even as I’ve gotten older.
What makes this score particularly interesting and worth studying is not just its ability to support the narrative arc of an iconic film but how it seamlessly blends a variety of musical styles and cultural influences, creating a universal appeal that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Elton John’s compositions, infused with his signature melodic flair, are elevated by Tim Rice’s evocative lyrics, which together capture the essence of the story’s themes—power, betrayal, love, and redemption. The integration of African musical elements with Western pop sensibilities in the soundtrack offers a fascinating study in cross-cultural musical fusion, showcasing the richness that such blends can bring to mainstream music, and I really do think its aurally emblematic of everything Disney had hoped to achieve with the project.