It's not just this song. It was, and always will be, Judy Garland's incredible talent. Early in her career a common comment was "Little girl, big voice!".
First,it’s very important that you know that this the original version and not a cover! This is was and always will be her signature song. She was 15 or 16 when she played the part of Dorthy Gail in 1939. Garland was not one of the greatest female singers of all time but one of the greatest in general and one of the world’s greatest stars!
She was 14. The original. No one, but no one can sing this song like her. It is Judy Garland’s song and this IS the version to aspire to. Her voice was amazingly mature for her age. One of our iconic and perennial singing stars.
There are some odd takes here. "instant classic" when the tune has been around 85 years, seem oblivious to the temporal space like this tune just dropped. Rather presumptuous holding up Izzy's cover as the standard (and I even own the CD) And oh yeah, Israel's name is not Kama-cukie. A shallow and lazy reaction. PS Occurs to me this might be his gig to poke people to get a reaction ... from us.
@@TheJhtlag You said it! "Odd takes," indeed. And most certainly a shallow and lazy reaction. And I agree......this is his "gig" to get a reaction. Ugh.
This song was from the Wizard of Oz the movie, which debuted in 1939. To me, it is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and anyone else's version is a cover. No matter how many times I have seen this movie over the years, this song always brings a tear to my eyes. I think you can't really appreciate it, unless you see the movie. 😊
I bet you started humming Almira Gultch's theme and envisioning her riding on her bicycle the moment the song ended! I missed her short existential conversation with Toto that immediately precedes the song. Even the OST recording includes it as part of the song.
Just Garland herself said "Over the Rainbow" resonates with people because it reminds them of the idea of "home." It's a yearning that we all understand.
@@debbiepochy6751 you're sweet for replying. Have a nice day. (I'm still getting over the shock that that guy had never seen the wizard of oz... What's wrong with his parents?...lol....)
This is the original version as the song was written for this movie. Judy was 16 when she played Dorothy. The character in the book was 10. Judy started her career at 2 yrs old.
Although Judy Garland had been in show business since the age of 2, her first film was the musical-short Every Sunday (1936) at age 13, with Deanna Durbin. The film contrasted her vocal range and swing style with Durbin's operatic soprano and served as an extended screen test for them, as studio executives were questioning the wisdom of having two girl singers on the roster. She made her feature length film debut at age 13 in the 1936 musical comedy Pigskin Parade, playing a plucky kid sister named Sairy who loves to sing. Though she's far from the star of the film, Garland easily steals the show during her three musical numbers.
She was really a professional at a young age. One movie she did later was called The Harvey Girls. And in one of the longest single shot movie musical numbers (The Aitchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe) she was walked through her choreography, shown her cues and marks, one time, and then she successfully completed the shot in a single take.
Her rendition "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas" was first sung by Judy. She was allowed to be the standard in which some songs are compared. She was a beautiful girl/woman who was chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood Machine.
Hers is the only version of that song I like. Everyone says Frank Sinatra was the one who popularized it, but her version is the true original and so much better.
I love this guy's critiques. He seems to love Judy but am a little surprised he doesn't really know who she was!! Even kids today have seen Wizard of Oz not all but most! He's cool nontheless
Wizard of Oz was a yearly watch for my family. It’s a classic movie and you missed out. You should really watch it. Then watch Wocked (both parts) when it comes out in theatres. Wicked tells the story of Alphaba and Glenda early childhood..and thd wizard evolvement.
So glad you are doing one of the all time legends from the past. Her career spanned 40 years. I think everyone has seen the classic movie "The Wizard Of Oz" where she sung "Over The Rainbow". Hard to believe she was only 16 years of age (83 years ago). A lot of the singers today can't hold a candle to her talent.
Mr. Duffy, I’ve mentioned this before. Judy Garland was the greatest performer of the twentieth century. Her work spans decades. She was 4’11” and had this booming voice when she chose to show it off. Here’s one you could view. It’s her performance of SWANEE from the original movie A STAR IS BORN. It’s about 3 minutes long.
You would need to see the beginning of the movie in order to understand why she has this mood when singing the song. She has just gotten in trouble yet again with an unpleasant old woman, Miss Gulch, who is angry at her, this time because her dog, Toto, got in the woman's garden and in fact bit her leg. Miss Gulch threatened to have Toto taken away. She tries to explain her problems to her aunt and uncle (a farm couple who are her guardians) but they are too busy with a pressing problem on the farm to listen to her. Her aunt tells her to go find a place where there isn't any trouble to get into. A despondent Dorothy sings this song in response to the brush off.
Here's something that'll bug you later. At the end after Dorothy 'gets back home', we never see Miss Gulch again. Is the film implying that the latter died in the twister? Because she's never mentioned again after she takes Toto and the dog escapes and gets back to Dorothy.
@@SBaby Well it’s not like there’s a lot of movie left after Dorothy awakens. I’m pretty sure the makers of the film did not feel a compelling need to continue the story along far enough to resolve the question of Miss Gulch’s fate. My own guess would be that she died In the storm, otherwise there’d be no happy ending for Toto. 🙂
The movie is an adaption of events in a book. The book has no Miss Gulch, no Professor Marvell, no farmhands and the ruby slippers are made of silver. The writers of the screenplay just concocted a story line, perhaps because making it a dream was deemed more palatable for its ‘modern audience’. They could have cared less about resolving Miss Gulch’s fate.
If you've never watched the Wizard of Oz, you definitely should! It's an iconic musical movie with about 10 more classic songs, dances, and 1940's special effects. Consider reacting to it on your channel - your viewers will love it!
@@luminiferous1960 They may have been 1930s special effects, but they were WAY ahead of their time. Some of those effects would be very difficult to reproduce today without CGI. For example, the tornado, and especially the flying monkeys. But he’ll have to watch the movie to see.
@@walterrutherford8321 I was just correcting the erroneously stated time period. I was not denigrating the special effects in any way. I agree with you that the special effects were way ahead of their time.
Frances Gumm( Judy Garland), had been singing since she was three, in a vaudeville act with her sisters. He adult voice made it’s appearance when she was around 11. While she was 15 when she did this film, having been the second choice,( Shirley Temple was first choice but her contract was with a different studio and they would not permit her to do this film, Judy, who had already by then appeared in singing roles with Deanna Durban, the biggest child singing star, was chosen as she was under contract with MGM. When the public first heard her singing this song, they immediately recognized that despite only being a teen, she had a fully matured singing voice and she became a star.
Wizard of Oz came out in 1939. It was shown on primetime network TV every year, well into the '70s. It was the kind of movie we would watch every year too. The flying monkeys still scare me.
Gosh, I remember it being a major event whenever it made its yearly appearance on TV as a young kid in the 1970’s. My aunt made certain every one had popcorn, their favorite candy, we were in our PJ’s…allowed to have soda. I vaguely remember it always aired around Easter!? As well as The Ten Commandments.
Yeah I remember it coming on Halloween night which was an incentive to hurry up and get your candy early then get home so you could sort it while you watched the movie. Of course we had a B&W set until 1975 and I never realized that it went from B&W pre tornado to Color after going over the Rainbow until we got the color TV. It was one of the first movies to have color in it.
Another great version is by Eva Cassidy, an incredibly talented singer who died very young. Worth a listen. And, her rendition of Danny Boy is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye!
Eva's version was recorded right after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. My soul leaves my body every time I hear it. I'm crying just thinking about it. BRB gotta go get my fix. . . . . . I'm back. If you haven't heard it, here is the TH-cam link... th-cam.com/video/2rd8VktT8xY/w-d-xo.html
This is the original and was recorded in the late 1930`s making it close to 90 years old. The song and the movie are both classics of their respective genres and, as good as many covers have been over the years, none of them carry the weight of the original version. Judy Garland herself was a legend. The original Wizard Of Oz is a must watch for anyone who has not yet seen it.
Judy was paired with Mickey Rooney for 14 films and they were America's sweethearts. "We've got a barn, let's put on a show" was a common theme. Huge doesn't begin to describe their talents and popularity. I'm with the others. Watch "The Wizard of Oz". You won't regret it.
I perform at open mic nights in Louisville and it's ALL about "We've got a barn (pub), let's put on a show!" In my case, that show is the Muppet Show, more often than not.
Judy Garland had a rough life. She was pushed to perform at a young age by her mother. From a young age she was pressured to lose weight. Garland's mother was the first person to give her pills. Judy wasn't even ten years old. At the age of 14, Louis B. Mayer and the MGM bosses called her “fat little pig with pigtails.” Mayer insisted she eat only chicken soup, black coffee and cigarettes, along with pills to curb her appetite. She made so many wonderful movies. She was a great talent. Her adult life was up & down. By the time she was 30, she was a full-blown alcoholic and drug addict. Sadly Ms. Garland died from a barbiturate overdose. She was only 47.
I recall seeing that Mayer made a big thing about her birthday, I think turning 16? There was publicity of her cutting her cake and kissing Mickey Rooney. What the public didn’t know was that after the press left the cake was taken away as she wasn’t allowed to eat any. When she ate at the studio commissary she wanted a hamburger, but had to have a bowl of soup instead. She was watched constantly because Mayer thought she was fat. So sad.
Judy Garland was perfect!! The Wizard of Oz was perfect!! I was born in 1965 and my parents were born in 1940. They sat me down when I was 5 and I LOVED it, even The Wicked Witch of the West and the Flying Monkeys! My family gathered every year to see it and The Ten Commandments, 1958, also. I think you would love The Carpenter’s -brother and sister singing. Karen Carpenter had an AWESOME, clear, alto voice EVER! 😮
Israel actually sings a medley of two songs: "Over the Rainbow" (from " The Wizard of Oz ") and "What a Wonderful World" (made famous by musician Louis Armstrong) The Wizard of Oz is based on a series of books by author L. Frank Baum. The books are also the inspiration for the Broadway musical "Wicked" which tells the backstory of Glinda, who became the good Witch who helps Dorothy return home in "The Wizard of Oz. " Glinda meets Elphaba at a sorcerer's university. Elphaba turns into the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz. "
I enjoy Michael"s reactions to one of the greatest if not the greatest female singers of the 20th Century. Difficult to believe he never saw Wizard of Oz but some young people today aren't exposed to the great things of the past!
It is truly a shame that the current generation has not been exposed to the real legends of entertainment. Judy Garland was an icon in every aspect of show business - singer, actress, dancer, comedy, drama, motion pictures, radio, television, night clubs, etc. Just her appearances in classic motion pictures like The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Harvey Girls, Easter Parade, Summer Stock, A Star Is Born, Judgment at Nuremberg, A Child Is Waiting alone would have cemented her legendary status. Her daughter, Liza Minnelli, followed in her mother's footsteps to a lesser degree. The Studio System had disappeared by then and "Stars" were few and far between. I would argue that sadly none exist today.
I am amazed by how little younger people know about 20th Century history. There seems to be no curiosity regarding connections through the years of inventions, beliefs, traditions, etc. So much technology at their hands with the answers, but no interest in asking the questions.
The "deep sadness" she sings with is because she was used and abused by her mother and Hollywood! This song makes me so very sad every time I hear it because Judy was such a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice and her life could have been so much different if it wasn't for greed and body shaming! Some things never change! RIP Judy💔💔💔
Judy Garland also had a daughter that was a star in her own right, Liza Minneli. Best examples of her work would be "Life is a Cabaret" and "Money makes the world go round" from the movie "Cabaret".
@@ericzeichert511 new York new York will always be Liza's song.Frank stole it and butchered it IMO but since Liza was so close to Frank she let him slide but they teased each other
Michael, catch up to the rest of the world. She was 16 portraying a 12 year old in this movie in 1939. This song became her signature classic. She was a child star at MGM and one of the few who's popularity grew into adulthood. Through the 40s and 50s She was one of the biggest movie musical stars. Check out her performances. The Trolley Song, Get Happy, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Boy Next Door, And especially The Man That Got Away. And for God's sake watch The Wizard of Oz!
5:18... 'This is an instant classic!"... MD, the song & this performance is EIGHTY-FOUR GODD*MN YEARS OLD! For you to deem it an 'instant classic' betrays your lack of research, lack of historical movie knowledge, & the typical vapidity of your generation in general; THIS is why we old-timers get so cranked about people in your age group!
This 1939 song, from "The Wizard of Oz", became Judy's signature song throughout her incredible career. So much so that almost nobody dared sing it until after her death in June of 1969. btw: This is the actual scene from "Wizard", and the song was written especially for her, in the role of Dorothy.
Somewhere around 13 years ago there was a little girl on Britain's got talent who was six years old. Her name is Connie Talbot. She sang "Over the Rainbow" and while not an adult performance, she was note perfect. I can't watch that clip without crying.
Such a beautiful voice, but such a tragic life. Her voice is so pure & I listened to her sing on the radio when I was a kid. Thanks Michael, this brought back many pleasant memories! 💯❤️😎
She made her stage debut at 2 singing at her father's theatre. An obvious prodigy she was soon performing with her two sisters in an act called The Gumm Sisters (her birth name was Frances Ethel Gumm) and toured the vaudeville circuit overseen by their mother. At one juncture they were mistakenly billed as "The Glum Sisters" and one of the other performers on the bill mentioned their own name wasn't much better and suggested they change it to Garland. The song "Judy" was popular at the time and Frances chose it for her own new first name. Eventually word spread of her gift (her sisters were talented too but not at the same level) leading to better gigs and discovery by an MGM talent scout where she was signed at age 13. Not understanding the dangers of amphetamines and barbiturates, both relatively new to the public at large at that time, they were seen as miracle pills to give you boundless energy and Judy's mother would give them to the girls at an early age to help them deal with the rigors of the road, once she was signed by the studio they continued the practice and by the time they realized how damaging they were to her it was too late. She was trapped in a cycle of addiction. Terribly sad but most people who knew her don't describe her as a sad person. She was very intelligent with a razor sharp wit and of course an immense talent, she was however also incredibly insecure and as the years went on and the drugs affected her prone to paranoia. As others stated this song was written expressly for her to sing in the film and it became the one most identified with her. Where it is placed in the movie she is yearning for a place of no worries or troubles which her plaintive performance captures so well. In 1954 after she had left MGM she made the first musical version of "A Star is Born" (there had been a straight dramatic version in 1937) which provided her with the other song most associated with her "The Man That Got Away".
Judy Garland was 17 when she made that--- she is the only actress that was known for ONE TAKE on everything-- she never had to do a retake of anything she did...
I thought I was only one who can't understand half what is said in songs today. Also today's singers sound alike. Back in the day you knew who was singing just by their voice/sound.
Judy was in many movies... sort of coming of age movies going to college movies with some singing... and true Musicals she sung in. "Meet me in St Louis", "For Me and My Gal", In the Good Ole Summertime" All feel good 40s musicals. So many clips from them movies also with always her own voice.
Rest in peace Judy Garland you were fantastic, beautiful and a treasure to the world. No one better have the idea of ever remaking Wizard of Oz. As the saying goes don't fix what isn't broken.
Funny fact somewhere over the rainbow almost was left on the cutting floor for the wizard of oz, but thankfully they put it back in because in, became the most known song of the whole movie.
Judy was so incredible! You are very correct about her ability to control her vocals. I saw a voice coach analyze Judy singing The Man That Got Away, he was blown away with her ability to maintain her vibrato while descending with pitch perfect precision. He said he had never heard anyone be able to do that!
Her vocal control was like liquid color. Garland was astonishingly talented but most of all a complete professional . The scene called for longing and Judy delivered ☮️
You have to watch the film, The Wizard of Oz. It's a masterpiece. BTW. One of Judy Garlands daughters is Liza Minnelli, the star of the film, Cabaret. ( She is one hell of a singer too).
I am glad that you have discovered JUDY GARLAND after listening to her sing "Ole' Man River" . Of course you noticed the difference in her voice between 1939 and 1964 .Judy's character as Dorothy in "The Wizard was supposed to be 12 0r 13 years old , but she was actually16 years old . I hoe you get a chance to view the whole movie . I know you will be amazed by the whole beautiful film . In between those years she had done it ALL . I have seen Judy in concert many times here in Chicago and she always brought the house down . But I of course discovered JUDY GARLAND in her big MGM musicals long before she took to the concert stage . Have you heard her biggest album "Judy Garland At Carnegie Hall" ? If not I'll send it to you . I love your reaction in listening to music and your knowledgable comments .
Iz did a masterful job with his own spin on the song but Over The Rainbow will always belong to Judy. She debuted the song in 1939's Wizard of Oz and she had a legendary singing career performing at prestigious venues in NYC ,London and all over the world. She would inevitably perform this on stage at every concert . Other great songs by her were performed in films in the 1940s like The Trolley Song and Meet Me In Saint Louis
As the story goes, some of the studio executives thought that they should cut this scene as the movie was running close to 2 hours. They ultimately left it in and the rest is history. One of the major networks would show The Wizard Of Oz every year. I always wondered how it would be like to see this in a theater. I finally got my wish back in 2016 at the Fox theater where I live. Technicolor had just been perfected in 1939 so Fleming jumped on it for OZ. Color actually starts with the scene where Dorothy walks across the living room floor to open the door to OZ. They made it work by painting everything in the room sepia tone. A special dress was also made for Dorothy. If you look carefully you will see the color in her hair just as she opens the front door. Enjoyed your reaction.
Frances Gumm (‘Judy Garland’) was 16 years old when she film’d the Wizard of Oz (the soundtrack recorded late October 1938, the sepia tinted B&W shot by King Vidor March 10/11 1939); the song was written specifically for her by songwriter Harold Arlen in Aug-Sept 1938-it is the definitive version but one she had to sing at ev’ry concert she gave to any live audience …
Great Reaction Michael Duffy! Judy Garland was born in 1922! She was mom to Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft (Grease)! The Wizard of Oz is part of History in that the part where Dorothy is home is Black and White but when she lands in Oz it turns to Color! Which was the first movie to introduce Color! Special Effects are pretty cool for 1939! You really should check it out!🖤🌸🙏🏻
Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland's signature song. Can you believe that MGM almost cut it from the movie??? Other people are correct in saying that MGM and Judy's own MOTHER gave her pills and kept her on a VERY strict diet. Judy was born 6/10/22 as Frances Gumm and performed, starting at age 2, with her sisters Virginia and Mary Jane. They were known as The Gumm Sisters. By age 10 Judy's mother was giving her uppers and downers so that she could keep up the energy needed to perform, and then get some sleep at night. When MGM signed Judy, Louis B. Mayer kept giving her the drugs. There's so much more to Judy's story including alcoholism, sexual abuse by the "little people" during the filming of The Wizard of Oz, and later suicide attempts. You really need to read her biography. Other musicals of Judy Garland's that I absolutely LOVE are Meet Me in St. Louis, Easter Parade, and Summer Stock.
I don't think it's documented that Judy was sexually abused by the little people or anyone else during the filming of *The Wizard of Oz,* and I don't believe she ever made such a claim.
As someone else noted, Dorothy was not abused by the little people on Oz. She one joked on Johnny Carson’s show that they were a little naughty. I do believe that the head of the studio, Louis B. Mayer, may have abused her, but I don’t know that for certain. Glorified extras on a movie set would never have been allowed to abuse a star, in any era. She was too valuable to the studio.
I have heard "over the rainbow" performed beautifully by so many artist, but no one can ever match the haunting mystic that Judy Garland was able to give it. She was not my favorite singer, but no one could sing this song better than she.
It is amazing that someone has never heard of, let alone seen, The Wizard of Oz or indeed heard of Judy Garland. I think you just assume that it’s part of everyone’s cultural knowledge.
This performance of Judy and somewhere over the rainbow makes you stop and emotions start flowing. This feeling of Wonder, goodness and impurity start to fill your heart and brings you to another place. A place I think we all along for. The version you are talking about is very good. Makes you smile and gives a feeling of joy. And I'm not diminishing the version at all but we know where the spark comes from
You absolutely must watch The Wizard of Oz! This is the iconic Judy Garland, one of the most amazing singers and performers of all time and you will understand the sadness that she is projecting because of the situation in the life of Dorothy, the girl that she is portraying. This song is fundamental to the theme of The Wizard of Oz. I almost envy you because you have not experienced the talent of the other actors in this all time classic.
Yes, Judy Garland was actually older than she's made to look in this film, hence she sounds more mature and experienced than you'd expect. I understand the studio originally wanted Shirley Temple for the role, she actually was a child. But the other studio Temple was contracted to wouldn't loan her out, thus Garland got the role.
As adorable that Shirley Temple was --- I don't think this film would have made it into the iconic legendary level that it is, with anybody else but Judy Garland. Not only her singing but her acting.
Judy Garland was 16 then but did look younger. She had a beautiful voice. My mother was born in 1917 and saw this and Gone with the wind in 1939 when they first came to the theatres. Years later around 1964 they released both films again and she took my sister and me to see them on the big screen... unforgettable! Before she passed away in 1984 I took her to see them one last time in a theatre. I am always grateful for the love of old films and the old stars. My beloved wife shared this love of old films with me. She passed away in 2014 and I'm positive the two of them will be waiting for me in an old movie palace when I get there. I miss them both so very much
Yes she was 15 or 16 and they made her look younger, they originally offered to Shirley Temple, but she had a contract with another movie company. Shirley's voice wasn't on the same level as Judy's either. Judy had been performing since she was really young. Her real name was Frances Gump and they changed it to Judy Garland. Look up baby Gump and see her early performances.
Judy was the original choice. MGM big wigs then pulled the rug out from under Judy by trying to replace her with Temple but her studio wouldn't lend her out Three were the same idiots who tried to have Over the Rainbow 🌈 cut from the movie 😢
Every first time reactors to The Wizard of Oz says the same thing those of us who grew up on it say: Delightful. Idiomatic English contains uncountable references to it. Do yourself a favor and watch it. Be delighted.❤❤❤
Judy sang this song as the original performer. She sang it as it was written for her to sing it for the movie. This song also won the Oscar for Best Song for 1939.
She sounded like a professional because she WAS! She sang this for years and this version was muted compaired to other versions she really belted it out. Yet it was just as clear.
I remember as a kid in the late 60's and early 70's, which is quite a few years after the "Wizard of Oz" originally came out, it was a big annual event when the movie was played on TV. PJ's, popcorn and a good spot to lay on the carpet to watch the movie and hide your face from the witch and her evil monkeys. They still play the movie every year but it seems that Gen X may be the last generation to appreciate its true value (I hope not though).
This song was written FOR Judy Garland!!! She was 16 playing 12 year old Dorothy from Kansas. She owns this SONG!!! Everyone else is a "cover", a shadow, a poor imitation of HER!!! You need to get with it-- and quick!!!
Originally, the producers and even director Victor Fleming didn't want this song in the movie. They were afraid that, because it was so slow, it would affect the pacing of the film. But now, no one can imagine "The Wizard of Oz" without "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". My late father was a tough Marine who served in Korea, but he blubbered like a baby whenever this part of the movie played. That generation loved Judy Garland and it's easy to see why.
Yes, this is the original. She’s singing and acting in a movie at the same time. Great movie, BTW. In my opinion one of the top 5 movies ever, maybe top 3.
![Vocal Coach Reacts to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz (1939) [Miki’s Tips]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RjT3DVoRQcY/mqdefault.jpg)
![Vocal Coach Reacts to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz (1939) [Miki’s Tips]](/img/tr.png)
It's not just this song. It was, and always will be, Judy Garland's incredible talent. Early in her career a common comment was "Little girl, big voice!".
Judy was the first to record over the rainbow, check out how she sang it as she got older
First,it’s very important that you know that this the original version and not a cover! This is was and always will be her signature song. She was 15 or 16 when she played the part of Dorthy Gail in 1939. Garland was not one of the greatest female singers of all time but one of the greatest in general and one of the world’s greatest stars!
I think you maybe meant to say garland was not only one of the greatest singers etc etc,?you left out only?
What do you mean she wasn't one of the greatest singers of all time? She is. Are you deaf?
Judy was a tremendous talent... they broke the mold when they made her! She was totally adorable in those old Andy Hardy shows.
She was 14. The original. No one, but no one can sing this song like her. It is Judy Garland’s song and this IS the version to aspire to. Her voice was amazingly mature for her age. One of our iconic and perennial singing stars.
She was 16.
"I can't imagine she could live up to the standard." Ummmm...sir? Judy IS the standard! This always has been and always will be *her* song.
yes, indeed SHE sang the ORIGINAL version lol, he did the cover
You are so right!
There are some odd takes here. "instant classic" when the tune has been around 85 years, seem oblivious to the temporal space like this tune just dropped. Rather presumptuous holding up Izzy's cover as the standard (and I even own the CD) And oh yeah, Israel's name is not Kama-cukie. A shallow and lazy reaction. PS Occurs to me this might be his gig to poke people to get a reaction ... from us.
@@TheJhtlag You said it! "Odd takes," indeed. And most certainly a shallow and lazy reaction. And I agree......this is his "gig" to get a reaction. Ugh.
That’s your subjective opinion.
This song was from the Wizard of Oz the movie, which debuted in 1939. To me, it is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and anyone else's version is a cover. No matter how many times I have seen this movie over the years, this song always brings a tear to my eyes. I think you can't really appreciate it, unless you see the movie. 😊
I choke up a little every time!!
I bet you started humming Almira Gultch's theme and envisioning her riding on her bicycle the moment the song ended!
I missed her short existential conversation with Toto that immediately precedes the song. Even the OST recording includes it as part of the song.
Just Garland herself said "Over the Rainbow" resonates with people because it reminds them of the idea of "home." It's a yearning that we all understand.
@@danm9006 Absolutely!
@@debbiepochy6751 you're sweet for replying. Have a nice day. (I'm still getting over the shock that that guy had never seen the wizard of oz... What's wrong with his parents?...lol....)
This is the original version as the song was written for this movie. Judy was 16 when she played Dorothy. The character in the book was 10. Judy started her career at 2 yrs old.
Although Judy Garland had been in show business since the age of 2, her first film was the musical-short Every Sunday (1936) at age 13, with Deanna Durbin. The film contrasted her vocal range and swing style with Durbin's operatic soprano and served as an extended screen test for them, as studio executives were questioning the wisdom of having two girl singers on the roster.
She made her feature length film debut at age 13 in the 1936 musical comedy Pigskin Parade, playing a plucky kid sister named Sairy who loves to sing. Though she's far from the star of the film, Garland easily steals the show during her three musical numbers.
They called her the little girl with the big voice.
She was really a professional at a young age. One movie she did later was called The Harvey Girls. And in one of the longest single shot movie musical numbers (The Aitchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe) she was walked through her choreography, shown her cues and marks, one time, and then she successfully completed the shot in a single take.
She was playing 12, but was 16. Most people comment on her amazing control for 16. She was a natural.
Her rendition "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas" was first sung by Judy. She was allowed to be the standard in which some songs are compared.
She was a beautiful girl/woman who was chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood Machine.
Hers is the only version of that song I like. Everyone says Frank Sinatra was the one who popularized it, but her version is the true original and so much better.
Judy's version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is The best. Second place in my mind is Karen Carpenter.
@@danm9006 Great comparison. Two the the riches female voices ever.
@@wiseguymaybe thank you. Anytime you hear either of those two legends, you can identify their voices. They both were amazing and left rich legacies.
I adore Judy’s version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
84 years later…still capturing audiences.
Agreed.
You REALLY need to watch The Wizard of Oz. It's a classic, with some wonderful music. It'll be well worth your time.
I love this guy's critiques. He seems to love Judy but am a little surprised he doesn't really know who she was!! Even kids today have seen Wizard of Oz not all but most! He's cool nontheless
It's pretty much the movie that got me to like musicals.
When I was a kid it was on TV every year and we had a living room picnic to watch it.
Wizard of Oz was a yearly watch for my family. It’s a classic movie and you missed out. You should really watch it. Then watch Wocked (both parts) when it comes out in theatres. Wicked tells the story of Alphaba and Glenda early childhood..and thd wizard evolvement.
@@mrapp10143 Wicked was really good. It's a 'What-If' story at its base level, but it's a good one.
I can't believe you've never watched the Wizard of Oz!
Follow the Yellow Brick Road!❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊
I know that blows my mind
I’ve heard of it just never bothered to watch it haha
@@michaelwduffyYou gotta watch it!
So glad you are doing one of the all time legends from the past. Her career spanned 40 years. I think everyone has seen the classic movie "The Wizard Of Oz" where she sung "Over The Rainbow". Hard to believe she was only 16 years of age (83 years ago). A lot of the singers today can't hold a candle to her talent.
Judy Garland's vibrato, the quaver in her voice, was the heart-rending cry of a child-woman longing for someone to truly care for her.
It’s been written that people who went to her concerts, left weeping.
Mr. Duffy, I’ve mentioned this before. Judy Garland was the greatest performer of the twentieth century. Her work spans decades. She was 4’11” and had this booming voice when she chose to show it off. Here’s one you could view. It’s her performance of SWANEE from the original movie A STAR IS BORN. It’s about 3 minutes long.
She was a child actress, and, yes , this is the original version of the song.
Judy was 16 when they shot this scene. The song was written for the movie. So, she was the first to perform it professionally.
Well, she was probably one of the 3 most famous and loved singers/entertainers of the 20th century!!!
Agreed !!
You would need to see the beginning of the movie in order to understand why she has this mood when singing the song. She has just gotten in trouble yet again with an unpleasant old woman, Miss Gulch, who is angry at her, this time because her dog, Toto, got in the woman's garden and in fact bit her leg. Miss Gulch threatened to have Toto taken away. She tries to explain her problems to her aunt and uncle (a farm couple who are her guardians) but they are too busy with a pressing problem on the farm to listen to her. Her aunt tells her to go find a place where there isn't any trouble to get into. A despondent Dorothy sings this song in response to the brush off.
Here's something that'll bug you later. At the end after Dorothy 'gets back home', we never see Miss Gulch again. Is the film implying that the latter died in the twister? Because she's never mentioned again after she takes Toto and the dog escapes and gets back to Dorothy.
@@SBaby Well it’s not like there’s a lot of movie left after Dorothy awakens. I’m pretty sure the makers of the film did not feel a compelling need to continue the story along far enough to resolve the question of Miss Gulch’s fate. My own guess would be that she died In the storm, otherwise there’d be no happy ending for Toto. 🙂
@@dennydowling2169 That's the thing. If she was still around, she wouldn't have given up on trying to get rid of Toto.
The movie is an adaption of events in a book. The book has no Miss Gulch, no Professor Marvell, no farmhands and the ruby slippers are made of silver. The writers of the screenplay just concocted a story line, perhaps because making it a dream was deemed more palatable for its ‘modern audience’. They could have cared less about resolving Miss Gulch’s fate.
If you've never watched the Wizard of Oz, you definitely should! It's an iconic musical movie with about 10 more classic songs, dances, and 1940's special effects. Consider reacting to it on your channel - your viewers will love it!
It was filmed starting in 1938 and released in 1939, so it had 1930's special effects.
@@luminiferous1960 thanks for the correction, my mistake. Even.more impressive.
@@luminiferous1960 They may have been 1930s special effects, but they were WAY ahead of their time. Some of those effects would be very difficult to reproduce today without CGI. For example, the tornado, and especially the flying monkeys. But he’ll have to watch the movie to see.
@@walterrutherford8321 I was just correcting the erroneously stated time period. I was not denigrating the special effects in any way. I agree with you that the special effects were way ahead of their time.
Watch the “Trolley Song from “Meet Me in St. Louis”…Judy Garland did that one when she was a little older…
Frances Gumm( Judy Garland), had been singing since she was three, in a vaudeville act with her sisters. He adult voice made it’s appearance when she was around 11. While she was 15 when she did this film, having been the second choice,( Shirley Temple was first choice but her contract was with a different studio and they would not permit her to do this film, Judy, who had already by then appeared in singing roles with Deanna Durban, the biggest child singing star, was chosen as she was under contract with MGM.
When the public first heard her singing this song, they immediately recognized that despite only being a teen, she had a fully matured singing voice and she became a star.
I love Judy's voice.
She sang it so effortlessly.
And yet, so Powerfully.
Over the rainbow will forever be Judy’s song and l was lucky enough to hear her sing it. Rest in peace Judy you are missed.
Wizard of Oz came out in 1939. It was shown on primetime network TV every year, well into the '70s. It was the kind of movie we would watch every year too. The flying monkeys still scare me.
The monkeys and "Surrender, Dorothy!" 🥺
Gosh, I remember it being a major event whenever it made its yearly appearance on TV as a young kid in the 1970’s. My aunt made certain every one had popcorn, their favorite candy, we were in our PJ’s…allowed to have soda. I vaguely remember it always aired around Easter!? As well as The Ten Commandments.
@@cidweinbergI think it was always on during Halloween where I lived.
Yeah I remember it coming on Halloween night which was an incentive to hurry up and get your candy early then get home so you could sort it while you watched the movie. Of course we had a B&W set until 1975 and I never realized that it went from B&W pre tornado to Color after going over the Rainbow until we got the color TV. It was one of the first movies to have color in it.
They started showing it on TV in the 70s because the copyright ran out. It ran through the 80s, maybe into the 90s.
Another great version is by Eva Cassidy, an incredibly talented singer who died very young. Worth a listen. And, her rendition of Danny Boy is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye!
Her cover of Fields of Gold is one not to miss!
Yes, Eva’s version will send shivers down your spine ! 💕
Eva's version was recorded right after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. My soul leaves my body every time I hear it. I'm crying just thinking about it. BRB gotta go get my fix.
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I'm back. If you haven't heard it, here is the TH-cam link...
th-cam.com/video/2rd8VktT8xY/w-d-xo.html
This is the original and was recorded in the late 1930`s making it close to 90 years old. The song and the movie are both classics of their respective genres and, as good as many covers have been over the years, none of them carry the weight of the original version. Judy Garland herself was a legend. The original Wizard Of Oz is a must watch for anyone who has not yet seen it.
Judy was paired with Mickey Rooney for 14 films and they were America's sweethearts. "We've got a barn, let's put on a show" was a common theme. Huge doesn't begin to describe their talents and popularity. I'm with the others. Watch "The Wizard of Oz". You won't regret it.
I perform at open mic nights in Louisville and it's ALL about "We've got a barn (pub), let's put on a show!" In my case, that show is the Muppet Show, more often than not.
Judy Garland had a rough life. She was pushed to perform at a young age by her mother. From a young age she was pressured to lose weight. Garland's mother was the first person to give her pills. Judy wasn't even ten years old. At the age of 14, Louis B. Mayer and the MGM bosses called her “fat little pig with pigtails.” Mayer insisted she eat only chicken soup, black coffee and cigarettes, along with pills to curb her appetite. She made so many wonderful movies. She was a great talent. Her adult life was up & down. By the time she was 30, she was a full-blown alcoholic and drug addict. Sadly Ms. Garland died from a barbiturate overdose. She was only 47.
Coffee and cigarettes diet is a complete myth that keeps getting repeated
Mayer was also sexually assaulting her
I recall seeing that Mayer made a big thing about her birthday, I think turning 16? There was publicity of her cutting her cake and kissing Mickey Rooney. What the public didn’t know was that after the press left the cake was taken away as she wasn’t allowed to eat any. When she ate at the studio commissary she wanted a hamburger, but had to have a bowl of soup instead. She was watched constantly because Mayer thought she was fat. So sad.
The mood of this song comes from the events of the movie.
Judy Garland was perfect!! The Wizard of Oz was perfect!! I was born in 1965 and my parents were born in 1940. They sat me down when I was 5 and I LOVED it, even The Wicked Witch of the West and the Flying Monkeys! My family gathered every year to see it and The Ten Commandments, 1958, also.
I think you would love The Carpenter’s -brother and sister singing. Karen Carpenter had an AWESOME, clear, alto voice EVER! 😮
Judy Garland was the first! The song was created for this movie.
Israel actually sings a medley of two songs: "Over the Rainbow" (from " The Wizard of Oz ") and "What a Wonderful World" (made famous by musician Louis Armstrong)
The Wizard of Oz is based on a series of books by author L. Frank Baum. The books are also the inspiration for the Broadway musical "Wicked" which tells the backstory of Glinda, who became the good Witch who helps Dorothy return home in "The Wizard of Oz. " Glinda meets Elphaba at a sorcerer's university. Elphaba turns into the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz. "
I enjoy Michael"s reactions to one of the greatest if not the greatest female singers of the 20th Century. Difficult to believe he never saw Wizard of Oz but some young people today aren't exposed to the great things of the past!
She had phenomenal vocal ability!! RIP Judy Garland. ❤
It is truly a shame that the current generation has not been exposed to the real legends of entertainment. Judy Garland was an icon in every aspect of show business - singer, actress, dancer, comedy, drama, motion pictures, radio, television, night clubs, etc. Just her appearances in classic motion pictures like The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Harvey Girls, Easter Parade, Summer Stock, A Star Is Born, Judgment at Nuremberg, A Child Is Waiting alone would have cemented her legendary status. Her daughter, Liza Minnelli, followed in her mother's footsteps to a lesser degree. The Studio System had disappeared by then and "Stars" were few and far between. I would argue that sadly none exist today.
I am amazed by how little younger people know about 20th Century history. There seems to be no curiosity regarding connections through the years of inventions, beliefs, traditions, etc. So much technology at their hands with the answers, but no interest in asking the questions.
The "deep sadness" she sings with is because she was used and abused by her mother and Hollywood! This song makes me so very sad every time I hear it because Judy was such a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice and her life could have been so much different if it wasn't for greed and body shaming! Some things never change! RIP Judy💔💔💔
Judy Garland also had a daughter that was a star in her own right, Liza Minneli. Best examples of her work would be "Life is a Cabaret" and "Money makes the world go round" from the movie "Cabaret".
I love Liza in Arthur! ❤️
Liza also had some fantastic songs written for her by *Cabaret* 's songwriting team, Kander & Ebb, like "Liza with a 'Z'" and "Ring Them Bells."
Don't forget the pre-Sinatra version of New York, New York.
@@ericzeichert511 new York new York will always be Liza's song.Frank stole it and butchered it IMO but since Liza was so close to Frank she let him slide but they teased each other
I sang my kids to sleep every night to this song. That’s their forever memory. ❤
Judy was 16 when she was in Wizard of Oz, which is what I guessed.
Michael, catch up to the rest of the world. She was 16 portraying a 12 year old in this movie in 1939. This song became her signature classic. She was a child star at MGM and one of the few who's popularity grew into adulthood. Through the 40s and 50s She was one of the biggest movie musical stars. Check out her performances. The Trolley Song, Get Happy, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Boy Next Door, And especially The Man That Got Away. And for God's sake watch The Wizard of Oz!
When I was young, I wanted to be like Judy Garland. But, alas, her life had a lot of sadness.
5:18... 'This is an instant classic!"... MD, the song & this performance is EIGHTY-FOUR GODD*MN YEARS OLD! For you to deem it an 'instant classic' betrays your lack of research, lack of historical movie knowledge, & the typical vapidity of your generation in general; THIS is why we old-timers get so cranked about people in your age group!
Michael, your comments about the great and legendary Judy Garland are so spot on.
The emotion portrayed is LONGING. Not sadness. It's what the great Howard Ashman called the I Want song.
This 1939 song, from "The Wizard of Oz", became Judy's signature song throughout her incredible career. So much so that almost nobody dared sing it until after her death in June of 1969. btw: This is the actual scene from "Wizard", and the song was written especially for her, in the role of Dorothy.
Wonderful talent - tragic life
Somewhere around 13 years ago there was a little girl on Britain's got talent who was six years old. Her name is Connie Talbot. She sang "Over the Rainbow" and while not an adult performance, she was note perfect. I can't watch that clip without crying.
Such a beautiful voice, but such a tragic life. Her voice is so pure & I listened to her sing on the radio when I was a kid. Thanks Michael, this brought back many pleasant memories! 💯❤️😎
Her life wasn't as tragic as often documented. Her children and closest friends will tell you that.
She made her stage debut at 2 singing at her father's theatre.
An obvious prodigy she was soon performing with her two sisters in an act called The Gumm Sisters (her birth name was Frances Ethel Gumm) and toured the vaudeville circuit overseen by their mother. At one juncture they were mistakenly billed as "The Glum Sisters" and one of the other performers on the bill mentioned their own name wasn't much better and suggested they change it to Garland. The song "Judy" was popular at the time and Frances chose it for her own new first name.
Eventually word spread of her gift (her sisters were talented too but not at the same level) leading to better gigs and discovery by an MGM talent scout where she was signed at age 13. Not understanding the dangers of amphetamines and barbiturates, both relatively new to the public at large at that time, they were seen as miracle pills to give you boundless energy and Judy's mother would give them to the girls at an early age to help them deal with the rigors of the road, once she was signed by the studio they continued the practice and by the time they realized how damaging they were to her it was too late. She was trapped in a cycle of addiction. Terribly sad but most people who knew her don't describe her as a sad person. She was very intelligent with a razor sharp wit and of course an immense talent, she was however also incredibly insecure and as the years went on and the drugs affected her prone to paranoia.
As others stated this song was written expressly for her to sing in the film and it became the one most identified with her. Where it is placed in the movie she is yearning for a place of no worries or troubles which her plaintive performance captures so well.
In 1954 after she had left MGM she made the first musical version of "A Star is Born" (there had been a straight dramatic version in 1937) which provided her with the other song most associated with her "The Man That Got Away".
Thank you you summed it up perfectly! Too many myths out there!
Great comment! (Michael, it would be great if you react to Judy singing "The Man That Got Away"!)
She was 16 when she did this film.
Would love to see your reaction to the movie "Wizard Of Oz". So unique.
Seeing and listening to this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
Judy Garland was 17 when she made that--- she is the only actress that was known for ONE TAKE on everything-- she never had to do a retake of anything she did...
I thought I was only one who can't understand half what is said in songs today. Also today's singers sound alike. Back in the day you knew who was singing just by their voice/sound.
Judy was in many movies... sort of coming of age movies going to college movies with some singing... and true Musicals she sung in. "Meet me in St Louis", "For Me and My Gal", In the Good Ole Summertime" All feel good 40s musicals. So many clips from them movies also with always her own voice.
Dont forget "the Harvey girls"
Rest in peace Judy Garland you were fantastic, beautiful and a treasure to the world. No one better have the idea of ever remaking Wizard of Oz. As the saying goes don't fix what isn't broken.
Funny fact somewhere over the rainbow almost was left on the cutting floor for the wizard of oz, but thankfully they put it back in because in, became the most known song of the whole movie.
Judy was so incredible! You are very correct about her ability to control her vocals. I saw a voice coach analyze Judy singing The Man That Got Away, he was blown away with her ability to maintain her vibrato while descending with pitch perfect precision. He said he had never heard anyone be able to do that!
I have to remember to breathe when I hear Judy sing this every time. The most incredible voice.
Her vocal control was like liquid color. Garland was astonishingly talented but most of all a complete professional . The scene called for longing and Judy delivered ☮️
They used to show this movie every year on network TV.
You have to watch the film, The Wizard of Oz. It's a masterpiece. BTW. One of Judy Garlands daughters is Liza Minnelli, the star of the film, Cabaret. ( She is one hell of a singer too).
I am glad that you have discovered JUDY GARLAND after listening to her sing "Ole' Man River" . Of course you noticed the difference in her voice between 1939 and 1964 .Judy's character as Dorothy in "The Wizard was supposed to be 12 0r 13 years old , but she was actually16 years old . I hoe you get a chance to view the whole movie . I know you will be amazed by the whole beautiful film . In between those years she had done it ALL . I have seen Judy in concert many times here in Chicago and she always brought the house down . But I of course discovered JUDY GARLAND in her big MGM musicals long before she took to the concert stage . Have you heard her biggest album "Judy Garland At Carnegie Hall" ? If not I'll send it to you . I love your reaction in listening to music and your knowledgable comments .
Judy could sing anything, she also was a very good dancer and actress.
This is only a glimpse of what she could do, but what a glimpse it is !!
"She was probably the original and he was the cover..." Seriously? Uh, yeah. The Wizard of Oz came out in 1939. And she was 16 when it was filmed.
The tear jerking version was Eva Cassidy a must see live performance is on TH-cam.
Iz did a masterful job with his own spin on the song but Over The Rainbow will always belong to Judy. She debuted the song in 1939's Wizard of Oz and she had a legendary singing career performing at prestigious venues in NYC ,London and all over the world. She would inevitably perform this on stage at every concert .
Other great songs by her were performed in films in the 1940s like The Trolley Song and Meet Me In Saint Louis
As the story goes, some of the studio executives thought that they should cut this scene as the movie was running close to 2 hours. They ultimately left it in and the rest is history. One of the major networks would show The Wizard Of Oz every year. I always wondered how it would be like to see this in a theater. I finally got my wish back in 2016 at the Fox theater where I live. Technicolor had just been perfected in 1939 so Fleming jumped on it for OZ. Color actually starts with the scene where Dorothy walks across the living room floor to open the door to OZ. They made it work by painting everything in the room sepia tone. A special dress was also made for Dorothy. If you look carefully you will see the color in her hair just as she opens the front door. Enjoyed your reaction.
And then came the classic line "Toto I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
Frances Gumm (‘Judy Garland’) was 16 years old when she film’d the Wizard of Oz (the soundtrack recorded late October 1938, the sepia tinted B&W shot by King Vidor March 10/11 1939); the song was written specifically for her by songwriter Harold Arlen in Aug-Sept 1938-it is the definitive version but one she had to sing at ev’ry concert she gave to any live audience …
This isn't a cover of that song. This IS the song. it debuted in this movie. :)
Great Reaction Michael Duffy!
Judy Garland was born in 1922!
She was mom to Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft (Grease)!
The Wizard of Oz is part of History in that the part where Dorothy is home is Black and White but when she lands in Oz it turns to Color! Which was the first movie to introduce Color!
Special Effects are pretty cool for 1939! You really should check it out!🖤🌸🙏🏻
No, it wasn't ... that would be Vanity Fair, with Miriam Hopkins.
@@fringelilyfringelily391 You’re right I didn’t dig far enough I found out later!🙏🏻
No Autotune back then! They had real voices. Note: this song has a lovely introduction, which I wish they had used in the movie.
Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland's signature song. Can you believe that MGM almost cut it from the movie??? Other people are correct in saying that MGM and Judy's own MOTHER gave her pills and kept her on a VERY strict diet. Judy was born 6/10/22 as Frances Gumm and performed, starting at age 2, with her sisters Virginia and Mary Jane. They were known as The Gumm Sisters. By age 10 Judy's mother was giving her uppers and downers so that she could keep up the energy needed to perform, and then get some sleep at night. When MGM signed Judy, Louis B. Mayer kept giving her the drugs. There's so much more to Judy's story including alcoholism, sexual abuse by the "little people" during the filming of The Wizard of Oz, and later suicide attempts. You really need to read her biography. Other musicals of Judy Garland's that I absolutely LOVE are Meet Me in St. Louis, Easter Parade, and Summer Stock.
I don't think it's documented that Judy was sexually abused by the little people or anyone else during the filming of *The Wizard of Oz,* and I don't believe she ever made such a claim.
As someone else noted, Dorothy was not abused by the little people on Oz. She one joked on Johnny Carson’s show that they were a little naughty. I do believe that the head of the studio, Louis B. Mayer, may have abused her, but I don’t know that for certain. Glorified extras on a movie set would never have been allowed to abuse a star, in any era. She was too valuable to the studio.
I have heard "over the rainbow" performed beautifully by so many artist, but no one can ever match the haunting mystic that Judy Garland was able to give it. She was not my favorite singer, but no one could sing this song better than she.
She was only 16. She is the future mother of Liza Minnelli. Legend!
It is amazing that someone has never heard of, let alone seen, The Wizard of Oz or indeed heard of Judy Garland. I think you just assume that it’s part of everyone’s cultural knowledge.
She was 17. First moment anyone heard this song. Just give a huge love of her voice!
This performance of Judy and somewhere over the rainbow makes you stop and emotions start flowing. This feeling of Wonder, goodness and impurity start to fill your heart and brings you to another place. A place I think we all along for. The version you are talking about is very good. Makes you smile and gives a feeling of joy. And I'm not diminishing the version at all but we know where the spark comes from
They almost deleted the song from the movie because it was an adult "torch song," and she was supposed to be so young, though actually 16.
"Her version was probably first." Really, do you think? I don't know. His version might pre-date 1939.
You absolutely must watch The Wizard of Oz! This is the iconic Judy Garland, one of the most amazing singers and performers of all time and you will understand the sadness that she is projecting because of the situation in the life of Dorothy, the girl that she is portraying. This song is fundamental to the theme of The Wizard of Oz. I almost envy you because you have not experienced the talent of the other actors in this all time classic.
How do you not know that Judy was the first human to sing this song ?
Yes, Judy Garland was actually older than she's made to look in this film, hence she sounds more mature and experienced than you'd expect. I understand the studio originally wanted Shirley Temple for the role, she actually was a child. But the other studio Temple was contracted to wouldn't loan her out, thus Garland got the role.
As adorable that Shirley Temple was --- I don't think this film would have made it into the iconic legendary level that it is, with anybody else but Judy Garland. Not only her singing but her acting.
Judy Garland was 16 then but did look younger. She had a beautiful voice. My mother was born in 1917 and saw this and Gone with the wind in 1939 when they first came to the theatres. Years later around 1964 they released both films again and she took my sister and me to see them on the big screen... unforgettable! Before she passed away in 1984 I took her to see them one last time in a theatre. I am always grateful for the love of old films and the old stars. My beloved wife shared this love of old films with me. She passed away in 2014 and I'm positive the two of them will be waiting for me in an old movie palace when I get there. I miss them both so very much
I think she started singing at 3!
Yes she was 15 or 16 and they made her look younger, they originally offered to Shirley Temple, but she had a contract with another movie company. Shirley's voice wasn't on the same level as Judy's either. Judy had been performing since she was really young. Her real name was Frances Gump and they changed it to Judy Garland. Look up baby Gump and see her early performances.
Judy was the original choice. MGM big wigs then pulled the rug out from under Judy by trying to replace her with Temple but her studio wouldn't lend her out
Three were the same idiots who tried to have Over the Rainbow 🌈 cut from the movie 😢
As kids, mom made us watch this every New Year's eve. It was always on one of the 3 networks we could get.
Every first time reactors to The Wizard of Oz says the same thing those of us who grew up on it say: Delightful.
Idiomatic English contains uncountable references to it. Do yourself a favor and watch it. Be delighted.❤❤❤
Judy sang this song as the original performer. She sang it as it was written for her to sing it for the movie. This song also won the Oscar for Best Song for 1939.
A must watch movie. And to realize this was 1939 and was just pure talent. She was singing since she was a very young girl. She was a true STAR.
She was 16. Her voice was always amazing.
She sounded like a professional because she WAS! She sang this for years and this version was muted compaired to other versions she really belted it out. Yet it was just as clear.
I remember as a kid in the late 60's and early 70's, which is quite a few years after the "Wizard of Oz" originally came out, it was a big annual event when the movie was played on TV. PJ's, popcorn and a good spot to lay on the carpet to watch the movie and hide your face from the witch and her evil monkeys. They still play the movie every year but it seems that Gen X may be the last generation to appreciate its true value (I hope not though).
This song was written FOR Judy Garland!!! She was 16 playing 12 year old Dorothy from Kansas. She owns this SONG!!! Everyone else is a "cover", a shadow, a poor imitation of HER!!! You need to get with it-- and quick!!!
"She was probably first" 😂😂😂😂 Indeed she was and no matter who else sings this, it belongs to the great Judy Garland.
Originally, the producers and even director Victor Fleming didn't want this song in the movie. They were afraid that, because it was so slow, it would affect the pacing of the film. But now, no one can imagine "The Wizard of Oz" without "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". My late father was a tough Marine who served in Korea, but he blubbered like a baby whenever this part of the movie played. That generation loved Judy Garland and it's easy to see why.
Yes, this is the original. She’s singing and acting in a movie at the same time. Great movie, BTW. In my opinion one of the top 5 movies ever, maybe top 3.
I really appreciate your reactions and comments for this song and performance ..... I subscribed to your channel .Thank you
The man that got away It will blow you away. She had such talent.