"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a famous ballad composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg, originally written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz , where it was sung by Judy Garland playing Dorothy Gale
. In the film, Dorothy sings the song as a hopeful expression of longing for a place free from trouble, describing it as "far, far away, behind the moon, beyond the rain"
. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Judy Garland's signature piece, recognized for its cultural and historical significance, including induction into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress
. A notable version of the song was recorded by Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, who combined "Over the Rainbow" with Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" into a medley. This version, recorded in a spontaneous session in 1988 and released on his 1993 album Facing Future , became widely popular and is considered the best-selling Hawaiian album of all time. Kamakawiwoʻole's rendition also received recognition for its cultural impact and was preserved in the National Recording Registry
. The lyrics of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" evoke a dreamy, optimistic vision of a better place where dreams come true, troubles vanish, and bluebirds fly freely
. The song remains a timeless classic covered by many artists and continues to inspire listeners worldwide.
