Walt Disney's the Jungle Book

Walt Disney's The Jungle Book

Music composed by Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman

There are many components to Disney magic. First is the dream, then the people that make the dream a reality, the animators, writers, actors, and in many cases the songwriters. When it comes to Disney songwriters, one name stands above all others, Sherman, more specifically the Sherman Brothers, Robert and Richard.

The sons of acclaimed songwriter Al Sherman, Robert and Richard Sherman have been making music for over 50 years. Their teamwork is one of the most productive and commemorated musical partnerships in history. They have been involved in over 50 motion pictures, thousands of songs for television, records, theme parks, and stage.

As the only songwriters ever to be under contract for Walt Disney Studios, the Sherman Brothers created an individual sound that became identified with Disney music. Their song "It's A Small World" was first performed at the 1964 World's Fair and is the most performed song in the world. They have two Academy Awards, seven Oscar nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, a Grammy, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the White House, the Sherman Brothers were awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor the United States government awards to artists. Just some of their film credits include many non-Disney titles, "Mary Poppins," "The Aristocats," "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," and "The Jungle Book."

The Jungle Book, an animated film based on Rudyard Kipling's story about a child named Mowgli, was brought to life in 1967 by Walt Disney Productions. It was the 19th animated film to be added to the Walt Disney Classics line. The previous film adaptions of The Jungle Book followed Kipling's writings, dark and menacing, more intently. Walt Disney felt the story should be kept "simple and fun", causing disagreements between himself and the leading writer Bill Peet and composer Terry Gilkyson. The disagreements lead to Peet and Gilkyson being dismissed and being replaced by the Sherman Brothers. They continued to work with Walt Disney until his death in 1968.