“Spirit” is the new original song Beyoncé wrote and performed for the 2019 remake of The Lion King. It was created specifically for the film and became its most prominent new musical addition.
Beyoncé wrote “Spirit” with Ilya Salmanzadeh and Labrinth. Unlike the returning songs from the 1994 movie, including “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” it was composed for the remake’s new soundtrack. The song appears during a sequence involving Simba, Nala, and the wider story of returning home and reclaiming one’s identity.
“Spirit” was released as a single in July 2019 and also appeared on The Lion King: The Gift, an album Beyoncé curated and produced alongside the film. A common mix-up is to identify “Listen” or “Halo,” which are Beyoncé songs from other projects. “Freedom” is also associated with Beyoncé, but it was not the new Lion King song.