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.
Portobello Road
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Street where the riches of ages are stowed.
Anything and everything a chap can unload
Is sold off the barrow in Portebello road.
You'll find what you want in the Portebello road.
Rare alabaster? Genuine plaster!
A filigreed samovar owned by the czars.
The sniper that clipped old King Edward's cigars?
Waterford Crystals? Napoleon's pistols?
Society heirlooms with genuine gems!
Rembrandts! El Greco's! Toulouse-Letrec'os!
Painted last week on the banks of the Thames!
Portobello road, Portobello road!
Street where the riches of ages are stowed
Anything and everything a chap can unload
Is sold off the barrow in Portebello road.
You'll meet all your chums in the Portobello road
There's pure inspiration in every creation.
No cheap imitations, not here in me store.
With garments as such as was owned by a Duchess.
Just once at some royal occasion of yore.
In Portobollo Road, Portobello Road
The fancies and fineries of ages are showed.
A lady will always feel dressed a la mode
In frillies she finds in the Portebollo road.
"Burke's Peerage;" "The Bride Book;" "The Fishmonger's Guidebook;"
A Victorian novel, "The Unwanted Son;"
"The History of Potting", "The Yearbook of Yachting,"
The leather bound "Life of Attila the Hun."
Portobello Road, Portobello Road
Street where the riches of ages are stowed
Artifacts to glorify our regal abode
Are hidden in the flotsam in Portobello Road
You'll find what you want in the Portebollo Road
Tokens and treasures, yesterday's pleasures
Cheap imitations of heirlooms of old
Dented and tarnished, scarred and unvarnished
In old Portobello they're bought and they're sold
Portebollo Road, Portobello Road
Street where the riches of ages are stowed
Artifacts to glorify our regal abode
Are hidden in the flotsam in Portobello road.
You'll find what you want in the Portobello Road
The song "Portobello Road" is a joyful tribute to the famous street market located in Notting Hill, London. The lyrics describe Portobello Road as a place where everything is possible and where one can find anything they desire. The song celebrates the street's history and the wide variety of goods that have made their way there throughout the ages. The lyrics give examples of some of the rare and unique items that can be found at the market, such as "rare alabaster" and "Napoleon's pistols." The song also notes that Portobello Road is a place of inspiration, with no cheap imitations to be found in its stores.
The lyrics of "Portobello Road" capture the spirit and energy of the street market. The song is upbeat and optimistic, reflecting the joy and excitement of exploring Portobello Road. The market is portrayed as a place where people can find treasures that are both valuable and meaningful.
Overall, "Portobello Road" is a celebratory ode to a beloved London landmark. Its lively lyrics and catchy melody make it a memorable tribute to one of the city's most vibrant and cherished destinations.
Line by Line Meaning
Portobello road, Portobello road
The name of the street being sung about.
Street where the riches of ages are stowed.
The street is a place where priceless and rare objects can be found.
Anything and everything a chap can unload
Everything that one could want to sell is available on this street.
Is sold off the barrow in Portobello road.
Merchants sell their goods off a cart on this street.
You'll find what you want in the Portobello road.
The street has a wide variety of objects that can satisfy any shopper's desire.
Rare alabaster? Genuine plaster!
A merchant is selling unique and authentic plaster objects.
A filigreed samovar owned by the czars.
A samovar with intricate decoration that was once owned by the czars of Russia is for sale.
A pen used by Shelley? A new Boticelli?
Historical artifacts such as a pen used by poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and a new piece of artwork by Sandro Botticelli can be found on this street.
The sniper that clipped old King Edward's cigars?
An object that once belonged to King Edward, such as the tool he used to clip his cigars, might be available for purchase.
Waterford Crystals? Napoleon's pistols?
Additional rare items that can be found include Waterford crystal and pistols owned by Napoleon.
Society heirlooms with genuine gems!
One can buy objects that were once cherished by society's elite and contain real jewels.
Rembrandts! El Greco's! Toulouse-Letrec'os!
Original paintings by famous artists such as Rembrandt, El Greco, and Toulouse-Lautrec are for sale.
Painted last week on the banks of the Thames!
Even recent artworks are up for sale on this street, such as those painted just last week near the Thames River.
There's pure inspiration in every creation.
The items for sale can inspire and motivate people in many different ways.
No cheap imitations, not here in me store.
The merchant claims that none of the objects they sell are cheap knockoffs or replicas.
With garments as such as was owned by a Duchess.
One can even buy clothing that was previously owned by royalty, like a Duchess.
Just once at some royal occasion of yore.
The clothing was probably worn by a Duchess at a specific royal event in the past.
The fancies and fineries of ages are showed.
The street not only sells physical objects, but also displays the imagination, creativity, and luxury of past eras.
A lady will always feel dressed a la mode
Women can always find fashionable clothing that's in style on this street.
In frillies she finds in the Portebollo road.
The frilly or decorative clothing items that women can purchase on this street make them feel beautiful and fancy.
"Burke's Peerage;" "The Bride Book;" "The Fishmonger's Guidebook;"
Various books that cover a wide range of topics, including genealogy, wedding planning, and fishing, can be purchased on this street.
A Victorian novel, "The Unwanted Son;"
Even rare or difficult-to-find books, like a Victorian novel titled "The Unwanted Son", can be found on Portobello Road.
"The History of Potting", "The Yearbook of Yachting,"
Other books that are for sale include guides to pottery and a yearly publication covering the sport of yachting.
The leather bound "Life of Attila the Hun."
An expensive leather-bound book detailing the life of Attila the Hun is also available for purchase.
Artifacts to glorify our regal abode
The street contains treasures that would enhance the elegance and beauty of any royal home.
Are hidden in the flotsam in Portobello road.
The treasures and artifacts are mixed in with other miscellaneous objects that cover the street.
Tokens and treasures, yesterday's pleasures
The old and unique objects that people can buy are an homage to the pleasures of the past.
Cheap imitations of heirlooms of old
Not all objects on this street are authentic, and some may be cheap imitations of old heirlooms.
Dented and tarnished, scarred and unvarnished
The objects for sale might be used, have scratches or dents, and look older without varnish.
In old Portobello they're bought and they're sold.
Despite their age and condition, these objects still sell well on the street.
You'll meet all your chums in the Portobello road
The street is a social hub, and shoppers are likely to see or run into their friends while browsing.
Contributed by Mason P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.