Somewhere Over The Rainbow Lyrics - Harold Arlen

Song Facts:

• Genre: Ballad


• Arranged By, Composed By ["Introduction To The Rainbow"]: Herbert Stothart


• Composed by: Harold Arlen


• Lyricist: E.Y. Harburg


• Performed by: Judy Garland


• Notable Themes: Hope, longing, dreams, peace

Artist Info:

Judy Garland was a famous American actress and singer who was born in 1922 as Frances Ethel Gumm. She rose to stardom as Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz," becoming one of the most iconic cultural figures globally. Garland started her career as a vaudevillian child with her sisters before acting in movies. She won hearts worldwide with her powerful voice and emotional performances. In her career, Garland was being bothered by various personal turmoils such as addiction and instability with finances. Despite all these adversities, she continued to perform and marked a successful career, giving concerts and television shows. Garland's legacy will live forever in classic performances and an indelible mark upon the entertainment industry.

Theme and Messages:

This melody voices a global yearning for a better, peaceful world. It expresses the human desire to escape and find their utopia where dreams are realized. The lines express hope, longing, and a wish for an ideal world that might look out of reach. The reiterated question at the end brings home for most people how hard it is to reach dreams within the bonds of reality.
Overall, such a musical opus keeps on inspiring each following generation, heralding optimism and headstrong hope for a better future.

General Comment:

In 2014, the Oscars celebrated the 75th anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz" by having Pink perform Somewhere Over the Rainbow with highlights from the film. Many might not know the deep Jewish roots embedded in the song. Jews have historically written many famous songs, including "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Johnny Marks and "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin. Somewhere Over the Rainbow, with lyrics by Yip Harburg and music by Harold Arlen, is a poignant example.
Harburg, born Isidore Hochberg to Russian Jewish immigrants, and Arlen, born Hyman Arluck, the son of a cantor, drew on their Jewish experiences. The song became a symbol of hope and longing during a time of great turmoil for Jews in Europe. The lyrics take on a different meaning when viewed in this context, reflecting the Jewish experience of seeking a better life beyond oppression.

The performer opens with a dreamlike place beyond the rainbow. Again, another land is mentioned in a lullaby depicting a world entire of peace and happiness all rolled into one. It says a place where one is free from any everyday trouble. There, the lady sings why she can't be free and happy as much as bluebirds. It shows humans' longing for freedom from life's constraints and pursuit of dreams.

Themes and Messages:

Really, the song reflects a universal desire of human beings toward a better, peaceful place. It speaks of a desire to escape and find that utopia where dreams could become reality. The lines indicate a lot of hope, aspiration, and longing for an ideal world within reach. The repeated question at the end is somewhat striking: it depicts the struggles people go through to have their dreams realized under the confinement of reality.