Viral Lion King/Korn Mashup is Unexpectedly Awesome

Guitarist James Shaffer (Munky) of Korn Performing in 2013. Image by Will Ireland/Future Publishing/Shutterstock (2713031ho)

The Internet is an amazing invention that has made a remarkable effect on human society. Many aspects of our lives have changed drastically because of the World Wide Web in the last two decades, the way we consume music not the least of them. 

And it’s also given rise to some impossible mashups that should never work, and yet somehow they do.

Case in point: A YouTuber called William Maranci has released a viral mashup a few days ago, impossibly wedding “Circle of Life” from Disney’s 1994 The Lion King with Korn’s “Freak on a Leash” from their 1998 album Follow the Leader.

On paper, this should never have happened. These two songs are so tonally different it is hard to imagine they could ever co-exist, let alone support each other. “Circle of Life” is an African-themed anthem of optimism, while “Freak on a Leash” is a harsh and dark song, complete with Korn’s signature heavily distorted guitars. 

But this is where the magic takes place: When Jonathan Davis’ vocals are superimposed over the Disney music, they somehow harmonize in a way that takes out much of their poignancy — unless, of course, ones listen to the words rather than just the melody. 

The result is a surprisingly uplifting hymn that sounds almost like a prayer. In true mashup fashion, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. 

The only question remaining is how to name this hybrid; comments to the video seem to be divided between “The Lion Korn” and “The Circle of Leash”. What do you think?