Audition Songs for The Lion King – By Character
When considering audition songs for The Lion King, it’s fitting to choose a character-driven song from Disney or musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because The Lion King premiered in 1997, the audition songs below are from between the 1980s and 2010s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.
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Step 1: Review Audition Info
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).
Step 2: Study the Show
Before auditioning, you should get familiar with the show, and listening to the cast album is a great way to do that. Here’s where you can learn more about The Lion King.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just know that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.
Be sure to indicate that you’re open to the ensemble or other roles. You’ll gain valuable experience no matter where you’re placed. And remember, even if you audition for the ensemble, you could still be cast in a leading or supporting role.
To summarize, keep an open mind and have fun with this! And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
The Audition Songs
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
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
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
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
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
Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed
“I’m Too Hot for You” – School of Rock
“Play With Your Food” – Honk!
“Sweet Child” – The Little Mermaid
“When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock” – School of Rock
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
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
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
Zazu
“Expectations” – Amazing Grace
“I Know Him” – Hamilton
“If I Left London” – Chaplin
“Sennett Song” – Chaplin
Ensemble (Altos)
“Daybreak” – Amazing Grace
“Forever Yours” – Once on This Island
“I’m Here” – The Color Purple
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
Ensemble (Contras)
“A Change in Me” – Beauty and the Beast
“Every Story Is a Love Story” – Aida
“Someday” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
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]
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Arabian Nights” – Aladdin
“Proud of Your Boy” – Aladdin
“River Jordan” – The Civil War
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)
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve chosen your song, it’s time to start preparing! Grab your FREE Audition Prep Checklist and Stamp Cards to stay organized and motivated for your upcoming auditions!
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.
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
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
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
