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.
Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because a cat′s the only cat who knows where it's at
Tell me, everybody′s pickin' up on that feline beat
'Cause everything else is obsolete
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren′t born
Every time he plays
But with a square in the act
To the caveman days
I′ve heard some corny birds who tried to sing
Still a cat's the only cat
Who knows how to swing
Who wants to dig a long-haired gig stuff like that?
When everybody wants to be a cat
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren′t born,
Every time he plays
Oh riki-tiki-tinky
With a square in the act
You can set music back to the Caveman days
Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it′s at
When playin' jazz he always has a welcome mat
′Cause everybody digs a swingin' cat
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Hallelujah
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
The song "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman from the Disney movie "The Aristocats" is a playful and ironic tune that celebrates the coolness of being a cat. The lyrics present cats as the ultimate party animals, who don't take themselves too seriously and who just live to have fun. The song suggests that everybody wants to be like a cat, because they are free-spirited, confident and in control, and because they have a natural "feline beat" that others can't replicate.
The lyrics also reflect a certain musical style, in which jazz and swing were very popular in the 1970s, and the song incorporates various musical elements, such as scat singing, brass instruments, and a catchy upbeat rhythm. The lyrics contrast the square and dullness of a square with a horn, who makes everyone wish they weren't born, with the hipness and groove of a cat, who can set music back to the caveman days with a simple meow. The lyrics also poke fun at other lesser creatures, like birds who try to sing, but are no match for the swinging cat.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone desires to be a cat, because being a cat is what is in style.
Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at
Because cats have a certain cool and confidence that no other animal has.
Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
Everyone is grooving to the vibe that cats give off.
'Cause everything else is obsolete
Because nothing else is as trendy or popular as being a cat.
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren't born
Every time he plays
A musician who cannot play jazz makes you regret even being alive when you hear them attempt to perform.
But with a square in the act
You can set music back
To the caveman days
If someone who cannot play jazz were to participate in a performance, they would drag music back to a primitive state.
I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing
Still a cat's the only cat
Who knows how to swing
Even though some birds may sing, no animal knows how to swing jazz better than a cat.
Who wants to dig a long-haired gig stuff like that?
When everybody wants to be a cat
Why would anyone want to listen to a band that doesn't play jazz when everyone wants to be like the cool and hip cats?
Oh riki-tiki-tinky
A phrase used to indicate the sound of the jazz music that cats play.
With a square in the act
You can set music back to the Caveman days
If someone who cannot play jazz were to participate in a performance, they would drag music back to a primitive state.
When playing jazz he always has a welcome mat
'Cause everybody digs a swingin' cat
When a cat is playing jazz, everyone is happy and enjoying themselves.
Everybody wants to be a cat
Hallelujah
Everyone wants to be as cool and hip as a cat.
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone in the world wants to be as cool and hip as a cat.
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone in the world wants to be as cool and hip as a cat.
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone in the world wants to be as cool and hip as a cat.
Writer(s): Floyd Huddleston, Al Rinker
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.