George Boyle
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, also known as Over the Rainbow, is a popular choice for weddings. The ballad, composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg, was originally sung by Judy Garland in her role as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The song has since been covered by various artists, including Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, whose version is a popular choice for weddings. While some people associate the song with death, others interpret it as a song about dreaming of a better place or a childlike fantasy. The song's popularity at weddings has sparked debates about whether it is overused or not.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity as a wedding song | Very popular |
| Use cases | Bridal entrance song, first dance song, father-daughter dance song, mother-son dance song |
| Versions | Hawaiian version, Glee version, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole version, Ariana Grande version, German remix version, Danielle Hope version, German-Greek EDM version, etc. |
| Lyrics | Dreaming of a better place, death |
| Dance style | Slow 3-count hustle, American rumba, foxtrot, nightclub 2-step |
| Original singer | Judy Garland |
| Original composer | Harold Arlen |
| Original lyricist | Yip Harburg |
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What You'll Learn
Popularity of Somewhere Over the Rainbow at weddings
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a popular choice for weddings, with many brides opting to walk down the aisle to this song. The original version of the song, performed by Judy Garland in the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz", has become a cultural touchstone. However, the version by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, also known as the Hawaiian version, is the one that is most commonly associated with weddings. This version reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot Digital Tracks chart in 2004 and was certified Platinum in the US for one million downloads sold.
The song's popularity as a wedding choice is likely due to its dreamy, ethereal quality and its universal message of hope and escape. In the context of the film, the song is about Dorothy's desire to find a better place, free from trouble. This theme of escapism and fantasy has resonated with people of all ages and backgrounds, making it a versatile choice for weddings.
While some brides have expressed concern about the song being overplayed at weddings, others have argued that its popularity should not deter couples from choosing it if it holds a special meaning for them. After all, wedding songs are often chosen for their emotional connection to the couple, and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has an undeniable emotional impact.
The song has also been used for father-daughter dances at weddings, adding to its versatility and popularity as a wedding staple. Its slow, dreamy tempo makes it ideal for a romantic first dance or a sentimental father-daughter moment.
In addition to its use in traditional wedding moments, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has also been used for bridal party entrances, providing a unique and unexpected twist to the celebration. The song's uplifting message and familiar melody can set a positive tone for the wedding festivities.
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The song's meaning
"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 in her starring role as Dorothy Gale. In the film, Dorothy sings the song after failing to get her family and the farmhands to listen to her story of an unpleasant incident involving her dog, Toto, and the town spinster, Miss Gulch. Prompted by her aunt's suggestion to "find yourself a place where you won't get into any trouble", Dorothy walks off by herself, musing to Toto about "someplace where there isn't any trouble", and wondering if there could be such a place.
The song's universal appeal can be attributed to its expression of a childhood desire to escape, with its mix of hope and anxiety allowing people to interpret it in their own way. In the context of The Wizard of Oz, it can be seen as a classic "I want" song, expressing the desires that will motivate the protagonist's actions.
The song has taken on a life of its own beyond the film, with various artists covering it over the years. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version, which combines "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with "What a Wonderful World", is particularly popular for weddings, often used as a bridal entrance song or for the father-daughter dance. Other popular covers include those by Katharine McPhee, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ariana Grande.
While some interpret the song as being about death, others see it as a reference to dreaming of a better or perfect place, a childlike fantasy of a world that is free, peaceful, and happy. Ultimately, the song's meaning can be left to individual interpretation, allowing people to project their own desires and concerns onto it.
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The song's history
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a ballad by composer Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg. It was written for the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, in which it was sung by actress Judy Garland in her starring role as Dorothy Gale. In the film, Garland's character sings the song after failing to get her family and the farmhands to listen to her story of an unpleasant incident involving her dog, Toto, and the town spinster, Miss Gulch. Garland's aunt tells her to "find yourself a place where you won't get into any trouble", prompting her to walk off by herself, musing to Toto, "Someplace where there isn't any trouble. Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat, or a train. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain", at which point she begins singing.
The song has been interpreted as a "classic 'I want' song", expressing the desires that will motivate the protagonist's actions. It has also been described as a mix of hope and anxiety, allowing listeners to project their own concerns onto the song. The song's universal appeal has been attributed to its ability to tap into a childhood desire to escape and find a better place.
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Israeli singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, whose version reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot Digital Tracks chart in 2004 and was certified Platinum in the US. Other notable covers include a Portuguese version by Brazilian singer Luiza Possi in 2003, a Yolngu language version by Zaachariaha Fielding for Baz Luhrmann's 2008 film "Australia", and a version by American singer Ariana Grande in 2017 to raise money at her benefit concert "One Love Manchester" after the Manchester Arena bombing.
The song has indeed been used in weddings, with some couples choosing it as their bridal entrance song or first dance song. While some people may feel that the song is overdone for weddings, others believe that it is a lovely choice and that its popularity should not deter couples from choosing it if they have an emotional connection to it.
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Different versions of the song
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a popular song with a rich history and has been covered by several artists. The original version was performed by Judy Garland for the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" and became her signature song. It was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg and selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2022. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, who created a cheerful mashup of "Over the Rainbow" and Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World". Kamakawiwo'ole's version, featuring his ukulele playing, has appeared in several movies and TV shows and is often chosen for weddings.
In 2010, Danielle Hope, the winner of the BBC talent show "Over the Rainbow," released a cover version as a digital download and a single, with proceeds going to charity. Other notable covers include Katharine McPhee's version, which reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006, and The Demensions' orchestral, dreamy doo-wop version, which peaked at number 16 on the same chart in 1960.
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has been used in various contexts, including as a bridal entrance song and for first dances at weddings. While some people associate the song with death, others interpret it as a song about dreaming of a better place or a childlike fantasy. The song's appearance in the television show "ER" further contributed to its popularity, particularly the Hawaiian version performed by Kamakawiwo'ole.
The song has also been featured in various television shows and movies, such as "Glee," where Schuester (Matthew Morrison) and Puck (Mark Salling) covered Kamakawiwo'ole's version. In 2021, German musicians Robin Schulz and Alle Farben released a remix mashup of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World," which charted in Germany, France, and Belgium.
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Dance suggestions for the song
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a popular choice for weddings, with some couples choosing to dance to it, walk down the aisle to it, or play it as the bridal party walks in.
- A slow 3-count hustle, something simple.
- Single time swing.
- American rumba, perhaps with the speed dropped by 8% using Soundforge.
- Nightclub 2-step, though the song is on the faster side for this.
- Foxtrot, if the speed is dropped.
- AT (not specified what this stands for).
Some people suggest altering the speed of the song to better suit certain dances, however, others disagree, arguing that the song has an emotional connection to the couple as it is and that altering the speed would not work well for this particular song.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' is a popular choice for weddings. It has been used as a song for the bridal party's entrance, the couple's first dance, and the father-daughter dance.
The lyrics to 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' were written by Yip Harburg. They were written to reflect the desires that would motivate the protagonist's actions.
The music for 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' was composed by Harold Arlen.
'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' is about dreaming of a better place. It is also said to be about death, but this is up for interpretation.
Yes, there are many notable covers of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'. Some include:
- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
- Danielle Hope
- Ariana Grande
- Judy Garland
