"Over the Rainbow" (often referred to as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow") is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by late actress Judy Garland in her starring role as Dorothy Gale. Over time, it would become Garland's signature song.
About five minutes into the film, Dorothy sings the song after failing to get her aunt and uncle to listen to her relate an unpleasant incident involving her dog, Toto, and Miss Gulch. Dorothy's Aunt Em tells her to "find yourself a place where you won't get into any trouble." This prompts Dorothy to walk off by herself, musing to Toto, "'Some place 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.
Lyrics
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
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.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
Trivia
- The song was briefly featured and heard in the 2000 fantasy comedy movie Little Nicky by Happy Madison Productions with the titular bumbling devil hero's aspiring gay actor friend Todd holding a mirror and correcting his late grandmother about his self-worth within that scene in the movie, and it was featured in its ukulele version at the ending of the 2004 Happy Madison Productions romantic comedy movie 50 First Dates with the beloved Goldfield Syndrome patient now married to Henry Roth and have a daughter named Nicole.
