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.
Heffalumps and Woozles
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
they're up, they're down
they're in, they're out
they're all about
they're far, they're near
they're gone, they're here
they're quick and slick
they're insincere
Beware, Beware
Be a very wary bear
A heffalump or woozle
is very confuzle
a heffalump or woozle's very sly, sly, sly, sly
They come in ones and twoozles
but if they so choozles
before your eyes you'll see them multiply, ply, ply, ply
They're extraordinary, so better bewary
because they come in every shape and size, size, size, size
If honey's what you covet
you'll find that they love it
because they'll guzzle up the thing you prize!
Beware, Beware
be a very wary bear
They're extraordinary
so better bewary
because they come in every shape and size, size, size, size
if honey's what you covet
you'll find that they love it
because they'll guzzle up the thing you prize!
they're black, they're brown
they're up, they're down
they're in, they're out
they're all about
they're far, they're near
they're gone, they're hear
they're quick and slick
they're insincere
Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware!
"Heffalumps and Woozles" is a song from Disney's 1968 animated movie "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day", written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song is sung by The Mellomen, a vocal quartet, and talks about the Heffalumps and Woozles, two imaginary creatures from the Hundred Acre Wood. The lyrics describe the creatures as tricky and deceitful, constantly changing in shape and size, and having an insatiable appetite for honey. The song also warns the listener to be wary of these creatures, as they can multiply before one's eyes and can easily trick the unsuspecting.
The song's lyrics are a clever commentary on the nature of fear and the unknown. Heffalumps and Woozles are not real creatures, but their description and the way they are portrayed in the song create a sense of unease and danger. The repetition of "Beware, Beware, Beware" not only reinforces this idea but also functions as a sort of mantra that helps to further build tension and create a sense of urgency.
Overall, "Heffalumps and Woozles" is a fun and catchy song that perfectly captures the whimsical nature of the Hundred Acre Wood and the characters that inhabit it. At the same time, it provides a valuable lesson about the nature of fear and the importance of being aware and cautious.
Line by Line Meaning
They're black, they're brown
Referring to the unpredictable nature of heffalumps and woozles.
they're up, they're down
Heffalumps and woozles are here, there and everywhere.
they're in, they're out
Heffalumps and woozles are unpredictable.
they're all about
Heffalumps and woozles can be found everywhere.
they're far, they're near
Heffalumps and woozles can be found at any distance.
they're gone, they're here
Heffalumps and woozles appear and disappear without warning.
they're quick and slick
Heffalumps and woozles are very cunning.
they're insincere
Heffalumps and woozles cannot be trusted.
Beware, Beware
Be cautious when dealing with heffalumps and woozles.
Be a very wary bear
Stay alert and cautious against the tricks of the heffalumps and woozles.
A heffalump or woozle is very confuzle
A heffalump or woozle is very confusing and hard to understand.
a heffalump or woozle's very sly, sly, sly, sly
Heffalumps and woozles are very sly and use their cunning to trick others.
They come in ones and twoozles
Heffalumps and woozles come alone or in pair.
but if they so choozles
But if they want to, they can magically multiply.
before your eyes you'll see them multiply, ply, ply, ply
Heffalumps and woozles have the ability to multiply instantly and can trick people with their illusions.
They're extraordinary, so better bewary
Heffalumps and woozles are not normal and require extra caution.
because they come in every shape and size, size, size, size
Heffalumps and woozles come in all shapes and sizes, making them even harder to anticipate and avoid.
If honey's what you covet
Heffalumps and woozles will try to trick you by offering you something you desire or crave.
you'll find that they love it
Heffalumps and woozles love honey too and will stop at nothing to get it.
because they'll guzzle up the thing you prize!
Heffalumps and woozles are willing to consume anything they want, without any consideration for others.
Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.