THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

68-Judy Garland-Over the Rainbow.

1939-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 0.31. Among the many honours bestowed on this song, the American Film Institute have named it, the best movie song ever.

‘Over the Rainbow’ was composed by Harold Arlen, (1905-1986) (see also best songs 934-634 and 281) who wrote the music, and Yip Harburg, (1896-1981) (see also best songs 259) who was responsible the lyrics, the pair had been commissioned to write songs for the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Other enduring songs that they wrote for the movie include,’Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead,’ ‘If I Only Had a Brain,’ and ‘We’re Off to See the Wizard.’ Although it had nothing to do with the films story, it is said that Yip Harburg took his inspiration for ‘Over the Rainbow’s’ lyrics from what was going on politically at that time. Harburg was expressing hope for America under President Franklin Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ programme, which was designed to get America out of ‘The Great Depression,’ which had been ongoing since the early 1930’s (see also best songs 259.)

‘The Wizard of Oz’ is a 1939 American musical fantasy film, that had been adapted from the 1900 children’s fantasy novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ which was written by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919.) The film starred the 16 year old Judy Garland, whose role in the film as ‘Dorothy Gale’ shot her to international stardom as an actress, it is the role she is best remembered for. Garland performs ‘Over the Rainbow’ early on the film, and the song is now recognised as her signature song.

Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10th, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, United States, she died on June 22nd, 1969, after accidentally overdosing on barbiturates at the age of 47. At the inquest the Coroner stated that the overdose had been unintentional and no evidence suggested that she had committed suicide.Like many child stars Garland had found the pressures of fame too much at times, and throughout her adulthood she was plagued by alcohol and substance abuse, as well as financial instability, often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes. Judy Garland had three children, two of which followed her in to acting, Lorna Luft, and Liza Minnelli (see also best songs 427 and 182.) As well as appearing in 34 feature films Judy Garland also has had seven studio Albums, six live Albums, and 14 soundtrack Albums issued between 1940-2012. She has also released 67 singles between 1936-1967, of which 17 have charted in the top 40 in America, while in the UK, her only charting single remains ‘The Man That Got Away’ (1955, Number 18.)

In ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ Judy Garland sings ‘Over the Rainbow’ as Dorothy Gale, at around five minutes in to the film. She sings the song after failing to get ‘Aunt Em,’ ‘Uncle Henry,’ and the farm hands to listen to her story of an unpleasant incident involving her dog, ‘Toto,’ and the town spinster. Garland recorded the film version of the song on October 7th, 1938, and the studio version in September 1939. The film version was not released for the public to purchase until the films soundtrack was first made available in 1956.

‘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.’