George Weiss George Weiss was an American songwriter and former President of the Songwriters Guild of America. Weiss wrote and co-wrote a host of well-known songs that have become immortal contributions to varied and diverse areas of musical culture. Weiss wrote the lyrics for "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" which became a hit with The Tokens" recording as well as being featured in the Disney cartoon "The Lion King". "What a Wonderful World" recorded most famously by Louis Armstrong, "Lullaby of Birdland", and "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" have all become mainstays of the jazz and popular repertoire.