Upendi

"Upendi" is a song composed by Randy Petersen for The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. It was released on September 8, 1998, as part of the film's soundtrack.
==Conception and development==
In the 1996 draft of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, "Upendi" took place during the daytime, after a brief passage of time following Kovu's infiltration of Simba's pride. Several scenes in the draft were cut, leaving this scene to immediately succeed the stargazing scene between Kovu and Kiara. Thus, the scene was changed to take place at night.
==Releases and alternative versions==
"Upendi" was released on September 8, 1998, as part of Return to Pride Rock.
An Africanized version of "Upendi" sung by Wes Madiko was released in 1999 as part of The Lion King Collection. The original version of the song was also included on the album.
Best of The Lion King, an album comprised of songs from different installments in The Lion King franchise, was released on September 6, 2011. The original version of "Upendi" was included on this album.
On October 3, 2011, the original version of "Upendi" was re-released as part of The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition), as was the Wes Madiko version of the song.
==Use==
"Upendi" is the fourth song heard in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. It starts when Rafiki confronts Kovu and Kiara, and urges them to follow him. Once they have followed him to a jungle clearing, he tells them that he has brought them to a "special place" in their hearts called "upendi." He proceeds to ferry the two lions around on a giant leaf in a river while he sings about upendi. Eventually, Kiara deduces that "upendi" must mean "love." As Pride Landers join in the song, they form a conga line past Kovu and Kiara. Once the animals reach the end of the line, Rafiki tosses fruit into their mouths, and they ride off on a nearby river. Kovu and Kiara soon join the conga line, and Rafiki tosses fruit into their mouths. They then get carried down the river and fall off the end of a waterfall, parachuting into the sky. Afterward, as the two are walking home together, they sing "Upendi" together playfully.
==Lyrics==
Rafiki:
There's a place where the crazy moon
Makes the monkeys sing and the baboons swoon
And the sultry scent of the lotus bloom
Will carry you away
Where the hippos swing from the jungle vines
And the rhinos rhumba in a conga line
And the pink flamingos are intertwined
As the stars come out to play
In Upendi
Where the passion fruit grows sweet
And it's so divine
That you lose your mind
As it sweeps you off your feet
In Upendi
Without a worry or a care
It just takes two
To make it true
Your heart will lead you there
Kiara: (spoken)
Where is it?
Rafiki: (spoken)
No place you don't take with you.
Rafiki:
You better watch your step 'cause the path is steep
Better hold your breath 'cause the water's deep
It's a long way down over Lovers' Leap
But falling's half the fun!
In Upendi
Where the passion fruit grows sweet
And it's so divine
That you lose your mind
As it sweeps you off your feet
In Upendi
Without a worry or a care
It just takes two
To make it true
Your heart will take you there
You can beat the bush like there's no tomorrow
From Tanganyika to Kilimanjaro
But you'll find Upendi wherever you are
Oh, underneath the sun
Kiara: (spoken)
Upendi means love, doesn't it?
Rafiki: (spoken)
Welcome to Upendi!
Rafiki:
In Upendi
Where the passion fruit grows sweet
And it's so divine
That you lose your mind
As it sweeps you off your feet
In Upendi
Without a worry or a care
It just takes two
To make it true
Your heart will take you there
Upendi
Down in Upendi
Way down
In Upendi
==Trivia==
* "Upendi" is referenced in the "The Harmattan" episode of The Lion Guard when animals form a conga line during the "The Tree of Life" sequence.
==Media==
The Lion King 2 Simba's Pride Upendi HD|The "Upendi" sequence in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
==References==
Category:Best of The Lion King
Category:Kiara songs
Category:Kovu songs
Category:The Lion King Collection
Category:The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition)
Category:The Lion King II: Simba's Pride songs
Category:Rafiki songs
Category:Return to Pride Rock
Category:Songs