Over the Rainbow

{{Short description|1939 song by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg}} {{About|the 1939 song|other uses}} {{Use American English|date=November 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox song | name = Over the Rainbow | cover = Judy Garland Over the Rainbow 2.jpg | caption = Judy Garland singing "Over the Rainbow" in ''The Wizard of Oz'' | alt = | type = song | artist = Judy Garland | album = The Wizard of Oz {{nobold|{{noitalic|(1956)}}}} | published = 1939 by Leo Feist, Inc. | released = | recorded = | studio = MGM soundstages<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.songhall.org/awards/winner/over_the_rainbow|title=Over the Rainbow | Songwriters Hall of Fame|website=Songhall.org|access-date=May 19, 2026}}</ref> | genre = | length = | label = | composer = Harold Arlen | lyricist = E.Y. Harburg | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | title = | next_title = | next_year = }} {{Judy Garland sidebar}} {{Listen |filename = Over The Rainbow.ogg |title = "Over the Rainbow" from ''The Wizard of Oz'' |description = A sample of the original film version of "Over the Rainbow" from ''The Wizard of Oz'', sung by Judy Garland}}

"'''Over the Rainbow'''", also known as "'''Somewhere Over the Rainbow'''", is a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> It was written for the 1939 film ''The Wizard of Oz'', in which it was sung by actress Judy Garland<ref name="Gioia">{{cite book |last1=Gioia |first1=Ted |title=The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire |date=2012 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York City |isbn=978-0-19-993739-4 |pages=328–330}}</ref> in her starring role as Dorothy Gale.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 134}}</ref>

About five minutes into the film, Dorothy sings the song after failing to get Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and the farmhands to listen to her story of an unpleasant incident involving her dog, Toto, and the town spinster, Miss Gulch (Margaret Hamilton). Aunt Em tells her to "find [her]self a place where [she] won't get into any trouble". This prompts 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.

"Over the Rainbow" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Garland's signature song. It has been included in several all-time lists, and has been covered by several artists in varying languages. In 2017, it was selected for induction into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

==Writing and composition== Composer Harold Arlen and lyricist Yip Harburg often worked in tandem, Harburg generally suggesting an idea or title for Arlen to set to music, before Harburg contributed the lyrics.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shapiro |first1=Gary |title='Over the Rainbow': The Story Behind the Song of the Century |url=https://news.columbia.edu/news/over-rainbow-story-behind-song-century |website=Columbia News |access-date=October 30, 2019}}</ref> For their work together on ''The Wizard of Oz'', Harburg claimed his inspiration was "a ballad for a little girl who... was in trouble and... wanted to get away from... Kansas. A dry, arid, colorless place. She had never seen anything colorful in her life except the rainbow". Arlen decided the idea needed "a melody with a long broad line".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Frisch |first1=Walter |title=Arlen and Harburg's Over the Rainbow |date=2017 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=20}}</ref>

By the time all the other songs for the film had been written, Arlen was feeling the pressure of not having the song for the Kansas scene. He often carried blank pieces of music manuscript in his pockets to jot down short melodic ideas. Arlen described how the inspiration for the melody to "Over the Rainbow" came to him suddenly while his wife Anya drove:

"I said to Mrs. Arlen... 'let's go to Grauman's Chinese ... You drive the car, I don't feel too well right now.' I wasn't thinking of work. I wasn't consciously thinking of work, I just wanted to relax. And as we drove by Schwab's Drug Store on Sunset I said, 'Pull over, please.' ... And we stopped and I really don't know why—bless the muses—and I took out my little bit of manuscript and put down what you know now as 'Over the Rainbow.'"<ref>{{cite book |last1=Alonso |first1=Harriet Hyman |title=Yip Harburg: Legendary Lyricist and Human Rights Activist |date=2012 |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |page=106}}</ref>

The song was originally sung in A-flat major.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garland |first1=Judy |title=Over the Rainbow |url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0076720 |website=MusicNotes |date=August 31, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> Arlen later wrote the contrasting bridge section based on the idea of "a child's piano exercise".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Frisch |first1=Walter |title=Arlen and Harburg's Over the Rainbow |date=2017 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=22}}</ref>

==Recordings by Judy Garland== On October 7, 1938, Judy Garland recorded the song for the film on the MGM soundstage with an arrangement by Murray Cutter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/OverTheRainbow.pdf|title=“Over the Rainbow”—Judy Garland (1939) [Added to the National Registry: 2016]|author=Walter Rimler|website=Library of Congress, National Recorrding Preservation Board}}</ref> A renowned Stradivarius violin was used in the accompaniment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2022 |title=Violin used for Wizard of Oz's Over the Rainbow expected to reach $20m at auction |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jun/03/violin-used-to-play-over-the-rainbow-in-wizard-of-oz-expected-to-sell-for-more-than-20m |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

{{Infobox song | name = Over the Rainbow | cover = | caption = | alt = | type = single | artist = Judy Garland | album = The Wizard of Oz {{nobold|{{noitalic|(1939)}}}} | B-side = "The Jitterbug" | released = 1939 | recorded = July 28–29, 1939<ref name="Adapting The Wizard of Oz - Google Books" /> | studio = | genre = | length = | label = Decca | composer = | lyricist = | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | title = | next_title = | next_year = }} In late July 1939, Garland recorded the song for the record label Decca,<ref name="Adapting The Wizard of Oz - Google Books">{{cite book | last1=Birkett | first1=D. | last2=McHugh | first2=D. | title=Adapting The Wizard of Oz: Musical Versions from Baum to MGM and Beyond | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2019 | isbn=978-0-19-066317-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cFByDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22The+Wizard+of+Oz%22+%22Victor+Young%22+Decca&pg=PA226 | access-date=2025-02-27 | page=226}}</ref> which she was under contract to.<ref name="r311">{{cite book | title=Billboard | date=27 October 1956 | publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. | issn=0006-2510 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eQoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=The+Wizard+of+Oz+Decca+album&pg=PA23 | language=en | access-date=2025-03-01 | page=23}}</ref> This song and "The Jitterbug"{{ref label|A|A}} from the same recording sessions are the only songs from ''The Wizard of Oz'' that Judy Garland recorded commercially.<ref name="Harold Arlen - Google Books">{{cite book|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Harold_Arlen/XsgCHeS69q8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Garland+Decca+album+%22Wizard+of+Oz%22&pg=PA137&printsec=frontcover|title=Wizard of Oz|author=Arlen, Harold|page=137}}</ref> And it was this recording, not the one from the film soundtrack, that was released on the 78-rpm gramophone record that was part of the Decca four-record album titled ''The Wizard of Oz''.<ref name="Adapting The Wizard of Oz - Google Books"/> Although this is not the version that appeared in the film, the "studio cast album" was commercially successful, and Decca continued to release it into the 1960s, also reissuing on 33{{fraction|1|3}} rpm.

The film version of "Over the Rainbow" was unavailable for purchase on record until ''The Wizard of Oz'' soundtrack album was released by MGM in 1956 to coincide with the television premiere of the movie.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejudyroom.com/discography/soundtracks/ozlp.html |title=''The Wizard of Oz'' Soundtracks (MGM label) |website=The Judy Room |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927025302/http://www.thejudyroom.com/discography/soundtracks/ozlp.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> The soundtrack album has been re-released several times over the years, including a deluxe edition issued on Rhino Records in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thejudyroom.com/discography/soundtracks/ozcddeluxe.html |title=''The Wizard of Oz'' (Rhino Movie Music label) |website=The Judy Room |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126183613/http://thejudyroom.com/discography/soundtracks/ozcddeluxe.html |archive-date=January 26, 2012}}</ref>

After the film ''The Wizard of Oz'' appeared in 1939, "Over the Rainbow" became Garland's signature song. She performed it for thirty years and sang it in the same way as she did for the film. She said she wanted to remain true to the character of Dorothy and to the message of being somewhere over the rainbow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejudyroom.com/discography/decca/oz78.html |title=''The Wizard of Oz'' (Decca label) |website=The Judy Room |author=Garland, Judy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235532/http://www.thejudyroom.com/discography/decca/oz78.html |archive-date=September 26, 2007}}</ref>

In 1981, Judy Garland's original 1939 Decca gramophone record of "Over the Rainbow" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grammy Hall of Fame {{!}} Hall of Fame Artists |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#o |website=Grammy.com |access-date=2025-03-01}}</ref>

==Other lyrics== An introductory verse ("When all the world is a hopeless jumble...") that was omitted from the film is sometimes used in theatrical productions of ''The Wizard of Oz'' and is included in the piano sheet music from the film. It was used in versions by Cliff Edwards, Tony Bennett, Al Bowlly, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Mandy Patinkin, Trisha Yearwood, Melissa Manchester, Hilary Kole, Jewel, Eva Cassidy, and Norma Waterson. Judy Garland sang the introductory verse at least once, on a 1948 radio broadcast of ''The Louella Parsons Show''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Scott Brogan |url=http://www.thejudyroom.com/radiosongs.html |title=Judy Garland MP3's |publisher=Thejudyroom.com |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> Lyrics for a second verse ("Once by a word only lightly spoken...") appeared in the British edition of the sheet music.<ref>{{cite book|title=Over the Rainbow|publisher= Francis, Day, & Hunter, Ltd.|location= London}}</ref>

== Resemblance to other compositions == Italian newspaper ''Il Messaggero'' has noted a resemblance, both harmonic and melodic, between ''Over the Rainbow'' and the theme of the intermezzo (known as Ratcliff's Dream) of Pietro Mascagni's 1895 opera ''Guglielmo Ratcliff''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/spettacoli/musica/mascagni_strada_oz-3271836.html|title = C'era Mascagni sulla strada di Oz|date = September 30, 2017}}</ref>

==Awards and honors== In March 2017, Judy Garland's 1939 Decca single was entered in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as music that is "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref name="Library of Congress">{{cite web | url=https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-17-029/ | title=National Recording Registry Picks Are 'Over the Rainbow' | publisher=Library of Congress | date=March 29, 2016 | access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref> The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) ranked it number one on their Songs of the Century list. The American Film Institute named it best movie song on the AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list.

"Over the Rainbow" was given the Towering Song Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was sung at its dinner on June 12, 2014, by Jackie Evancho.<ref>{{cite news|author=Shriver, Jerry |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/06/13/songwriters-hall-of-fame-gala/10371161/?AID=10709313&PID=3747368&SID=1tcs3a70yrqog |title=Songwriters gala links old and new with a 'Rainbow' |work=USA Today|date= June 13, 2014}}</ref> In April 2005, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring Yip Harburg that includes a lyric.<ref name="May">{{cite web |last1=May |first1=Patrick |title='Over the Rainbow': 10 things to know about classic American song |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/07/somewhere-over-the-rainbow-a-classic-now-linked-to-a-tragedy/ |website=The Mercury News |access-date=October 15, 2018 |date=June 8, 2017}}</ref>

It was sent as an audio wakeup call to astronauts aboard the STS-88 space shuttle mission on Flight Day 4, dedicated to astronaut Robert D. Cabana by his daughter Sara.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-88/html/ndexpage.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010516135812/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/audio/shuttle/sts-88/html/ndexpage.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=May 16, 2001|title=NASA Human Spaceflight Database – STS-88 Wakeup Calls}}</ref>

== Legacy == People have speculated that Gilbert Baker's creation of the rainbow flag was inspired by the song (Garland being among the first gay icons),<ref>{{cite book |author = The National Museum & Archive of Lesbian and Gay History |author2 = Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center |year = 1996 |title = The Gay Almanac |location = New York |publisher = Berkeley Books |isbn = 978-0-425-15300-0 |oclc = 636576927 |page = [https://archive.org/details/gayalmanac00lesb/page/94 94] |url = https://archive.org/details/gayalmanac00lesb/page/94 }}</ref><ref name="Higgs1999">{{cite book |last = Higgs |first = David |title = Queer Sites: Gay Urban Histories Since 1600 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=BeKncyQyBEwC&pg=PA173 |access-date = November 19, 2012 |year = 1999 |publisher = Psychology Press |isbn = 978-0-415-15897-8 |pages = 173– |via = Google Books }}</ref> but when asked, Baker said that it was "more about the Rolling Stones and their song 'She's a Rainbow.{{'"}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fitzharris |first=Dustin |date=June 27, 2008 |title=True Colors Shining Through: The rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBT Pride, celebrates three decades |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=qth&AN=33516989&site=eds-live&scope=site |journal=New York Blade |volume=12 |issue=26 |pages=9 |quote="I come from the '60s, so [the flag's] more about the Rolling Stones and their song 'She's a Rainbow,'" Baker said. "That era was a time when people were asserting themselves as artists in the true sense. But, I get the Garland thing, and being from Kansas, I double get it." |via=EBSCO}}</ref>

According to his family, Gene Wilder died while listening to "Over the Rainbow" sung by Ella Fitzgerald, one of his favorite songs.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 29, 2016 |title=Family: Wilder passed to 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/08/29/gene-wilder-death-statement/89556566/ |access-date=October 15, 2016 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hautman |first=Nicholas |date=August 30, 2016 |title=Gene Wilder Died Holding Hands With His Family While Listening to 'Over the Rainbow' |publisher=US Weekly |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/gene-wilder-died-with-family-listening-to-over-the-rainbow-w437076 |access-date=October 15, 2016}}</ref>

The composition was originally copyrighted in 1938, and it had its copyright renewed in 1965.{{Efn|Under [https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/copyright/hprcatcard/19/55/19/70/AR/KA/NS/AS/_S/-A/RL/EP/_T/19551970ARKANSAS_S-ARLEP_T/CC19551970ARKANSAS_S-ARLEP_T.1276.jpg R366052]}}

==German versions== The first German version in the English language was recorded by the Swing Orchestra Heinz Wehner (1908–1945) in March 1940 in Berlin. Wehner, at this time a well-known international German swing artist,<ref>Dick McBougall, ''Down Beat'' 12/1937</ref> also took over the vocals.<ref>''Over the Rainbow'', Swing-Orchester Heinz Wehner, engl. Refraingesang Heinz Wehner, Telefunken A 10101, Matrizennummer 24836, recorded March 23, 1940</ref> The first German version in German language was sung by Inge Brandenburg (1929–1999) in 1960.<ref>''Wenn Du in meinen Träumen (Over the Rainbow)'', Inge Brandenburg mit dem NDR-Tanzorchester, recorded November 2, 1960</ref>

==Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version== {{Main|Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World}} {{Infobox song | name = Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World | cover = | type = song | artist = Israel Kamakawiwoʻole | album = Facing Future | released = November 1, 1993 | recorded = 1988 | studio = Audio Resources Hawai'i, Honolulu | genre = | length = 5:07 | label = Mountain Apple Company | writer = E.Y. Harburg, Bob Thiele, George David Weiss | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Audio sample | type = single | file = | description = Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World }} }}

===Recording session=== On the album ''Facing Future'' (1993), Israel Kamakawiwoʻole included "Over the Rainbow" in a ukulele medley with "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. At 3{{nbsp}}a.m one morning in 1988, Kamakawiwo'ole called a recording studio to request a session. Its owner and engineer, Milan Bertosa, agreed to record him if he could get there in 15 minutes.<ref name="npr israel">{{cite web|title=Israel Kamakawiwoʻole: The Voice Of Hawaii|url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii|work=50 Great Voices|publisher=NPR|access-date=December 16, 2015|date=December 6, 2010|quote=Then I put up some microphones, do a quick sound check, roll tape, and the first thing he does is 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' He played and sang, one take, and it was over.}}</ref>

Bertosa said, "And in walks the largest human being I had seen in my life. Israel was probably like 500 pounds. And the first thing at hand is to find something for him to sit on." A security guard gave Israel a large steel chair. "Then I put up some microphones, do a quick sound check, roll tape, and the first thing he does is 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' He played and sang, one take, and it was over."<ref name="npr israel" />

Bertosa hung onto that tape and when Kamakawiwoʻole was recording ''Facing Future'' five years later he suggested that the song be included on that album, which went on to become the best-selling Hawaiian album of all time.<ref name="npr israel" />

=== Chart activity and sales === Kamakawiwoʻole's version reached number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Digital Tracks chart during the week of January 31, 2004 (for the survey week ending January 18, 2004).<ref>''Billboard'', page 65 (February 7, 2004).</ref> In the U.S., it was certified Platinum for million downloads sold.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – November 22, 2012|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=12&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&after=on&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=2010&endYear=2011&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50|access-date=November 22, 2012|publisher=RIAA}}</ref> As of October 2014 it had sold over 4.2 million digital copies.<ref name="Gary Trust">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/ask-billboard-the-weird-connections-between-mary-lambert-madonna/ |title=Ask Billboard: The Weird Connections Between Mary Lambert & Madonna |last=Trust |first=Gary |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=October 21, 2014 |access-date=April 3, 2023}}</ref>

In the UK his version was released as a single under the title "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". It entered the UK Official Singles Chart in April 2007 at number 68. In Germany, the single also returned to the German Singles Chart in September 2010. After two weeks on that chart, it received gold status for selling 150,000 copies.<ref name="Germany">{{cite certification|region=Germany|title=Over the Rainbow}}</ref> In October 2010, it reached number one on the German charts. In 2011 was certified 5× gold for selling over 750,000 copies.<ref name="Germany" /> It stayed at the top spot for twelve non-consecutive weeks and was the most successful single in Germany in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Musik-Jahrescharts: "Sanfter Riese" und der Graf setzen sich durch – media control|url=http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/musik-jahrescharts-sanfter-riese-und-der-graf-setzen-sich-durch.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107110045/http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/musik-jahrescharts-sanfter-riese-und-der-graf-setzen-sich-durch.html|archive-date=January 7, 2011|access-date=November 22, 2012|publisher=Media-control.de}}</ref> In March 2010 it was the second best-selling download in Germany with digital sales between 500,000 and 600,000.<ref>{{cite web|title="Poker Face" knackt 500.000er-Download-Marke – media control|url=http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/poker-face-knackt-500000er-download-marke.html|access-date=November 22, 2012|publisher=Media-control.de|archive-date=November 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129073337/http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/poker-face-knackt-500000er-download-marke.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=March 30, 2012|title=600.000 Verkäufe: Michel Teló legt Download-Rekord hin – media control|url=http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/600000-verkaeufe-michel-telo-legt-download-rekord-hin.html|access-date=November 22, 2012|publisher=Media-control.de|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928052116/http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/600000-verkaeufe-michel-telo-legt-download-rekord-hin.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In France, it debuted at number four in December 2010 and reached number one.<ref>{{cite web|title=musicline.de|url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Kamakawiwo%2527Ole%2CIsrael+%2522Iz%2522/Over+The+Rainbow+%282-Track%29/single|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921181436/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Kamakawiwo%27Ole,Israel+%22Iz%22/Over+The+Rainbow+(2-Track)/single|archive-date=September 21, 2012|access-date=December 7, 2010}}</ref> In Switzerland, it received Platinum status for 30,000 copies sold.<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung|title=Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community|url=http://hitparade.ch/awards.asp?year=2011|access-date=November 22, 2012|publisher=Hitparade.ch}}</ref>

Kamakawiwoʻole's version of "Over the Rainbow" has been used in commercials, films and television programs, including ''50 First Dates'', ''Charmed'', ''Cold Case'', ''ER'', ''Finding Forrester'', ''Horizon'', ''Life on Mars'', ''Meet Joe Black'', ''Scrubs'', ''Snakes on a Plane'', ''Son of the Mask'', and the television series ''South Pacific''. The Kamakawiwoʻole version was sung by the cast of ''Glee'' on the season one finale "Journey" and included on ''Glee: The Music, Journey to Regionals,'' charting at number 30 in the UK, 31 in Canada and Ireland, 42 in Australia, and 43 in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|last=Flandez|first=Raymund|date=June 9, 2010|title='Glee' Season One Finale, 'Journey:' TV Recap|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/06/09/glee-season-one-finale-journey-tv-recap/|access-date=December 2, 2010|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=Les Hinton}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/glee-is-1-again-94934639.html|title=Glee is number 1 Again|date=May 26, 2010|agency=PR Newswire|access-date=December 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=June 26, 2010|title=Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive: 26th June 2010|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20100620/7501/|access-date=December 2, 2010|publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=June 26, 2010|title=Canadian Hot 100: Week of June 26, 2010 (Biggest Jump)|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-06-26/canadian-hot-100?order=gainer|access-date=December 2, 2010|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Irish Music Charts Archive: Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 17 June 2010|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p/musicvideo/music/archive/index_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2010&year=2010&week=24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313125813/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2010&year=2010&week=24|archive-date=March 13, 2017|access-date=December 2, 2010|publisher=Chart Track. GfK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2010 |title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing July 12, 2010 |url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1064.pdf |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100810140100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20100811-0001/Issue1064.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 10, 2010 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |issue=1064 |access-date=December 2, 2010 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=June 26, 2010|title=Hot 100: Week of June 26, 2010 (Biggest Jump)|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-06-26/hot-100?order=gainer|access-date=December 2, 2010|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

===Certifications=== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|artist=Israel|title=Over the Rainbow|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|certyear=2011|access-date=April 3, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Israel|title=Over the Rainbow|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1993|certyear=2011|access-date=April 3, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Israel|title=Over the Rainbow|award=Gold|id=7167|relyear=1990|certyear=2019|access-date=April 3, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=single|artist=Israel|title=Over the Rainbow|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1993|certyear=2011|access-date=April 3, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Israel Kamakawiwo'ole|title=Over the Rainbow|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2021|id=9036-2510-1|access-date=April 3, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Israel|title=Over the Rainbow|award=Platinum|relyear=2001|certyear=2010|salesamount=4,200,000|salesref=<ref name="Gary Trust"/>}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==Eva Cassidy version== {{Infobox song | name = Over the Rainbow | cover = Eva_Cassidy_Over_the_Rainbow_single.jpg | type = single | artist = Eva Cassidy | album = The Other Side {{noitalic|and}} Songbird | B-side = "Dark End of the Street"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Eva+Cassidy&titel=Over+The+Rainbow&cat=s|title=Australian-charts.com – Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow|publisher=ARIA Top 50 Singles|access-date=October 11, 2020}}</ref> | released = {{start date|2001|1|29}} | length = 4:58 | label = Blix Street | composer = Harold Arlen | lyricist = E.Y. Harburg | producer = Chris Biondo | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = People Get Ready | next_year = 2002 }}

Eva Cassidy recorded a studio version of the song for ''The Other Side'' (1992). After her death in 1996, it was included on the posthumous compilation ''Songbird'' (1998). In December 2000, a clip of Cassidy performing the song at Blues Alley was featured on the BBC2 program ''Top of the Pops 2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://evacassidy.org/over-the-rainbow/|title=Over the Rainbow|website=evacassidy.org|access-date=August 4, 2023}}</ref> Following the premiere, it became the program's most-requested video in history, and demand for the album soared after the clip was re-aired in January 2001.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2001/BB-2001-03-10.pdf|title=Blix's Eva Cassidy Gone but Far from Forgotten|last=Sexton|first=Paul|magazine=Billboard|volume=113|issue=10|page=8|date=March 10, 2001|access-date=October 11, 2020}}</ref> The song was subsequently released as a single the same month, on January 29.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2001/Music-Week-2001-01-27.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting January 29, 2001: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=39|date=January 27, 2001|access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref> In the United States, the song was serviced to adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio on June 4, 2001.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1404|pages=76, 86|date=June 1, 2001}}</ref>

"Over the Rainbow" debuted at number 88 on the UK Singles Chart in February 2001 and climbed to number 42 in May, becoming Cassidy's first single to chart in the United Kingdom. In Scotland, it reached number 36, giving Cassidy her first top-40 single in that region. It was her highest-charting song in the United Kingdom until 2007, when "What a Wonderful World" reached number one.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/5140/eva-cassidy/|title=Eva Cassidy|date=February 17, 2001 |publisher=The Official Charts Company|access-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref> The song also reached number 27 in Ireland in December, becoming her only top-40 hit in that country.

Cassidy's recording was selected by the BBC for its ''Songs of the Century'' album in 1999. Her performance at Blues Alley appeared on the album ''Simply Eva'' (2011).

===Charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Chart (2001) !Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|Ireland2|27|song=Over the Rainbow|access-date=December 2, 2018}} |- {{single chart|Scotland|36|date=20010519|artist=Eva Cassidy|song=Over the Rainbow|access-date=March 21, 2018}} |- {{single chart|UK|42|date=20010519|artist=Eva Cassidy|song=Over the Rainbow|access-date=November 17, 2018}} |- {{single chart|UKindie|10|date=20010519|artist=Eva Cassidy|song=Over the Rainbow|access-date=November 17, 2018}} |}

===Certifications=== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Eva Cassidy|title=Over the Rainbow|award=Gold|relyear=2000|certyear=2023|id=4964-1034-1|access-date=May 12, 2023}} {{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

==Cliff Richard version== {{Infobox song | name = Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World | cover = Cliff OverRainbow.JPG | type = single | artist = Cliff Richard | album = Wanted | B-side = | released = {{start date|2001|12|3}} | length = 4:47 | label = Papillon | writer = H. Arlen, E.Y. Hamburg, George David Weiss, G. Douglas | producer = Alan Tarney | prev_title = The Millennium Prayer | prev_year = 1999 | next_title = Let Me Be the One | next_year = 2002 | misc = {{External music video|type=single|{{YouTube|nEClnCqVVX0|"Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World"}}}} }}

On December 3, 2001, the British singer Cliff Richard recorded a cover of the mashup "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" on his album ''Wanted''. At the time of release the official website for the album explained that it consisted of "hits Cliff's always 'Wanted' to record."<ref>{{AllMusic|album|mw0000463133|Cliff Richard ''Wanted'' album}}</ref> The album is primarily made up of cover songs, including songs by artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Carole King and Tina Turner. The inspiration for the album came when Richard was sent a copy of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's recording of "Over the Rainbow" combined with "What a Wonderful World" weeks into the year 2000 and he knew immediately he wanted to record it.<ref>From preface in Wanted CD booklet</ref>

The mashup reggae-themed track with a lot of similarities to the Israel Kamakawiwo'ole arrangement was released as the debut single from the album ''Wanted'' and charted on the UK Singles Chart peaking at number 11 and stayed for six weeks on the UK chart.<ref name="UKOfficialChartCliffRichard"/> Richard premiered it on the ''Open House with Gloria Hunniford'' on November 6, 2001. On the date of release of the single on December 3, 2001, he was invited to the ITV program ''This Morning'' to perform it live. He also performed it at the Premier Christmas Spectacular at Methodist Westminster Central Hall in London on December 14, 2001.

===Charts=== {|class="wikitable" |- !Chart (2001) !Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|UK|11|date=20011209|artist=Cliff Richard|song=Somewhere Over The Rainbow - What A Wonderful World |access-date=December 24, 2023|refname="UKOfficialChartCliffRichard"}} |} {{clear}}

==Danielle Hope version== {{Infobox song | name = Over the Rainbow | cover = Danielle Hope Over the Rainbow.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Danielle Hope | album = | released = May 23, 2010 (UK) | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = Pop | length = 2:58 | label = Polydor | composer = Harold Arlen | lyricist = E.Y. Harburg | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }}

Danielle Hope, the winner of the BBC talent show ''Over the Rainbow'', released a cover version of the song as a digital download on May 23, 2010, and a single on May 31, 2010.<ref name="Hope single">{{cite news |title=Winning Dorothy to release 'Rainbow' |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s90/over-the-rainbow/news/a221196/winning-dorothy-to-release-rainbow.html |access-date=May 21, 2010 }}</ref> As it was recorded before a winner was announced, runners-up Lauren Samuels and Sophie Evans also recorded versions.<ref name="Hope single"/>

The single was a charity record that raised money for the BBC Performing Arts Fund and Prostate UK.<ref>{{cite news |title=Danielle Hope ('Over the Rainbow') |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s90/over-the-rainbow/interviews/a221557/danielle-hope-over-the-rainbow.html |access-date=May 27, 2010 }}</ref>

===Track listings=== '''UK digital download''' #"Over the Rainbow" – 2:58

'''CD single''' #"Over the Rainbow" #"The Wizard of Oz medley" – Sophie Evans, Danielle Hope and Lauren Samuels

===Charts=== {|class="wikitable" |- !Chart (2010) !Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|artistid=6289|29|artist=Danielle Hope|song=Over the Rainbow|songid=34958}} |}

==Robin Schulz, Alle Farben and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version== {{Infobox song | name = Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World | cover = | border = | caption = | type = | artist = Robin Schulz, Alle Farben and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole | album = | released = {{start date|2021|09|07}} | recorded = | studio = | genre = | length = {{duration|m=3|s=31}} | label = Sony Music Entertainment, B1/Warner Music | composer = Harold Arlen | lyricist = E.Y. Harburg | producer = }} In July 2021, German musician, DJ and record producer Robin Schulz and the German DJ and producer Alle Farben released a mashup "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" based on Kamakawiwo'ole's version and voice on Sony Music Entertainment, B1/Warner Music. The new remix version has charted in Germany, France and Belgium. A new official video was also released.

===Charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Chart (2021) ! Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|Wallonia|48|song=Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World|artist=Robin Schulz, Alle Farben & Israel Kamakawiwoʻole|access-date=September 1, 2021}} |- {{single chart|France|138|song=Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World|artist=Robin Schulz, Alle Farben & Israel Kamakawiwoʻole|access-date=September 1, 2021}} |- | Germany (GfK Entertainment charts) | {{center|82}} |}

==Other versions==   The 1939 Glenn Miller recording on RCA Bluebird was No. 1 on the ''Your Hit Parade'' chart for six weeks that year.

Bing Crosby sang a radio version of "Over The Rainbow" on his Kraft Music Hall show on January 7, 1943.

The Demensions recorded an ethereal, orchestral, and dreamy doo-wop version, arranged by composer Seymour Barab that reached number 16 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1960<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Demensions, White Doo Wop From The Bronx|url=http://www.bronx.com/news/entertainment/entertainment_music/857.html|journal=The Bronx Times|date=March 24, 2010|author=Milosheff, Peter|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208020402/http://www.bronx.com/news/entertainment/entertainment_music/857.html|archive-date=December 8, 2010}}</ref> and number 17 in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chumtribute.com/60-09-12-chart.jpg| title=CHUM Hit Parade - September 12, 1960}}</ref> In 1978, Gary Tanner's recording of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" reached number 69 on the Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Billboard Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |date=June 17, 1978 |page=100}}</ref> Katharine McPhee's version in 2006 reached number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

In 1965 Australian band Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs released the song as a single following the release of an EP called ''I Told The Brook'' in 1964. The single went to Number 2 on the Australian charts.<ref>Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940 - 1969. Turramurra, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.</ref>

Jerry Lee Lewis included "Over the Rainbow" on his 1980 album ''Killer Country'' on Elektra Records. This version went to number 10 on the Pop Country charts.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/killer-country-elektra--mw0000842297 | title=Jerry Lee Lewis - Killer Country [Elektra] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic | website=AllMusic }}</ref>

The song was also featured in Joanie Bartels' 1987 album ''Lullaby Magic, Vol. 2''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVRKwHQhPyE | title=Somewhere over the Rainbow | website=YouTube | date=September 24, 2015 }}</ref>

German-Greek EDM producer and DJ Marusha released a cover version of the track in 1994, which became a Top 40 hit in central Europe, reaching the Top 10 in Switzerland (No. 2), Germany (No. 3), and the Netherlands (No. 6); it also reached No. 13 in Austria and No. 34 in the Flanders region of Belgium.<ref name="lescharts">Intl. peaks [https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marusha&titel=Over+The+Rainbow&cat=s] (Retrieved October 22, 2024)</ref>

The 1997 film ''Face/Off'' featured a recording of "Over the Rainbow" by Olivia Newton-John.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John - Over The Rainbow |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2qynHr7e6w |website=YouTube | date=September 2012 |access-date=March 5, 2024}}</ref>

In 2003, Brazilian singer Luiza Possi released a Portuguese version of the song under the title "Além do arco-íris (Over the Rainbow)", for the soundtrack of the Brazilian telenovela Chocolate com Pimenta. A cover of the original version was also recorded.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Ray Charles performed "Over The Rainbow" with Johnny Mathis on his 2004 album ''Genius Loves Company''. <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67iVqZse7So |title=Ray Charles feat. Johnny Mathis - Over The Rainbow (Official Audio) |date=2021-08-25 |last=Ray Charles |access-date=2026-05-08 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Zaachariaha Fielding, of Electric Fields fame, was selected by Baz Luhrmann to sing the song in the Yolngu language in his 2008 film ''Australia''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eurovision a Narrow Miss for 2016 Young Achiever Award Finalist Zaachariaha Fielding and Electric Fields |url=https://awardsaustralia.com/news/eurovision-a-narrow-miss-for-2016-young-achiever-award-finalist-zaachariaha-fielding-and-electric-fields/ |website=awardsaustralia.com |date=February 11, 2019 |access-date=May 21, 2024 }}</ref>

Nicholas David, a contestant on the third season of ''The Voice'', recorded a version that went to number 96 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 2012 with sales of 48,000 copies.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Billboard Hot 100 Week of 22 December 2012 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/14319117 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 14, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=September 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

American singer Ariana Grande released a version of the song on June 6, 2017, to raise money at her benefit concert One Love Manchester after 22 people were killed in the Manchester Arena bombing at Grande's concert on May 22, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/ariana-grande-releases-somewhere-rainbow-charity-single-manchester/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/ariana-grande-releases-somewhere-rainbow-charity-single-manchester/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ariana Grande releases Somewhere Over the Rainbow as charity single for Manchester benefit|last=Reporters|first=Telegraph|date=June 7, 2017|work=The Telegraph|access-date=April 11, 2018 |issn=0307-1235 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Her live performance at the benefit concert was televised two days prior, i.e. on June 4, 2017. The song was then added to the setlist of her Dangerous Woman Tour.<ref>Tanzer, Myles. [http://www.thefader.com/2018/05/30/ariana-grande-cover-story "Ariana Grande"], ''The Fader'', May 30, 2018</ref> The version peaked at number 60 on the UK Singles Chart on the week ending June 22, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20170616/7501/|title=UK Charts June 22, 2017|date=April 1, 2017|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref> Grande would later perform the song in 2025 as part of a medley of songs from ''The Wizard of Oz'', ''The Wiz'' and ''Wicked'' to open the 97th Academy Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/oscars-performers-wicked-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-1236319095/ |title=Oscar Performers: 'Wicked' Stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Plus Lisa of Blackpink, Doja Cat and More |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |website=Variety |date=February 24, 2025 |access-date=February 24, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/wicked-oscars-performance-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-1236126963/ |title=Oscars 2025: 'Wicked' Stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Will Perform on Telecast (Exclusive) |last=Verhoeven |first=Beatrice |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 24, 2025 |access-date=February 25, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oscars-performances-2025/ |title=Who performed at the 2025 Oscars? Here's a look at the performances |last=Suarez Sang |first=Lucia |publisher=CBS News |date=March 3, 2025 |access-date=March 3, 2025 |archive-date=March 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302005726/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oscars-performances-2025/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017 to raise money for BBC Children in Need, 1,788 children sang the song in unison from 10 towns across the UK.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/15677061.north-ayrshire-school-pupils-are-on-song-with-children-in-need/ | title=North Ayrshire school pupils are on song with Children in Need | date=November 22, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="CiN Choir Locations">{{Cite web | url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/pupils-to-perform-live-on-children-in-need-from-the-piece-hall-1071078 | title=Pupils to perform live on Children in Need from the Piece Hall | date=2017-11-07 | website=www.halifaxcourier.co.uk}}</ref> The choirs performed simultaneously and throughout the song it would cut between the choirs giving each choir 10–20 seconds. This was all done live as they sang. The choirs sang from: Elstree at Elstree Studios the studio, just outside of London, where the main telethon was held,<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> Manchester at The Science and Industry Museum,<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> Bristol at Aerospace,<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> Glasgow at BBC Pacific Quay,<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> Newcastle at The Discovery Museum,<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> Newbury at Brockhurst and Marlston House School,<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> Belfast at The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum,<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> Halifax at The Piece Hall,<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> Cardiff at The Broadcasting House<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/> and Nottingham at The Albert Hall.<ref name="CiN Choir Locations"/>

== Notes == {{note|A|A}} The song "The Jitterbug" was planned to be in the film ''Wizard of Oz'', but eventually got rejected.<ref name="Harold Arlen - Google Books" />

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.thejudyroom.com/discography.html The Judy Garland Online Discography]

{{The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)}} {{AcademyAwardBestOriginalSong 1934–1940}} {{Navboxes |list = {{Judy Garland songs}} {{Israel Kamakawiwoʻole}} {{Eva Cassidy}} {{Ariana Grande songs}} {{Jerry Lee Lewis}} {{Ben Platt}} {{Cliff Richard singles}} {{Jewel singles}} {{Josh Groban}} {{Cynthia Erivo}} }} {{Authority control}}

Category:1939 songs Category:1939 singles Category:1930s jazz standards Category:Songs about weather Category:Film theme songs Category:Best Original Song Academy Award–winning songs Category:American songs Category:Pop ballads Category:Songs with music by Harold Arlen Category:Songs with lyrics by Yip Harburg Category:Songs from The Wizard of Oz Category:Judy Garland songs Category:Labelle songs Somewhere Over the Rainbow Category:Al Bowlly songs Category:Eva Cassidy songs Category:Ben Platt songs Category:Josh Groban songs Category:Cynthia Erivo songs Category:Me First and the Gimme Gimmes songs Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings Category:Pop standards Category:Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals Category:Decca Records singles Category:Polydor Records singles Category:Republic Records singles Category:Sony Music singles Category:Warner Music Group singles Category:Rainbows in culture Category:LGBTQ-related songs Category:Song recordings arranged by Bill Holman Category:Charity singles