Elton John, Can You Feel the Love Tonight | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 25th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we highlight “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” performed by Elton John.

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 25^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we break down “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” performed by Elton John.

“There’s a calm surrender to the rush of day / When the heat of a rolling wind can be turned away.”  Those timeless, unforgettable lyrics hail from “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, one of the truly great songs from the 1990s.  Elton John recorded a masterpiece, plain and simple. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is the 12^th and final track from The Lion King.  The film version, penned alongside lyricist Tim Rice, appears as the fifth track. The more sophisticated end title runs a minute longer, featuring a slower, more relaxed tempo. Although the song is associated with The Lion King, one of Disney’s greatest animated films, it is a marvelous, standalone song. “Can” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2018. Impressive. Beyond sales, streams, and chart success, John won his first Academy Award for Best Original Song (beating his other compositions  “Circle Of Life” and “Hakuna Matata”), and a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Everything about “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” feels right.  It features a gorgeous, adult contemporary sound. This sound was prevalent in the 1990s. The orchestration is top-notch.  John delivers commanding, soulful vocals bringing Rice’s poetic, poignant lyrics to life. “There’s a time for everyone, if they only learn,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “That the twistin’ kaleidoscope moves us all in turn.” John didn’t compose the lyrics, but he penned the marvelous melodies and music. The musical underpinnings, specifically the harmonic progression, are part of the elite musicianship of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” The moment to beat is the chorus, among the most memorable of all time.

“And can you feel the love tonight? (Tonight)

It is where we are

It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer

That we got this far

And can you feel the love tonight? (Tonight)

How it’s laid to rest?

It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds

Believe the very best.”

“Can You Feel The Love Tonight” is nothing short of iconic.  Elton John has written many hits.  This Disney collaboration with Tim Rice is one of his greatest.

The Lion King // The Walt Disney Company // 1994

Elton John, Can You Feel The Love Tonight: Bangerz N Bopz No. 25 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Walt Disney Company; Bigshow Lamar Campton, Daniel Duarte, Eduardo López from Pexels; AcatXIo, djexpectations, OpenClipart-Vectors, Thai Zeo from Pixabay]