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.
Posh!
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh the posh posh traveling life, the traveling life for me
First cabin and captain's table regal company
Whenever I′m bored I travel abroad but ever so properly
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H, posh
The hands that hold the scepters, every head that holds a crown
They'll always give their all for me they'll never let me down
I′m on my way to far away tah tah and toodle-oo
O the posh posh traveling life, the traveling life for me
First cabin and captain′s table regal company
Pardon the dust of the upper crust--fetch us a cup of tea
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H, posh
In every foreign strand I land the royal trumpets toot me
The royal welcome mat is out
They 21 gun salute me
But monarchies are constantly commanding me to call
Last month I miffed (missed) the (a) Mufti but you can't oblige them all
Oh the posh posh traveling life, the traveling life for me
Oh rumpetly tumpety didy didy dee dee dee dee dee
Oh the posh posh traveling life, the traveling life for me
First cabin and captain′s table regal company
When I'm at the helm the world′s my realm and I do it stylishly
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H
P-O-S-H, P-O-S-H...
Posh
The song "Posh!" by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman describes the luxurious life of traveling in style and elegance. The lyrics exude the opulence of the first-class cabin and the captain's table, where the company is regal and proper. The song talks about the excitement of traveling abroad and the class that is associated with it, making sure to follow the rules carefully such as port out, starboard home. The singer is always on the way to some exotic location, and the monarchs are always ready to welcome him with a royal trumpet and 21 gun salute.
The song is also about the responsibility and pressure attached to living a posh life. The hands that hold the scepters and every head that holds a crown is expected to give it all, and they would never let the singer down. Yet, there are also moments when the singer must oblige the commanding monarchies, missing meetings and appointments. Despite this, the singer still revels in the luxurious lifestyle the traveling life offers, being at the helm of the world in style.
Line by Line Meaning
This is livin', this is style, this is elegance by the mile
I am living in the highest level of luxury, sophistication, and beauty.
Oh the posh posh traveling life, the traveling life for me
I aspire to live and travel in the most luxurious way possible.
First cabin and captain's table regal company
I only associate with the wealthiest and most prestigious people, who have the highest positions of power, such as captains and people sitting in the first cabins of airplanes.
Whenever I'm bored I travel abroad, but ever so properly
Whenever I'm bored, I travel to other countries, but always in a proper, prestigious, and luxurious way.
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H, posh
I always travel in the most romantic and prestigious way: by taking a route that allows me to see the sunrise and sunset over the ocean while staying in the most luxurious cabins.
The hands that hold the scepters, every head that holds a crown
I am so powerful and prestigious that even kings and queens do my bidding and serve me.
They'll always give their all for me, they'll never let me down
Everyone who serves me and helps me live in luxury will always do their best to keep me happy and satisfied.
I'm on my way to far away tah tah and toodle-oo
I am always traveling to far away, exotic places in the most luxurious way possible.
And fare thee well, and Bon Voyage arrivederci too
I say goodbye in various languages in the most posh way possible before embarking on my luxurious travels.
Pardon the dust of the upper crust--fetch us a cup of tea
Please excuse the minor discomforts of the wealthiest, most prestigious people while they indulge in the most luxurious and refined traditions, such as sipping tea.
In every foreign strand I land the royal trumpets toot me
Everywhere I go, even in foreign countries, I am treated like royalty and celebrated with the most regal gestures, such as trumpets playing in my honor.
The royal welcome mat is out
The world treats me like royalty everywhere I go and does everything possible to give me the most luxurious welcome.
They 21 gun salute me
I am so powerful and prestigious that even armies give me the highest honor they know, which is a 21 gun salute.
But monarchies are constantly commanding me to call
Even the most powerful monarchies in the world are constantly asking me to visit them and spend time with them.
Last month I miffed (missed) the (a) Mufti but you can't oblige them all
Even though I am very important and powerful, I cannot please everyone, and sometimes I might miss important events or encounters, such as meeting with a Mufti.
Oh rumpetly tumpety didy didy dee dee dee dee dee
This is a silly, meaningless phrase that reflects the joy and carefree attitude that comes with living in luxury and prestige, without having to worry about anything else.
When I'm at the helm the world's my realm and I do it stylishly
When I have complete control and power in my life, I do everything with style, grace, and prestige, and I treat the world like it's my personal kingdom.
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H
This is a repeating of the earlier line, which emphasizes the importance of traveling in luxury and prestige, by taking the most romantic, scenic, and luxurious routes.
P-O-S-H, P-O-S-H...Posh
This is a playful repetition of the word 'posh', which really represents the luxurious, sophisticated, and prestigious lifestyle that the Sherman brothers are glorifying.
Writer(s): Robert Sherman, Richard M. Sherman
Contributed by Maya W. 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