The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Thursday, February 17, 2022, is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

“Over The Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. 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 by 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 1960 for his songbook tribute to Harold Arlen: Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra for the entire album.

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

We have a very special video today of Yip Harburg singing today’s song.

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Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Thursday, April 8, 2021, is “Over the Rainbow.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is remembering one of America’s great lyricists: Edgar Yipsel “Yip” Harburg on the anniversary of his birth on April 8, 1896. In addition to his work on many memorable songs, including today’s song, he was known for the social commentary of his lyrics, as well as his liberal sensibilities. He championed racial and gender equality and union politics.

About This Song

“Over the Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1939 for The 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:

(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 1960 for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. Unlike many recordings of “Over the Rainbow,” Bennett sings the verse, which is quite beautiful.

Over The Rainbow

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett Sings A String Of Harold Arlen · Song · 1960

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

We can’t close out this post without two other wonderful versions of today’s song from Judy Garland and Yip Harburg.

Here’s Judy from The Wizard of Oz:

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - The Wizard of Oz (1/8) Movie CLIP (1939) HD

The Wizard of Oz movie clips: http://j.mp/1L5gtKP BUY THE MOVIE: http://bit.ly/2cmiEyC Don"t miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6pr Watch more Family and Animation videos to get all the best content that"s fun for all ages. Best Animated Movie Clips http://bit.ly/2a9DaSm Best Family Movie Clips http://bit.ly/2a18bZK CLIP DESCRIPTION: Dorothy (Judy Garland) fantasizes about a land far away from home and sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

And here is Yip singing today’s song. I love this video. I hope you will too.

Yip Harburg - Over The Rainbow

After many requests, I am uploading this short clip which I use in teaching the basics of songwriting. It is a moving version of "Over The Rainbow" by the lyricist himself.

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Song of the Day: Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 17, 2021, is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg wrote “Over The Rainbow” in 1939 for The Wizard of Oz. Probably the most widely known of all Arlen’s songs, “Over The Rainbow” is from The 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.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over The Rainbow” in 1960 for his album Tony Bennett Sings A String of Harold Arlen. It’s no wonder that Bennett chose Arlen for his first tribute album–Arlen’s body of work will never be eclipsed by any other songwriter. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Over The Rainbow

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett Sings A String Of Harold Arlen · Song · 1960

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

I got a couple of extra videos for you today.

The first is very dear to me. It’s Yip Harburg singing “Over The Rainbow” from a television program about American songwriting. It makes me cry–in a good way–every time I watch it.

Yip Harburg - Over The Rainbow

After many requests, I am uploading this short clip which I use in teaching the basics of songwriting. It is a moving version of "Over The Rainbow" by the lyricist himself.

The second is from Judy’s final live performance in Denmark in March 1969. She died on June 22, 1969.

Judy Garland - Over The Rainbow (last performance)

With the new Judy Garland (1922-1969) movie coming out, I am listening to the later Judy Garland more. Here is the last public performance of Over The Rainbow. Judy sang this at a Denmark concert on March 25, 1969, and she died on June 22, 1969.

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Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Monday, July 8, 2019, is “Over the Rainbow.”

About This Song

Written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, “Over The Rainbow” is from the wonderful movie The 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.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over the Rainbow” in 1960 for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. The recording was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

Yesterday, I settled down for a couple of hours and watched The Wizard of Oz on TCM. At my age, I can’t begin to even guess how many times I’ve watched this movie. Yet, I’m still enchanted and find great joy in watching it. And, of course, “Over the Rainbow” never fails to stir my heart.

Over The Rainbow – 2011 Remaster

Over The Rainbow – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Over the Rainbow,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.

Lyricist Yip Harburg appeared on a television program about songwriting and talked about “Over the Rainbow”.

Yip Harburg – Over The Rainbow

After many requests, I am uploading this short clip which I use in teaching the basics of songwriting. It is a moving version of “Over The Rainbow” by the lyricist himself.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Sunday, November 5, 2017 is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

“Over the Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for Judy Garland to sing in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. 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.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Over the Rainbow” in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

No Description


“Over the Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

I’m also pleased to present this lovely and timeless video of Yip Harburg talking about and singing today’s song.

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