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Shadowland (The Lion King)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Shadowland
| cover =
| alt =
| type =
| artist = Heather Headley and Tsidii Le Loka
| album = The Lion King: Original Broadway Cast Recording
| released = January 1, 1997
| format =
| recorded = 1996
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 4:30
| label = Walt Disney
|composer=|lyricist=| producer =
}}'"Shadowland"' is a song written by Lebo M., Hans Zimmer and Mark Mancina for the musical 'The Lion King' (1997), a stage adaptation of Disney's 1994 animated film of the same name. Based on the song "Lea Halalela (Holy Land)", a track featured on Lebo's 'Lion King'-inspired concept album 'Rhythm of the Pride Lands' (1995), Lebo composed the track with Zimmer, while both Lebo and Mancina contributed new lyrics to its melody. Lebo based the song's lyrics on his own experiences having been exiled from South Africa during apartheid, therefore imbuing "Shadowland" with themes about refugeeism and survival.
Originally performed by Trinidadian-American singer and actress Heather Headley as Nala, and South African actress Tsidii Le Loka as Rafiki, roles both performers originated on stage, "Shadowland" narrates Nala's decision to leave the Pride Lands in search of a more habitable environment upon realizing that her homeland has grown dry and barren in the midst of Scar's reign. Taking place shortly after Nala rejects Scar's romantic advances, director Julie Taymor used the song to develop Nala into a stronger character for the stage adaptation, and identified "Shadowland" as her favorite among the production's original songs, believing its message and themes to be universal.
Musically, "Shadowland" is a soul power ballad. Sung in both English and African languages, its instrumentation combines African percussion with European orchestration to create a more exotic sound while accompanying pop vocals and African chants; some critics have observed political themes such as feminism, injustice and the ecosystem throughout the song's lyrics. "Shadowland" has been mostly positively received by music and theatre critics; both Headley and actresses who replaced her in subsequent productions of the musical have been praised for their vocals and performances.
Background
used "Shadowland" to develop Nala into a stronger, more complex heroine than how she is depicted in the animated film.|alt=Caucasian woman with long, straight black hair dressed in black and white business attire.Disney decided that the five pop-oriented songs composer Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice had written for the animated film would be augmented by more exotic-sounding, percussive and African-influenced musical numbers for its stage adaptation. "Shadowland" was written by songwriters Lebo M., Hans Zimmer, and Mark Mancina, with Lebo and Zimmer composing its music, while both Lebo and Mancina wrote the song's lyrics. "Shadowland" is based on "Lea Halalela (Holy Land)", a song Zimmer and Lebo had originally written for the film that debuted on the 'Lion King'-inspired concept album 'Rhythm of the Pride Lands' (1995). The track itself is inspired by an orchestral theme used in the film. Based on both an excerpt from Zimmer's film score and "Lea Halalela (Holy Land)", "Shadowland" was the fifth of the musical's original songs to be directly adapted from a 'Rhythm of the Pride Lands' track. Meanwhile, Lebo and Mancina contributed new lyrics to the song's pre-existing music, with Lebo basing his lyrics on his own experience being exiled from South Africa during apartheid. Mancina arranged and produced the track himself.
In the animated film, Nala contributes to two duets: "I Just Can't Wait to be King" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight". Director Julie Taymor consistently found herself drawn to the South African musical influences Lebo introduced to the production during rehearsals. Acknowledging the film's lack of prominent female roles, the director was interested in expanding Nala's role into that of a more complex, three dimensional female character for the musical and believed "Shadowland" would help develop her into a stronger heroine. Will Albrittonat of the University of South Florida's 'The Oracle' agreed that the song strengthens Nala's character, allowing her a greater significant role. Taymor explained, "When you talk about lions, the females do all of it ... So I threw out a lot of the soft stuff in the film and made Nala very strong", giving the character "one of the best songs in the show, 'Shadowland,' which is about being a refugee," a subject the director believes remains "very topical". Furthermore, Taymor cited the song as a "perfect" example of music that "has a narrative force of its own", via which "Nala's feelings are transmitted". Calling the ballad "extraordinary", Taymor identified "Shadowland" as one of her favorite songs in the musical, second to "Circle of Life", and continues to get emotional when she hears it. In addition to originating the role of Nala, Trinidadian-American singer and actress Heather Headley recorded "Shadowland" for 'The Lion King: Original Broadway Cast Recording'.
Context and use in 'The Lion King'
"Shadowland" is performed by Nala before she leaves the Pride Lands in search of a better home one she decides she can no longer tolerate her current circumstances living under Scar's treacherous rule. Set during the musical's second act, the song occurs shortly after "The Madness of King Scar", in which Nala rebukes Scar's lecherous attempts to make her his queen. Nala is forced to choose between survival or remaining with her pride. Seeking permission from her pride before she leaves in search of a fertile land to where they can relocate, Nala bids an emotional farewell to her fellow lionesses and homeland, which has grown dry and barren due to famine and drought under Scar's reign. Performed against a background of "jungle fauna", the lionesses join Nala in chanting while mourning the barren state of what was once their ancestors' home, voicing their dissatisfaction with the condition of its ecosystem. Ultimately, Nala promises to eventually return with hope, and "always remember [her] pride". Rafiki also bestows her personal, sacred blessings upon the young lioness. Featuring exclusively females, the sequence features feline-influenced movements and choreography. According to Sarah O'Hara of 'Lowdown Magazine', the performance "demonstrate[s] all the desperation the lionesses faced in the hunt for food", continuing, "I could really feel Nalas sadness and determination to better their situation." John Moore of 'The Denver Post' believes that by preceding Endless Night" and "He Lives in You", "Shadowland" initiates a "climax" that "becomes a wildebeest stampede of ongoing powerful moments." Everett Evans, writing for the 'Houston Chronicle', agreed that the song is one of the show's ballads that supply the musical with "emotional clout".
Actress Kissy Simmons described the musical number as the sequence in which "her character has to do something to help her pride of lionesses." Simmons believes that, at this point in the musical, it is likely that most of the lionesses have already been raped or sexually harassed by Scar by the time she realizes how dangerous the Pride Lands have become, forcing her to leave in search of hope and help. Depicting Nala's "fierce drive", the ballad further demonstrates the heroine's loyalty, beauty and strength. Nala experiences several different emotions during the song, beginning reserved as she observes how barren her homeland has become, a feeling that transitions into sadness and vulnerability before she accepts that she must ultimately "fight for this land, and get things to where they used to be, according to actress Noxolo Dlamini. Miyako Singer of 'The' 'Daily Californian' wrote that, in addition to providing Nala with "her big solo moment", the song "showcases ... Nalas strength and determination" as she ventures away from the Pride Lands in search of help.
Due to the musical sequence featuring lionesses fighting back against "a male-dominated regime", the 'Houston Chronicle'
Music and lyrics
Performed slowly, emotionally and dramatically, "Shadowland" is written in the key of A minor (with an introduction in C major) at a tempo of 70 beats per minute, and lasts four minutes and thirty seconds in duration. 'The Disney Song Encyclopedia' author Thomas S. Hischak described "Shadowland" as a "hauntingly beautiful ballad", while I. Herbert, author of 'Theatre Record', called it "hauntingly expressive". Several critics and media publications have acknowledged the song's "haunting" nature and sentiment. Musically, the ballad begins sad in tone before growing more determined and hopeful as it progresses. The song combines Zimmer's original melody with both English and African phrases that result in "a beguiling tribal flavor." Seth Kubersky of 'Orlando Weekly' identified "Shadowland" as one of the musical's original songs lifted from the film's score. 'Theatre Histories: An Introduction' author Phillip B. Zarrilli agreed that "Shadowland" fuses "African and European rhythms and orchestration". According to the book 'The Oxford Handbook of The American Musical', "Shadowland"'s prominent use of African sounds is a strong example of "Non-Western musical styles hav[ing] made occasional appearances in the theater". Due to its African and South African influences, WhatsOnStage.com's Richard Forrest cited the composition as one of the few songs written specifically for the musical that "express most fully the shows African roots", featuring African percussion and "soul-searching lyrics". Martin Brady, writing for the 'Nashville Scene', observed that African folk rhythms, melodies and choral harmonies are particularly "omnipresent" throughout "Shadowland". 'Lowdown Magazine'
NewsOK's Brandy McDonnell described the ballad as an "understated ode". Described by Thesauro Cultural of 'The Cult' as an "evocative ballad", the song begins with an African-language chant reading "'Fatshe leso lea halalela'". Lyrically, the song is about "losing [one's] home and finding solace elsewhere", according to Taymor, and alludes to themes about surviving as a refugee. Writing for the 'Houston Chronicle', Wei-Huan Chen agreed that "Shadowland" explores several political themes and subtexts that include feminism, believing its title is "applicable to any period in history shrouded by injustice". Taymor agreed that, in addition to being "reminiscent of Africa", the ballad boasts several additional interpretations that can be understood by virtually any culture "without understanding what is being said." Janice M. Nargi, writing for JMN Publications, agreed that the song "fuse[s] contemporary messages of courage and empowerment with insistent cadences that suggest universality and timelessness." The song also features an ecology-themed message, demonstrated by its lyric "The river's dry, the ground has broken." Michael Billington, arts critic for 'The Guardian', believes the song's use of grassland chants "pays homage to Africa". 'Billboard' music critic Larry Flick wrote that Headley and actress Tsidii Le Loka exchange "smooth pop vocals and traditional tribal chants"; the soloists are augmented by a choir who "gradually builds the song to anthemic proportions". Describing Headley's vocals as "sung achingly", 'The New York Times' Stephen Holden recognized "Shadowland" among the musical's three original ballads that serve as "potent vocal showcases" while contributing "genuine emotional depth" to the production, alongside "They Live in You" and "Endless Night". Headley's vocal range on the song spans approximately two octaves, from E3 to A5. Vocally, the ballad is believed to be best-suited for a mezzo-soprano/belter vocalist, according to the book 'Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 4: Mezzo-Soprano/Belter'.
Critical reception
To promote the musical, Headley performed "Shadowland" with Le Loka live on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in 1997, which Headley believes showcased her voice greatly. Critical reception towards "Shadowland" has been positive, with Headley consistently earning praise for her live rendition during her tenure as Nala. In August 1997, Chris Hewit of the 'St. Paul Pioneer Press' commended Headley's "passionate" interpretation, while 'Playbill's Robert Simonson observed that the singer's performance "draws applause every night". Richard Forrest of WhatsOnStage.com ranked "Shadowland" among the musical's standout numbers. 'Variety's Matt Wolf wrote that the ballad "stops the second act." Lisa Martland, writing for 'The Stage', described the song as a highlight that provides "a poignancy lacking in other important scenes". Michael Portantiere, author of 'The Theatermania Guide to Musical Theater Recordings', ranked "Shadowland" among the best new additions to the show's score. Rex Smith, writing for 'Newsweek', called the song "beautiful", while Mark Collins of the 'Reporter-Herald' described it as "show stopping and mournful". Describing "Shadowland" as a "glorious ballad", 'Billboard'
Actress Nia Holloway has also garnered strong reviews for her interpretation, whose performance Shannon McLoud of 'Motif Magazine' deemed worth "The price of admission". 'The Daily Californian'
In a less positive review, Susan Haubenstock of the 'Richmond Times-Dispatch' dismissed "Shadowland" as one of the new songs that resemble "filler", accusing it of slowing down the pace of the production and causing "the action and the energy peter out in the second act." Similarly, Erin Gleeson of the 'Baltimore City Paper' felt "Shadowland" was "unmemorable", writing that it "drag[s] down an otherwise lively and spirited production." Alan Morrison of the 'Herald Scotland' found the song's use of synthesizers dated.
Impact
"Shadowland" is still considered to be one of Headley's signature songs. In October 2014, Disney Theatrical Group released an official lyric video for the song and uploaded it to YouTube. Emily Brandon of Oh My Disney remarked that the song "is one of those songs that sticks with us long after we hear it" due to a combination of its moving lyrics, references to the film's score and appreciation for Nala's and her story". Actor Michael Crawford covered the song in a medley of songs from 'The Lion King'. In 2016, Simmons performed the song live on the Disney Wonder cruise ship as part of the Disney Theatrical Group's "Stars Set Sail" live concert series. After Disney announced that singer Beyonc had been cast as Nala in John Favreau's upcoming CGI remake of 'The Lion King' in November 2017, fans started hoping Beyonc would be recording a version of "Shadowland" for the film. WLCK's Ray Cornelius speculated, "While this tune was not in the original movie, Im sure the films producers will make an exception and allow Beyonc to perform it or create a new song for her. Lets keep our fingers crossed."
References
Category:Songs from The Lion King (franchise)
Category:1997 songs
Category:Songs from musicals
Category:1990s ballads
Category:Songs written by Lebo M.
Category:Songs written by Mark Mancina
Category:Songs with music by Hans Zimmer
Category:Mark Mancina songs
Category:Songs with feminist themes
Category:Soul ballads
Category:Pop ballads
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