Mike’s Favorite Original Songs of the Decade: #105 – “Trip a Little Light Fantastic,” from Mary Poppins Returns

105. “Trip a Little Light Fantastic,” from Mary Poppins Returns

Ah, yes, this song. They cover a lot of bases with this one. The phrase itself does go back to the 17th century, but it’s not something that’s widely known. And just hearing it, it sounds almost like gibberish. Which allows them to position it as their new ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’. And it gives them another ‘chimney sweep’ song, like the one Dick Van Dyke performs in the original, only here they’re lamplighters. Since, you know… progress. It’s a wonderfully choreographed number that definitely evokes what Mary Poppins should be about, even though there’s not a whole lot in the way of pure lyrics here. But it’s definitely the most joyous of the songs in the film, so I did want to give it ample credit for that.