The Age of Not Believing

Angela Lansbury, Disney

About The Age of Not Believing

"The Age of Not Believing" is a song written by Robert and Richard Sherman for the 1971 Walt Disney musical film production Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Angela Lansbury sings the song in the motion picture. In the lyrics, Lansbury's character Eglantine expresses how as children grow up, they lose their belief in magic and doubt themselves. The song works on two levels, both on a personal, human level and thematically for the whole film- a Britain grown cynical from the pressures of war must learn to borrow from its own past magic in order to overcome the tremendous challenge which lies before it, while the characters in the film must finally learn to trust in Eglantine's magic to achieve their goals and save Britain from the Nazis. The song earned the Sherman Brothers an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, (though it lost to Isaac Hayes's Theme from Shaft). They were also nominated for Best Original Score (John Williams's score for Fiddler on the Roof won instead). This represented the songwriters' fourth and fifth Oscar bids, respectively. 


Year:
2006
264 

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When you rush around in hopeless circles
Searching everywhere for something true
You're at the age of not believing
When all the make-believe is through
When you set aside your childhood heroes
And your dreams are lost up on a shelf
You're at the age of not believing
And worst of all you doubt yourself
You're a castaway where no one hears you
On a barren isle in a lonely sea
Where did all the happy endings go?
Where can all the good times be?
You must face the age of not believing
Doubting everything you ever knew
Until at last you start believing
There's something wonderful
In you
You're at the age of not believing
And worst of all, you doubt yourself
You're a castaway where no one hears you
On a barren isle in a lonely sea
Where did all the happy endings go?
Where can all the good times be?
You must face the age of not believing
Doubting everything you ever knew
Until at last you start believing
There's something wonderful
In you

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Angela Lansbury

Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury (born October 16, 1925) is an English-American-Irish actress who has appeared in theatre, television, and film. Her career has spanned seven decades, much of it in the United States, and her work has attracted international acclaim. Lansbury was born to Irish actress Moyna Macgill and English politician Edgar Lansbury, an upper-middle-class family in Regents Park, central London; her paternal grandfather was the British Labour Party leader George Lansbury. To escape the Blitz, in 1940 she moved to the United States with her mother and two brothers, and studied acting in New York City. Proceeding to Hollywood in 1942, she signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and obtained her first film roles, in Gaslight (1944) and The Picture of Dorian … more »

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Written by: RICHARD M. SHERMAN, ROBERT B. SHERMAN

Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


16 facts about this song

Song Origin
"The Age of Not Believing" is originally from Disney's 1971 movie "Bedknobs and Broomsticks."
Artist Behind The Song
The song is performed by Angela Lansbury, who starred in the movie as Miss Eglantine Price, a witch-in-training.
Composers
It was written by the Sherman Brothers, Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman.
Oscar Nomination
The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. However, it didn't win the award; the winner was Isaac Hayes for the song "Theme from Shaft."
Angela's Performance
The song, performed by Angela Lansbury, stands out as a key point in her career and is often remembered for its heartfelt lyrics and performance.
Song Meaning
It revolves around a theme common in Disney films - the crisis of faith, where one starts to doubt magic exists as they grow into adulthood.
Professional Praise
Critics praised Angela Lansbury's heartfelt interpretation of the song and how she effortlessly conveys a sense of sadness, hope, and determination.
Sherman Brothers' Success
This song is just one of many successful compositions by the Sherman Brothers for Disney. They also wrote the music for "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book," and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."
Particularly Angela Lansbury's Song
Although this song has been covered by many artists, fans and critics alike still consider Angela Lansbury's rendition as the definitive version.
'Bedknobs and Broomsticks'
This song plays a vital role in the movie 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks." It underscores a pivotal scene where Lansbury's character begins to doubt her ability to learn witchcraft.
Legacy
Despite being over forty years old, the song remains a fan favorite and is still referenced in pop culture today.
Inspirational Message
The song is often used as an anthem for believing yourself and sticking to your dreams even in the face of skepticism and disbelief.
Notable Cover Versions
Some notable covers include those by Bronn Journey on his 1993 album "After a Dream" and the Jenny Oaks Baker cover in her 2014 album "Awakening: Live at Red Butte Garden."
Emotional Depth
Although this song is from a family movie, many people note its emotional depth. It effectively communicates the painful but necessary transition from childhood into maturity.
Lansbury's Commitment
Angela Lansbury reportedly put a lot of effort into the performance of this song, recognizing its resonance with the story's theme and her character's development.
Musical Style
The song features a ballad style with a soft, slow melody, making it stand out among other energetic tracks in the film.

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