Jimmy Cliff "Hakuna Matata"

The original Lion King Soundtrack featured more than just hits from Elton John. The 1994 animated film also gave radio stations the single "Hakuna Matata" from Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M. Meaning "no worries" in Swahili, the song only managed to hit #25 on the Adult Contemporary Chart nearly a year after the movie premiered in theaters.

Elton John "Sad Songs (Say So Much)"

Asked by Barbara Walters to use his music to sum up the various stages of his life, Elton John sat at his piano, thought a moment and then played "Rocket Man" to represent the 1970s. He joked that the line "I'll be high as a kite by then" was the pitiful truth. Elton chose "Sad Songs" to represented the 1980s and then paused before smiling as he played "The One" to represent his present life in the 1990s. For the first time in years, Elton was clean, found love and was about to become super-rich thanks to his music in Disney's The Lion King. That interview with Walters aired in 1994 and so much has changed in 25 years. As he continues his farewell tour, Elton promises to tell-all in his upcoming autobiography. What haven't we heard? I suppose we'll have to stay tuned...

Rick Astley "Ain't Too Proud to Beg"

While Elton John kicked off his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour in 2018, Rick Astley made his comeback -- including his first tour of the United States in years. Did you know the two singers actually performed together on one of Elton's signature tunes? You can hear Astley singing backup vocals in "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" on Elton's famed Lion King Soundtrack.

Elton John "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

One of the main reasons Elton John agreed to sing "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" was to introduce his music to a new generation. In that regard, he succeeded. However, The Lion King marked a turning point in Elton's musical career. He went on to sing songs during the latter half of the '90s for soundtracks to animated movies like Aida and The Road to El Dorado. Most longtime fans point out that Elton's music from The Lion King and beyond is what they don't want to hear whether it be on the radio or in concert. One look at set lists for Elton's live shows and you'll rarely see any of his music released in the '90s and beyond. Fun fact: Rick Astley provided backup vocals on the tune.

Elton John "Believe"

Ask someone about Elton John's music and people will break it down into two categories:

• his best stuff came from the '70s
• then came all the Lion King stuff

Granted Elton's career will best be known for "Tiny Dancer", "Your Song", and "Crocodile Rock", but Elton did crank out plenty of non-Disney music in the later years of his career. One such hit, "Believe", was a chart topper in 1995. The song became Elton's 15th #1 Adult Contemporary hit and his third straight Top 20 hit. The song peaked at #13 on the Hot 100.

Vanessa Williams "Colors of the Wind"

A year after Disney's wildly successful movie and soundtrack to The Lion King, the folks at the mouse released the animated blockbuster Pocahontas.  The film featured the song "Colors of the Wind" from Vanessa Williams, and children all across the globe triumphantly sang along causing the lyrics to lodge in the brains of parents.

Elton John "Someday Out of the Blue"

Between The Lion King and Aida, Elton John also found time to compose music for The Road to El Dorado Soundtrack.  "Someday Out of the Blue" scored Elton and Tim Rice another Top 5 hit on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 2000.

Elton John - "The Circle of Life"

Elton John's musical career can be broken down into two sections: pre-Disney and post-Disney.  With dozens of hit songs, albums, and fans already under his belt, Elton John found a whole new generation of fans when he signed on to sing The Lion King Soundtrack in 1994.  While scores of fans associate Elton with "Tiny Dancer" and "Your Song", their children lovingly draw a parallel with "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "The Circle of Life".