I Just Can't Wait to Be King

"I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a large contrast from the film's non-musical segments, as emphasized by the number's usage of lively colors and sounds. The song is performed near the beginning of the film by a young Simba and Nala to distract Zazu, as well as to enunciate Simba's desires to become king. Also, the animals and backgrounds are notable more surreal as opposed to how they looked during Circle of Life.

The song was composed by Tim Rice (lyrics) and Elton John (music). It was performed by Jason Weaver, Rowan Atkinson, Laura Williams, and the chorus. In the original Broadway cast recording of The Lion King, it is performed by Scott Irby-Ranniar, Kajuana Shuford, and Geoff Hoyle. In the Spanish language version of The Lion King, "I Just Can't Wait to be King" was performed by Mexican singer and entertainer Kalimba. Elton John himself also recorded his own version of the song for the film's soundtrack.

It also appears in DisneyToon's 2004 direct-to-video midquel The Lion King 1½. Timon and Pumbaa are disturbed by some noise from outside of their home, which is actually Simba, Nala, and the animals singing this musical number. Timon is angry and hits the leg of an elephant supporting the tower of animals. The elephant jumps in surprise, causing the tower to collapse, explaining why it collapses on Zazu in the original film. Timon and Pumbaa's home is ruined by this event.

Movie version
Simba: I'm gonna be a mighty king, So enemies, beware

Zazu (spoken): Well, I've never seen a king of beasts With quite so little...hair.

Simba: I'm gonna be the main event Like no king was before I'm brushing up on lookin' down I'm working on my ROAR!

Zazu (spoken): Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing.

Simba: Oh, I just can't wait to be king!

Zazu (spoken): You've rather a long way to go, Young master, if you think--

Simba: No one saying, "Do this"

Zazu (spoken): Now when I said that, I--

Nala: No one saying, "Be there"

Zazu (spoken): What I meant was--

Simba: No one saying, "Stop that!"

Zazu (spoken): Look, what you don't realize--

Simba and Nala: No one saying, "See here!"

Zazu (spoken): Now see here!

Simba: Free to run around all day!

Zazu (spoken): Well, that's definitely out.

Simba: Free to do it all my way!

Zazu: I think it's time that you and I Arranged a heart to heart

Simba: Kings don't need advice From little hornbills for a start

Zazu: If this is where the monarchy is headed, Count me out! Out of service, out of Africa?! I wouldn't hang about!

''This child is getting wildly out of wing

Simba: Oh, I just can't wait to be king!

[Instrumental interlude]

Simba: Everybody look left Everybody look right Everywhere you look I'm... Standin' in the spotlight!

Zazu (spoken): Not yet!

Chorus: Let every creature go for broke and sing Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling

Simba: Oh, I just can't wait to be king! Oh, I just can't wait to be king! ''Oh, I just can't wait...  To be king!''

Elton John's version
Way behind the water hole A little down the line The jungle and the plains and peaks Are scheduled to be mine I'm gonna be the ruler Of most everything around From the grandest of the mountains To the humble common ground My reign will be a super awesome thing Oh, I just can't wait to be king I'm gonna be a noble king Unscrupulously fair I only need a little time Perhaps a little hair I'm gonna be the mane event Like no king was before I'm brushing up on looking down I'm working on my roar The fauna and the flora gonna swing Oh, I just can't wait to be king No one saying do this No one saying be there No one saying stop that No one saying see here Free to run around all day I'll be free to do it my way No one saying do this No one saying be there No one saying stop that No one saying see here Free to run around all day Free to do it my way The time has come as someone said To talk of many things May be true But I would rather stick to talking kings It's easy to be royal If you're already leonine It isn't just my right Even my left will be divine The monarchy is waiting to go zing Oh, I just can't wait to be king Oh, I just can't wait to be king (Repeat until fade)

Cover Versions

 * Performed live by the ska/funk band Suburban Legends, most often when performing at Disneyland's Tomorrowland Terrace, but occasionally while on tour as well. Vincent Walker sings the part of Simba, while Brian Klemm sings the part of Zazu. The song appears on their 2012 album, Day Job.
 * Pop star Aaron Carter remixed the song on DisneyMania.
 * Allstar Weekend remade the song for DisneyMania 7.
 * The Brazilian musical group “Exaltasamba” recorded a Portuguese version of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” (O que eu quero mais é ser rei, roughly translated as “What I want most is to be king”) in a samba style to the CD Disney Adventures in Samba.
 * Brian Wilson covered the song for his album In the Key of Disney.
 * La Década covered this song for "La Década: DisneyMania" (the song has the same lyrics as the movie)
 * Popcorn Band with Chelsey Marks from The International Children's Concert of 2013 did a version on television of the song, with children