The Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history, working for Walt Disney during the last six years of his life. Film scores of the Sherman Brothers include Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book and The Aristocats.
Life and work
Robert and Richard Sherman began writing songs together in 1951 on a challenge from their father, Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman. The brothers wrote together and with different songwriting partners throughout the rest of the decade.
In 1958, Robert founded the music publishing company Music World Corporation, which later enjoyed a landmark relationship with Disney's BMI-affiliated publishing arm, Wonderland Music Company. That same year, the Sherman Brothers had their first top-ten hit with "Tall Paul," sung by Mouseketeer Judy Harriet on the Surf Records label and then covered by Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. The success of this song yielded the attention of Walt Disney, who eventually hired the Sherman Brothers as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios. The first song they wrote on personal assignment by Walt Disney was "Strummin' Song" in 1961. It was used in the Annette Funicello made-for-television movie called The Horsemasters.
While at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical scores than any other songwriters in the history of film. They also wrote what is perhaps their best-known song, "It's a Small World (after all)" for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Since then, some have claimed that this has become the most translated and performed song on Earth, although this is largely justified by the fact that it is played continuously at Disney's leisure park rides of the same name.
In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, which includes the songs "Feed The Birds," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee." Since Mary Poppins' premiere, the Shermans have subsequently earned nine Academy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards, four Grammy Award nominations, and an incredible 23 gold- and platinum-certified albums.
Robert and Richard Sherman worked directly for Walt Disney, completing the scores for the live-action musical films The Happiest Millionaire and The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band until Disney's death in 1966. Since leaving the company, the brothers have worked freelance as songwriters on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme-park exhibits, and stage musicals.
Their first non-Disney assignment came with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968, which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award Nomination.
In 1970, the Shermans returned to Disney for a brief stint where they completed work on The Aristocats and Bedknobs & Broomsticks. The latter film garnered the brothers their fourth and fifth Oscar Nominations, respectively. 1972 saw the release of Snoopy Come Home, for which the brothers received a Grammy nomination.
In 1973, the Sherman Brothers also made history by becoming the only Americans ever to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer, for which they also authored the screenplay.
In 1976, “The Slipper and the Rose” was picked to be the Royal Command Performance of the year. The performance was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story, "Slipper", also featured songs, score, and screenplay by the Sherman Brothers. Two further Academy Award nominations were garnered by the brothers for the film. That same year the Sherman Brothers received their star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater.
The Sherman Brothers' numerous other Disney and non-Disney top box office film credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte's Web (1973) , The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh (1977), Snoopy, Come Home (1972), Bedknobs & Broomsticks (1971), and Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1992).
Outside the motion-picture realm, their Tony Award-nominated smash hit Over Here! (1974) was the biggest-grossing original Broadway musical of that year. The Sherman Brothers have also written numerous top selling songs including "You're Sixteen," which holds the distinction of reaching Billboard's #1 spot twice: first with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and then with Ringo Starr fourteen years later. Other top-ten hits include "Pineapple Princess," "Let's Get Together," and more.
In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the song score for the Disney film The Tigger Movie. This film marked the brothers' first major motion picture for the Disney company in over 28t years.
In 2002, Chitty hit the London stage, receiving rave revues. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium, boasting the longest run in that century-old theater's history. On April 28, 2005, a second Chitty company premiered on Broadway (New York City) at the Hilton Theatre. The Sherman Brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions. A successful third company of Chitty is currently touring throughout the United Kingdom.
In 2003, four Sherman Brothers' musicals ranked in the Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time in a British nationwide poll reported by the BBC. The Jungle Book (1967) ranked at #7, Mary Poppins (1964) ranked at #8, The Aristocats (1970) ranked at #9, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.
In recent years, with Robert's move to London, England, United Kingdom, the brothers have written many new songs for the stage musical presentations of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins, produced collaboratively by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.
For their contributions to the motion picture industry, the Sherman brothers have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6918 Hollywood Blvd. and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005. On November 16, 2006, Mary Poppins premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway.
On November 17, 2008 the Sherman Brothers received the National Medal of Arts which is the highest honor conferred upon artists or patrons of the arts by the United States Government. The award was presented by United States President, George W. Bush in an East Room ceremony at The White House.
Chim Chim Cher-ee
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo!
Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you
Or blow me a kiss, and that's lucky too
Now as the ladder of life 'as been strung
Though I spends me time in the ashes and smoke
In this ol' wide world, there's no 'appier bloke
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo!
Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you
Bert, Jane & Michael Banks:
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo!
Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you
Mary Poppins:
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee!
When you're with a sweep, you're in glad company
Bert:
No where is there a more happier crew
Than them wot sings, "Chim chim cher-ee, chim cher-oo!"
Chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee, chim cher-oo!
The song Chim Chim Cher-ee is a classic from the 1964 movie Mary Poppins, composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song is sung by Bert, the chimney sweep, who describes the fortune that comes to him simply by being a sweep. He sings "Chim chiminey" as a tribute to his profession and how lucky it has made him. He believes that good luck rubs off on others and alludes to the idea that happiness lies in simple things. The song highlights how humble and satisfied chimney sweeps are, despite their tough occupation, and how being around them brings joy and good fortune.
As the song continues, Jane and Michael Banks join in the singing of "Chim Chim Cher-ee," echoing Bert's sentiments about the joy and luck that comes with being a chimney sweep. Even Mary Poppins, the nanny, sings along, praising the happiness and comradery that sweeps bring. Bert concludes by saying that there is no happier crew in the world than sweepers who sing "Chim Chim Cher-ee, Chim Cher-oo!" Bert's positivity towards his profession and the joy and luck it brings to him and to others are the central themes of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee!
I'm feeling quite happy and carefree!
A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be
Despite what you may think, my job is quite fortunate indeed
Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-oo!
Good luck will come your way if you shake my hand or give me a kiss
Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you
My good fortune will transfer to you through a simple handshake
Now as the ladder of life 'as been strung
Life is like a ladder, and we're all at different heights
You may think a sweep's on the bottom-most rung
You might think my job is lowly, but I don't see it that way
Though I spends me time in the ashes and smoke
Sure, my work is dirty and difficult, but I find joy in it
In this ol' wide world, there's no 'appier bloke
There's no one in the world who's happier than me
When you're with a sweep, you're in glad company
Being around a sweep like me will bring you joy and contentment
No where is there a more happier crew
There's no happier group than those who sing 'chim chim cher-ee'
Than them wot sings, "Chim chim cher-ee, chim cher-oo!"
Those who sing 'chim chim cher-ee' are the happiest of all
Chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee, chim cher-oo!
This cheerful song will lift your spirits and make you feel lucky
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.