Over The Rainbow is a song that was written by E.Y. Harburg and composed by Harold Arlen.
It was created for the 1939 film "The Wizard Of Oz" and performed by the actress Judy Garland, who played the role of Dorothy Gale. A classic of the past century, the song is also Garland's signature song.
It received an Academy Award and also it was named the "Song Of The Century" by the Recording Industry Association Of America and also by the National Endowment For The Arts. In 2014, the song received the Towering Song Award from the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
The original track was recorded on October 7, 1938, and released the following year. However, the soundtrack album for "The Wizard Of Oz" was only released in 1956.
In 1993, Somewhere Over The Rainbow was covered by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, as part of his album, "Facing Future". The ukulele medley was released as a CD single in the same year.
The song consisted of a medley of the 1939 Over The Rainbow and also for Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World. The free Somewhere Over The Rainbow piano sheet music is simply music for the soul.
On January 31, 2004, the song reached number 12 on Billboard's Hot Digital Tracks. It was then released in the United Kingdom under the title Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
In September 2008, it reached number 47 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2010, it re-entered the charts in Germany and in only two weeks, it received a gold certification. It was the most successful song in 2010 for Germany, both regarding the position on the charts and the sales. It is also the second best-selling single of all time in the same country.
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole recorded the song between 1988 and 1993 and he released on November 1st, 1993. Director Martin Brest became interested in using his cover for the movie "Meet Joe Black". It has since featured in movies like "Finding Forrester", "Happy, Happy", "50 First Dates", "IMAX: Hubble 3D", "Fred Claus" and also in television series: "ER", "Glee", "Life On Mars", "Charmed", "Cold Case", "Scrubs" and many others.
In 2006, BBC Radio 1 made the announcement that the medley Somewhere Over The Rainbow/ What A Wonderful World will also be released in the United States. Cliff Richard covered Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of the song for his album, Wanted, as did Aselin Debison in 2001 for the album Sweet Is The Melody.
The song also appeared on eToys.com commercials.
One of the most enduring songs of all time and a classic, Somewhere Over The Rainbow is always present.
You can learn how to play this legendary hit by using the free Somewhere Over The Rainbow piano sheets that we provide you on our website.
