Best covers of “Over the Rainbow” song
25+ Surprising facts you didn’t know about “Over the Rainbow” song
There is an old fable that says there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Everyone who has tried to follow a rainbow has discovered that it is impossible, because the rainbow moves like you do. Over the rainbow is therefore a metaphor for the search for one’s own happiness. It’s out there somewhere!
The original song title for “Over the Rainbow” was “Over the Rainbow Is Where I Want to Be.”
During the years since first release, the song has been recorded by hundreds of artists. Versions include pop, doo-wop, R&B, country, rock, heavy metal, techno and everything in between.
One original version with more than 1350 official released cover versions. More than ten versions have been charted on Top 100 lists around the world.
Original version – Judy Garland
Judy Garland, born as Frances Ethel Gumm (1922). She was only 16 when she recorded this song and 17 when The Wizard of Oz hit theaters. Therefore she was one of the biggest stars of the 1940s. “Over The Rainbow” remained her most popular song, and she sang it throughout her career.
This song was written in 1939 for the movie The Wizard of Oz. Words were made by Yip Harburg and music by Harold Arlen.
The song was initially removed from the film. But after Arthur Freed, the film’s producer and Roger Edens (Garland’s vocal coach) persuaded the producers to include the song in the film.
#1 on the Songs of the 20th Century list by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). AFI announced this song as the Greatest Movie Song Ever.
Judy Garland was given diet pills at a young age. Therefore she became addicted to barbiturates and alcohol, leading to her death on June 22, 1969 at the age of 47.
Lyrics
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 trueSomeday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find meSomewhere 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
Why, oh why can’t I?
Listen all the best covers in this playlist
Sometimes you feel like listening to all the songs during your work or free time. I have prepared this playlist only for you. You can listen to all the best covers of this song with just one click.
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – The most visited version
The most famous cover version was made by the Hawaiian ukulele musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. He recorded “Over The Rainbow” in a medley with “What A Wonderful World” for his 1993 album Facing Forward. But the song was originally recorded in a spur-of-the-moment demo session in 1988.
This version was used in the films Finding Forrester, Meet Joe Black, and 50 First Dates. As well as on the television show ER (Emergency Room) Charmed, Scrubs, Cold Case, Glee, Life On Mars,….
On the 6th of January 2021 Youtube announced, that ‘IZ’ has posthumously entered YouTube 1 billion views club with this unforgettable cover version. According to YouTube has this song averaged more than 500,000 views a day over the last 12 months.
Version from Israel Kamakawiwo’ole is also one from the top 20 most popular songs played at funerals.
The great Israel Kamakawiwo’ole died in 1997 at age 38. He weighed 340 kilograms.
Eric Clapton – The best concert version
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945). He is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, widely regarded as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. And fourth in Gibson’s “Top 50 Guitarists of All Time”. He was also named number five in Time magazine’s list of “The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players” in 2009.
Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concert is a live album by Eric Clapton, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London on 13 January 1973. The concerts, two on the same evening, were organised by Pete Townshend of the Who and marked a comeback by Clapton after two years of inactivity.
Frank Sinatra – The best classic version
Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998). He was an American singer, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide.
Sinatra recorded this song on May 1, 1945 with the Ken Lane Singers for Columbia. Arranged by Axel Stordahl
This song was featured in Frank Sinatra’s second studio album, Songs by Sinatra. It begins in D flat major and ends in D major for the last verse.
Connie Talbot – The best talent show version
Connie Victoria Elizabeth Talbot (born 20 November 2000) is an English singer. In 2007, she was the runner-up of the first series of Britain’s Got Talent, at age six.
She signed with Rainbow Recording Company and released her debut album Over the Rainbow on 26 November 2007. This album has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide and reached number one in three countries.
Robin Schulz feat. Alle Farben & IZ – The best remix
Robin Alexander Schulz (born 28 April 1987) is a German musician, DJ and record producer. On 4 February 2014, he released the first single from his debut album, a remix of “Waves” by Dutch hip hop artist Mr. Probz. This remix later received a nomination for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
Robin Schulz has turned his favorite song “Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World” into a remix. He was supported by his DJ colleague Alle Farben.
Why they choose this song? Robin Schulz loves the soulful vibe of the song. They kept the lyrics and vocals by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole for the remix. This is what makes the classic. The two artists went to Palm Spring for the music video.
Did you heard techno version from Marusha?
Marusha Aphrodite Gleiß (born 18 November 1966), known by her stage name Marusha. She is a German-Greek electronic music disc jockey, producer and television presenter who had hits in the mid-1990s.
In 1991 Marusha began producing his own pieces of music. Her big breakthrough came in 1994 with the title Somewhere over the Rainbow. The single sold over 500,000 times, reached number 3 in the Media Control Charts and paved the way for further commercially successful techno pieces. The follow-up singles It Takes Me Away, Raveland and Marusha’s debut album Raveland also hit the German charts.
Train Passengers Sing Over the Rainbow!
The Winter Monday morning blues instantly dissolved in Perth, Australia. The entire carriage of passengers spontaneously joined The Liberators in singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow on their way to work.
Peter Sharp, the founder of the social movement enters the 7:51 am express train to Perth. And he starts off by contributing a beautifully uplifting message. The intent behind this was to allow people to feel recognised for the work they do. And also to demonstrate how simple it can be to uplift each other when we come together through positive shared experience.
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=401
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_Rainbow#Other_charting_or_significant_versions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Garland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Clapton
https://sinatra.fandom.com/wiki/Over_The_Rainbow
Lyrics source: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/Judy-Garland-Over-rainbow-lyrics.html