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I started this going forward as a rant about how Frank Sinatra sang “Over the Rainbow” THE WAY A MAN SHOULD SING IT. Then, I remembered how many other versions of this song there are.
So to compare each version would be impossible. Well, not literally impossible but, it would have taken more time than I was willing to invest. Actually each version that has been recorded is beautiful, creative and unique in it’s own way. I do have to say though that nothing will compare with Judy Garlands “Rainbow
Do you know the facts? If not here are a few. In 1938 Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg penned this timeless song. It was included in the film “The Wizard of Oz” starring the legendary Judy Garland.
Did you know that the song was cut from the original final version of “Wizard”? Rumour had it that Louis B. Mayer thought the song slowed down the picture and that the star singing it in a barnyard wasn’t a good idea. As you may have figured…the song was picked up off the cutting room floor and spliced back into the second original final version. The main reason was that the music for the film was already written and the “Rainbow” score was already ever present throughout the film. So Mayer was soon convinced that cutting the song would confuse the rest of the film and the score would either have to be rewritten…or the song put back in. I’m glad he chose to be cheap.
There was an additional verse that, when Dorothy was locked in a room in the witch’s castle, she would sing as the witches hourglass ran out. The only part that remains of that scene in the final film is Dorothy crying and saying “I’m frightened, Auntie Em, I’m frightened!” Followed by Auntie Em appearing in the witch’s crystal and the Wicked Witch of the West laughing directly at the audience. That verse isn’t anywhere to be found in the movie.
Garland first pre-recorded the song at MGM on October 7, 1938 and was released in 1939 as a single. This, Decca single, was not the same version as the one in the movie. It was included as the staple version on the cast album until 1956 when the actual soundtrack version was included in the recording for sale to the public.
I know I started writing bout Frank and got side tracked. So I’ve also included the Judy Garland Version of the Same song. Not the original, but a rare version of the song from an appearance on “The Mike Douglas Show.” This aired shortly before she passed away. She never changed the arrangement she always sang it the same way. When asked she’d always say that she was staying true to Dorothy.
Now that I listen to her…and Frank…side by side I hear that he didn’t change it either. Both of them wanted the same dream. Her and just a piano on Mike Douglas. Him with a full band at Capital Records.
Same dream? Or maybe they just had the same sheet music….
Frank Sinatra – Over The Rainbow
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Judy Garland – Over The Rainbow
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Video clip from “The Wizard of Oz” Judy Garland singing “Over The Rainbow”
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