The 10 Best Disney Songs by the Sherman Brothers
Chances are, you’re familiar with a few of the songs written by the Sherman Brothers, even if you don’t know who they are by name. Richard and Robert Sherman were one of the most prolific songwriting teams in history. If you’re cleaning the house and find yourself singing a tune like “I Wan’na Be Like You,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” or “Let’s Go Fly A Kite,” you’ve experienced the inimitable music of the Sherman Brothers.
Robert Sherman (pictured, left) passed away on March 5 in London. He was the older brother and the quiet one: younger brother Richard appeared in public more often and granted more interviews than did Robert, especially after Robert’s wife’s death in 2001. In addition to his work as a composer, Robert was a World War II hero and an accomplished painter.
The Sherman Brothers composed the scores for dozens of films, TV specials, theme park attractions, and stage musicals. They even wrote a song that became a #1 hit for Ringo Starr:
But fans and critics alike know Richard and Robert Sherman best from their Disney work. For half a decade, the Sherman Brothers held the title of Staff Composers at Walt Disney Studios. They were Walt Disney’s go-to guys for fun songs and enjoyable film scores, and Walt affectionately referred to them as “the boys.” After Walt’s death, they worked off and on with the Disney organization on various projects, from movies to theme parks to London and Broadway productions.
To honor the life of Robert Sherman, here’s a list of the ten best Disney songs by the Sherman Brothers.
“Tuppence a bag”.
God bless Sherman Brothers. Thanks to your music you will always be a part of my life, my Children’s lives and now my Grand Children’s lives. We watch Mary Poppins 3 or 4 times a year and never grow tired of the music. . .And that incredible voice God gave to Julie Andrews.
– at the end of the work day, Uncle Walt would invite them into his office to play and sing “Feed the Birds”.
Let’s not forget, “Feed the Birds” also had the last screen appearance of Jane Darwell. As if there weren’t heart-rending sentimentality enough in that number.
“Feed the Birds” is definitely in the running for “greatest movie moments” of all time.
Julie Andrews: all that talent, that unreal voice (and technique so effortless as to be from anoher world. Has anyone ever sung more on-key and with better diction?), and not hard on the eyes, either. But it is her demeanor, her elegance, her class, that really sets her apart.She is a goddess, but one you might like to just spend some time with.
If anyone knows whether or not she actually is a nasty bitch full of issues, pray keep it to yourself.
If you ever get a chance check out the documentary “The Boys” about the life and turbulent relationship between the two brilliant, but conflicted brothers. They could work together but could not interact socially. It is a heart-breaking tale. Their relationship reached a point that when their father died, each brother hosted their own “shiva”(????? Sorry I’m not up on my Jewish ritual terms….the reception after the funeral) and mourners had to choose which one they would attend. After seeing this I made a point to call my only sister with whom I have had a few disagreements over the years and mend some fences.
Fascinating!
I have a neighbor who worked long ago with the Everly Brothers. He says that normally they could not relate or communicate AT ALL and increasingly were at each others throats. But once they started singing those harmonies, it was like a mystical transformation. They were so in tune it was, as he says, “two men with one soul.”
You have it correct; it’s Hebrew for “seven”, the period of close to a week folowing the burial when the first-order relative stays home and is visited (and fed!) by people coming to comfort the bereaved. Muslims have a similar ritual, but it’s 3(?) days and applies to cousins also. Israeli law requires the employer to give the time off.
Thank you for the much needed fairy dust:)
Actually all of the songs from Mary Poppins are great. One of the few musicals, along with The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady, in which nearly every song is a classic.
This was wonderful to see and brought back some memories of when I went to Disney World in Orlando Florida, as they also had it was a small World after all there back I believe it was 1976 I was there. and the GE was there also. What a Great memory to see this. What a lost of Robert Sherman it will be I am sure I pray for the lost for his family he will sadly be missed. Thank You for these Memories Great job.
Dang it! Wish I wasn’t at work so I could listen to all of these again! Right now I’ll just have to let the songs play in my head. The Parent Trap one is one I remember quite well from that movie.
I have always loved their work. Few people know they also did the music for Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang…We had the immense fortune in meeting Richard Sherman at the last Disney Expo..What a wonderful and kind man.
The Boys is indeed a must have. Beautifully done. Thanks for sharing.
– and Orville, Walt and Roy. Brothers don’t always get along, especially while working on great things together. When Disney World opened, a reporter commented to Walt’s brother, Roy, “It’s too bad Walt did not live to see this.” Roy replied, “Walt saw it first. That’s why we are seeing it now.”
I must object to the inclusion of “It’s a Small World,” not because it’s a bad song, but because once it’s played, it’s just about the world’s worst earworms. I think I’m going to have to watch “Mary Poppins” tonight, just to expel it.
A friend of mine (who is the parent of a daughter) swears that his idea of hell is being stuck on the “It’s A Small World” ride for eternity. Which is a pretty big statement considering he’s an atheist.
Scar said it best: “No! No! ANYTHING but that!”
“Feed the Birds” only 9th? Heresy! The best of them all. (But you should have used a clip of Julie performing it; Sherman can write but he can’t sing).
Here is Richard Sherman singing the Chimanzoo song which was written for Mary Poppins but never made it into the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvxCe9Yz47k
I am a big Disney fan (we’re starting to plan our fifth trip to Disney World for December) and I agree that “Feed The Birds,” should be at the top of the list!
However, I must admit that some of these songs are at the bottom of my Disney list, in particular “Let’s Get Together” and “The Age of Not Believing.” I’m not sure why, maybe I just like the more fanciful tunes- the ones divorced more from reality. I just don’t feel the same feeling of hopeless romanticism, humor or flights of fancy that are present in my favorite Disney tunes which are mostly by Alan Mencken.
Still, it’s really nice to wake up to an uplifting post like this, thank you for a bright start to the day!
“Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” should be #1. I’ve never found a more explicit explanation of how liberty enriches us all:
“A man has a dream, and that’s the start,
He follows his dream with mind and heart,
And when it becomes a reality,
It’s a dream come true for you and me!”
Whenever we go to Disneyland It’s a Small World ride is saved for last so that the magic of Disneyland linger long after you left.
thank you for a lovely, well-researched article on wonderful, creative people.
Wonderful article…except for the song it’s a small world after all. Hate that song, always have and always well. The Sherman brothers have given us many wonderful songs–and this article brought back my childhood. However I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive them for that song…hate It’s a Small World After All!
Did the Sherman Brothers also write The Jungle Book? “I want to walk like you, talk like you…woo doo be doo”
Yes, yes they did. When Disney released the Jungle Book soundtrack on CD for the first time, the disc included an interview with the brothers. When Phil Harris (Baloo) and Louis Prima (King Louis) were recording the vocals for “I Wanna Be Like You”, Phil had been asked to simply repeat whatever Louis sang/scatted, but of course he couldn’t contain himself. When Louis growled and Phil came back with “Get mad, baby!” the crew in the control booth could hardly do their job for laughing.
The Winnie-the-Pooh theme is great, yes, but imho the blustery day song is a masterpiece:
oh the wind is lashing lustily
and the trees are thrashing thrustily
and the leaves are rustling gustily
so it’s rather safe to say
that it seems that it may turn out to be
it feels that it will undoubtedly
it looks like a rather blustery day
to-day