"Portobello Road" by the Sherman Brothers is a song, specifically a waltz (3/4) about Portobello Road in London, England (set in 1940). It was written for the 1971, Walt Disney musical film production Bedknobs and Broomsticks. It is sung by David Tomlinson about a street where, to this day–
Anything and everything a chap can unload
Is sold off the barrow in Portobello Road
There is an extensive dance sequence where different groups including Scots, Jamaicans, British Army soldiers, Australian soldiers and Indians dance to the song's theme played in various styles.
The musical number set up is very similar to the "Consider Yourself" number from Oliver! in which butchers, policemen, carnival entertainers and fishmongers all dance in separate segments of the musical number.
References
- Sherman, Robert B. Walt's Time: from before to beyond. Santa Clarita: Camphor Tree Publishers, 1998.
- Thomas S. Hischak; Mark A. Robinson (29 July 2009). The Disney Song Encyclopedia. Scarecrow Press. pp. 161–. ISBN 978-0-8108-6938-7.