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.
Truly Scrumptious
Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So do lolly's in a lolly pop jar
Gingerbread men have a gingerbread sound, we've found
Sugar plum, cinnamon and lemon tart
Tell you what they are right from the start
And your name does the same for you
You're truly, truly scrumptious
Scrumptious as a cherry peach parfait
When your near us, it's so delicious
Honest truly, you're the answer to our wishes
Truly scrumptious though we may seem presumptuous
Never, never, ever go away
Our hearts beat so unruly because we love you truly
Honest truly, we do
Truly scrumptious, you two are truly scrumptious
Scrumptious as the breeze across the bay
When you're smiling, it's so delicious
So beguiling, you're the answer to my wishes
Truly scrumptious, you two are truly scrumptious
And I shan't forget this lovely day
My heart beats so unruly, I also love you truly
Oh what a heavenly day
Ready, ready
My heart beats so unruly, I also love you truly
Honest truly, I do
The lyrics to the song Truly Scrumptious, written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, describe the pleasure and wonder that one experiences when they encounter something exceptionally delightful. The song references all sorts of delectable treats, like Toot Sweets and lollipops, that have sounds that match their inherent sweetness. In addition to this, the song notes that a person's name can also convey their true nature, just as the sweets and desserts mentioned have names that reflect their flavors.
The song also reveals a deep admiration and adoration for the subject of the song, Truly Scrumptious, who is described as being as delicious as a cherry peach parfait. This person is the answer to the singer's wishes and their presence is so pleasurable, it's like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. The songwriters also wrote about how their hearts beat uncontrollably when Truly Scrumptious is near, revealing the depth of their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Toot sweets sound like what they are
Toot sweets have a sound that represents what they actually are
So do lolly's in a lolly pop jar
Lollipops in a jar have a sound that represents what they actually are
Gingerbread men have a gingerbread sound, we've found
Gingerbread men also have a sound that represents what they actually are
Sugar plum, cinnamon and lemon tart
Sugar plum, cinnamon, and lemon tart have names that describe what they actually are
Tell you what they are right from the start
Their names directly indicate what they actually are
And your name does the same for you
Your name reflects who you are as a person
By coincidence, truly scrumptious
It seems like it's by chance, but you really are delicious
You're truly, truly scrumptious
You really are delicious
Scrumptious as a cherry peach parfait
As delicious as a blended drink made with cherries and peaches
When your near us, it's so delicious
Being close to you is enjoyable and pleasant
Honest truly, you're the answer to our wishes
You are the fulfillment of our desires and dreams
Truly scrumptious though we may seem presumptuous
We realize it may seem like we're overconfident, but you really are delicious
Never, never, ever go away
Please don't leave us
Our hearts beat so unruly because we love you truly
Our hearts are beating fast because we truly love you
Truly scrumptious, you two are truly scrumptious
Both of you are really delicious
Scrumptious as the breeze across the bay
As pleasurable as the wind across the bay
When you're smiling, it's so delicious
Your smile brings us joy and is pleasant to see
So beguiling, you're the answer to my wishes
You are enchanting and fulfill my desires and dreams
And I shan't forget this lovely day
I will always remember this wonderful day
Oh what a heavenly day
Today has been wonderful
Ready, ready
We are prepared to enjoy the moment
My heart beats so unruly, I also love you truly
My heart is beating fast because I truly love you
Honest truly, I do
I really, truly do love you
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.