The "Mock-Operatic" Character Song
King of the Forest is a masterclass in character singing. Performed by Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, the song serves as a comedic interlude where the Lion feigns courage while waiting to meet the Wizard. It combines elements of operatic recitative with vaudevillian comedy.
To sing this correctly, you must let go of "pretty" pop vocals. This song requires a dark, rich chest voice, exaggerated diction, and the ability to act through the song. It is about bravado masking insecurity.
AI Coach Tip: The Lahr Vibrato
Bert Lahr used a distinctively wide, almost wobbly vibrato. Our analysis checks for sustained note stability, but for this track, you need to loosen your jaw and allow for a wider oscillation to capture the character's style.
Phase 1: The Recitative (Intro)
The song opens with the Lion declaring, "I am the monarch of all I survey." This should not be sung in strict time. It is a recitative—a style used in opera where the rhythm follows the natural speech patterns. Focus on a regal, spoken quality, keeping the pitch precise but the delivery conversational.
Phase 2: The Comedic Diction
Lahr’s performance relies heavily on over-pronounced consonants. When singing lines like "Impe-r-r-rial" or "R-r-r-royal," you must roll your Rs heavily. This adds to the comedic effect of a character trying too hard to sound important.
- The Sparrow: On the line "The sparrow would take wing," lighten your tone slightly before dropping back into the heavy chest voice.
- Courage: The spoken interludes asking "What have they got that I ain't got?" require sharp, percussive delivery.
Phase 3: The Operatic Swell
As the song builds to the climax, the instrumentation swells. You need strong breath support to sustain the long notes on "For-r-r-est" and "King." Keep your larynx neutral to low; raising it will make the high notes sound thin and pinched, ruining the "Lion" persona.
Frequently Asked Questions
The song reaches an F4, which is a standard high note for a Baritone. It requires a solid belt or a strong mixed voice.
Bert Lahr's "Brooklyn" accent is iconic to the role. While not strictly required for pitch accuracy, adding the accent (turning "curls" into "coils") will improve your style score in the app.
The phrases are long and declamatory. Practice "catch breaths"—quick, silent inhales through the mouth—between the short questions ("What have they got?").
