Mufasa: The Lion King Soundtrack Guide

The following contains spoilers for Mufasa: The Lion King, now in theatersMufasa: The Lion King adds new songs to Disney's music library that expand Mufasa's story and flesh out characters like Scar. Serving as a quasi-sequel to the 2019 film The Lion King as well as a prequel to the First Days of the World, Mufasa: The Lion King reveals how a lonely cub grew up to become a powerful king of the Pride Lands. The cast and characters of Mufasa: The Lion King bring new layers to their characters, especially Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, the proud but cowardly prince who eventually becomes the villainous Scar.

Mufasa: The Lion King features a new soundtrack that feels inherently familiar to fans of the original. This includes bringing back South African composer Lebo M for new music, along with a soundtrack reminiscent of the original films. Helping to achieve the Mufasa: The Lion King the soundtrack is by Lin Manuel-Miranda, who wrote several new songs for the film. Here are all the top songs from Mufasa: The Lion King and where he appears in the film.

When all the songs from Mufasa: The Lion King play in the movie

Mufasa: The Lion King There are seven new songs

“Ngomso” by Lebo M: The first song in Mufasa: The Lion King is “Ngomso” by Lebo M. The legendary producer and songwriter wrote some of the most iconic songs in The Lion Kingincluding the Zulu chant that opens the film. Lebo M has previously returned to the franchise over the years, including the 2019 version of The Lion King. Their new track, “Ngomso”, serves as the film's introductory song and reintroduces audiences to the Pride Lands following the events of The Lion King. This gives the new film a natural thematic connection to the franchise's previous entries.

“Milele” by Anika Noni Rose and Keith David: “Milele” is the first complete musical style song in Mufasa: The Lion Kingand introduces the concept of the promised land known as Milele. The song is sung by Afia and Masego, Mufasa's biological parents. The song's visuals enhanced the moment, with a young Mufasa running through the desert landscape and imagining it overflowing with flowers and fauna. It also serves as one of the film's only showcases for Afia and Masego, who more or less leave the film shortly after “Milele.”

“I Always Wanted a Brother” by Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr.: “I Always Wanted A Brother” plays after Obasi reluctantly accepted Mufasa into his pride at the insistence of his son, Taka. The main crux of the song is that Taka sings with Mufasa about always wanting a brother, and how excited he is that the two of them will be able to grow up together. The song is also a montage song, with the final section featuring the older versions of Mufasa and Taka who serve as the main focus of the film's narrative. It's a cute song that sometimes feels like a reference to “I Just Want To Be King” by The Lion King.

“Bye Bye” by Mads Mikkelsen, Joanna Jones and Folake Olowofoyeku: “Bye Bye” is the song of the great villain of Mufasa: The Lion King. The song is mainly sung by the murderous white lion Kiros when he tracks Mufasa's pride, with the accompaniment of the lioness hunters who serve him. Kiros uses music to reveal his overall plan to overthrow the other lions from the local lands, taking power and establishing himself as the true “lion king.”

“We Go Together” by Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman and Kagiso Lediga: “We Go Together” is a road song sung by Mufasa, Taka, Sarabi, Zazu, and Rafiki after the group is fully settled during their journey to escape the white lions. The song highlights the friendship that forms between the group, with the lyrics and lighter tenor reflecting this optimistic tone. However, the song also establishes that Taka has developed romantic feelings for Sarabi, laying the groundwork for Taka's eventual betrayal of his brother over his hurt emotions.

“Tell Me It's You” by Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone: “Tell Me It's You” is the great love song of Mufasa: The Lion Kingfocusing on Mufasa and Sarabi admitting their feelings for each other. The song serves as a spiritual successor to “I Can Feel The Love Tonight” by The Lion Kingwith similar pacing and visual cues. However, the snowy environment allows the filmmakers to insert some new visual tricks, like the pair looking at each other through a sheet of ice that gives the song a unique and powerful romantic energy.

“Brother Betrayed” by Kelvin Harrison Jr.: “Brother Betrayed” is the last major musical number before Mufasa: The Lion Kingis ending. It's the film's big showcase for Kelvin Harrison Jr., who sings a moving personal statement against Mufasa, where Taka finally acknowledges his jealousy and anger at Mufasa for being everything he's not. It's a big personal moment for Taka, setting the stage for his betrayal and the final stretch of Mufasa: The Lion Kingplot.

Where to listen to Mufasa: The Lion King soundtrack

Mufasa: The Lion KingThe soundtrack for is now available

Mufasa: The Lion Kingthe soundtrack is now available on multiple platforms. As with other recent Disney releases such as Moana 2all original songs were uploaded to sites such as YouTube before the film's release, allowing fans the chance to hear the music before the film's release. The soundtrack can also be heard on applications such as Spotify and purchased through Apple Music or Amazon Music.

Mufasa: The Lion KingThe soundtrack has some solid additions to the Disney canon, even if none of the songs reach the heights of the original. The Lion King or another Disney production by Miranda. Still, the musical connections between Mufasa: The Lion King and the rest of the films in the series give the film a thematic connection and throughline that benefits the scope of the new film. Mufasa: The Lion King can still boast a solid soundtrack that brings Mufasa's life to life in exciting ways.