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.
The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is tiggers are wonderful things!
Their tops are made out of rubber
Their bottoms are made out of springs!
They′re bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!
But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is
I'm the only one
Tiggers are awfully sweet
Ev′ryone el-us is jealous
That's why I repeat... and repeat
The wonderful thing about tiggers
Is tiggers are marvelous claps!
They're loaded with vim and vigor
They love to leap in your laps!
They′re jumpy, bumpy, clumpy, thumpy
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!
But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is
I′m the only one
I-I-I'm, the only... oof!
Ouch!
The lyrics of Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman's song "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers" is an ode to the unique and whimsical nature of tiggers. Tiggers are described as wonderful things because of their bouncy, energetic, and playful nature. They are depicted as beings made entirely of springs and rubber, who love to jump and bounce.
The most notable feature of tiggers is their exclusivity, as the singer claims to be the only one. This uniqueness adds to the appeal of tiggers, making them even more exceptional. The song exudes joy, fun, and happiness, reflecting the spirit of childhood and the innocence of youth.
Tiggers are also described as cuddly fellows with an endearing sweetness that makes everyone else jealous. The song celebrates the tiggers’ boundless energy, with them jumping, bumpy, clumpy, thumpy, and full of vim and vigor. Although the last line of the song is cut off with an "ouch," it does not detract from the overall lighthearted and playful tone of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The wonderful thing about tiggers
Tiggers have a lot of fantastic qualities and attributes
Is tiggers are wonderful things!
Tiggers are truly amazing creatures
Their tops are made out of rubber
Tiggers are very flexible and can bounce and move around easily
Their bottoms are made out of springs!
Tiggers have a lot of energy and love to jump and move around
They′re bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy
Tiggers have a lot of different ways of moving and are very active
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!
Interacting with tiggers is always enjoyable and entertaining
But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is
Despite all their other great qualities, there is one particular aspect of tiggers that stands out as truly special
I'm the only one
There is something unique and exclusive about tiggers that cannot be replicated or experienced by anyone else
Tiggers are cuddly fellas
Tiggers can be friendly and comforting to be around
Tiggers are awfully sweet
Tiggers can be kind and endearing characters
Ev′ryone el-us is jealous
Others may feel envious or covetous of the special connection the singer has with tiggers
That's why I repeat... and repeat
The artist wants to emphasize and reiterate the amazing qualities of tiggers
Is tiggers are marvelous claps!
Tiggers deserve praise and admiration for their abilities and characteristics
They're loaded with vim and vigor
Tiggers are full of vitality and energy
They love to leap in your laps!
Tiggers enjoy spending time in close proximity to humans and can be affectionate and playful
They′re jumpy, bumpy, clumpy, thumpy
Tiggers have a variety of movements and sounds that are unique to them
I′m the only one
The artist wants to emphasize the exclusivity and uniqueness of their relationship with tiggers
I-I-I'm, the only... oof!
The singer is struggling to articulate the special bond they have with tiggers
Ouch!
An exclamation of pain or discomfort, possibly due to an unsuccessful attempt to physically interact with a tigger
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.