One by One

[Hickoro Lioness]

I don't understand what the song "one by one" has to do with the lion
king. It seems like they are taking on a different subject. Like the color
of their skin and such.

[Kiara Serengeti]

You mean the cartoon with the kite-flying village children on the SP DVD? :thinking:

[Katse]

Not exactly sure what you're talking about.

If it's about the short about the children, it is related to TLK. It was done by the animators of TLK and goes to a song that's on The Rythm of the Pridelands soundtrack. I find it to be an incredibly beautiful short. The color, the designs, the music...everything. It's just too beautiful for words, in my opinion.:-)

[Hickoro Lioness]

I'm talking The Lion King on broadway.
Actually I've never seen the SP dvd.

[Dare]

There was a magazine article that said that "One by One" was cut from TLK, but I don't know how accurate that is. Anyway, it seems as good a song as any to end Intermission.

[Hickoro Lioness]

Well, it's on my CD. I like the rythm and all. But the words really have nothing to do with TLK.

[White Wagtail]

Here you can read about where Lebo's inspirations came from
for writing "One By One" and other RotPL songs.
http://www.bdpr.com/lebsong.html

One By One: A chant-like composition drawing from ancient African warrior songs, One by One features deep male voices that penetrate the soul. It symbolizes my personal struggle to retain strength through adversity and serves as a universal mantra for all people of oppressed nations to find power from within.

The lyrics are based on his life,
yet it has something to do with TLK... because he said, I found the story of young Simba to parallel my own life.

As for "One By One" short film...
I heard that this short film was originally made as a segment of "Fantasia2006".
But, unfortunately, it was canceled...
I found the article about that, but, I haven't read all of it yet. sorry!
(I have to improve my English skills to read long English text. )
http://jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/...cle.php?ID=434

(My English might be hard to understand. sorry...)

[Bahati]

"One by One" is among my most favorite songs from RotPL and TLKoB. It's an energizing sample of the African spirit, expressed exclusively through the power of the human voice. Though the vast majority of listeners are unlikely to possess any familiarity with the English translation, the lyrics add greater depth to "One by One" and convey the resistance of oppression with pride in one's self, people, and home.

I could not imagine any better way to transport TLKoB audiences back to Africa after the intermission than with this beautiful piece of music.

[Lucy Lioness]

Originally posted by Bahati
"One by One" is among my most favorite songs from RotPL and TLKoB. It's an energizing sample of the African spirit, expressed exclusively through the power of the human voice. Though the vast majority of listeners are unlikely to possess any familiarity with the English translation, the lyrics add greater depth to "One by One" and convey the resistance of oppression with pride in one's self, people, and home.

I could not imagine any better way to transport TLKoB audiences back to Africa after the intermission than with this beautiful piece of music.

I totally agree.

I think it's there to add to the spirit of Africa in TLKoB, not to have anything to do with the show. It's part of the culture the show makers wanted to portray.

[Hickoro Lioness]

White wagtail: Just because it has to do with his own life doesn't mean it has anything to do with the show. And what does opressing nations have to do with the Lion king either?

[Katse]

Well, during the time of the Shadowlands, there was great oppression, at least among the lionesses, then, eventually, the hyenas.

[Dare]

Originally posted by Katse
Well, during the time of the Shadowlands, there was great oppression, at least among the lionesses, then, eventually, the hyenas.

Agreed. I mean, take a look at the lyrics...

"Hold on tight my people
Don't get weary
Don't lose your strength
We can see
They wanted to hold us back
They will not succeed
We will win"

Sounds like a song meant to inspire hope and strength to me, certainly a song that would be appropriate for times of oppression.
Overall, I think the song is about overcoming difficulties and hardships, of which there are many in TLK.

[Hickoro Lioness]

But whose they? And they're Lions, not people.

[Dare]

Originally posted by Hickoro Lioness
But whose they? And they're Lions, not people.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean.
Are you insinuating that a song about people overcoming adversity cannot be used for lions who overcame a tyrant?

It looks to me like you're just focusing on the last part of the song...?
If that's the case, I don't think it's just about skin color, that's probably just a metaphor...I think it's about the singer knowing who they are and being proud of it...it could tie into the entire "Remember who you are" deal with Simba.

[Hickoro Lioness]

Oh, a metaphor. I'm kinda bad at those. But why express this through
the Lion King? Lebo could make a whole new musical just for that.

[Simbaspirit]

i agree with Wicked

[Hickoro Lioness]

But there's no proof it has anything to do with the lion king.

[Katse]

It was in a TLK soundtrack and a part of the musical. We've clearly stated that it's about oppression and difficult times, which has happened in the movie. What more proof do you need?

[Hickoro Lioness]

But I just still don't understand. That they were singing about the color of their skin, when it's a show about lions!

[Simbaspirit]

Scar has dark skin, Nala has white skin