In honor of Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman, who passed away on May 25, 2024, we’re taking a heartfelt look back at the extraordinary careers of Richard and Robert Sherman. Adapted from the Fall 2023 issue of Disney twenty-three and reimagined for SamsDisneyDiary, this retrospective captures the impact of the brothers who shaped the soundtrack of Disney magic.
The Sherman Brothers’ journey into Disney began with a pop hit written for Mickey Mouse Club star Annette Funicello. “Tall Paul” became a breakthrough, catching Walt Disney’s attention. Ever aware of Funicello’s projects, Walt asked, “Who are those guys who write the cute songs for Annette?”
That question led to their first Disney project, a song for The Horsemasters. As Richard recalled, “Walt hears everything. There is nothing that goes into a program of his that he doesn’t see and OK.”
Their first meeting with Walt didn’t go exactly as planned. Walt started pitching the story of The Parent Trap instead of hearing their song. It was Bob who gently reminded Walt they were there to play a tune for Annette. Walt laughed, listened, and simply said, “Yeah! That’ll work.”
Crafting Iconic Disney Melodies
From there, a creative partnership blossomed. After writing music for The Sword in the Stone, the duo moved on to scoring Mary Poppins. They delivered unforgettable songs like “Step in Time,” “Jolly Holiday,” and the iconic “A Spoonful of Sugar,” inspired by Robert’s son receiving a vaccine in a sugar cube.
Richard remembered the moment clearly: “The minute I sat down to play it, I knew that was it… We were both jumping around like a couple of freaks!”
Their success continued with Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree and The Jungle Book — the final animated film Walt Disney personally oversaw.
A Bittersweet Departure
After Walt’s passing, the magic changed. The Sherman Brothers contributed to The Aristocats and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, but they ultimately left Disney in 1968. “It was sad,” Richard admitted. “What we loved most about it was working for Walt.”
Though they left the studio, their melodies lingered. Years later, they returned to contribute to films like The Tigger Movie and Christopher Robin, always guided by Walt’s storytelling philosophy.
Robert once said, “You can’t just shove songs in. Richard and I always looked for the salient points in a story so we could carry the whole thing through. Walt liked that.”
A Legacy That Lives On
From “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” to “It’s a Small World,” the Sherman Brothers shaped generations of Disney fans through music. Their work remains a defining part of Disney history.
