The original motion picture soundtrack for the first film was released by Walt Disney Records on June 13 , 1994 , two days before the film 's release . It contains songs by songwriter Elton John and Tim Rice , who wrote five original songs , with Elton John performing " Can You Feel the Love Tonight " during the end credits . Additionally , " The Morning Report " , a song which was not present in the original theatrical film , was later added to the IMAX theater and to the DVD Platinum Edition release . The film 's score was composed by Hans Zimmer and supplemented with traditional African music and choir elements arranged by Lebo M. Elton John thought his career had hit a new low when he was writing the music to the song " Hakuna Matata " . However , the strongly enthusiastic audience reception to an early film trailer which consisted solely of the opening sequence with the song " Circle of Life " , suggested that the film would be very successful . Out of the five original songs , " Hakuna Matata " was listed at number 99 in the AFI 's 100 Years ... 100 Songs list in 2004 , and " Can You Feel the Love Tonight " won the Oscar for Best Original Song during the 67th Academy Awards . The soundtrack itself was the fourth best-selling album of 1994 on the '' Billboard '' 200 and the top-selling soundtrack
67th Academy Awards
67th Academy Awards
The Lion King (franchise)