Over The Rainbow
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Harold Arlen |
| Lyricist | E.Y. “Yip” Harburg |
| Year Written | 1939 |
| About Over The Rainbow | |
| Probably the most widely known of all Arlen’s songs, “Over The Rainbow” is from the great Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed downed the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. “Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts.The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song “…has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.” | |
Lyrics
When all the world is a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble, all around
Heaven opens a magic lane
When all the clouds darken up the sky way
There’s a rainbow highway to be found
Leading from your window pane
To a place behind the sun
Just a step beyond the rain
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
And way above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can’t I?
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why, can’t I?
Let’s go there
Session / Album Information
1960
This song was recorded on August 15, 1960 and released in 1960 on the album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen.
This recording released on:
- 1960: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8359 — A String Of Harold Arlen
- 1960: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1559 — A String Of Harold Arlen
- 1960: Philips LP 12″ (Mono): BBL 7455 — Sings A String Of Harold Arlen (UK)
- Sony Music CD: SMSP A 8359 — A String Of Harold Arlen
- 1975: Columbia LP 12″: KG 33376 — Let’s Fall In Love With The Songs Of Harold Arlen And Cy Coleman
- 1990: CBS/Sony CD: CSCS-5244 — Sings A String Of Harold Arlen [Japan]
- 1993: Sony Music Special Products CD: 15056 — Tony Bennett Sings for You
- 2011: Disc #18 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK18) Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen
1995
“Over The Rainbow” was recorded in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Judy Garland. It was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman.
This recording released on:
- 1995: Columbia CD: CK 67349 — Here’s To The Ladies (1995)
- 1996: Columbia CD: SRCS-7936 — Here’s To The Ladies [Japan]
- 2011: Discs #62 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK60) Here’s To The Ladies