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.
Chin Up
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wilbur: Yes. I want a friend. But I want to live, too.
Charlotte: Well, chin up. I'll be your friend.
Chin up, chin up
Everybody loves a happy face
Wear it, share it
It'll brighten up the darkest place
Twinkle, sparkle
Let a little sunshine in
You'll be on the right side
Looking at the bright side
Up with your chinny chin chin
Wilbur: Ahem. Will the party who addressed me last night kindly come out of hiding?
Sheep: (Yawn) If you do have a friend, you're probably disturbing his rest!
Wilbur: Oh.
Chin up, chin up
Put a little laughter in your eyes
Brave it, save it
Even though you're feeling otherwise
Rise up, wise up
Make a little smile begin
You'll be happy hearted
Once you get it started
Up with your chinny chin chin
Charlotte: Salutations!
Wilbur: Huh? Salu-what?
Charlotte: Salutations!
Wilbur: What are they, and where are you?
Charlotte: Salutations are greetings. It's my fancy way of saying hello. Look up here in the doorway.
Chin up, chin up
Everybody loves a happy face
Wear it, share it
It'll brighten up the darkest place
Twinkle, sparkle
Let a little sunshine in
You'll be on the right side
Looking at the bright side
Up with your chinny chin chin
Chin down, you can't come frowning
Turn around, starting, clowning
Think sad, your troubles double
Think glad, they burst like bubbles
Chin up, chin up
Every little time your spirits wilt
Chin up, chin up
Give your attitude an upward tilt
Twinkle, sparkle
Make a little fun begin
You'll be on the right side
Looking at the bright side
Up with your chinny chin
Chin up
The lyrics of the song "Chin Up" by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, featured in the movie 'Charlotte's Web,' contain a powerful message of hope and perseverance in difficult times. The conversation between Charlotte and Wilbur in the beginning shows Wilbur's desperation for a friend while also recognizing the need to survive. Charlotte encourages him to keep his spirits up and promises to be his friend. These lines show the importance of having a positive attitude, sharing happiness, and getting support from friends who care.
As the song continues, the lyrics emphasize the need to find joy and laughter amidst sadness and to rise above our troubles. The lines "Chin down, you can't come frowning, Turn around, starting clowning, Think sad, your troubles double, Think glad, they burst like bubbles" highlight the significance of maintaining a cheerful disposition, no matter what difficulties we face. The use of words such as 'twinkle' and 'sparkle' add a touch of playfulness to the song, urging the listener to embrace the bright side of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Chin up, chin up
Keep your head up high and stay positive
Everybody loves a happy face
People are more drawn to happy and positive personalities
Wear it, share it
Spread your happiness and positivity to others
It'll brighten up the darkest place
Happiness and positivity can bring light to even the darkest of situations
Twinkle, sparkle
Shine bright and radiate positivity
Let a little sunshine in
Allow positivity and happiness to enter your life
You'll be on the right side
A positive attitude will lead to a better outcome
Looking at the bright side
Focus on the good rather than the bad
Up with your chinny chin chin
Keep your head up high and remain optimistic
Put a little laughter in your eyes
Let your eyes reflect your happiness and joy
Brave it, save it
Even if you don't feel happy, put on a brave face and save your positivity for later
Even though you're feeling otherwise
Even if you are not feeling happy, remain positive
Rise up, wise up
Stand up and be wise by choosing positivity
Make a little smile begin
Start small by smiling and spreading joy
You'll be happy hearted
A positive attitude leads to a happy heart and mind
Once you get it started
Once you start spreading happiness and joy, it becomes contagious
Chin down, you can't come frowning
Don't come with a frown on your face, it will bring others down
Turn around, starting, clowning
Turn your negative mood around by acting silly and bringing joy to others
Think sad, your troubles double
If you focus on the negative, your troubles will only get worse
Think glad, they burst like bubbles
If you focus on the positive, your troubles will fade away
Every little time your spirits wilt
Every time you feel down and negative
Give your attitude an upward tilt
Choose positivity by adjusting your attitude upwards
Make a little fun begin
Start by having fun and enjoying life
Up with your chinny chin
Stay positive and keep your head up high
Contributed by Jasmine W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.