I Just Can't Wait to Be King
Jason Weaver Rowan Atkinson & Laura Williams Lyrics


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I'm gonna be a mighty king
So enemies beware

Well, I've never seen a king or beast
With quite so little hair

I'm gonna be the main event
Like no king was before
I'm brushing up on looking down
I'm working on my roar

Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing

Oh, I just can't wait to be king

You've rather a long way to go, young master, if you think

No one saying, "do this"

Now when I said that, I

No one saying, "be there"

What I meant was

No one saying, "stop that"

Look, what you don't realize

No one saying, "see here"

Now see here!

Free to run around all day

Well, that's definitely out

Free to do it all my way

I think it's time that you and I
Arranged a heart to heart

Kings don't need advice
From little horn-bills for a start

If this is where the monarchy is headed
Count me out
Out of service, out of Africa
I wouldn't hang about
This child is getting wildly out of wing

Oh, I just can't wait to be king

Everybody look left
Everybody look right
Everywhere you look I'm
Standin' in the spotlight

Not yet!

Let every creature go for broke and sing
Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing
It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling

Oh, I just can't wait to be king




Oh, I just can't wait to be king
Oh, I just can't wait to be king

Overall Meaning

The song "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is from the Disney animated movie "The Lion King" and is performed by Simba, a young lion cub who dreams of becoming a king. The first verse of the song shows Simba's determination to become the king of the jungle and warns his enemies to beware. However, his lack of experience and knowledge about the responsibilities of a king is also evident in the lyrics. Simba admits that he has never seen a king with so little hair before and that he needs to brush up his skills to look down upon his subjects and perfect his roar. The chorus of the song expresses his excitement at the prospect of becoming a king, despite the advice and warnings of his elders.


The second verse is a conversation between Simba and his mentor Zazu, who warns him that there is more to being a king than just being in charge. He reminds Simba that a king must take advice and listen to his subjects. But Simba is too eager to become the king and rejects Zazu's warning. He imagines himself as a powerful king, free to do whatever he wants, but Zazu's cautionary words express the reality of his situation. The final verse of the song features Simba taking control of his destiny, calling for everyone to look left and right while he stands in the spotlight. He encourages every creature to join him in his quest to rule and imagines it to be his finest fling.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna be a mighty king So enemies beware
I'm about to be the most powerful person around, and anyone who opposes me better watch out


Well, I've never seen a king or beast With quite so little hair
I may not have a lot of fur or hair yet, but I'm still destined to be a great king


I'm gonna be the main event Like no king was before I'm brushing up on looking down I'm working on my roar
I'm going to be the center of attention, a king like no other. I'm practicing my authoritative gaze and my fearsome roar to impress everyone


Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing Oh, I just can't wait to be king
Right now, being a king doesn't seem very exciting, but I'm so eager to take on the role and see what it's really like


You've rather a long way to go, young master, if you think No one saying, "do this"
You have a lot to learn, young one, if you think being a king means no one will ever tell you what to do


Now when I said that, I No one saying, "be there" What I meant was No one saying, "stop that" Look, what you don't realize No one saying, "see here"
When I said no one will tell you what to do, what I really meant is that they will still be telling you what not to do and correcting you when necessary. You need to understand that there will still be expectations placed on you.


Free to run around all day Well, that's definitely out Free to do it all my way
As king, you won't be able to just do whatever you want all day long. You'll have responsibilities and duties that come with the role, but you will still have some control over how you carry out those expectations.


I think it's time that you and I Arranged a heart to heart Kings don't need advice From little horn-bills for a start
We should have a conversation, just the two of us, about what being a king entails. Remember, as king, you won't need advice from those who are less experienced or knowledgeable than you, like young horn-bills.


If this is where the monarchy is headed Count me out Out of service, out of Africa I wouldn't hang about This child is getting wildly out of wing
If being a king means becoming overly controlling and losing sight of the joy of life, then I want no part of it. I'll leave Africa and won't stick around to see the end result. This child (referring to the future Simba) is becoming too wild and reckless.


Everybody look left Everybody look right Everywhere you look I'm Standin' in the spotlight
I want everyone to look at me, no matter where they are. I want to be the center of attention all the time.


Let every creature go for broke and sing Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling
I want everyone to celebrate with me and join in on the festivities. This is going to be King Simba's greatest moment.


Oh, I just can't wait to be king
I am so excited to become king and take on this new role in life.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Elton John, Tim Rice

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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