Brotherhood of Man is a Broadway show tune written by Frank Loesser for the 1961 musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. It was first performed in October 1961 by Robert Morse, Ruth Kobart, Sammy Smith and the Original Broadway Cast Chorus, and released that year on the cast recording. The number is a large gospel-tinged production closer, sung by the office-clad chorus as they celebrate a universal “brotherhood of man” even as they poke fun at corporate life. It remains a hallmark of the show’s finale and has appeared on various recordings, including the 2011 Broadway cast recording with Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette. The song blends Broadway pop with gospel drama, and its four-minute moment suggests that true solidarity among people can feel almost possible.
