Over the Rainbow
Over the Rainbow ( Beyond the rainbow, music Harold Arlen, EY Harburg text ), sometimes also called Somewhere over the Rainbow, is one of the most famous songs of the late 1930s.
Analysis of the song
Harold Arlen wrote Over the Rainbow with an introduction and a 32 -bar chorus in AABA. The coda (final part ) is derived, interestingly, from the B- part.
Each A section starts with "Somewhere over the rainbow ... " ( " Somewhere beyond the rainbow " ) and then goes on to describe a fairytale situation, such as a country, as in the lullaby, where the Bluebird fly, the sky are always blue, or the dreams come true. In the " Bridge" (B section ) is described that the singer ( in the film was Judy Garland) one day something could want and it will be true when you wake up.
Melodic the song is based on the major scale (no scale foreign tones) and starts with the simplest of all intervals of the octave ( sung on the word " Somewhere" ). The melody has similarities to the theme of the 3rd movement of Grieg's Piano Concerto. In his tonality, the piece is clearly marked major; few minor chords support the musical tension.
Effect story
The title was originally written The Wizard of Oz in 1939 for the film adaptation of the novel and there sung by the young Judy Garland. Just a few days after the film ( 15 or August 17, 1939 ) were four versions of the song on the market, all of which came in the top ten within a month:
- Glenn Miller and His Orchestra (vocals: Ray Eberle, # 1)
- Larry Clinton and His Orchestra ( singer Bea Wain, # 10)
- Bob Crosby and His Orchestra ( singer Teddy Grace, # 2 )
- Judy Garland ( with Victor Young and His Orchestra, # 5).
Since the text was drafted in neutral terms, it could be interpreted unchanged by both men and women.
In 1940 he was awarded the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song (Oscar). The song tops the list of Songs of the Century, the Recording Industry Association of America and the 100 Years, 100 Songs of the American Film Institute.
Along with Irving Berlin's White Christmas, the song was adapted by the U.S. troops in World War II as a symbol of longing for home. Later, the title served as the anthem of the gay movement and a source of inspiration for the rainbow flag.
Jazz Standard
The song was also taken up by jazz musicians and soon became one of the jazz standards. Art Tatum, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong recorded the song. A German version ( If you in my dreams ) sang Inge Brandenburg. The alto saxophonist Art Pepper played the song live and often took it upon repeated, including an unaccompanied solo improvisation on the harmonies of the song. Other well-known performers were Eric Clapton, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Keith Jarrett and Les Paul. 1976 interpreted him Sunny Murray, Byard Lancaster and David Murray ( Wildflowers - The New York Loft Jazz Sessions ).
Other Artists
As a pop and jazz standard Over the Rainbow was interpreted by a variety of artists of different styles. One of the most commercially successful recordings include:
In the album Face Value by Phil Collins, the first lines of the song can be heard on the lead-out track of the second side.
The list of cover versions for this song has over 100 entries.
Release Notes of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Its simple version ( in C major ) is accompanied only with a ukulele in double time feeling and is characterized by its voice with very restrained volume. He does not sing the octave jump ( to " somewhere" ), but only a Prim ( twice the same upper C). In the B part of it also differs from the original melody, which would then require a Terzenfolge.
Blending in Israel limited to basic chords, but he has made some enhancements: An Introduction, which he begins with the Cadence C -Am -F. And at the end of each A part he is not on C major ( the tonic ), but to Am- F ( no fifth). Thus, the verses are not really finished for the listener, which produces its own power.