Introduction: What is the Meaning of "Over the Rainbow?"
The original recording of “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland received an Academy Award for best original song. Since Garland, many artists have recorded or performed a version of “Over the Rainbow” including Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, P!nk, and Willie Nelson. Katharine McPhee’s recording was titled “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and became the highest ranked on Billboard's Hot 100 at number 12 (Crowley et al.). In fact, “Over the Rainbow” is “number 10 among most covered songs in history” (Frisch 93). The diversity and celebrity status of the artists who have covered the song is a testament to its enduring popularity.
“Over the Rainbow” is discussed in this project because The Wizard of Oz was my favorite childhood movie. While I always felt like there was something magical about the movie and its most famous track, I did not appreciate the wide acclaim of the song. After learning so much about this iconic ballad, I was intrigued by the idea that rainbows in real life also seem to carry different meanings of hope to people. I decided to investigate further.
A rainbow is scientifically defined as an optical illusion caused by “refraction, reflection and dispersion of light.” For this reason, every person that sees a rainbow will see a unique rainbow. No “two people on Earth ever have, or ever will” see the exact same rainbow (Deeks). Therefore, each individual person will see a rainbow through their special perspective. This observation provides a practical explanation for the song's popularity.
“Over the Rainbow” is so beloved because every person can relate it to their dreams through their own eyes. Every individual has their own aspirations, dreams, and desires. Dorothy had a dream for change living in “the midst of the great Kansas prairies” (Littlefield 50). The enduring popularity of “Over the Rainbow” can only be attributed to the fact that the song has become a metaphor for the individuality of each person’s hopes and dreams. Similar to how each individual will see a different rainbow in real life, every individual will also have their own emotional response to listening to “Over the Rainbow” because every person has their unique view of what they are searching for or looking to achieve in life.
In the next few pages, “Popularity on IZ’s ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World’ ” will express that “Over the Rainbow” took on a very unique meaning for famous Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (IZ). His cover was a tribute to the beauty of the Hawaiian lands and his wish that people preserve this beauty. IZ deliberately intended his cover to be a reminder that the loss of Hawaiian sovereignty jeopardized the natural and pristine beauty of Hawaii.
The meaning of “Over the Rainbow” can vary from person to person or change over time for the same person. This idea is featured in “Judy Garland: An Icon and Her Journey through ‘Over the Rainbow.’ ” “Over the Rainbow” had a particular resonance with the gay community because it could be read from a gay perspective, so much so that Garland herself was considered a “gay icon” for several years (Currid 123). Moreover, Garland’s own performances of “Over the Rainbow” changed from 1939-1960, and the emotion and the feeling of her recordings of the song changed, revealing her personal mental wellness struggles.
On the page “A Playlist through Dorothy Gale’s Eyes,” Frisch discusses that “Over the Rainbow” is an “I want song” expressing the desires that are uniquely motivating to a person. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s search for the world “Over the Rainbow” was ultimately a search for her inner strength and appreciation for the beauty of the world around her (Fleming). The playlist represents Dorothy’s journey, again demonstrating how hopes and dreams evolve over time.
Finally, in “Personal Path of ‘Over the Rainbow’ ” my cover of “Over the Rainbow” set to the beautiful scenery of Cornell’s campus is representative of my view of what I desire to achieve for myself. Attending Cornell is a dream come true in its own right. I am optimistic and excited for all I will learn here. I am excited for the opportunity to demonstrate my personal association and the unique significance that “Over the Rainbow” carries for me. It is a metaphor for where my studies at Cornell may take me, both while at school, and in my professional life.
The enduring popularity of “Over the Rainbow” is undeniably attributable to the listener's ability to ascribe personal significance to the song consistent with the listener's own hopes and dreams. The discussion in the following pages demonstrates that individual artists and audiences assign their own meaning to “Over the Rainbow,” allowing for the universal and everlasting appeal of the song. It is fitting that real life rainbows are scientifically unique to each individual. Just like hopes and dreams are unique to each individual, rainbows metaphorically represent these for each person. “Over the Rainbow” allows all who listen the opportunity to see their own vision of what they wish to achieve in the words and melody of this beautiful song.
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- Table of Contents Leanna Trefcer