Richard M. Sherman dead at 95

Cafe Society
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Everyone invariably thinks of Mary Poppins – I certainly do, because his name and his brothers, Robert B. Sherman, appear on the sheet music on our piano. We bought this in the wake of the movie so we could play the songs at home. But they also wrote the music for The Jungle Book, The Sword in the Stone, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and for two Disney things that weren’t movies – the song It’s a Small World After All and the theme music for Disney’s Wonderful World of Color

They also wrote a slew of film music for non-Disney films, mostly "fantastic " family fare like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Charlotte’s Web. They also wrote the music for the retro Andrews Sisters musical Over Here!

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Richard Sherman and his brother were made official Disney Legends in 1990. one year before Julie Andrews in fact.

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RIP. Here’s a loving pastiche of their style by fellow Disney songwriters Menken & Slater:

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Farewell, Mr. Sherman! I forgive you for “It’s a Small World.” “Chim Chim Cheree” (and just about the entire soundtrack of “Mary Poppins”) added immeasurable pleasure to my childhood.

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They also did “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” the theme song for the Carousel of Progress. Just as much of an ear worn as the rest, and a wonderfully positive anthem.

They also wrote “You’re Sixteen” as well as a whole slew of songs for Annette Funicello.