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Over the Rainbow

"Over the Rainbow", also known as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", is a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg.[1] It was written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, in which it was sung by actress Judy Garland[2] in her starring role as Dorothy Gale.[1] It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Garland's signature song.

"Over the Rainbow"
Judy Garland singing "Over the Rainbow" in The Wizard of Oz
Song by Judy Garland
Published1939 by Leo Feist, Inc.
Composer(s)Harold Arlen
Lyricist(s)E.Y. Harburg

About five minutes into the film, Dorothy sings the song after failing to get Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and the farmhands to listen to her story of an unpleasant incident involving her dog, Toto, and the town spinster, Miss Gulch (Margaret Hamilton). Aunt Em tells her to "find yourself a place where you won't get into any trouble". This prompts her to walk off by herself, musing to Toto, "Someplace where there isn't any trouble. Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat, or a train. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain", at which point she begins singing.

Background edit

Composer Harold Arlen and lyricist Yip Harburg often worked in tandem, Harburg generally suggesting an idea or title for Arlen to set to music, before Harburg contributed the lyrics.[3] For their work together on The Wizard of Oz, Harburg claimed his inspiration was "a ballad for a little girl who... was in trouble and... wanted to get away from... Kansas. A dry, arid, colorless place. She had never seen anything colorful in her life except the rainbow". Arlen decided the idea needed "a melody with a long broad line".[4]

By the time all the other songs for the film had been written, Arlen was feeling the pressure of not having the song for the Kansas scene. He often carried blank pieces of music manuscript in his pockets to jot down short melodic ideas. Arlen described how the inspiration for the melody to "Over the Rainbow" came to him suddenly while his wife Anya drove:

"I said to Mrs. Arlen... 'let's go to Grauman's Chinese ... You drive the car, I don't feel too well right now.' I wasn't thinking of work. I wasn't consciously thinking of work, I just wanted to relax. And as we drove by Schwab's Drug Store on Sunset I said, 'Pull over, please.' ... And we stopped and I really don't know why—bless the muses—and I took out my little bit of manuscript and put down what you know now as 'Over the Rainbow.'"[5]

The song was originally sung in A-flat major.[6] Arlen later wrote the contrasting bridge section based on the idea of "a child's piano exercise".[7] In the movie, a renowned Stradivarius violin was used in the accompaniment.[8]

Italian newspaper Il Messaggero has noted a resemblance, both harmonic and melodic, between Over the Rainbow and the theme of the intermezzo (known as Ratcliff's Dream) of Pietro Mascagni's 1895 opera Guglielmo Ratcliff.[9]

Recordings by Judy Garland edit

On October 7, 1938, Judy Garland recorded the song on the MGM soundstage with an arrangement by Murray Cutter. In September 1939, a studio recording of the song, not from the film soundtrack, was recorded and released as a single for Decca. In March 1940, that same recording was included on a Decca 78 four-record studio cast album entitled The Wizard of Oz. Although this isn't the version that appeared in the film, Decca continued to release the "cast album" into the 1960s after it was reissued on disc, a 3313-rpm album.

The film version of "Over the Rainbow" was unavailable to the public until the soundtrack was released by MGM in 1956 to coincide with the television premiere of The Wizard of Oz.[10] The soundtrack version has been re-released several times over the years, including a deluxe edition by Rhino in 1995.[11]

After The Wizard of Oz appeared in 1939, "Over the Rainbow" became Garland's signature song. She performed it for thirty years and sang it as she had for the film. She said she wanted to remain true to the character of Dorothy and to the message of being somewhere over the rainbow.[12]

In 1981, the 1939 recording of the song by Judy Garland on Decca Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[13]

Other lyrics edit

An introductory verse ("When all the world is a hopeless jumble...") that was omitted from the film is sometimes used in theatrical productions of The Wizard of Oz and is included in the piano sheet music from the film. It was used in versions by Tony Bennett, Al Bowlly, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Mandy Patinkin, Trisha Yearwood, Melissa Manchester, Hilary Kole, Jewel, Eva Cassidy, and Norma Waterson. Judy Garland sang the introductory verse at least once, on a 1948 radio broadcast of The Louella Parsons Show.[14] Lyrics for a second verse ("Once by a word only lightly spoken...") appeared in the British edition of the sheet music.[15]

Awards and honors edit

In March 2017, Judy Garland's 1939 Decca single was entered in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as music that is "culturally, historically, or artistically significant".[16] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) ranked it number one on their Songs of the Century list. The American Film Institute named it best movie song on the AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list.

"Over the Rainbow" was given the Towering Song Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was sung at its dinner on June 12, 2014, by Jackie Evancho.[17] In April 2005, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring Yip Harburg that includes a lyric.[18]

It was sent as an audio wakeup call to astronauts aboard the STS-88 space shuttle mission on Flight Day 4, dedicated to astronaut Robert D. Cabana by his daughter Sara.[19]

According to his family, Gene Wilder died while listening to "Over the Rainbow" sung by Ella Fitzgerald, one of his favorite songs.[20][21]

German versions edit

The first German version in the English language was recorded by the Swing Orchestra Heinz Wehner (1908–1945) in March 1940 in Berlin. Wehner, at this time a well-known international German swing artist,[22] also took over the vocals.[23] The first German version in German language was sung by Inge Brandenburg (1929–1999) in 1960.[24]

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole version edit

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World"
Single by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
from the album Facing Future
Released1993
Recorded1988
Length5:07
LabelMountain Apple Company
Songwriter(s)E.Y. Harburg, Bob Thiele, George David Weiss

Recording session edit

On the album Facing Future (1993), Israel Kamakawiwoʻole included "Over the Rainbow" in a ukulele medley with "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. Kamakawiwo'ole called the recording studio at 3 a.m. He was given 15 minutes to arrive by Milan Bertosa.

Bertosa said, "And in walks the largest human being I had seen in my life. Israel was probably like 500 pounds. And the first thing at hand is to find something for him to sit on." A security guard gave Israel a large steel chair. "Then I put up some microphones, do a quick sound check, roll tape, and the first thing he does is 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' He played and sang, one take, and it was over."[25]

Chart activity and sales edit

Kamakawiwoʻole's version reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot Digital Tracks chart during the week of January 31, 2004 (for the survey week ending January 18, 2004).[26] In the U.S., it was certified Platinum for million downloads sold.[27] As of October 2014 it had sold over 4.2 million digital copies.[28]

In the UK his version was released as a single under the title "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". It entered the UK Official Singles Chart in April 2007 at number 68. In Germany, the single also returned to the German Singles Chart in September 2010. After two weeks on that chart, it received gold status for selling 150,000 copies.[29] In October 2010, it reached number one on the German charts. In 2011 was certified 5× gold for selling over 750,000 copies.[29] It stayed at the top spot for twelve non-consecutive weeks and was the most successful single in Germany in 2010.[30] In March 2010 it was the second best-selling download in Germany with digital sales between 500,000 and 600,000.[31][32] In France, it debuted at number four in December 2010 and reached number one.[33] In Switzerland, it received Platinum status for 30,000 copies sold.[34]

Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Over the Rainbow" has been used in commercials, films and television programs, including 50 First Dates, Charmed, Cold Case, ER, Finding Forrester, Horizon, Life on Mars, Meet Joe Black, Scrubs, Snakes on a Plane, Son of the Mask, and the television series South Pacific. The Kamakawiwoʻole version was sung by the cast of Glee on the season one finale "Journey" and included on Glee: The Music, Journey to Regionals, charting at number 30 in the UK, 31 in Canada and Ireland, 42 in Australia, and 43 in the U.S.[35][36][37][38][39][40][41]

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[42] Platinum 50,000*
Germany (BVMI)[43] 2× Platinum 1,000,000^
Italy (FIMI)[44] Gold 25,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[45] 2× Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[47] Platinum 4,200,000[28]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Eva Cassidy version edit

"Over the Rainbow"
 
Single by Eva Cassidy
from the album The Other Side and Songbird
B-side"Dark End of the Street"[48]
ReleasedJanuary 29, 2001 (2001-01-29)
Length4:58
LabelBlix Street
Composer(s)Harold Arlen
Lyricist(s)E.Y. Harburg
Producer(s)Chris Biondo
Eva Cassidy singles chronology
"Over the Rainbow"
(2001)
"People Get Ready"
(2002)

Eva Cassidy recorded a studio version of the song for The Other Side (1992). After her death in 1996, it was included on the posthumous compilation Songbird (1998). In December 2000, a clip of Cassidy performing the song at Blues Alley was featured on the BBC2 program Top of the Pops 2.[49] Following the premiere, it became the program's most-requested video in history, and demand for the album soared after the clip was re-aired in January 2001.[50] The song was subsequently released as a single the same month, on January 29.[51]

"Over the Rainbow" debuted at number 88 on the UK Singles Chart in February 2001 and climbed to number 42 in May, becoming Cassidy's first single to chart in the United Kingdom. In Scotland, it reached number 36, giving Cassidy her first top-40 single in that region. It was her highest-charting song in the United Kingdom until 2007, when "What a Wonderful World" reached number one.[52] The song also reached number 27 in Ireland in December, becoming her only top-40 hit in that country.

Cassidy's recording was selected by the BBC for its Songs of the Century album in 1999. Her performance at Blues Alley appeared on the album Simply Eva (2011).

Charts edit

Chart (2001) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[53] 27
Scotland (OCC)[54] 36
UK Singles (OCC)[55] 42
UK Indie (OCC)[56] 10

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Gold 400,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cliff Richard version edit

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"/"What a Wonderful World"
 
Single by Cliff Richard
from the album Wanted
ReleasedDecember 3, 2001 (2001-12-03)
Length4:47
LabelPapillon
Songwriter(s)H. Arlen, E.Y. Hamburg, George David Weiss, G. Douglas
Producer(s)Alan Tarney
Cliff Richard singles chronology
"The Millennium Prayer"
(1999)
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"/"What a Wonderful World"
(2001)
""Let Me Be the One""
(2002)
Music video
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"/"What a Wonderful World" on YouTube

On December 3, 2001, the British singer Cliff Richard recorded a cover of the mashup "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"/"What a Wonderful World" on his album Wanted. At the time of release the official website for the album explained that it consisted of "hits Cliff's always 'Wanted' to record."[58] The album is primarily made up of cover songs, including songs by artists such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Carole King and Tina Turner. The inspiration for the album came when Richard was sent a copy of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's recording of "Over the Rainbow" combined with "What a Wonderful World" weeks into the year 2000 and he knew immediately he wanted to record it.[59]

The mashup reggae-themed track with a lot of similarities to the Israel Kamakawiwo'ole arrangement was released as the debut single from the album Wanted and charted on the UK Singles Chart peaking at number 11 and stayed for 6 weeks in the British charts.[60] Richard premiered it on the Open House with Gloria Hunniford on November 6, 2001. On the date of release of the single on December 3, 2001, he was invited to the ITV programme This Morning to perform it live. He also performed it at the Premier Christmas Spectacular at Methodist Westminster Central Hall in London on December 14, 2001.

Charts edit

Chart (2001) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[60] 11

Danielle Hope version edit

"Over the Rainbow"
 
Single by Danielle Hope
ReleasedMay 23, 2010 (UK)
GenrePop
Length2:58
LabelPolydor
Composer(s)Harold Arlen
Lyricist(s)E.Y. Harburg

Danielle Hope, the winner of the BBC talent show Over the Rainbow, released a cover version of the song as a digital download on May 23, 2010, and a single on May 31, 2010.[61] As it was recorded before a winner was announced, runners-up Lauren Samuels and Sophie Evans also recorded versions.[61]

The single was a charity record that raised money for the BBC Performing Arts Fund and Prostate UK.[62]

Track listings edit

UK digital download

  1. "Over the Rainbow" – 2:58

CD single

  1. "Over the Rainbow"
  2. "The Wizard of Oz medley" – Sophie Evans, Danielle Hope and Lauren Samuels

Charts edit

Chart (2010) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[63] 29

Robin Schulz, Alle Farben and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version edit

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World"
Song by Robin Schulz, Alle Farben and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
ReleasedSeptember 7, 2021 (2021-09-07)
Length3:31
LabelSony Music Entertainment, B1/Warner Music
Composer(s)Harold Arlen
Lyricist(s)E.Y. Harburg

In July 2021, German musician, DJ and record producer Robin Schulz and the German DJ and producer Alle Farben released a mashup "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" based on Kamakawiwo'ole's version and voice on Sony Music Entertainment, B1/Warner Music. The new remix version has charted in Germany, France and Belgium. A new official video was also released.

Charts edit

Chart (2021) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[64] 48
France (SNEP)[65] 138
Germany (GfK Entertainment charts)
82

Other versions edit

The 1939 Glenn Miller recording on RCA Bluebird was no. 1 on the Your Hit Parade chart for six weeks that year.

The Demensions recorded an ethereal, orchestral, and dreamy doo-wop version, arranged by composer Seymour Barab that reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960[66] and number 17 in Canada.[67] Katharine McPhee's version in 2006 reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1965 Australian band Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs released the song as a single following the release of an EP called I Told The Brook in 1964. The single went to Number 2 on the Australian charts.[68]

Jerry Lee Lewis included "Over the Rainbow" on his 1980 album Killer Country on Elektra Records. This version went to number 10 on the Pop Country charts.[69]

Nicholas David, a contestant on the third season of The Voice, recorded a version that went to number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2012 with sales of 48,000 copies.[70]

American singer Ariana Grande released a version of the song on June 6, 2017, to raise money at her benefit concert One Love Manchester after 22 people were killed in the Manchester Arena bombing at Grande's concert on May 22, 2017.[71] Her live performance at the benefit concert was televised two days prior, i.e. on June 4, 2017. The song was then added to the setlist of her Dangerous Woman Tour.[72] The version peaked at number 60 on the UK Singles Chart on the week ending June 22, 2017.[73]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 134. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ^ Gioia, Ted (2012). The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire. New York City: Oxford University Press. pp. 328–330. ISBN 978-0-19-993739-4.
  3. ^ Shapiro, Gary. "'Over the Rainbow': The Story Behind the Song of the Century". Columbia News. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. ^ Frisch, Walter (2017). Arlen and Harburg's Over the Rainbow. Oxford University Press. p. 20.
  5. ^ Alonso, Harriet Hyman (2012). Yip Harburg: Legendary Lyricist and Human Rights Activist. Wesleyan University Press. p. 106.
  6. ^ Garland, Judy (August 31, 2009). "Over the Rainbow". MusicNotes. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  7. ^ Frisch, Walter (2017). Arlen and Harburg's Over the Rainbow. Oxford University Press. p. 22.
  8. ^ "Violin used for Wizard of Oz's Over the Rainbow expected to reach $20m at auction". the Guardian. June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  9. ^ "C'era Mascagni sulla strada di Oz". September 30, 2017.
  10. ^ . The Judy Room. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
  11. ^ . The Judy Room. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012.
  12. ^ Garland, Judy. . The Judy Room. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007.
  13. ^ https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#o
  14. ^ Scott Brogan. "Judy Garland MP3's". Thejudyroom.com. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  15. ^ Over the Rainbow. London: Francis, Day, & Hunter, Ltd.
  16. ^ "National Recording Registry Picks Are 'Over the Rainbow'". Library of Congress. March 29, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  17. ^ Shriver, Jerry (June 13, 2014). "Songwriters gala links old and new with a 'Rainbow'". USA Today.
  18. ^ May, Patrick (June 8, 2017). "'Over the Rainbow': 10 things to know about classic American song". The Mercury News. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  19. ^ . Archived from the original on May 16, 2001.
  20. ^ "Family: Wilder passed to 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'". USA Today. August 29, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  21. ^ Hautman, Nicholas (August 30, 2016). "Gene Wilder Died Holding Hands With His Family While Listening to 'Over the Rainbow'". US Weekly. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  22. ^ Dick McBougall, Down Beat 12/1937
  23. ^ Over the Rainbow, Swing-Orchester Heinz Wehner, engl. Refraingesang Heinz Wehner, Telefunken A 10101, Matrizennummer 24836, recorded March 23, 1940
  24. ^ Wenn Du in meinen Träumen (Over the Rainbow), Inge Brandenburg mit dem NDR-Tanzorchester, recorded November 2, 1960
  25. ^ "Israel Kamakawiwoʻole: The Voice Of Hawaii". 50 Great Voices. NPR. December 6, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2015. Then I put up some microphones, do a quick sound check, roll tape, and the first thing he does is 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' He played and sang, one take, and it was over.
  26. ^ Billboard, page 65 (February 7, 2004).
  27. ^ "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – November 22, 2012". RIAA. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  28. ^ a b Trust, Gary (October 21, 2014). "Ask Billboard: The Weird Connections Between Mary Lambert & Madonna". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Over the Rainbow')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  30. ^ . Media-control.de. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  31. ^ ""Poker Face" knackt 500.000er-Download-Marke – media control". Media-control.de. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  32. ^ "600.000 Verkäufe: Michel Teló legt Download-Rekord hin – media control". Media-control.de. March 30, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  33. ^ . Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  34. ^ Steffen Hung. "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  35. ^ Flandez, Raymund (June 9, 2010). "'Glee' Season One Finale, 'Journey:' TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal. Les Hinton. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  36. ^ "Glee is number 1 Again" (Press release). PR Newswire. May 26, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  37. ^ "Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive: 26th June 2010". Official Charts Company. June 26, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  38. ^ "Canadian Hot 100: Week of June 26, 2010 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. June 26, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  39. ^ . Chart Track. GfK. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  40. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing July 12, 2010" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. July 12, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 10, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  41. ^ "Hot 100: Week of June 26, 2010 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. June 26, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  42. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Israel – Over the Rainbow" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  43. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Israel; 'Over the Rainbow')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  44. ^ "Italian single certifications – Israel – Over the Rainbow" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  45. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Over the Rainbow')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  46. ^ "British single certifications – Israel Kamakawiwo'ole – Over the Rainbow". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  47. ^ "American single certifications – Israel – Over the Rainbow". Recording Industry Association of America.
  48. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  49. ^ "Over the Rainbow". evacassidy.org. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  50. ^ Sexton, Paul (March 10, 2001). "Blix's Eva Cassidy Gone but Far from Forgotten" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 10. p. 8. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  51. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting January 29, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 27, 2001. p. 39. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  52. ^ "Eva Cassidy". The Official Charts Company. February 17, 2001. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  53. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Over the Rainbow". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  54. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  55. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  56. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  57. ^ "British single certifications – Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  58. ^ Cliff Richard Wanted album at AllMusic
  59. ^ From preface in Wanted CD booklet
  60. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  61. ^ a b "Winning Dorothy to release 'Rainbow'". Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  62. ^ "Danielle Hope ('Over the Rainbow')". Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  63. ^ "Danielle Hope: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  64. ^ "Robin Schulz, Alle Farben & Israel Kamakawiwoʻole – Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  65. ^ "Robin Schulz, Alle Farben & Israel Kamakawiwoʻole – Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  66. ^ Milosheff, Peter (March 24, 2010). . The Bronx Times. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010.
  67. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - September 12, 1960".
  68. ^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940 - 1969. Turramurra, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
  69. ^ "Jerry Lee Lewis - Killer Country [Elektra] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  70. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 Week of 22 December 2012". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  71. ^ Reporters, Telegraph (June 7, 2017). "Ariana Grande releases Somewhere Over the Rainbow as charity single for Manchester benefit". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  72. ^ Tanzer, Myles. "Ariana Grande", The Fader, May 30, 2018
  73. ^ "UK Charts June 22, 2017". Official Charts Company. April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.

External links edit

  • The Judy Garland Online Discography

over, rainbow, this, article, about, 1939, song, other, uses, disambiguation, also, known, somewhere, ballad, harold, arlen, with, lyrics, harburg, written, 1939, film, wizard, which, sung, actress, judy, garland, starring, role, dorothy, gale, academy, award,. This article is about the 1939 song For other uses see Over the Rainbow disambiguation Over the Rainbow also known as Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg 1 It was written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz in which it was sung by actress Judy Garland 2 in her starring role as Dorothy Gale 1 It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Garland s signature song Over the Rainbow Judy Garland singing Over the Rainbow in The Wizard of OzSong by Judy GarlandPublished1939 by Leo Feist Inc Composer s Harold ArlenLyricist s E Y HarburgAbout five minutes into the film Dorothy sings the song after failing to get Aunt Em Uncle Henry and the farmhands to listen to her story of an unpleasant incident involving her dog Toto and the town spinster Miss Gulch Margaret Hamilton Aunt Em tells her to find yourself a place where you won t get into any trouble This prompts her to walk off by herself musing to Toto Someplace where there isn t any trouble Do you suppose there is such a place Toto There must be It s not a place you can get to by a boat or a train It s far far away Behind the moon beyond the rain at which point she begins singing Contents 1 Background 2 Recordings by Judy Garland 3 Other lyrics 4 Awards and honors 5 German versions 6 Israel Kamakawiwo ole version 6 1 Recording session 6 2 Chart activity and sales 6 3 Certifications 7 Eva Cassidy version 7 1 Charts 7 2 Certifications 8 Cliff Richard version 8 1 Charts 9 Danielle Hope version 9 1 Track listings 9 2 Charts 10 Robin Schulz Alle Farben and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version 10 1 Charts 11 Other versions 12 See also 13 References 14 External linksBackground editComposer Harold Arlen and lyricist Yip Harburg often worked in tandem Harburg generally suggesting an idea or title for Arlen to set to music before Harburg contributed the lyrics 3 For their work together on The Wizard of Oz Harburg claimed his inspiration was a ballad for a little girl who was in trouble and wanted to get away from Kansas A dry arid colorless place She had never seen anything colorful in her life except the rainbow Arlen decided the idea needed a melody with a long broad line 4 By the time all the other songs for the film had been written Arlen was feeling the pressure of not having the song for the Kansas scene He often carried blank pieces of music manuscript in his pockets to jot down short melodic ideas Arlen described how the inspiration for the melody to Over the Rainbow came to him suddenly while his wife Anya drove I said to Mrs Arlen let s go to Grauman s Chinese You drive the car I don t feel too well right now I wasn t thinking of work I wasn t consciously thinking of work I just wanted to relax And as we drove by Schwab s Drug Store on Sunset I said Pull over please And we stopped and I really don t know why bless the muses and I took out my little bit of manuscript and put down what you know now as Over the Rainbow 5 The song was originally sung in A flat major 6 Arlen later wrote the contrasting bridge section based on the idea of a child s piano exercise 7 In the movie a renowned Stradivarius violin was used in the accompaniment 8 Italian newspaper Il Messaggero has noted a resemblance both harmonic and melodic between Over the Rainbow and the theme of the intermezzo known as Ratcliff s Dream of Pietro Mascagni s 1895 opera Guglielmo Ratcliff 9 Recordings by Judy Garland edit nbsp Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz source source track A sample of the original version of Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz sung by Judy Garland Problems playing this file See media help On October 7 1938 Judy Garland recorded the song on the MGM soundstage with an arrangement by Murray Cutter In September 1939 a studio recording of the song not from the film soundtrack was recorded and released as a single for Decca In March 1940 that same recording was included on a Decca 78 four record studio cast album entitled The Wizard of Oz Although this isn t the version that appeared in the film Decca continued to release the cast album into the 1960s after it was reissued on disc a 331 3 rpm album The film version of Over the Rainbow was unavailable to the public until the soundtrack was released by MGM in 1956 to coincide with the television premiere of The Wizard of Oz 10 The soundtrack version has been re released several times over the years including a deluxe edition by Rhino in 1995 11 After The Wizard of Oz appeared in 1939 Over the Rainbow became Garland s signature song She performed it for thirty years and sang it as she had for the film She said she wanted to remain true to the character of Dorothy and to the message of being somewhere over the rainbow 12 In 1981 the 1939 recording of the song by Judy Garland on Decca Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame 13 Other lyrics editAn introductory verse When all the world is a hopeless jumble that was omitted from the film is sometimes used in theatrical productions of The Wizard of Oz and is included in the piano sheet music from the film It was used in versions by Tony Bennett Al Bowlly Doris Day Ella Fitzgerald Frank Sinatra Sarah Vaughan Mandy Patinkin Trisha Yearwood Melissa Manchester Hilary Kole Jewel Eva Cassidy and Norma Waterson Judy Garland sang the introductory verse at least once on a 1948 radio broadcast of The Louella Parsons Show 14 Lyrics for a second verse Once by a word only lightly spoken appeared in the British edition of the sheet music 15 Awards and honors editIn March 2017 Judy Garland s 1939 Decca single was entered in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as music that is culturally historically or artistically significant 16 The Recording Industry Association of America RIAA and the National Endowment for the Arts NEA ranked it number one on their Songs of the Century list The American Film Institute named it best movie song on the AFI s 100 Years 100 Songs list Over the Rainbow was given the Towering Song Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was sung at its dinner on June 12 2014 by Jackie Evancho 17 In April 2005 the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring Yip Harburg that includes a lyric 18 It was sent as an audio wakeup call to astronauts aboard the STS 88 space shuttle mission on Flight Day 4 dedicated to astronaut Robert D Cabana by his daughter Sara 19 According to his family Gene Wilder died while listening to Over the Rainbow sung by Ella Fitzgerald one of his favorite songs 20 21 German versions editThe first German version in the English language was recorded by the Swing Orchestra Heinz Wehner 1908 1945 in March 1940 in Berlin Wehner at this time a well known international German swing artist 22 also took over the vocals 23 The first German version in German language was sung by Inge Brandenburg 1929 1999 in 1960 24 Israel Kamakawiwo ole version editMain article Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World Single by Israel Kamakawiwoʻolefrom the album Facing FutureReleased1993Recorded1988Length5 07LabelMountain Apple CompanySongwriter s E Y Harburg Bob Thiele George David WeissRecording session edit On the album Facing Future 1993 Israel Kamakawiwoʻole included Over the Rainbow in a ukulele medley with What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong Kamakawiwo ole called the recording studio at 3 a m He was given 15 minutes to arrive by Milan Bertosa Bertosa said And in walks the largest human being I had seen in my life Israel was probably like 500 pounds And the first thing at hand is to find something for him to sit on A security guard gave Israel a large steel chair Then I put up some microphones do a quick sound check roll tape and the first thing he does is Somewhere Over the Rainbow He played and sang one take and it was over 25 Chart activity and sales edit Kamakawiwoʻole s version reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot Digital Tracks chart during the week of January 31 2004 for the survey week ending January 18 2004 26 In the U S it was certified Platinum for million downloads sold 27 As of October 2014 it had sold over 4 2 million digital copies 28 In the UK his version was released as a single under the title Somewhere Over the Rainbow It entered the UK Official Singles Chart in April 2007 at number 68 In Germany the single also returned to the German Singles Chart in September 2010 After two weeks on that chart it received gold status for selling 150 000 copies 29 In October 2010 it reached number one on the German charts In 2011 was certified 5 gold for selling over 750 000 copies 29 It stayed at the top spot for twelve non consecutive weeks and was the most successful single in Germany in 2010 30 In March 2010 it was the second best selling download in Germany with digital sales between 500 000 and 600 000 31 32 In France it debuted at number four in December 2010 and reached number one 33 In Switzerland it received Platinum status for 30 000 copies sold 34 Kamakawiwo ole s version of Over the Rainbow has been used in commercials films and television programs including 50 First Dates Charmed Cold Case ER Finding Forrester Horizon Life on Mars Meet Joe Black Scrubs Snakes on a Plane Son of the Mask and the television series South Pacific The Kamakawiwoʻole version was sung by the cast of Glee on the season one finale Journey and included on Glee The Music Journey to Regionals charting at number 30 in the UK 31 in Canada and Ireland 42 in Australia and 43 in the U S 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Certifications edit Region Certification Certified units salesAustria IFPI Austria 42 Platinum 50 000 Germany BVMI 43 2 Platinum 1 000 000 Italy FIMI 44 Gold 25 000 Switzerland IFPI Switzerland 45 2 Platinum 100 000 United Kingdom BPI 46 Gold 400 000 United States RIAA 47 Platinum 4 200 000 28 Sales figures based on certification alone Shipments figures based on certification alone Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Eva Cassidy version edit Over the Rainbow nbsp Single by Eva Cassidyfrom the album The Other Side and SongbirdB side Dark End of the Street 48 ReleasedJanuary 29 2001 2001 01 29 Length4 58LabelBlix StreetComposer s Harold ArlenLyricist s E Y HarburgProducer s Chris BiondoEva Cassidy singles chronology Over the Rainbow 2001 People Get Ready 2002 Eva Cassidy recorded a studio version of the song for The Other Side 1992 After her death in 1996 it was included on the posthumous compilation Songbird 1998 In December 2000 a clip of Cassidy performing the song at Blues Alley was featured on the BBC2 program Top of the Pops 2 49 Following the premiere it became the program s most requested video in history and demand for the album soared after the clip was re aired in January 2001 50 The song was subsequently released as a single the same month on January 29 51 Over the Rainbow debuted at number 88 on the UK Singles Chart in February 2001 and climbed to number 42 in May becoming Cassidy s first single to chart in the United Kingdom In Scotland it reached number 36 giving Cassidy her first top 40 single in that region It was her highest charting song in the United Kingdom until 2007 when What a Wonderful World reached number one 52 The song also reached number 27 in Ireland in December becoming her only top 40 hit in that country Cassidy s recording was selected by the BBC for its Songs of the Century album in 1999 Her performance at Blues Alley appeared on the album Simply Eva 2011 Charts edit Chart 2001 PeakpositionIreland IRMA 53 27Scotland OCC 54 36UK Singles OCC 55 42UK Indie OCC 56 10Certifications edit Region Certification Certified units salesUnited Kingdom BPI 57 Gold 400 000 Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Cliff Richard version edit Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World nbsp Single by Cliff Richardfrom the album WantedReleasedDecember 3 2001 2001 12 03 Length4 47LabelPapillonSongwriter s H Arlen E Y Hamburg George David Weiss G DouglasProducer s Alan TarneyCliff Richard singles chronology The Millennium Prayer 1999 Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World 2001 Let Me Be the One 2002 Music video Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World on YouTubeOn December 3 2001 the British singer Cliff Richard recorded a cover of the mashup Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World on his album Wanted At the time of release the official website for the album explained that it consisted of hits Cliff s always Wanted to record 58 The album is primarily made up of cover songs including songs by artists such as Elvis Presley The Beatles Carole King and Tina Turner The inspiration for the album came when Richard was sent a copy of Israel Kamakawiwo ole s recording of Over the Rainbow combined with What a Wonderful World weeks into the year 2000 and he knew immediately he wanted to record it 59 The mashup reggae themed track with a lot of similarities to the Israel Kamakawiwo ole arrangement was released as the debut single from the album Wanted and charted on the UK Singles Chart peaking at number 11 and stayed for 6 weeks in the British charts 60 Richard premiered it on the Open House with Gloria Hunniford on November 6 2001 On the date of release of the single on December 3 2001 he was invited to the ITV programme This Morning to perform it live He also performed it at the Premier Christmas Spectacular at Methodist Westminster Central Hall in London on December 14 2001 Charts edit Chart 2001 PeakpositionUK Singles OCC 60 11Danielle Hope version edit Over the Rainbow nbsp Single by Danielle HopeReleasedMay 23 2010 UK GenrePopLength2 58LabelPolydorComposer s Harold ArlenLyricist s E Y HarburgDanielle Hope the winner of the BBC talent show Over the Rainbow released a cover version of the song as a digital download on May 23 2010 and a single on May 31 2010 61 As it was recorded before a winner was announced runners up Lauren Samuels and Sophie Evans also recorded versions 61 The single was a charity record that raised money for the BBC Performing Arts Fund and Prostate UK 62 Track listings edit UK digital download Over the Rainbow 2 58CD single Over the Rainbow The Wizard of Oz medley Sophie Evans Danielle Hope and Lauren SamuelsCharts edit Chart 2010 PeakpositionUK Singles OCC 63 29Robin Schulz Alle Farben and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version edit Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World Song by Robin Schulz Alle Farben and Israel KamakawiwoʻoleReleasedSeptember 7 2021 2021 09 07 Length3 31LabelSony Music Entertainment B1 Warner MusicComposer s Harold ArlenLyricist s E Y HarburgIn July 2021 German musician DJ and record producer Robin Schulz and the German DJ and producer Alle Farben released a mashup Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World based on Kamakawiwo ole s version and voice on Sony Music Entertainment B1 Warner Music The new remix version has charted in Germany France and Belgium A new official video was also released Charts edit Chart 2021 PeakpositionBelgium Ultratop 50 Wallonia 64 48France SNEP 65 138Germany GfK Entertainment charts 82Other versions editThe 1939 Glenn Miller recording on RCA Bluebird was no 1 on the Your Hit Parade chart for six weeks that year The Demensions recorded an ethereal orchestral and dreamy doo wop version arranged by composer Seymour Barab that reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 66 and number 17 in Canada 67 Katharine McPhee s version in 2006 reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 In 1965 Australian band Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs released the song as a single following the release of an EP called I Told The Brook in 1964 The single went to Number 2 on the Australian charts 68 Jerry Lee Lewis included Over the Rainbow on his 1980 album Killer Country on Elektra Records This version went to number 10 on the Pop Country charts 69 Nicholas David a contestant on the third season of The Voice recorded a version that went to number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2012 with sales of 48 000 copies 70 American singer Ariana Grande released a version of the song on June 6 2017 to raise money at her benefit concert One Love Manchester after 22 people were killed in the Manchester Arena bombing at Grande s concert on May 22 2017 71 Her live performance at the benefit concert was televised two days prior i e on June 4 2017 The song was then added to the setlist of her Dangerous Woman Tour 72 The version peaked at number 60 on the UK Singles Chart on the week ending June 22 2017 73 See also editMusical selections in The Wizard of Oz List of 1930s jazz standards List of best selling singles List of best selling singles in the United StatesReferences edit a b Roberts David 2006 British Hit Singles amp Albums 19th ed London Guinness World Records Limited p 134 ISBN 1 904994 10 5 Gioia Ted 2012 The Jazz Standards A Guide to the Repertoire New York City Oxford University Press pp 328 330 ISBN 978 0 19 993739 4 Shapiro Gary Over the Rainbow The Story Behind the Song of the Century Columbia News Retrieved October 30 2019 Frisch Walter 2017 Arlen and Harburg s Over the Rainbow Oxford University Press p 20 Alonso Harriet Hyman 2012 Yip Harburg Legendary Lyricist and Human Rights Activist Wesleyan University Press p 106 Garland Judy August 31 2009 Over the Rainbow MusicNotes Retrieved March 9 2020 Frisch Walter 2017 Arlen and Harburg s Over the Rainbow Oxford University Press p 22 Violin used for Wizard of Oz s Over the Rainbow expected to reach 20m at auction the Guardian June 3 2022 Retrieved June 12 2022 C era Mascagni sulla strada di Oz September 30 2017 The Wizard of Oz Soundtracks MGM label The Judy Room Archived from the original on September 27 2011 The Wizard of Oz Rhino Movie Music label The Judy Room Archived from the original on January 26 2012 Garland Judy The Wizard of Oz Decca label The Judy Room Archived from the original on September 26 2007 https www grammy com awards hall of fame award o Scott Brogan Judy Garland MP3 s Thejudyroom com Retrieved April 21 2020 Over the Rainbow London Francis Day amp Hunter Ltd National Recording Registry Picks Are Over the Rainbow Library of Congress March 29 2016 Retrieved March 29 2016 Shriver Jerry June 13 2014 Songwriters gala links old and new with a Rainbow USA Today May Patrick June 8 2017 Over the Rainbow 10 things to know about classic American song The Mercury News Retrieved October 15 2018 NASA Human Spaceflight Database STS 88 Wakeup Calls Archived from the original on May 16 2001 Family Wilder passed to Somewhere Over the Rainbow USA Today August 29 2016 Retrieved October 15 2016 Hautman Nicholas August 30 2016 Gene Wilder Died Holding Hands With His Family While Listening to Over the Rainbow US Weekly Retrieved October 15 2016 Dick McBougall Down Beat 12 1937 Over the Rainbow Swing Orchester Heinz Wehner engl Refraingesang Heinz Wehner Telefunken A 10101 Matrizennummer 24836 recorded March 23 1940 Wenn Du in meinen Traumen Over the Rainbow Inge Brandenburg mit dem NDR Tanzorchester recorded November 2 1960 Israel Kamakawiwoʻole The Voice Of Hawaii 50 Great Voices NPR December 6 2010 Retrieved December 16 2015 Then I put up some microphones do a quick sound check roll tape and the first thing he does is Somewhere Over the Rainbow He played and sang one take and it was over Billboard page 65 February 7 2004 Gold amp Platinum Searchable Database November 22 2012 RIAA Retrieved November 22 2012 a b Trust Gary October 21 2014 Ask Billboard The Weird Connections Between Mary Lambert amp Madonna Billboard Prometheus Global Media Retrieved April 3 2023 a b Gold Platin Datenbank Over the Rainbow in German Bundesverband Musikindustrie Musik Jahrescharts Sanfter Riese und der Graf setzen sich durch media control Media control de Archived from the original on January 7 2011 Retrieved November 22 2012 Poker Face knackt 500 000er Download Marke media control Media control de Retrieved November 22 2012 600 000 Verkaufe Michel Telo legt Download Rekord hin media control Media control de March 30 2012 Retrieved November 22 2012 musicline de Archived from the original on September 21 2012 Retrieved December 7 2010 Steffen Hung Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community Hitparade ch Retrieved November 22 2012 Flandez Raymund June 9 2010 Glee Season One Finale Journey TV Recap The Wall Street Journal Les Hinton Retrieved December 2 2010 Glee is number 1 Again Press release PR Newswire May 26 2010 Retrieved December 2 2010 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive 26th June 2010 Official Charts Company June 26 2010 Retrieved December 2 2010 Canadian Hot 100 Week of June 26 2010 Biggest Jump Billboard June 26 2010 Retrieved December 2 2010 Irish Music Charts Archive Top 50 Singles Week Ending 17 June 2010 Chart Track GfK Archived from the original on March 13 2017 Retrieved December 2 2010 The ARIA Report Week Commencing July 12 2010 PDF Australian Recording Industry Association July 12 2010 Archived from the original PDF on August 10 2010 Retrieved December 2 2010 Hot 100 Week of June 26 2010 Biggest Jump Billboard June 26 2010 Retrieved December 2 2010 Austrian single certifications Israel Over the Rainbow in German IFPI Austria Retrieved April 3 2023 Gold Platin Datenbank Israel Over the Rainbow in German Bundesverband Musikindustrie Retrieved April 3 2023 Italian single certifications Israel Over the Rainbow in Italian Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana Retrieved April 3 2023 The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community Awards Over the Rainbow IFPI Switzerland Hung Medien Retrieved April 3 2023 British single certifications Israel Kamakawiwo ole Over the Rainbow British Phonographic Industry Retrieved April 3 2023 American single certifications Israel Over the Rainbow Recording Industry Association of America Australian charts com Eva Cassidy Over the Rainbow ARIA Top 50 Singles Retrieved October 11 2020 Over the Rainbow evacassidy org Retrieved August 4 2023 Sexton Paul March 10 2001 Blix s Eva Cassidy Gone but Far from Forgotten PDF Billboard Vol 113 no 10 p 8 Retrieved October 11 2020 New Releases For Week Starting January 29 2001 Singles PDF Music Week January 27 2001 p 39 Retrieved August 20 2021 Eva Cassidy The Official Charts Company February 17 2001 Retrieved October 20 2018 The Irish Charts Search Results Over the Rainbow Irish Singles Chart Retrieved December 2 2018 Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved March 21 2018 Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved November 17 2018 Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50 Official Charts Company Retrieved November 17 2018 British single certifications Eva Cassidy Over the Rainbow British Phonographic Industry Retrieved May 12 2023 Cliff Richard Wanted album at AllMusic From preface in Wanted CD booklet a b Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved December 24 2023 a b Winning Dorothy to release Rainbow Retrieved May 21 2010 Danielle Hope Over the Rainbow Retrieved May 27 2010 Danielle Hope Artist Chart History Official Charts Company Robin Schulz Alle Farben amp Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World in French Ultratop 50 Retrieved September 1 2021 Robin Schulz Alle Farben amp Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Somewhere Over the Rainbow What a Wonderful World in French Les classement single Retrieved September 1 2021 Milosheff Peter March 24 2010 The Demensions White Doo Wop From The Bronx The Bronx Times Archived from the original on December 8 2010 CHUM Hit Parade September 12 1960 Kent David 2005 Australian Chart Book 1940 1969 Turramurra N S W Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd ISBN 0 646 44439 5 Jerry Lee Lewis Killer Country Elektra Album Reviews Songs amp More AllMusic AllMusic The Billboard Hot 100 Week of 22 December 2012 Billboard Retrieved December 14 2012 permanent dead link Reporters Telegraph June 7 2017 Ariana Grande releases Somewhere Over the Rainbow as charity single for Manchester benefit The Telegraph ISSN 0307 1235 Archived from the original on January 12 2022 Retrieved April 11 2018 Tanzer Myles Ariana Grande The Fader May 30 2018 UK Charts June 22 2017 Official Charts Company April 1 2017 Retrieved April 10 2017 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Over the Rainbow The Judy Garland Online Discography Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Over the Rainbow amp oldid 1209360953, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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