Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

'kay, this one's for Gabby

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ooh ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby, oh
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true, ooh

Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me, oh

Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dare to
Oh why, oh why can't I? I

Well, I see trees of green and red roses too
I'll watch then bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Well, I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day, I like the dark
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shakin' hands saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, "I, I love you"

I hear babies cry and I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world, world

Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me, oh

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
And the dreams that you dare to
Why, oh why can't I? I

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ooh ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ugh, ugh, ugh


Lyrics submitted by Cait, edited by piroozho

Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World Lyrics as written by Harold Arlen Yip Harburg

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Somewhere Over The Rainbow song meanings
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61 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    wow im surprised people haven't said more about this song... it's absolutely beautiful. Definetly one of the most relaxing songs I've heard. I really like his rendition...
    LifeInEveryWordon June 14, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i find this song horribly depressing. when i listen to it, i feel like he's sayin, "i wanna get outta here and go to this 'wonderful world'...coz this one isn't so wonderful..." Someday I'll wish upon a star Wake up where the clouds are far behind....me Where trouble melts like lemon drops High above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me Oh, Somwhere over the rainbow Blue birds fly And the dream that you dare to Why oh why can't I
    guitar_girl1on January 06, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This is the music that was played in the background in the ER episode where Dr Greene died, although i havn't had this song in relation to any personal tragedy, it is still deeply upsetting.
    ladafumon April 13, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I thought it was a girl singing at first. That said, beautiful voice. I don't hear this as a depressing song... I hear it as hope for a better future. The past kicks us down but we'll all get back up. It's never over until your in the ground. RIP: BRUDDAH IZ!
    Shastasheenon October 04, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    as snow_bubble23 the same story man! first in meet joe black? then in 50 first dates after listen twice i was decided to find it when i heard this on my comp i was jumping i have it! i have it! ... it song for me means a kind of saying "good bye" cause he is saying "what a wonderful world" like he reminds every thing he have lived and also says "High above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me" with a very peacefull voice very nice song
    SergIo (c.)on January 03, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Theres nothing about death in either original, so unless its more than the sum of its parts, it seems to me more realisitic version of both - it does sound kind of sad - but remember the lyrics from both are optimistic. Like the person said - its about dreaming to be in a wonderful world, and seeing at the same time the world is wonderful.
    KeasbyKnightson February 20, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I think this song is great. To me it is about a new beginning. We considered this for our wedding song because for us "Somewhere over the Rainbow" isn;t saying that there has to be something better than this life, but that our love for one another will take us over the rainbow. For us it takes us to a better place and reminds us that things are better since we have the two of us. I guess like most songs it can be interpretted many different ways
    tboanson July 22, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Love this song, so serene. I first heard it in "Finding Forrester" and then in E.R. when Dr. Greene passed away. I then heard it when I finally had the chance to watch "Meet Joe Black". This song can be morphed into so many meanings that it is a true piece of art. So well sung, so well composed, so well combined.
    FBIFoxMulderon May 04, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This version is amazing! I first heard in 50 first dates and loved it straight away. It's gorgeous and his voice just makes me want to listen to it 20 times every time! It's also one of those songs that can cheer me up when i'm down. It helps me to realise that theres something good on the other side waiting for me to find and not just dark clouds following me all the time.
    Ellieeee16on December 27, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    HAHAHA It's great how the person who submitted these lyrics actually typed the right amount of ooo's. hahaha...even if you forgot "K, this one's for Gabby" this song is absolutely beautiful. I love the simple sound of the ukulele with IZ's voice. Good lyrics too, even though kamakawiwo'ole didnt write them. I have never met a person who does not love or at least appreciate this song... Even though I think the lyrics may be about hope for a good afterlife or something spiritual like that, I like to think of of it like some things here on earth in this life may be tough, but when the good times do come, they will seem so much sweeter. The author is saying that this is the life we have, positive and negative, I love it for what it's worth
    MasonCon October 11, 2007   Link

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