Hakuna Matata (song) - in Popular Culture

In Popular Culture

• Australian pop star Dannii Minogue performed the song on a UK Disney TV special.
• Alvin and Simon Seville covered the song in their 1994 album When You Wish Upon a Chipmunk, respectively portraying Timon & Pumbaa. In this version, they covered it in their own style (i.g.,from "warthog" to "chipmunk"). However, The Walt Disney Company didn't endorse nor sponsor the album.
• In one of Disney's many self references, the "Hakuna Matata" song can be heard briefly in the 1995 Pixar film Toy Story, in which it was played on Andy's mom's car while Molly sees Woody and Buzz Lightyear through one of the side view mirrors.
• Bunny Wailer covered the song on Reggae for Kids: Movie Classics.
• In the Seinfeld episode "The Merv Griffin Show", Elaine says that she was caught in the office singing "Hakuna Matata".
• In the film Mouse Hunt, Ernie Smuntz (Nathan Lane) bows to a sheik who is seeking to bid for his home and greets him with the words "Hakuna matata," a reference to Nathan Lane's portrayal of Timon.
• It appears in Mannheim Steamroller's 1999 album Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse.
• The song was covered by Jamaican group Baha Men for the Disneymania CD.
• The song was covered by Debby Ryan for the Disneymania 7 CD.
• On Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, Whiskers says "Do you remember 'Ohana' and all that stuff? Or was it Hakuna Matata?" "Ohana" might also be a reference to Lilo and Stitch because Ohana was used in that movie.
• On the episode of Moesha, Frank (William Allen Young) says to his work friend on the line "Hakuna Good-bye, Bye" on "The Whistle Blower" that aired in 1996.
• In an episode of Pinky and the Brain while Pinky and the Brain are trapped in the wilderness, Pinky tries to cheer up the agitated Brain by saying he will tell him a phrase, and Pinky's phrase turns out to be "Hakuna Matata".
• In Aladdin and the King of Thieves, Genie turns into Pumbaa and says "Hakuna Matata"
• MC Hammer released his cover version in 2012, on MGM's science fiction film Texaco
• In the Stitch! episode "A Stinky Episode", Stitch says "Skunkuna Matata!" while throwing a skunk-like creature into the air.
• The Broadway musical The Book of Mormon spoofs "Hakuna Matata" with a song called "Hasa Diga Eebowai." That phrase translates to "Fuck you, God!" Although one of the characters asks "Does it mean no worries for the rest of our days?"