The Best Time of Your Life
Encyclopedia
"The Best Time of Your Life" (often mistakenly; "Now Is The Time", the first lyric) is a song written by Richard M. Sherman
and Robert B. Sherman
in 1974 as a new theme song for Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
. The attraction was being moved from Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and a replacement was sought for the original song, There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
(Also by the Sherman Brothers).
"There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was reintroduced to the revamped pavilion in 1994 during Tomorrowland
's transition into "The Future that Never Was". An instrumental version of "The Best Time of Your Life" is currently part of the background music loop for Tomorrowland
.
for the Carousel of Progress
, one of four attractions Walt Disney
and his Imagineers
developed for the 1964 New York World's Fair
. "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" premiered with the show. The attraction moved to Disneyland after the fair. In 1973, the Carousel of Progress closed and moved to the Magic Kingdom
at Walt Disney World.
The attraction was given a new show during the move, to update an increasingly outdated view of the future. General Electric
, the sponsor of the Carousel of Progress, commissioned a new theme song, one to focus more on the here-and-now than tomorrow, and the Sherman Brothers
penned "The Best Time Of Your Life
". It was sung by Andrew Duggan
, who also narrated and voiced the main character in the show. The song stayed with the show through another update in 1981, and General Electric's dropping of sponsorship in 1986.
In 1994, the Carousel was refurbished, along with the rest of Tomorrowland, to give a retro
spective look at the future. In a tribute to the show's long history as part of the Disney company heritage, the attraction name was extended to "Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress". The show was rewritten to mimic its original, non-commercial message more closely and the original song was restored.
The Sherman Brothers
write in their joint autobiography regarding the history of the pavilion:
As recently as June 2008, an instrumental, techno version of "The Best Time of Your Life" can be heard in "Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe," a quick service restaurant in The Magic Kingdom. A version can also be heard in the instrumental background music in both the Magic Kingdom's and Disneyland's Tomorrowlands, even though the song was never used in Disneyland.
Richard M. Sherman
Richard Morton Sherman is an American songwriter who specializes in musical film with his brother Robert Bernard Sherman....
and Robert B. Sherman
Robert B. Sherman
Robert Bernard Sherman is an American songwriter who specializes in musical films with his brother Richard Morton Sherman...
in 1974 as a new theme song for Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Carousel of Progress
The Carousel of Progress is an attraction located at the Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort, currently operating under the name Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress...
. The attraction was being moved from Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and a replacement was sought for the original song, There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
"There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" is the theme song to two Disney attractions, Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World and Innoventions at Disneyland...
(Also by the Sherman Brothers).
"There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was reintroduced to the revamped pavilion in 1994 during Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland
- Tomorrowland 1955–1967 :The first Tomorrowland opened at Disneyland on July 18, 1955, with only several of its planned attractions open, due to budget cuts. The construction of the park was rushed, so Tomorrowland was the last land to be finished. It became something of a corporate showcase,...
's transition into "The Future that Never Was". An instrumental version of "The Best Time of Your Life" is currently part of the background music loop for Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland
- Tomorrowland 1955–1967 :The first Tomorrowland opened at Disneyland on July 18, 1955, with only several of its planned attractions open, due to budget cuts. The construction of the park was rushed, so Tomorrowland was the last land to be finished. It became something of a corporate showcase,...
.
History
The song was written by Richard and Robert ShermanSherman Brothers
The Sherman Brothers are an American songwriting duo that specialize in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman ....
for the Carousel of Progress
Carousel of Progress
The Carousel of Progress is an attraction located at the Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort, currently operating under the name Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress...
, one of four attractions Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
and his Imagineers
Walt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering is the design and development arm of the Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation and construction of Disney theme parks worldwide...
developed for the 1964 New York World's Fair
1964 New York World's Fair
The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair was the third major world's fair to be held in New York City. Hailing itself as a "universal and international" exposition, the fair's theme was "Peace Through Understanding," dedicated to "Man's Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe";...
. "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" premiered with the show. The attraction moved to Disneyland after the fair. In 1973, the Carousel of Progress closed and moved to the Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
at Walt Disney World.
The attraction was given a new show during the move, to update an increasingly outdated view of the future. General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
, the sponsor of the Carousel of Progress, commissioned a new theme song, one to focus more on the here-and-now than tomorrow, and the Sherman Brothers
Sherman Brothers
The Sherman Brothers are an American songwriting duo that specialize in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman ....
penned "The Best Time Of Your Life
The Best Time of Your Life
"The Best Time of Your Life" is a song written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman in 1974 as a new theme song for Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress...
". It was sung by Andrew Duggan
Andrew Duggan
-Career:During World War II, Duggan was in the 40th Special Services Company, led by actor Melvyn Douglas in the China Burma India Theater of World War II. His contact with Douglas later led to his performing with Lucille Ball in the play Dreamgirl. He developed a friendship with Broadway...
, who also narrated and voiced the main character in the show. The song stayed with the show through another update in 1981, and General Electric's dropping of sponsorship in 1986.
In 1994, the Carousel was refurbished, along with the rest of Tomorrowland, to give a retro
Retro
Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall postmodern past, that has since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of "retro" style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc...
spective look at the future. In a tribute to the show's long history as part of the Disney company heritage, the attraction name was extended to "Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress". The show was rewritten to mimic its original, non-commercial message more closely and the original song was restored.
The Sherman Brothers
Sherman Brothers
The Sherman Brothers are an American songwriting duo that specialize in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman ....
write in their joint autobiography regarding the history of the pavilion:
As recently as June 2008, an instrumental, techno version of "The Best Time of Your Life" can be heard in "Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe," a quick service restaurant in The Magic Kingdom. A version can also be heard in the instrumental background music in both the Magic Kingdom's and Disneyland's Tomorrowlands, even though the song was never used in Disneyland.