The Rightful King

"The Rightful King" is an instrumental score composed by Hans Zimmer heard on the album, The Lion King: The Legacy Collection.

Background[]

The Lion King[]

The score can be heard from when Scar calls to Sarabi from atop Pride Rock to just after Scar pretends to submit to Simba and tries to slink away. The score continues in an intenser verse where Simba forces Scar to tell the truth that he killed Mufasa, causing the Pridelanders to turn against him just as the hyenas start attacking Simba while Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki join the final battle against Scar with Pride Rock in a massive fire. Just as the Pridelanders fight against the hyenas, Simba then chases Scar where the score briefly stops. After a brief quiet section where Scar betrays the hyenas and Scar slates some embers on Simba's face, the score picks up at the start of the fight between Scar and Simba as the score stops where Simba throws Scar off a cliff as a massive fire rages across Pride Rock and where the hyenas recognize Scar who betrayed the hyenas for blaming them for being the enemy. The score then ends when Scar ends up getting eaten by the hyenas as a massive fire engulfs him while the remaining hyenas leave the Pride Lands. The score then loops into "King of Pride Rock", concludes with the reprise of "Circle of Life". It then carries over with "Busa" when entering the end credits.

The Lion King (musical)[]

The score is heard towards the climax of the musical where Scar accuses Simba for killing Mufasa. However, Simba realizes that Scar really did kill Mufasa much to his betrayal to his own brother. When Simba forces Scar to tell the truth that he really did kill Mufasa, the score then begins with "Simba Confronts Scar" where the Pridelanders fight against the hyenas when they hear Scar revealing his true nature, which is later concluded when Scar ends up getting eaten alive by the hyenas which then loops into "King of Pride Rock". The full score, however, is not included on the Original Cast Recording.

The Lion King (2019)[]

A reimagined version of "The Rightful King" appears during the final battle against Scar, where it is titled "Battle for Pride Rock".

Trivia[]

Parts of this score can be heard in the official soundtrack on the track "King of Pride Rock".
A part of this score can be heard in The Lion King 1½ after Simba defeats Scar.
The music that scores Simba's rise to Pride Rock is accompanied by a chorus singing in Zulu. This chorus sings the same lyrics as that featured at the end of the musical version. Why this was cut from the original film is unknown.
The Legacy Collection set includes both the final cue and a demo version of the cue.

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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

Television: Find Out Why • Timon & Pumbaa (videography) • Timon and Pumbaa's Wild About Safety • The Lion Guard (videography) • It's UnBungalievable!
Soundtracks: The Lion King • Rhythm of the Pride Lands • The Legacy Collection • The Lion King Collection • Return to Pride Rock: Songs Inspired by Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride • Best of the Lion King • The Lion King 1½: Songs from Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure • Original Broadway Cast Recording • Festival of the Lion King • The Legend of the Lion King • The Lion Guard • The Lion King (2019 film) • The Lion King & Jungle Festival: Rhythms of the Pride Lands
Video games: The Lion King • Timon and Pumbaa's Jungle Games • The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure • Kingdom Hearts II • Animated Storybook: The Lion King • Disney Universe • Disney Infinity: 2.0 Edition • Adventures in Typing with Timon and Pumbaa • Activity Center • The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride: Active Play • The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride GameBreak • The Lion King 1½ • Disney Crossy Road • Disney Emoji Blitz • Disney Heroes: Battle Mode • Kingdom Hearts III • Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King • Disney Classic Games Collection • The Lion King: Operation Pridelands
Books: Marvel Comics • The Art and Making of The Lion King • The Lion Guard: Can't Wait to be Queen • The Lion King: The Novelization • The Lion King: The Full Film Script
Cancelled projects: King of the Jungle • The Lion Guard: Hear Me Roar! • The Lion King Family Tree

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 • 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 (The Lion King attraction)

Entertainment: Animagique • Disney's Believe • Disney's Wishes • Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic • Disney KiteTails • 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 • 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 • 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 Land Animals • Hyena Clan • Wildebeests • Gopher • 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: Dembe
Mufasa: The Lion King: Kiros • Eshe • Obasi • Masego • Afia
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

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 • I Always Wanted a Brother • Milele
Deleted: To Be King • Warthog Rhapsody • The Lion of the Moon • Old Fearless Buzz • The Madness of King Scar • 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