Melodies I Like to Play: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" | Eastern North Carolina Now

This is the fourth installment of a new series regarding music I care about enough to begin the struggle to wander down a poor path toward the playing of that subject song; a list of which can be found here.

    The eclectic playlist of melodies that I am drawn to in inspiration to learn, and play, has just been enriched by one melody from my childhood that concurrently found its place into the collective consciousness of generations, rightly seeking that bittersweet space where happiness lives. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is one of those short, melodic pieces poetry that takes me to that special place.

    "The Wizard of Oz", a filmed panned by many of the myopic critics of that day, receiving little praise of that generation of film opinion makers, has become a classic regardless; entertaining generations, making "The Wizard of Oz" one of the most important films to date. Within that scope of incredible fascination for what is familiar in an essential sense of connection to the collective consciousness, the film's signature song, performed by the lead character, Dorothy Gale, played by Judy Garland, may be an even greater iconic creation, considered by many, including myself, as one of the most perfect songs ever written. Therefore, eventually, I had to try what so many others have successfully covered, regardless of its initial quality projected. The fun of it is always what matters most in these endeavors.

    If the bittersweet narrative is the root all art best communicated, most worthy created, both "The Wizard of Oz" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" occupy a rarefied class of immaculate distinction. Maybe that is why we mere mortals are drawn to these collective points of perfect persuasion. Thank God, there are still places where we can all come together as a disparate People.


Judy Garland performing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in the classic film, "The Wizard of Oz", released in 1939: Above and Below.



    I found this rendition of organized chords and lyrics that works for me, and only took a few passes to get it to a serviceable point since the chords that are employed by this arrangement were ones that I use often when playing a variety of songs, or just piddling about making coordinated sounds that please only my ear ... and my wife's. Maybe I will write my own melody one day ... just waiting on the proper inspiration, I reckon.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg in 1939; performed by Judy Garland

Go Back


Leave a Guest Comment

Your Name or Alias
Your Email Address ( your email address will not be published)
Enter Your Comment ( no code or urls allowed, text only please )




Carteret County Board of Commissioners Provides Funding to Sidney Dive Team Songs I Like to Play, Worth Playing, Local News & Expression, Music through the Ages, Music, The Arts Drug Busts - Washington


HbAD0

Latest The Arts

The game show “Jeopardy!,” in which gives contestants must give answers in the form of a question, embraced the woke agenda by including so-called “neo-pronouns” as an answer.
Actor Gary Sinise delivered a glowing tribute to his late son, McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise, nearly two months after he died of chordoma, an extremely rare cancer that attacks the spine.
Kevin Costner just released the trailer for his upcoming Western drama film, “Horizon: An American Saga.”
The classic musical film “Mary Poppins” has been changed to a “PG” rating in the United Kingdom due to perceived “discriminatory language.”
The 2024 SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards ceremony took place Saturday night, with current popular titles “Oppenheimer” and “The Bear” taking home multiple awards.
Shia LaBeouf received the Sacrament of Confirmation, completing his conversion to Catholicism, on Sunday, and the actor’s confirmation sponsor suggested LaBeouf may become a deacon “in the future.”

HbAD1

Michael Keaton said he’s been having a blast working on the “Beetlejuice” sequel and that, as promised, it’s not going to be filled with CGI-heavy special effects.
Sony Pictures entertainment has announced that four separate Beatles movies are in the works, one featuring each of the members of the famed British band.
In this high tech Home Theater era of endless options of cinematic series, movies, sitcoms, and episodic television, we, who consume, all have our favorites in this copious threaded arena of these many entertaining stories of reality, comedy, and, on occasion, high art reminiscent of the best of us.
New York District Attorney Letitia James followed through on her threat to seize the property of Trump by grabbing up the former president's estate, Mar-a-lago. The top lawyer for the Big Apple then turned around and sold the property for $740 million.
The latest installment of “The Pendragon Cycle” production diaries takes the bull by the horns, literally, with an incredible bull dancing scene shot in Rome.
Mark Wahlberg said that COVID caused a “disconnect” between Americans and called for people to come back together through the “power of prayer.”

HbAD2

Fans can pay to see an Elvis Presley concert thanks to the growing popularity of AI technology in the concert sphere.

HbAD3

 
Back to Top