Endless Night is a song from the 1997 musical The Lion King.
Contents
Production
The music is by Lebo M, Hans Zimmer, and Jay Rifkin. The lyrics are by Julie Taymor.
Synopsis
The song is sung when Simba is at his lowest, having an existential confidence crisis over how he had let his father Mufasa down, and trying to work out how he fits into the world. He "remembers Mufasa's promise to always be there for him".
Critical reception
Chron wrote "The other half of the score (not written by Elton John and Tim Rice), added by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and others, supplies the moments of emotional clout in such ballads as "Shadowlands" and "Endless Night," and authentic African flavor in the chants for Rafiki and the chorus". The Guardian said "Musically, [the show] pays homage to Africa in its grassland chants and ensemble numbers such as Shadowland and Endless Night." TheatrePeople described it as a "heartfelt prayer". LondonTheatre deemed it a "great song". WhatsOnStage wrote "Most of the stand-out numbers, including “One by One”, “Shadowland” and “Endless Night”, were written specially for the stage, and express most fully the show’s African roots". Denver Post called it "Simba's lament". Talkin Broadway wrote "Two new numbers written by the remaining writers are the musical highlights of the show. "They Live In You" and "Endless Night" give the score welcome sparks of passion". The Star said "...One of the show's most powerful sequences, when Simba grows into the responsibilities he must face in “Endless Night,” seems incredibly dramatic, but is carried by nothing more than a bold lighting change on the background cyclorama and the conviction of the actor involved." SGN called it adult Sumba's "shining moment". Herald Scotland said "Shadowland and Endless Night provide second-half showpiece solo numbers". TCDailyPlanet wrote "“Endless Night,” was also in my top performances. Sung by Simba...this performance brought tears to my eyes. It was done simply and beautifully, capturing a lovely self-reflection from a son without a father." The Sun Chronicle described it as a "beautiful song where Simba laments the loss of his father, [which] is emotionally charged and powerful", and added "I don't think anyone will ever sing that song the way the late Jason Reize did (he was the original Simba on Broadway and it is his voice on the original Broadway cast album)" due to his "vocal depth and delivery".