Somewhere Over The Rainbow: A Wedding Song?

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg, is a popular choice for weddings. The original version was sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, whose version is often chosen for weddings. Couples have used the song for their first dance, bridal party entrance, and father-daughter dance. While some may consider it overdone, others believe it is a great choice for a wedding song due to its beautiful lyrics and melody, and its themes of hope, happiness, and escape.

Popularity as a wedding song

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow", a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg, is a popular choice for weddings. The original version of the song was sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz", for which it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Garland's performance of the song solidified its place in popular culture and made it synonymous with her name.

The song's lyrics portray a longing for a better life and a place where dreams come true, making it a timeless and beloved choice for weddings. The metaphor of the rainbow represents a bridge between the earthly realm and a magical place, symbolizing a journey from darkness to light. The song's uplifting message of hope and resilience has resonated with people worldwide, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years.

One popular version of the song for weddings is the Hawaiian or ukulele version by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, which combines "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. This version has been used in commercials, films, and television programs, and its sweet and dreamy sound makes it a romantic choice for wedding dances or processionals. Other popular versions for weddings include those by Eva Cassidy, Cliff Richard, and Ariana Grande.

While some couples may prefer to choose less popular songs for their weddings, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" remains a classic and sentimental choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference, and many couples feel that the song's emotional connection and uplifting message make it a perfect choice for their special day.

Dance styles

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a popular choice for weddings, whether as a bridal entrance song, a first dance, or a father-daughter dance. The song is considered a classic, having been written in 1938, and continues to be loved by people of all ages.

• Slow 3-count hustle: This is a simple and sweet dance style that can be suitable for the couple's first dance. It can be a slow and romantic interpretation of the song.
• Single time swing: This style can add a bit of fun and playfulness to the dance, especially if the couple wants to keep things light-hearted.
• American rumba: The song's rhythm can work well with this dance style, but some suggest dropping the speed by 8% to make it more danceable.
• Foxtrot: Altering the speed of the song can also open up the possibility of a foxtrot, a smooth and elegant dance style.
• Slow salsa or samba: These dance styles can match the lightness and playfulness of the song, especially if the couple is looking for something a little more upbeat.
• Nightclub 2-step: While the song might be a bit fast for this style, some dancers have mentioned that it is still doable and can be a good option.
• Quickstep or Quick Rhythm: These dance styles can be an option if the song is treated as having a measure of 21 or 42 beats per minute, respectively.

The dance style chosen will ultimately depend on the couple's preference and comfort level. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a versatile song that can accommodate various dance styles, allowing the couple to express their emotions and create a memorable moment on their special day.

Lyrics and meaning

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a popular choice for weddings, with many couples opting to use it as their bridal entrance song, first dance, or recessional. The song's lyrics and meaning can be interpreted in various ways, making it a versatile choice for weddings.

The original version of the song was written by Yip Harbug (Isidore Hochberg) and composed by Harold Arlen. It was first published in 1939 and gained popularity through its appearance in "The Wizard of Oz," with Judy Garland as Dorothy. The song has won several awards, including an Oscar in 1940 for "Best Music, Original Song."

The lyrics of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" speak of hope and yearning for a better place, often interpreted as a reference to a dream-like world or an escape from troubles. The song's message is one of optimism, suggesting that despite the challenges we face, there is a land where our dreams can come true. This interpretation is particularly poignant when applied to the Jewish people during the Holocaust, as they endured immense hardships and found solace in the song's message of hope. The reference to "chimney tops" in the lyrics takes on a haunting significance when associated with the chimneys of Auschwitz.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is commonly chosen for weddings. His rendition combines two songs, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World," creating a unique medley accompanied solely by his ukulele. This version adds a layer of brotherly love and appreciation for the beauty of nature to the original song's themes of hope and escape.

The song's lyrics and meaning can be interpreted in the context of a wedding as a representation of the couple's dreams and aspirations for their future together. It speaks of a world where troubles melt away, and happiness and love prevail. The reference to bluebirds and the colours of the rainbow add a touch of whimsy and fantasy, creating a romantic atmosphere.

While some people associate the song with death, others view it as a celebration of life, love, and the power of dreams. Ultimately, the interpretation of the song's meaning is subjective, and it can be tailored to fit the sentiment of a wedding celebration.

Versions and covers

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow", also known as "Over the Rainbow", is a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg. It was written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, in which it was sung by actress Judy Garland. The song has since been covered by many other artists.

The first German-language version of the song was recorded by the Swing Orchestra Heinz Wehner in 1940. The first German version in German was sung by Inge Brandenburg in 1960.

In 1965, Australian band Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs released the song as a single after the release of their EP I Told The Brook in 1964. Their version reached Number 2 on the Australian charts.

In 1980, Jerry Lee Lewis included "Over the Rainbow" on his album Killer Country. This version went to number 10 on the Pop Country charts.

In 1993, Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwoʻole included "Over the Rainbow" in a ukulele medley with "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong on his album Facing Future. This version has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including Meet Joe Black, 50 First Dates, and Charmed. It has also charted across Europe and in the US, receiving gold and platinum certifications.

In 2001, British singer Cliff Richard recorded a cover of the "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"/"What a Wonderful World" medley for his album Wanted. The single from this album peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.

In 2003, Brazilian singer Luiza Possi released a Portuguese version of the song, "Além do arco-íris (Over the Rainbow)", for the soundtrack of the Brazilian soap opera Chocolate com Pimenta.

In 2007, the song was featured on the season one finale of Glee, sung by the cast.

In 2017, American singer Ariana Grande released a version of the song at her benefit concert One Love Manchester after 22 people were killed in the Manchester Arena bombing at her concert the previous year.

Use in media

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow", also known as "Over the Rainbow", is a ballad by Harold Arlen and lyricist E.Y. Harburg, written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The song has been used in several films and TV shows over the years, including You've Got Mail, 50 First Dates, and the series Glee.

The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, whose version has been used in commercials, films, and television programs. Kamakawiwo'ole's version was also featured on the season one finale of Glee and included on the soundtrack album. Other notable covers include those by Eva Cassidy, Cliff Richard, Danielle Hope, and Ariana Grande.

The song's lyrics convey a longing for a better life and a place where dreams come true, making it a popular choice for weddings. Some couples have chosen to dance to this song at their wedding, with suggestions for dance styles including a slow 3-count hustle, American rumba, and foxtrot. Others have used it as their bridal entrance song or as background music while the bridal party walks in. While some people may consider it overdone or too sad for a wedding, others feel that it is a great choice if it holds a special meaning for the couple.

In addition to weddings, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has been used in other media such as television shows and films. It was featured in the ER episode where Dr Mark Green passed away, and it was sent as an audio wake-up call to astronauts aboard the STS-88 space shuttle mission. The song has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and ranked number one on the Songs of the Century list by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

Frequently asked questions