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.
Chu-Chi Face
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remind me
You're my little chu-chi face
My coo-chi coo-chi, woo-chi little chu-chi face
Every time I look at you, I sigh
And you're my little teddy bear
You're the apfel strudel of mine eye
Your chu-chi woo-chi nose
Your chu-chi woo-chi eyes
They set my heart a flutter
Your ooo-chi coo-chi ways
Your ooo-chi coo-chi gaze
Wilts me down like melting butter
You're my little chu-chi face
And you're my teddy bear
Together we're a chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi coo-chi pair
Whatever you may ask
Becomes my happy task
I only live to serve you
We never will divide
What magic made you mine
I only know I don't deserve you
You're my little chu-chi face
And you're my teddy bear
Together we're a chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi coo-chi
Chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi, coo-chi
Chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi, coo-chi pair
The lyrics of Chu-Chi Face by Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman depict a beautiful love story between two people who are deeply in love with each other. The person singing the song is expressing his love to his partner by calling her by endearing names and using beautiful adjectives to describe her features. He begins by asking his partner if she knows what she means to him and then calls her "my little chu-chi face" and "my coo-chi coo-chi, woo-chi little chu-chi face." He talks about how every time he looks at her, he sighs and how she is his "little teddy bear" and the "apfel strudel" of his eye.
The song continues with the singer describing his partner's chu-chi woo-chi nose and eyes that set his heart aflutter. He also talks about her ooo-chi coo-chi ways and gaze that melts him down like melting butter. The singer ends the song by professing his love for his partner and saying how he only lives to serve her. He says that they will never divide and together they are a chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi coo-chi pair.
Line by Line Meaning
You know what you mean to me, don't you?
Can you remind me of how much you mean to me?
You're my little chu-chi face
You're my dear one, my precious love
My coo-chi coo-chi, woo-chi little chu-chi face
My darling little baby with the cute nose and soft eyes
Every time I look at you, I sigh
Your essence reminds me of why I fell in love with you
And you're my little teddy bear
You're my comforting companion, my source of security
My lovey, lovey, dovey little teddy bear
My cute and cuddly teddy bear who I adore and cherish
You're the apfel strudel of mine eye
You are the sweet delight and apple of my eye
Your chu-chi woo-chi nose
Your small, cute nose that I find so endearing
Your chu-chi woo-chi eyes
Your eyes that are so full of love and affection
They set my heart a flutter
They make my heart skip a beat, my emotions so stirred
Your ooo-chi coo-chi ways
The endearing and charming ways you have about you
Your ooo-chi coo-chi gaze
The look in your eyes that melts me down like butter
Wilts me down like melting butter
Your gaze weakens me, making me powerless and helpless
Together we're a chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi coo-chi pair
Our relationship is marked by love, cuteness, and tenderness
Whatever you may ask
Anything you need or want, I'm here for you
Becomes my happy task
My joy is to fulfill your wishes and make you happy
I only live to serve you
My life is devoted to making you happy and satisfied
We never will divide
Our love is strong, we will never separate or break up
What magic made you mine
There's something magical about our bond, I'm grateful for it
I only know I don't deserve you
I feel so lucky to have you in my life, you're too good for me
Chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi coo-chi
The sweetness and tenderness of our love
Chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi, coo-chi
The essence of our love, marked by affection, endearment, and cuteness
Chu-chi woo-chi, ooo-chi, coo-chi pair
Our companionship, marked by tenderness and devotion
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-we3fu1gy6k
2022 ？
タイムマシンともなる携帯電話に💓
ニューイヤー
生まれて初のボーリング
満席の映画館で初の洋画
13歳
「フリーパス
色々あるけど
神様ありがとう。」
@travelaid
My mom told me the story when I was 4 years old in 1971 at Trivandrum, Kerala. I showed the movie to my children. Now my grandchildren enjoys the same. Salute to the Great Almighty who blessed us with this entertainment. Jazakallahu khair.
@darthstarkiller1912
Loved this film almost my entire life. First saw it back when I was 3. Almost 30 now and still loving it.
@bobdorianamc1984
The 50th Anniversary of "CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG" is here!
@chloehyde1334
Such a triumphant soundtrack-brings back some great memories..
@nadiarowland289
I love this when I was just a little kid
@falloutfilmproductions4129
I was in a musical based on this movie last summer. The songs are still stuck in my head and it is December!
@huntress1863
It's with deep sadness that I must tell you Robert B. Sherman has died yesterday at the age of 86. He will be sincerely missed by all, and please remember to keep the family - especially his brother, Richard - in your prayers...
@stevenitzsckke9008
Nice
@stevenitzsckke9008
Dream on!
@stevenitzsckke9008
Loneysteve13