The song of the day for Monday, April 8, 2024, is “Over The Rainbow.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the great E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, who was born 128 years ago today on April 6, 1896. Yip Harburg was one of America’s most gifted lyricists, known for songs including “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,” “April in Paris,” “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” and, most famously, “Over The Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.

About This Song

“Over The Rainbow” was written in 1939 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Probably the most widely known of all Arlen’s and Harburg’s songs, “Over The Rainbow” is from the The Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed down 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.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over The Rainbow” in July 1995 for Here’s To The Ladies, in tribute to Judy Garland. It was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman.

“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

In 1979, Yip Harburg appeared in a television program about the art of songwriting. Here’s an excerpt from that program.