The Best 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 to ensure it matches the show’s style.
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
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for The Lion King
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
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
❓ Curious which character type suits your personality? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or something even more unique!
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
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:
• “Animal Language” from Doctor Dolittle
• “Light and Darkness” from Akhnaton
• “Power of the Priesthood” from Akhnaton
• “Straight Ahead” from Turnabout Night at the Zoo
• “Three Quarter Moon” from The Old Man and the Old Moon
Step 5: Audition Prep
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
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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! This 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
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.
