It’s a cult song. However, “Love Shines Under the Stars” almost disappeared from the soundtrack of “The Lion King”. And it was none other than Elton John who managed to convince Disney studios to let it have its place in the cartoon.
It’s hard to imagine “The Lion King” without this song. And yet, “Love Shines Under the Stars” was almost cut in the editing! In extremis, Elton John saved it.
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“Every Disney cartoon has a great love song”
In an interview with “Variety”, Elton John returned to this moment that may have changed the childhood of many. The one who collaborated with Tim Rice during the development of the soundtrack of the cult cartoon returned to the moment when he saw the first version. “The whole Disney team came to Atlanta to show me a first draft of the almost finished version of the film.” A viewing that intrigued him: “There was no ‘Love Shines Under the Stars’.”
The musician then gets offended, and asks them where the song went. In response, the producers point out a “lack of space”, forcing them to make choices. “It’s a love song. All Disney cartoons have a great love song. You should think about that”, he allegedly replied, “very surprised” by the absence of the song. An intervention that may have saved the song, which finally finds its well-deserved place in the film, and in the lives of die-hard Disney fans. We call that: a hit.
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