Beyonce Knowles had an unexpected surprise for her fans on Tuesday night, a new single from “The Lion King.” Or, maybe considering how often she releases content without warning it should have been expected?  Whatever the case, “Spirit” was released on major streaming platforms for and for download following the star-studded world premiere of Jon Favreau’s new CG version of “The Lion King” in Hollywood.
READ MORE: Not even Jon Favreau knows if his “Lion King” movie is animated or live action
It was also revealed that the Grammy-winning artist is curating and producing an album of music inspired by the film titled “The Lion King: The Gift” which will be released on July 19. The film’s official soundtrack, which will also include “Spirit,” is dropping tomorrow, July 11.
In a statement, Beyonce noted, “This is sonic cinema. This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.”
The release noted that in “planning and recording the album, the artists’ personal connection to the iconic film and its story was highly considered.”
“I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline,” Beyonce continued. “Each song was written to reflect the film’s storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery while listening to a new contemporary interpretation. It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me.”
You can listen to the track in this post. Is it one of Beyonce’s best? No, but it’s certainly uplifting enough to make it through Oscar’s Music Branch for a nomination and it is heard in context of the film. Assuming, of course, it’s submitted. Â Don’t fret, we’re kidding. There is no way Beyonce is not being submitted, but there is another new “Lion King” song, from none other than Elton John.
John won an Oscar for “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” for the original animated “Lion King” in 1995. He was also nominated, alongside lyricist Tim Rice, for the songs “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.” All three songs are included in this new version of “The Lion King” including “Can You Feel” which will be sung by Donald Glover and, you guessed it, Beyonce. John and Rice’s new track, “Never Too Late,” will be performed by John and it’s hard to see Disney not submitting that for Oscar consideration as well.
Of course, the Walt Disney Studio also has “Frozen 2” on the horizon which is already promising new songs from Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez as well as Randy Newman’s “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from “Toy Story 4.” If you’re counting at home, that means the studio has three former winners in this category and…Beyonce. Fun times.
The other potential players in this category are unclear. The only reason John might request Disney not submit his “Lion Kong” track is that he also reunited with Bernie Taupin on “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” for Dexter Fletcher’s “Rocketman,” a well-received biopic musical telling his own life story. This is the sort of decision consultants from both Disney, Paramount and within John’s own camp will likely fret over.  Imagine the conference calls now.
“No Place Like Home” from Neon releasing’s “Wild Rose” is also an early contender and Tom Hooper’s “live-action” version of “Cats” is expected to include a new Andrew Lloyd Webber tune although it’s not confirmed as of yet. Â There are some great songs in “Uglydolls,” including “Broken & Beautiful,” but that movie is such a bomb it’s hard to see those potential nominees getting very far or STX mounting any campaign whatsoever (it’s also not clear if all the songs were written for the movie or just previously unreleased).
As for the rest of the season, baring a surprise or two the rest of the field seems somewhat sparse. Let’s see if that’s still the case another four months from now. In the meantime, Disney has new songs from Beyonce and Elton John as prospective nominees. Fun times, indeed.
“The Lion King” opens nationwide on July 17.
