The Best Audition Songs for The Lion King – by Character

Do you have an upcoming audition for The Lion King? Well unless you have specifically been asked to sing a song from the show that you’re auditioning for, it’s generally best not to. That said, you should still show off similar vocals and personality. So here’s our list of audition songs for The Lion King, broken down by character.

Since The Lion King is a 1990s musical adaptation of the Disney film, the songs below are from the 1980s-2010s. In addition, there are lots of contemporary pop/rock, R&B, and gospel songs below since this is often requested at The Lion King casting calls.

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Step 1: Read your audition details

Please read your audition details carefully, as they sometimes specify the type of song they’d like to hear (in the case of the Disney auditions for The Lion King, they often request R&B, pop, rock, or gospel).

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Step 2: Get to know the show

In casting calls, they often ask for you to be “familiar with the show”. And even if it’s not requested, it’s generally assumed. One way to do this is to listen to the The Lion King cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.

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Step 3: Pick an audition song

Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just keep in mind that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.

There’s usually a spot on the audition form asking if you are open to being in the ensemble or accepting a different role. I would suggest ticking that box and taking whatever you are offered. Every role is important, and you will earn valuable experience in a show.

And on that same note, even if you audition for the ensemble (rather than a specific character), there’s always a chance of being cast in a leading or supporting role!

To summarize, keep an open mind and try not to take the process too seriously. And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.

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Mufasa

“And So It Goes” – Billy Joel [1980s/non-theatre]

“Make Them Hear You” – Ragtime

“The Ship Song” – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds [1990s/non-theatre]

“Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime

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Nala

“Burden Down” – Jennifer Hudson [2010s/non-theatre]

“Easy as Life” – Aida

“The Past Is Another Land” – Aida

“Too Beautiful for Words” – The Color Purple

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Pumbaa

“If I Didn’t Have You” – Monsters Inc.

“Never Ever Getting Rid of Me” – Waitress

“Reindeers are Better Than People” – Frozen

“You Can’t Trust a Man” – Tuck Everlasting

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Rafiki

“God Help The Outcasts” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

“Know Who You Are” – Moana

“Twelve Children” – Dessa Rose

“White Milk & Red Blood” – Dessa Rose

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Scar

“Diamond in the Rough” – Aladdin

“Friends on the Other Side” – Princess and the Frog [2000s film/non-theatre]

“Hellfire” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

“Nowhere Left to Run” – Amazing Grace

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Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed

“Mystify” – INXS [1980s/non-theatre]

“Play With Your Food” – Honk!

“Sweet Child” – The Little Mermaid

“When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock” – School of Rock

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Simba

“Before the Summer Ends” – Dracula

“Everyday” – Phil Collins [1990s/non-theatre]

“Hello” – Lionel Richie [1980s/non-theatre]

“You’ll Be in My Heart” – Tarzan

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Timon

“How Lucky You Are” – Seussical

“Positoovity” – The Little Mermaid

“Dancing On My Own“- Calum Scott [2010s/non-theatre]

“The Moon and Me” – The Addams Family

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Young Nala / Young Simba

“It’s Possible” – Seussical

“Opportunity” – Annie [2014 film]

“Waiting for Life” – Once on This Island

“When I Get My Name in Lights” – The Boy From Oz

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Zazu

“Expectations” – Amazing Grace

“I Know Him” – Hamilton

“If I Left London” – Chaplin

“Sennett Song” – Chaplin

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Ensemble (Altos)

“Daybreak” – Amazing Grace

“Forever Yours” – Once on This Island

“I’m Here” – The Color Purple

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Ensemble (Baritones/Basses)

“Heaven’s Light” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

“How Long Must This Go On?” – Beauty and the Beast

“If I Can’t Love Her” – Beauty and the Beast

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Ensemble (Contras)

“Every Story is a Love Story” – Aida

“Amen” – Andra Day [2010s/non-theatre]

“Writing’s On the Wall” – Sam Smith [2010s/non-theatre]

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Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!

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Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)

“Come Down from the Tree” – Once on This Island

“Dance to the Day” – The Prince of Egypt

“Rise Up” – Andra Day [2010s/non-theatre]

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“Arabian Nights” – Aladdin

“Proud of Your Boy” – Aladdin

“River Jordan” – The Civil War

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Step 4: Select a monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Lion King:

• “Heir Apparently Not” in Kids’ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny➝

• “I Intend to Be a Queen➝” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown  (Lucy)

• “Living Large” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝

• “Loyalty” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝

• “Mother Moon➝” from Fading Joy➝  (Joy)

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Final Step: Prepare for your audition

After collecting your materials and getting familiar with the show, it’s time to move forward with the actual preparation. If you’re in need of some guidance on this step, you can always go through this FREE audition prep checklist!

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Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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The Lion King Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Lion King, along with which characters sing in each of them. Unless you have been asked to, do not choose from the below songs for your audition! The following is more intended to be used for character research purposes.

* That said, if you’ve specifically been asked to sing a song from the show, you can find the sheet music for the best possible audition songs below.

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Act 1:

“Circle of Life” – Rafiki, Ensemble

“Grasslands Chant” – Ensemble

“The Morning Report” – Zazu, Mufasa, Young Simba

“The Lioness Hunt” – Ensemble

“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” – Young Simba, Young Nala, Zazu, Ensemble

“Chow Down” – Shenzi, Banzai, Ed

“They Live in You” – Mufasa, Ensemble

“Be Prepared” – Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed

“The Stampede” – Ensemble

“Rafiki Mourns” – Rafiki, Ensemble

“Hakuna Matata” – Timon, Pumba, Young Simba, Simba

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Act 2:

“One by One” – Ensemble

“The Madness of King Scar” – Scar, Zazu, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, Nala

“Shadowland” – Nala, Ensemble

“Endless Night” – Simba, Ensemble

“Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” – Timon, Pumba, Simba, Nala, Ensemble

“He Lives in You (Reprise)” – Rafiki, Simba, Ensemble

“King of Pride Rock” / “Circle of Life” – Ensemble

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Which of these audition songs for The Lion King did you choose?

And what role are you auditioning for? We would love to hear all about it in the comments! And in the meantime, you can check out our database of best audition songs for other musicals.

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Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!

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Author: Stacy Karyn

Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

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