Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Chet Baker Lyrics


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Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?




If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Overall Meaning

"Over the Rainbow" is a beloved song that has become a timeless classic. Judy Garland's iconic performance in The Wizard of Oz is often what comes to mind when this song is mentioned, but it has been covered by countless artists over the years. Chet Baker, Bobby Jaspar, Rene Thomas, Amadeo Thommasi, Benoit Quersin, and Daniel Humair's rendition of "Over the Rainbow" is a beautifully haunting version that retains the song's whimsy and wonder while bringing a sense of melancholy to the lyrics.


The song begins by referring to a land that exists somewhere over the rainbow. This seems to be a metaphor for a utopian place that we all long for, a place where dreams come true. The singer wishes to go there "where troubles melt like lemon drops" and leave their worries behind. The idea of the star is also significant in the song, representing a sort of guiding light that can lead one to this magical place. The song ends with the questioning of why the singer cannot go where the bluebirds are free to fly, which leaves the listener with a sense of yearning.


Line by Line Meaning

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There is a place high above the earth where everything is perfect


There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
I have heard of this magical land only in my dreams


Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
In this paradise, the sky is always blue


And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Your biggest and wildest dreams


Really do come true.
Can actually come true in this perfect world


Someday I'll wish upon a star
I will make a wish upon a bright and shining star


And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
This wish will take me to a place where there are no worries or problems


Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
All of my troubles and fears will disappear like melting lemon drops


High above the chimney tops,
This magical place is above all the noise and chaos of the world below


That's where you'll find me.
This is where I will be if my wish comes true


Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
In this perfect world, blue birds soar through the sky


Birds fly over the rainbow
These birds fly over the magical place I dream of


Why then, oh why can't I?
I wonder why I cannot go to this wonderful land too


If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
If even little birds can go to this magical place


Why, oh why can't I?
Why can't I go there too?




Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@joseprado3732

You can't denied Chet Baker is one piece of a phenomenal artist in the circle of jazz

@playonkorg

My goodness, this burns my soul,

@bredaburke6676

A piece of heaven is the only way to describe this . Pure class 🤗

@stevel6460

Chet Baker is the best !! West Coast Cool Jazz

@mobenamtois5634

Love this!!

@Flamefail01

I first heard this song when I was 16 my gf and I were looking for some new music in school and I found this, I didn't like it back then but I saved it since I knew I'd learn to appreciate this music later on. And here I am trying to play this on my trumpet

@franciscamaria2726

Não existe calmante mais eficaz que as músicas de Chet Baker.

@renzatanini3074

da brividi, come sempre del resto!!!

@maromarini88

Ti amo Chet ❤

@dghlkh6426

Thank you! I love this song

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