Thanks to Me

"Thanks to Me" is a deleted song from an early draft of The Lion King. It was composed by Elton John, with lyrics by Tim Rice.

Lyrics[]

Scar:
When you're a leader, you're always encumbered
With the problems of being the star
For by definition, you're lumbered
With those not as bright as you are

I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are, pay attention
My words are a matter of pride

I know by your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares

You seem to forget I'm a hero
For saving the life of that squirt
My rating would plummet to zero
If I even let him get hurt

Instead, I've been brilliant and crafty
By letting him dig his own grave
He's spoiled, irresponsible, stupid
Oh, he couldn't rule bats in a cave

Thanks to me
It was goodbye, Mufasa
Thanks to me
Little Simba's gone wrong

Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
Is simply why I'll

Be king undisputed
Respected, saluted
And at last, I shall feel I belong
Oh, the word from the pride has to be
Thanks to me

So, no thanks to you, you're connected
With a king who's the all-time adored
Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected
To take certain duties onboard

The future is littered with prizes
And though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is
That you won't get a sniff without me

Thanks to me
It was goodbye, Mufasa
Thanks to me
Little Simba needs prayers

A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer
And those who assisted
While others resisted

I know it sounds sordid
Will soon be rewarded
And at last, I shall feel someone cares
Oh, the word from the pride has to be
Thanks to me
Ha, ha!
Oh, the word from the pride has to be
Thanks to me
Thanks to me

Scar:
When you're a leader, you're always encumbered
With the problems of being the star
For by definition, you're lumbered
With those not as bright as you are

I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are, pay attention
My words are a matter of pride

I know by your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares

Thanks to me

Scar and the hyenas:
It was goodbye, Mufasa

Scar:
Thanks to me

Scar and the hyenas:
Little Simba's gone wrong

Scar:
Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
Is simply why I'll

Be king undisputed
Respected, saluted
And at last, I shall feel I belong
Oh, the word from the pride has to be

Scar and the hyenas:
Thanks to me

Scar:
You seem to forget I'm a hero
For saving the life of that squirt
My rating would plummet to zero
If I even let him get hurt

Instead, I've been brilliant and crafty
By letting him dig his own grave
He's spoiled, irresponsible, dafty
Couldn't rule bats in a cave

Thanks to me

Scar and the hyenas:
It was goodbye, Mufasa

Scar:
Thanks to me

Scar and the hyenas:
Little Simba needs prayers

Scar:
A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer
And those who assisted
While others resisted

I know it sounds sordid
Will soon be rewarded
And at last, I shall feel someone cares
Oh, the word from the pride has to be

Scar and the hyenas:
Thanks to me

Scar: (spoken)
*laughs*

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

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 • Enaki
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
Remake: 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