The Disney Song Encyclopedia - fieldi

56 “FEED THE BIRDS”
anthology movie Fun and Fancy Free (1947). Paul J. Smith and Arthur
Quenzer wrote the catchy ditty, in which Willie boasts that he can turn
himself into anything if he uses the magic words of the title.
“Feed the Birds” is the haunting lullaby-ballad by Richard M. and Robert
B. Sherman sung by the title character in the film musical Mary Poppins
(1964). The nanny Mary (Julie Andrews) puts her two charges to bed and
sings to them of the old Bird Woman, who sits on the steps of St. Paul’s
Cathedral and sells bird seed at tuppence a bag. As Mary sings, the scene
dissolves to a dreamy view of St. Paul’s and the old woman (veteran actress
Jane Darwell in her last screen appearance) is surrounded by loving
pigeons. Laura Michelle Kelly portrayed Mary in the 2004 London stage
version of Mary Poppins and sang the number about the Bird Woman,
played by Julia Sutton, who also joined in singing it. In the 2006 Broadway
production the number was sung by Ashley Brown as Mary and Cass Morgan
as the Bird Woman. Louis Prima and Gia Maione made a duet recording
of the ballad. Other records were made by Hubert Nuss, Liz Callaway,
and Barbara Hendricks and the Abbey Road Ensemble. Legend has it that
“Feed the Birds” was Walt Disney’s personal favorite of all the songs written
for his company.
“Feel Like a Million” is the jazzy specialty number sung by Eartha Kitt in
the animated made-for-video sequel The Emperor’s New Groove 2: Kronk’s
New Groove (2005). The sinister Yzma (voice of Kitt) urges the naive chef
Kronk to help her sell her fake youth potion so that both of them can become
rich, conjuring up a Las Vegas–like production number in which they
are showered with gold coins. Jeanine Tesori wrote the slinky song, which
fits Kitt’s purring delivery well. The number is also reprised by Kitt at a
slower tempo during the end credits of the video.
“Feels Like Home” is the country-western-flavored love song written by
Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil for the animated video sequel Brother
Bear 2 (2006). Kenai, a Native American who has been transformed into
a bear, brings his human sweetheart Nika to the waterfall where they
once forged their love, and the two realize that their old feelings are still
there. The tender lyric is about discovering an old friend and picking up
where you left off. Melissa Etheridge and Josh Kelly sing the ballad on the
soundtrack during the scene and the song is heard again during the closing
credits of the video.