The song of the day for Saturday, February 20, 2016 is “Over The Rainbow.”
About This Song
“Over The Rainbow” was written in 1939 for The Wizard of Oz by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg and is probably the most widely known of all Arlen’s songs. 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.”
I’d like to dedicate this song to my brother, Tom, and remind him that:
When all the world is a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble, all around
Heaven opens a magic laneWhen 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
About This Version
Today I’m featuring Tony’s recording of this song from his 1960 Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. The beautiful arrangement is by Glenn Osser.
“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.
About Today
I’ve shown this video before, but I love it so much I have to offer it again. Ladies and gentlemen: Yip Harburg.
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