“Spirit” is the Beyoncé song that appears in the 2019 film The Lion King as an original song.
Beyoncé recorded “Spirit” for the soundtrack of Disney’s photorealistic remake of The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau. She voiced Nala in the film and contributed the song to the companion album The Lion King: The Gift, which she curated and executive-produced.
The song was written by Beyoncé, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Timothy McKenzie. It plays during an emotional sequence centered on Simba’s return and renewal, and its lyrics emphasize hope, destiny, and rising above adversity.
The Lion King: The Gift expanded the film’s musical world with artists from Africa and the African diaspora. “Spirit” was distinct from the film’s re-recorded songs from the original 1994 animated movie, such as “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”