I Always Wanted a Brother

"I Always Wanted a Brother" is a song in Disney's 2024 adventure musical film Mufasa: The Lion King, sung by Mufasa and Taka.

The song was first introduced at the 2024 D23 Expo, performed live by Braelyn Rankins and Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Theo Somolu and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Scar.

Lyrics[]

Young Taka:
When I am king
No other animal will break my stride
Break my stride
And my brother

Young Mufasa:
My brother

Young Taka:
When I'm king
You'll always take my side

Young Mufasa:
Ha!
Yeah, right

Young Taka:
That's right
When I am king

Young Mufasa:
When you are king

Young Taka:
No other animal will break our pride
Break our pride
And my brother

Young Mufasa:
My brother

Young Taka:
Our prey may run away
But they can't hide

Young Mufasa:
Watch your hide

Young Taka:
Let's go
Let's go

Young Mufasa and Young Taka:
Let's go!

Choir:
Hey
Did your mama say
You could be up this late?

Young Taka:
Okay
She didn't say
Either way

Young Mufasa and Young Taka:
Hide away
Let's go!

Choir:
Hey
Did your father say
You could be out this far?

Young Taka:
Okay
We're on our way

Young Mufasa and Young Taka:
On our way
Run away
Let's go!

Choir:
Hey
Did your mama say
You could be out this late?

Young Taka:
You're really sharp

Young Mufasa and Young Taka:
Yes, you are
Yes, you are
Let's go!

Choir:
Hey
Did your father say
You could be out this far?

Young Taka:
Make a wish on the brightest star
And I say

I always wanted a brother
I always wanted a brother
I always wanted a brother
Just like you

Young Mufasa and Young Taka:
And I always wanted a brother
I always wanted a brother
I always wanted a brother
Just like you

Young Mufasa:
See that tree?
Those birds are watching the world unfold

Young Taka:
The world unfold
Oh, brother

Young Mufasa:
My brother

Young Taka:
When I'm king
They will do as they're told

Young Mufasa:
You may look down on them
They are free

Young Taka:
You can't catch me

Young Mufasa:
And where they go
Cannot be controlled

Young Taka:
No one looks down on me

Young Mufasa:
They look down on us, brother

Young Taka:
Ha!

Young Mufasa:
Some things you chase
But you cannot hold

Young Taka:
Okay
It's getting old
Let's go

Young Mufasa and Taka:
Let's go!

Choir:
Hey
Did your mama say
That you could learn this way?

Young Taka:
I've got to
Find a way

Young Mufasa:
Find our prey

Young Taka:
Fine, I'll wait

Young Mufasa and Young Taka:
Let's go!

Choir:
Hey

Chigaru:
I heard his father say
He doesn't want this stray

Choir:
Ooh

Young Taka:
I dare you to say that again
To my face
What did you say 'bout my brother?
That's not a stray
That's my brother
You stay away from my brother
'Cause I say so

Young Taka and Choir:
If you put your paws on my brother
You'll meet the jaws of his brother

Young Taka:
Those are the laws for my brother
Where'd he go?

Young Mufasa:
I always wanted a brother
I still remember my mother
One season after another

All:
One season after another

Choir:
One season after another
One season after another

Taka:
Everyone sing for my brother
Do anything for my brother
Soon, I'll be king with my brother
By my side

Mufasa:
I always wanted a brother

Mufasa and Taka:
Now, we rely on each other
One season after another

Taka:
Hey, Mufasa

Mufasa:
Yes, Taka?

Taka:
I'll race you to the other side

Mufasa:
Race you to the other side

Mufasa and Taka:
Race you to the other side

Trivia[]

This became the most popular TIKTOK Song of 2024.^{[citation needed]}
According to songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda and director Barry Jenkins, the song was originally going to be titled "Brother Trouble", but Miranda insisted on the final title, based upon a line of Taka's in the script.
When Mufasa reflects on his past, notes from "This Land" can be heard.
Also notes heard can be heard during "Smell a Duck".
The opening lines of "Brother Betrayed" are a reprise of "I Always Wanted A Brother".
"I Always Wanted A Brother" is named for Taka's line of dialogue: "I have one more secret, Mufasa: I always wanted a brother!"

v - e - d

Media

Films: The Lion King (video) • The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (video) • The Lion King 1½ (video) • The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar • The Lion King (2019) (video) • Mufasa: The Lion King (video)

Disney Parks

Rafiki's Planet Watch • Disney's Art of Animation Resort • Disney's Explorers Lodge • The Annex • Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable • Disney Animation Building • Esperanza Character Carousel • It's a Small World • Mickey's PhilharMagic • Rhythm of the Jungle • Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom • The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) • The Lion Guard Adventure • The Lion King: Pride Land (Un Land Dédié au Roi Lion)

Entertainment: Animagique • Disney's Believe • Disney's Wishes • Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic • Disney Junior Dance Party! • Disney Junior Play and Dance! • Disney Junior Dream Factory • Disney KiteTails • Dreams Take Flight • Fantasmic! • Feel the Magic • Festival of Family & Friends • Festival of the Lion King • Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party • It's Party Time... with Mickey and Friends • Mickey and the Magician • Mickey and the Wondrous Book • Mickey's Gift of Dreams • Mickey's Magical Music World • Minnie's Musical Moment • Once Upon a Mouse • Rivers of Light: We Are One • The Adventure of Rhythm • The Golden Mickeys • The Legend of the Lion King • Villains Tonight!
Restaurants: Restaurant Hakuna Matata
Parades: A Million Splashes of Colour • Disney's Magical Moments Parade • Disney's Party Express • Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade • Disney Cinema Parade • Disney Magic on Parade • Disney Stars on Parade • Flights of Fantasy Parade • Jubilation! • Mickey & Friends Street Celebration • Mickey's Soundsational Parade • Mickey's Storybook Express • The Lion King Celebration • The Wonderful World of Disney Parade • Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams
Fireworks: Celebrate the Magic • Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland • Disney Dreams! • Disneyland Forever • Disney Tales of Magic • Happily Ever After • Harmonious • Ignite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light • Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration • The Magic, the Memories and You • Momentous • Once Upon a Time • Tree of Life Awakens • Wonderful World of Animation • World of Color • Wondrous Journeys
Summer: Stitch and Friends Summer Surprise
Halloween: Happy Hallowishes • Villains Grove

Characters

The Lion King: Simba • Nala • Mufasa • Scar • Rafiki • Timon • Pumbaa • Zazu • Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed • Sarabi • Sarafina • The Pridelanders • Pride Animals • Hyena Clan • Wildebeests • Mole • Vultures • Grubs

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: Kiara • Kovu • Zira • Vitani • Nuka • Outsiders • Crocodiles
The Lion King 1½: Ma • Uncle Max • Meerkat Colony
Timon & Pumbaa: The Native Chief • The Three Natives • Mother Gorilla • Fronk Fegnugen • Monti • Baampu • Nobi • Fred • Quint • The Woodpecker • Bruce • Stinky • Ralph and Eddie • Teds • Savage Lion • Bartholomew • The Tarsier • Toucan Dan • Vulture Police • Ned • Nefu • Rabbit • Uncle Boaris • Uncle Ernie • Boss Beaver • Boy Beaver • Lester the Whale • The Tigress • Jackal • The Cobra • Speedy the Snail • Smolder the Bear • Little Jimmy • Irwin • El Toro • Count Down • Mr. Pig • Wolverine • Jumbo Jumbo the Elephant • Cheetato and Cheetata • Martin Partin • Rita Book • Chef Claude • Captain Bloodbeard • Cisco Pig • Cisco Pig's Gang • Dr. Cagliostro • Torgo • The Meerkat Angel • Wonderful Rhino of Laws • Pumbaa Jr. • Dr. Happy • Leslie Lambeau • Mr. Buttons • Sharla • Warthog Sounder • Herman • Lara • Mel • Claudius • Bahuka • Tutan Pharaoh • Genie • Madame Credenza • Duke Meerkat • Tatiana • Mother Eagle • Baby Earl • King Leopold • Princess Claudia • Sigmund and Lloyd • Heimlich and Schnitzel • Mad Dog McGraw, Billy the Goat, and Three-fingered Jackelope • Dr. Exeter • Sal Mander • Jungle Inspector • Bigfoot • Pimon and Tumbaa
The Lion Guard: Kion • Bunga • Fuli • Beshte • Ono • Tiifu • Zuri • Janja • Cheezi • Chungu • Janja's Clan • Mzingo • Mzingo's Parliament • Mwoga • Makuu • Makuu's Float • Pua • Basi • Basi's Pod • Ushari • Jasiri • Madoa • Tunu and Wema • Jasiri's Clan • Thurston • Mbeya • Porcupine Brothers • Ma Tembo • Zito • Aminifu • Reirei • Goigoi • Dogo • Dogo's Brothers • Kijana • Reirei's Pack • Twiga • Juhudi • Shingo • Muhanga and Muhangus • Tamaa • Nala's Father • Swala • Muhimu • Hamu • Ajabu • Makucha • Makucha's Leap • Makucha's Army • Fahari • Jiona • Mjomba • Ogpoa • Haya • Laini • Badili • Mbuni • Mapigano • Mtoto • Gumba • Kambuni • Kwato • Shauku • Nne • Tano • Vuruga Vuruga • Young Rhino • Lioness • Majinuni and Hafifu • King Sokwe • Hadithi • Big Baboon • Bupu • Boboka • Chura • Kifaru • Mwenzi • Uroho • Mwizi • Kulinda • Ona • Mpishi • Makini • Shupavu • Waza • Njano • Kiburi • Tamka • Nduli • Kiburi's Float • Chama • Kenge • Dhahabu • Hodari • Starehe • Raha • Nyuni • Sumu • Kongwe • Kinyonga • Kuchimba • Shujaa • Anga • Strange Lion • Strange Cobra • The Fastest • The Strongest • The Bravest • The Keenest of Sight • Yuki • Hitashi • Kimyo and Nabasu • Domog • Dughi • Bogino • Chuluun • Pãgala • Krud'dha • Lumba-Lumba • Old Civet • Ora • Komodo Dragon • Fikiri • Kitendo • Tupp • Azaad • Flamingo Girls • Flamingo Girls' Flamboyance • Tenuk • Tompok • Seisou • Bambun • Mouse Deer • Mama Binturong • Smun • Yun Mibu • Nirmala • Rani • Baliyo • Surak • Janna • Ullu • Sãhasí • Ãnanda • Binga • Tangaagim • Pinguino • Cek and Rama • Tsah and Sasem • Astuto • Varya • Feliks, Pasha, and Polina • Heng Heng • Kely • Kely's Troop • Askari • Shabaha • Kasi • Imara • Tazama
Printed Media: Uru • Ahadi • Kopa • Boma • Zuzu • Joka • Lulu
Deleted: Diku • Baasho • Iggy • Herr Rhino • Kwashi • Bhati • Mheetu • Banagi • Daabi • Dwala • Naanda
Remake: Simba • Nala • Mufasa • Scar • Rafiki • Timon • Pumbaa • Zazu • Shenzi, Kamari, and Azizi • Sarabi • Sarafina • Kiara • Dembe
Mufasa: The Lion King: Kiros • Outsiders • Eshe • Obasi • Masego • Afia • Junia • Amara • Akua • Ajarry • Chigaru • Mosi • Inaki • Azibo • Mobo • Shaju • Obasi's Pride • Zala
Musical: Simba • Mufasa • Scar • Nala • Refiki • Zazu • Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed • Timon
Miscellaneous: Zawadi • Kiume • Kibibi • Nakawa

Episodes
Timon & Pumbaa • The Lion Guard

Locations

The Lion King Trilogy: Africa • Mount Kilimanjaro • Pride Rock • The Pride Lands • The Water Hole • The Elephant Graveyard • The Gorge • Jungle • Rafiki's Ancient Tree • The Outlands

Timon & Pumbaa: Zazu's Tree • Madame Credenza's Place • Savage Rock • Boss Beaver's Log Land • The Tree of Truth • Dismal Swamp
The Lion Guard: Lair of the Lion Guard • Janja's Den • Tree of Life
Live-action movies: Milele

Songs

The Lion King: Circle of Life • The Morning Report • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Be Prepared • Hakuna Matata • Can You Feel the Love Tonight • Hawaiian War Chant

Instrumental Scores: This Land • Hyenas • ...To Die For • Under the Stars • King of Pride Rock • Didn't Your Mother Tell You Not to Play with Your Food • We are All Connected • Hyenas in the Pride Lands • Elephant Graveyard • I Was Just Trying to Be Brave • Stampede • Mufasa Dies • If You Ever Come Back We'll Kill You • Bowling for Buzzards • We Gotta Bone to Pick With You • Kings of the Past • Nala, Is It Really You? • Remember Who You Are • This Is My Home • The Rightful King
Rhythm of the Pride Lands: The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Kube • Lea Halalela • It's Time • Lala • Busa • Noyana
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: He Lives in You • We Are One • My Lullaby • Upendi • One of Us • Love Will Find a Way
The Lion King 1½: Digga Tunnah • That's All I Need • Sunrise, Sunset • Grazing in the Grass
Musical: Lioness Hunt • Rafiki Mourns • One by One • Grasslands Chant • Chow Down • The Madness of King Scar • Shadowland • Endless Night • Simba Confronts Scar
Timon & Pumbaa: The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Alone Together • Stand by Me • Yummy Yummy Yummy
The Lion Guard: Call of the Guard • A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri) • Zuka Zama • Tonight We Strike • Kion's Lament • It is Time • Here Comes the Lion Guard • We're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa) • Don't Make a Stink • Bunga the Wise • Duties of the King • Outta the Way • Jackal Style • Our Kupatana Community • My Own Way • Utamu • All Hail The Vultures • Hero Inside • Bird of a Thousand Voices • Panic and Run • Trail to Hope • Life in the Pride Lands • We'll Make You a Meal • Find Your Roar • Chungu's Lament • Baboons • Beware of the Zimwi • Lions Over All • Stand Up, Stand Out • Kuishi Ni Kucheka • Running with the King • Hadithi the Hero • Makin' Hippo Lanes • Tickbirds and Rhinos • Teke Ruka Teleza • Everyone is Welcome • The Traveling Baboon Show • A Real Meal • Fujo • The Path of Honor • Bring Back a Legend • Today is my Day • I Have A Plan • Gotta Look on the Bright Side • The Worst Hyena We Know • May There Be Peace • Big Bad Kenge • Christmas in the Pride Lands • The Twelve Ways of Christmas • I Do Have a Great Deal to Say • Fabulous Dhahabu • Give a Little Guy a Chance • We're the Smartest • Good King Simba • The Faster I Go • I'm Gonna Run This Dump • Now You See Me, Now You Don't • Wisdom on the Walls • He's The Zebra Mastermind • Kwetu Ni Kwetu • Nothin' to Fear Down Here • Shujaa Ponda • Pride Landers Unite! • Prance With Me • Tujiinue • Height and Sight • We Will Defend • A New Way to Go • On the Last Night • When I Led the Guard • The Tree of Life • Home of a Snow Monkey's Dreams • Ghost of the Mountain • Anything • That's the Dolphin Way • As You Move Forward • Flamingo Dance Party • You Best Not Mess With Mama • Friends to the End • Kion's Reckoning • Welcome to the Tree of Life • Who is Better Than Who • Poa the Destroyer • Long Live the Queen • Remember What Makes You You • The Power of the Roar • Of the Same Pride • As You Move On
Remake: Life's Not Fair • Rafiki's Fireflies • Scar Takes the Throne • Simba is Alive! • Reflections of Mufasa • Spirit • Battle for Pride Rock • Remember • Never Too Late • Mbube
Mufasa: The Lion King: Ngomso • Milele • I Always Wanted a Brother • Bye Bye • We Go Together • Tell Me It's You • Brother Betrayed
Deleted: To Be King • Warthog Rhapsody • The Lion of the Moon • Old Fearless Buzz • The Madness of King Scar • Thanks to Me • Where Do I Belong
Miscellaneous: Safety Smart

See Also
Rafiki's Bakora Staff • Great Lions of the Past • Musical • Lion Guard • Roar of the Elders • Night Pride • Mark of the Guard • Mark of the Night Pride • Moja Kwa Moja Stone • Tuliza • The Disney Afternoon • Find Out Why • House of Mouse • One by One • Timon & Pumbaa's Vacation Safari • As Told by Emoji