“It’s a Small World (After All)” songwriter Richard M. Sherman from “Mary Poppins” dies at the age of 95

US News

By Associated Press

Richard M. Sherman, one half of the prolific, award-winning brothers who shaped millions of childhoods by writing the unforgettable songs for “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” — as well as the world’s most performed song, “It’s a Small World (After All)” — has died. He was 95.

Sherman and his late brother Robert won two Oscars for Walt Disney’s 1964 hit “Mary Poppins” – for Best Original Score and Best Song “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” They also received a Grammy for Best Motion Picture or Television Score. Robert Sherman died in London in 2012 at the age of 86.

The Walt Disney Co. announced that Sherman died Saturday of an age-related illness. “Generations of moviegoers and theme park guests were introduced to the world of Disney through the Sherman brothers’ magnificent and timeless songs. Today, the duo’s work remains the quintessential lyrical voice of Walt Disney,” the company said in a memorial message posted on its website.

Their hundreds of works as co-writer and composer include the films “Winnie the Pooh,” “The Slipper and the Rose,” “Snoopy Come Home,” “Wilbur and Charlotte” and “The Magic of Lassie.” Their Broadway musicals include “Over Here!” in 1974 and productions of “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in the mid-2000s.

“When we sit down and work together, good things happen,” Richard Sherman told the Associated Press in a joint interview in 2005. “We’ve been doing this our whole lives. We’ve been working together practically since college.”

Their accolades include 23 gold and platinum albums and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They were the only Americans to win first prize at the Moscow Film Festival in 1973 for “Tom Sawyer” and were inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2005.

President George W. Bush awarded them the National Medal of Arts in 2008 in recognition of their music, which has “helped bring joy to millions.”

Most of the songs the Shermans have written are not only catchy and playful, but also work on multiple levels and for different age groups – something they learned from Disney.

“He once told us early in our careers, ‘Don’t insult the child — don’t write condescendingly for the child. And don’t just write for adults.’ So we write for Grandpa and the four-year-old — and everyone in between — and everyone sees it on a different level,” said Richard Sherman.

The Shermans began a ten-year partnership with Disney in the 1960s after writing successful pop songs such as “Tall Paul” for former Mouse Queen Annette Funicello and “You’re Sixteen,” which was later recorded by Ringo Starr.

They have written over 150 songs at Disney, including the soundtracks for films such as The Witch and the Stone, Twins, The Broomstick, The Jungle Book, The Aristocrats and Tigger: The Movie.

“It’s a Small World” – the song sung by animatronic puppets representing the cultures of the world that accompanies visitors on the boat ride in the Disney theme parks – is considered the most frequently performed composition in the world. It was first performed on the New York World’s Fair Pavilion Ride in 1964-65.

The two brothers credited their father, composer Al Sherman, for challenging them to write songs and inspiring their love of the art of words. His songs include “You Gotta Be a Football Hero,” “(What Do We Do On a) Dew-Dew-Dewy Day,” and “On the Beach at Bali-Bali.” His sons popularized the terms “fantasmagoric” and “supercalifragilisticexpialid.”

The Shermans would coax songs out of each other, come up with titles and then try to outdo each other with improvements. “Because we’re brothers, we kind of took shortcuts from each other,” said Richard Sherman. “We can almost look at each other and know, ‘Hey, you’re onto something, kid.'”

Away from the piano, the two started families and pursued their own interests, but still lived close to each other in Beverly Hills and continued working well into their 70s. When Chitty Chitty Bang Bang came to Broadway in 2005, they added new lyrics and four new songs.

Richard Sherman is survived by his wife Elizabeth and their two children Gregory and Victoria. He also leaves behind a daughter, Lynda, from a previous marriage.

A private funeral will be held on Friday; Disney said a memorial service will be announced later.

Although they were separated for several years, the brothers largely avoided sibling rivalry. When asked about it, Richard Sherman’s responses were philosophical, touching and funny at the same time – much like the box of songs he wrote with his brother.

“We are human. We have weaknesses and frailties. But we love each other very much and respect each other,” he said. “I am glad that he is a successful man. That makes me a successful man.”