Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Music by: Harold Arlen
Written by: E.Y. Harburg
Performed by: Judy Garland

Someday 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 me.

Without question, one of the most popular songs that is world-renowned. It debuted in The Wizard of Oz in 1939 sung by Judy Garland's character, Dorthy. But it was first released by MGM on the movie's soundtrack in 1956. It is still heard to this day on commercials, television shows and in movies. There have been countless remakes of the classic from Ray Charles to Jewel; each putting another unique voice with Harburg's famous lyrics. There have even been instrumental versions, as in Jimi Hendrix's guitar rendition. Or Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's performance using a ukulele medley with Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World. Originals are almost always the best take of a song, especially in the case of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

The entire song wasn't used in The Wizard of Oz; it was shortened. The introduction was cut along with the second verse. But did Judy Garland still find a way to make it her own at the mere age of 16! She played the character of Dorthy so well that her audience was drawn to the screen with open hearts while she sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Where was the land Dorthy once heard of in a lullaby? The answer is what everyone searches for in life. So Dorthy sang because her aunt and uncle wouldn't listen to her troubles with Miss Gulch regarding her dog Toto. The theme of the song is universal. Everyone has felt what Dorthy was feeling. Alone. Sad. Dismissed. No one to pay her mind. Almost hopeless but not entirely. Garland's charater made us feel like we weren't alone and that's comforting. Not only that but she inspired us.

What better time to sing about a far away land over a rainbow where skies are blue and dreams come true than while living in the Great Depression? When The Wizard of Oz was publicized, The Great Depression was nearing an end but society was still dealing with difficult times--the world was dealing with difficult times. People needed something or someone to give them hope for a brighter future and Judy Garland did just that through her performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Today, the song still relates to the dreamers of our youth, to adults who haven't given up hope for what they want and even to the elderly, who flash back to a time when nothing was taken for granted and hope was all they owned. I opened this blog with this song first because it's extremely special. There are only a selection of songs known world-wide that are passed along decade after decade, generation to generation, still accepted and enriched with the meaning and power from the day it was first performed. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is one of them.

Here's to acknowledging the creation and performance of a song that continues to keep us looking up and asking, "If happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh why can't I?"