" Over The Rainbow"- Greatest 20th Century Song: This Harold Arlen, E.Y.Harburg masterpiece was voted the best song of the 20th century and also the best film song written over the same time period. Of course, much of its popularity stems from the iconic film " The Wizard of Oz" which holds such treasured memories for millions of people of all ages. The heart rending performance by young Judy Garland is also clearly fixed in our collective memories. The song will always be linked with her performance although there have been many other performances over the years with new ones emerging every year.
I have been developing a major online survey project to determine what musical related elements make people enthusiastically say " I Really Love That Song ! "
With an online focus group, the song was provided along with a survey form. Participants were asked to rate the relative importance of a number of musical elements as reasons for their love of this song. Generally, there were several factors that people cited for their enthusiasm. Follow up telephone sessions also provided additional insights into listeners' song related methods for judging songs that they admire.
A full analysis and report on the survey will be publicly available in the near future.
Now to the singing. I was aware that there are strong individual memories that the film holds for the listener and using the song from the film itself could overshadow the music related aspects I am trying to identify. Participants did admit that they had very vivid feelings about the song and . that they would try to minimize They were asked focus on what was originally created and represented in the sheet music-the music and the lyrics that Arlen and Harburg delivered.
I selected a version by the celebrated Broadway performer Audra McDonald because she clearly has a strong personal identification with the song and has a voice that can deal with the vocal challenges of the song. She is accompanied by only a solo guitar to highlight the essence of the song. I also have included a version by Ella Fitzgerald whose ever youthful voice and natural singing style is equally impressive in conveying the longing in the heart of a young girl in dust- swept, Depression era Kansas.
McDonald Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9_vZJK7LIc
Fitzgeral Link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-7VprPX8kg
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