The song is a good bit older than Lion King. According to Wikipedia, it was originally written in 1939 and the lyrics were in Zulu. I remember the version that The Tokens had a big hit with in 1961...

Layne started to arrange this as a mini, but was feeling so good that he kept going. I’m sure he had some idea for the CGI he was going to add when they filmed, but probably was having fun and kept adding more. His computer engineering degree was a good start, but he likes to stretch his abilities with each Pattycake (and VoicePlay) video. . Geoff told us that their usual cameramen have relocated out of state. Layne also can run a steadycam (and does for Pattycake and sometimes Geoff) but that would make it difficult for him to be in the video. So in the meantime they are doing their best. I’m with you on Layne’s talent. Geoff has said he has ‘the voice of an angel.’ And it looked like he was having so much fun playing the violin. (Which wasn’t originally there. Geoff suggested it.)

I thought you were talking about knowing the song for a long time, I was born in the 60's, so yes, but laughed when I found you were speaking of Lion King, which I also love as a Disney fan, so not a problem here. Layne and Tony (former Voiceplay member) have their Pattycake Studios in what was store space in that mall, so they are actually just outside the studio door in the mall. They just chose that as the place for these.

Did you know this song originated in South Africa in 1938 with the Zulu language title of "Mbube" - it was Pete Seeger and The Weavers who recorded it as "Wimoweh" that brought it to American attention in 1950/51. After other recordings of it were made, in 1961 it was re-written/arranged to it's most popular and well-known form as the doo-wop/R&B hit, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" as recorded by the Tokens. There was a big lawsuit from the original composer's family when Disney used it in The Lion King without paying any song royalties. Such a history!!

This is just pure joy. I smile every time I watch this. If I were to ever show someone a video that described VoicePlay to a tee.....this would be it. And, thank you, sir, for being awesome and sharing your opinion with us. 😁

What a fabulous job they did! ❣❣ I've watched this many, many times since it posted on Patreon a couple of weeks ago, and I'm still finding new fun details! Glad you enjoyed it!

I knew this song before I ever saw Lion King when I was a child it was on one of those really old cassette tapes of various artists from the 50's and 60's that my parents had❕❗

Layne did the arrangements, production, editing, etc except audio mixing. They did have a lot of fun with this showing their crazy sides.

This is one of my favorites. It totally shows off their voice PLAY. ❤️❤️❤️

This is so much fun! A ray of sunshine on thes cold and snowy January day. The version I remember was by the Tokens in the early 60s, but I think it has been around a lot longer than that.

loved the dancing and of course there is no such thing as too much Layne! ❤

Not only does this song show off the guys ranges and singing talents. It gives us a great dose of their humor. Just what we need to beat the January blues. 😅🤣😂😆😁🥰😹👏👏👏👏

Shenanigans and dad dancing what more could we ask for...well stunning vocals we got that too. Great reaction.

Enjoyed this reaction so much, thank you! This song is such a blast. J did the write up for it on Patreon, it is so funny. He went into a whole story about how the animals came to be in the mall. Looking forward to your next VoicePlay reaction!

I had to watch this at least a dozen times before I could stop snort laughing and start to catch all the cute bits. Usually, Eli does the special effects, but he has a brand new baby at home. If he had worked on them, he would have been credited. This is all Layne, all the way! The music is always pre-recorded, but the choreography and all was done on site. Great reaction!

Geoff has said that they won't do a song unless they feel that they have something extra/different to offer that no one else has done. The Lion Sleeps Tonight is so iconic that they probably didn't want to mess with the arrangement too much--but it's open season on the performance! Loved all the baritones singing falsetto.

This song is a lot older than the Lion king, LOL. Layne is probably the editor..

For what it's worth, either Layne or Geoff is typically the video editor (depending upon who arranged the song), often with special effects assistance from Eli (and he pretty much always does their lighting). So they are always aware of the video details, and have input. That's one of the really cool things about VoicePlay- these are all 100% their projects, and every member's input is valued.

They did a great job with this! Thanks for your reaction, glad you enjoyed it too. I first heard this sung by Harry Belfonte in the 1960s, and fell inove with it. That was a while ago. 😊

I remember the song from way back as Wimoweh.

Always makes me chuckle when people refer to the Lion King as the original this was an oldy when i was a little kid in the 60's/70's.

You do know that they do their own editing?

The version I'm most familiar with was released in 1962 by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Sorry, never saw The Lion King.

Given that it's a Layne arrangement, and Layne ended up with a squirrel and Geoff ended up with a monkey on their respective heads, I'm guessing Layne had quite a bit to do with the additional animation in the video! #VioLayne is always a good addition to any video - and who knew the boys could dance that well?

Pretty sure Layne was the editor :)

I love the new setup, The Lion King is one of my favorite Disney movies, love your reactions

I'm betting that the computer video is Eli's work. Feel good is the same way I'm thinking it should be described. Fun and so much to look at, especially Layne's violin. Whenever I see you pop up with Geoff or VoicePlay, I'm there. The news and politics are out the window.

I haven't found a music video in the last years having so many reaction videos done.

Dude, this song is way older than the Lion King. Written in 1939 and recorded in 1961.