Disney’s new “Mufasa: The Lion King” is a movie full of courage and brotherhood with a vibrant soundtrack that delivers worthy sing-alongs. Upbeat, wistful, thought-provoking and belt worthy—a perfect list of ingredients for a Disney sound. Released last month, the soundtrack for “Mufasa: The Lion King” was developed by worthy names such as Lebo M. who was one of the main producers of the original movie, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created Broadway’s beloved “Hamilton.” Both incorporated elements of music magic to have the eyes of the audience pinned on the screen ready to sing along.
This prequel to the original Lion King follows Mufasa (Simba’s father) as he navigates his young adolescence—being separated from his parents and then being rescued by Taka, the prince of a lion pride that takes in Mufasa (though somewhat reluctantly). Mufasa and Taka find themselves brothers of chance, something they’ve both always longed for. As their journey unfolds Mufasa and Taka are both presented with challenges that test their loyalty to each other, their courage, bravery and ultimately their ties of brotherhood.
One of the earlier songs in the movie, “I Always Wanted A Brother,” has been one of the more popular tracks to take off in success, not just within the space of the movie but outside of it as well. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the song is a classic piece of his production style, blending hip-hop with more traditional sounds.
The song gives a sense of push and pull, like a game of tug-of-war, with Mufasa and Taka on opposite ends but holding onto the same rope. As he sings, Taka exudes excitement for thrill and dreams of power for when he will become king. His lines, “Our prey may run away but they can’t hide,” drip with a hidden need for dominance, masked by the innocence of a child ready to conquer the world. Opposite him, Mufasa is constantly the voice of reason, tempering Taka’s dangerous impulses and reminding him to be mindful of himself—“Watch your hide.”
This dynamic continues through the song when out exploring Mufasa points out a treetop full of birds, “Those birds are watching the world unfold,” with Taka laughing and proclaiming, “When I’m king, they will do as they’re told.” Both brothers marvel at the world around them with Mufasa responding responsibly and Taka cheekily expecting his environment to bend for him.
Arguably the most popular part of the song is when Taka takes a strong stance against his father who is not welcoming of Mufasa, a stray, into their family. Using his courage to stand in the face of the elder lions who don’t approve of Mufasa, Taka belts with strong conviction, “That’s not a stray, that’s my brother / You stay away from my brother / ‘Cause I say so.” This chorus has made waves on TikTok, striking a chord for siblings everywhere. An active trend features sisters taking to the platform and using the lyrics of this song to share pride for their brothers through comedic and loving actions.
An underrated moment in the song is when Mufasa breaks away for a short solo. Tied between his past and present Mufasa reminisces on how he has gained a brother but “I still remember my mother / one season after another.” This small moment really illustrated the growth of Mufasa’s courage. At such a young age he had been separated from his parents, his home, which he could feel was still waiting for him. But he also had found the courage to trust others who wanted to love him as their own. With a whimsically sad and hopeful yearning moment this one song takes you on an adventure of emotions. It really showcases Miranda’s ability for range in the span of a little more than three minutes.
Jumping from this sentimental tone the voices of Mufasa and Taka shift from their younger selves to their young adult selves voiced by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. Shifting into their growing selves, Taka starts the new chorus still proudly claiming Mufasa as his own “Everyone, sing for my brother / Do anything for my brother / Soon, I’ll be king with my brother.” Mufasa joins in and both brothers claim to the stars “I always wanted a brother / Now, we rely on each other / One season after another.”
The way Taka continuously takes charge in the song’s chorus suggests that he is the leader in the relationship. Before he became part of Taka’s pride, Mufasa was in line to become the king of his own pride. His willingness to step back and allow Taka to revel in the role of Prince which Mufasa had lost is an exemplary quality of courage to trust.
If you’re not up to date already, the viral TikTok following his interview on the Jennifer Hudson Show “Aaron Pierre that’s Mufasa” and Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s apparent witty nature has audiences everywhere absolutely taken with both of these handsome co-stars. One of my favorite lines to quote from this song, “Hey Mufasa! / Yes, Taka?” is constantly humming around my head. Both Pierre and Harrison Jr. sing with the tenacity to deliver the strength of their characters and the intensity yet playful bond of brotherhood.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” gives us an inside look at how the powerful character Mufasa came to be. Through emotional depth, harmonical range, and spirited messages of brotherhood, “I Always Wanted A Brother,” doesn’t just sing—it roars. So whether you’ve enjoyed belting the song in theatres or TikTok, some may see this song as a heartfelt message of brotherhood—or the foreshadowing of a broken one.
