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.
Detroit
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where dreams are booming into gear
It's no humm-drumm 9 to 5 town
It's a growing, going, bright, alive town
Golden sparks light up the skies there
like a thousand 4th of Julys there
How I want to stake a claim in,
make a name in
DETROIT
You can hear it humming,
see it coming
feel it everywhere you go
It's tomorrow morning,
the future dawning
with a bright and shining glow
It's the land where golden chariots
are molded out of dreams
DETROIT
DETROIT
DETROIT
DETROIT
It's DETROIT
Oh, if I could be there
I'd be free there,
standing on my own two feet
I'd invent new motors,
design new rotors
I'd be in the driver's seat
I'd make all my dreams realities
for I'd be on my way
in DETROIT
DETROIT
DETROIT
DETROIT
in DETROIT
Others are giving their dreams a try
If others can dream there,
why can't I?
So you see where the rainbow ends for me
is known to the world as F.O.B. DETROIT
If you hear it humming,
see it coming,
that's the place where you must go
for to make your name there,
you must take your claim there
and let no one tell you no
Then my dreams of golden chariots
in Detroit can all come true
for you hear it humming,
and you see it coming,
and you want to be there, too
The song "Detroit" by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman is a tribute to the city of Detroit, Michigan. The opening lines describe Detroit as a place of opportunity and growth, where dreams are coming to life. The city is presented as an exciting and vibrant place, with the lyrics describing it as a "bright, alive town." The chorus reinforces this image with its repeated refrain of "Detroit," emphasizing the power and excitement of the city. The song encourages listeners to pursue their dreams in Detroit and to be inspired by the potential of the city.
The lyrics also emphasize the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving success, with the singer pledging to "roll up my sleeves and make a name" in Detroit. The city is presented as a place where anything is possible, where one can stand "on [their] own two feet" and achieve their goals. The song suggests that Detroit is a place of innovation and creativity, where individuals can "invent new motors" and "design new rotors" in the "driver's seat" of industry.
Overall, "Detroit" is a song that celebrates the potential of a city and encourages listeners to pursue their dreams within it. The lyrics emphasize the importance of hard work and perseverance, while also describing the city as a place of opportunity and growth.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a shiny city west of here
Referring to Detroit, a city located geographically west of many locations
Where dreams are booming into gear
Detroit is where people can make their dreams come true
It's no humm-drumm 9 to 5 town
Detroit is not a boring place to work or live; things happen there
It's a growing, going, bright, alive town
Detroit is a dynamic place that has great potential
Golden sparks light up the skies there
There is always excitement and possibility in Detroit
like a thousand 4th of Julys there
Detroit feels celebratory and electrified like Independence Day
How I want to stake a claim in,
The lyricist desires to become part of the energy and potential in Detroit
roll up my sleeves and
Become hard-working and creatively proactive
make a name in
To gain recognition for personal excellence, achievement, or innovation
DETROIT
An enthusiastic chant for Detroit
You can hear it humming,
Detroit is full of energy and potential that is palpable
see it coming
Detroit's future looks bright and full of possibility
feel it everywhere you go
The sense of potential from Detroit is inescapable
It's tomorrow morning,
Detroit symbolizes renewal and new beginnings
the future dawning
Detroit's future looks bright and optimistic
with a bright and shining glow
Detroit is filled with radiance and potential
It's the land where golden chariots
Detroit is where big dreams come true
are molded out of dreams
Dreamers can turn their ideas into reality in Detroit
Oh, if I could be there
The lyricist desperately wants to be in Detroit
I'd be free there,
Detroit represents freedom for the lyricist
standing on my own two feet
The lyricist would have a sense of independence in Detroit
I'd invent new motors,
Detroit is known for car manufacturing and innovation
design new rotors
The lyricist suggests working on new technological advancements in Detroit
I'd be in the driver's seat
The lyricist imagines being a leader in Detroit's industry
I'd make all my dreams realities
The lyricist believes that Detroit has the power to turn dreams into reality
for I'd be on my way
Detroit represents a path to success for the lyricist
in DETROIT
An enthusiastic chant for Detroit
Others are giving their dreams a try
The lyricist notes that people are trying to achieve their dreams in Detroit
If others can dream there,
The lyricist suggests that anyone can dream and succeed in Detroit
why can't I?
The lyricist wonders why they can't join the successful dreamers in Detroit
So you see where the rainbow ends for me
Detroit is the ultimate symbol of success and happiness for the lyricist
is known to the world as F.O.B. DETROIT
Detroit represents the best opportunity for the lyricist to achieve success
that's the place where you must go
Detroit represents the ultimate destination to achieve one's dreams
for to make your name there,
Detroit is a place where a person can become successful and gain recognition
you must take your claim there
To become successful in Detroit, one must work hard and take ownership of their dreams
and let no one tell you no
The lyricist encourages readers to ignore naysayers and keep pushing forward in Detroit
Then my dreams of golden chariots
For the lyricist, Detroit represents the place where their dream will finally come true
in Detroit can all come true
The lyricist believes that Detroit is a place where all dreams can become a reality
and you want to be there, too
The lyricist suggests that anyone who wants to achieve their dreams should go to Detroit
Contributed by Keira O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.