The song of the day for Friday, February 20, 2026, is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

“Over The Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland. While one of Arlen’s best-known songs, it was almost cut from the film as the producers thought bit slowed down the film. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original 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.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over The Rainbow” on August 15, 1960, for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available on Apple Music.

We have two special videos today.

First is Yip Harburg in a clip from a 1979 television show about songwriting.

You can the full segment of Harburg’s appearance on that program here.

And, to wrap up this look at “Over the Rainbow,” here’s Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz.