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Son of Bob Sherman Reveals Inspiration Behind ‘Just a Spoonful of Sugar’

by Melissa Roden · December 6, 2020

We’ve got a fantastic feel good story for your Sunday night! If you’re a Disney enthusiast chances are Mary Poppins and specifically the song ‘Just a Spoonful of Sugar’ has a special place in your heart. But, have you ever wondered where this delightfully catchy tune came from?

Now we know thanks to a delightful Facebook post that went viral last week from Jeffrey Sherman, son of the late Bob Sherman who made up 1/2 of the beloved Sherman Brothers songwriting team also responsible for giving us incredible Disney classics like It’s a Small World, The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room and I Wanna Be Like You.

Check out Jeffrey’s post discussing the origins of the beloved tune from Mary Poppins!

When I was a kid, they rolled out a vaccine for polio. We were given it at school on a sugar cube. I went home and my…

Posted by Jeffrey Sherman on Tuesday, December 1, 2020

As you can see from the post above, writer and producer Jeffrey Sherman when looking back on the inspiration for the song recalls,

“When I was a kid, they rolled out a vaccine for polio. We were given it at school on a sugar cube. I went home and my dad, who was working on Mary Poppins, asked how my day was.” Sherman continues, “What I didn’t know was that Julie Andrews who was hired to play Mary had not really liked the song my dad and uncle had written -“Through the Eyes of Love” – and it was rejected. It was their favorite song for the movie.”

The caption continues, “Walt asked the Sherman Brothers to come up with a new song that would be in line with Mary’s //Julie’s philosophy. Dad asked me how my day was and I told him about getting the polio vaccine at school.” Sherman recalls,”I was known for rejecting the booster shots at my doctors’ office and running away. He said, “ Didn’t it hurt?” I told him they put it on a sugar cube and you just ate it. He stared at me, then went to the phone and called my uncle Dick.”

And the rest of course is history!

So why reveal the story behind one of Disney’s most beloved songs? Sherman told Today that the COVID-19 vaccine inspired him to tweet about the history of the song. And if you read through his Facebook post in its entirety above, you’ll notice that he ends by reminding readers of the importance of getting vaccinated saying:

“For anyone I know here on FB, trust the doctors. When the vaccine for Covid comes out, get it. We are all codependent on each other in this pandemic. Trust science and doctors and epidemiologists. We are a small world and we will beat this enemy if we listen to those who know. Be safe. Wear a mask. Be kind and thoughtful and considerate to your fellow man and woman. We will beat this.”

And just remember that when it’s time to get vaccinated:

if you haven’t already we also encourage you to head on over to Disney+ over the holiday period and check out The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story a brilliant documentary that takes a closer look at Disney’s beloved and prolific songwriting duo! It is positively wonderful and was actually directed by Jeffrey and Gregory Sherman!

Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for more Disney related news and updates! We’ll also be coming to you LIVE! from the theme parks throughout the Holiday Season!

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Tags: A Spoonful of Sugar Bob Sherman Jeffrey Sherman Sherman Brothers

Melissa Roden

As an agent with MickeyTravels and a Blogger with MickeyBlog I enjoy sharing, tips, tricks and advice to help readers and clients get the most out of your time with Disney. When I'm not helping clients plan their perfect holidays or nab those hard-to-get discounts you can find me enjoying a Dole Whip at Disney World with my daughter! Reach out for a FREE, no obligation quote at 1.800.801.4025 or find me on Facebook!

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