The Teenagers' first single, 1956's "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", was also their biggest. After Lymon went solo in mid-1957, both his career and those of the Teenagers fell into decline. Lymon eventually fell into heroin addiction, and died in 1968 at the age of twenty-five.
Over The Rainbow
Frankie Lymon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
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?
The lyrics of "Over The Rainbow" are evocative and emotional, urging listeners to dream big and believe that their aspirations can come true. The first verse describes a mystical place far away that the singer has heard of in a lullaby. As the verse continues, the imagery evokes a sense of hope and wonder. The second verse builds on this dreamlike theme by describing a world without troubles, where the sky is always blue and problems "melt like lemon drops." The reference to "chimney tops" paints a picture of a quaint and peaceful place where the singer can escape their worries.
The chorus of "Over The Rainbow" is the most recognizable part of the song, with its repeated line about bluebirds flying above the rainbow. The singer wonders why they can't join the birds and find happiness beyond the rainbow. The final verse repeats the lyrics of the first verse, with a few variations, but maintains the sense of longing and optimism that characterizes the entire song. Ultimately, "Over The Rainbow" is a song about hope and the power of imagination to overcome adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There is a place over the rainbow that is high up
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
This land has only been told in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
In this place, the skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true.
If you dare to dream in this place, your dreams come true
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Someday, I will wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
I will wake up where the clouds are far away from me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
In this place, troubles disappear like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops, That's where you'll find me.
This place is high above the chimney tops and where I will be found
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Over the rainbow, blue birds fly in this place
Birds fly over the rainbow, Why then, oh why can't I?
If birds can fly over the rainbow, then why can't I
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, Why, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds can fly beyond the rainbow, then why can't I
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mindy Moore
Frankie Lymon was born with an incomparable voice. For someone so young, he sang with a maturity, nuance, emotion and feeling far beyond his years. Unfortunately, he had no one to look after him and protect him from exploitation in the beginning years of rock and roll.
What was so amazing is that he made it look incredibly easy. He sang with an ease and confidence that belied his youth. One of the truly great young voices to ever come along.
I only wish that he did not leave us too soon. Drug addiction claimed his life and deprived us all of his great talent.
This version of Over the Rainbow is so beautifully done that it brings me to tears.
Hey There
well stated
Hey There
well stated
Tonithenightowl
Both Judy and Frankie had issues, it may come with being so talented and bad representation.
SEQUAJ NI
....man, I have sworn by Little Michael Jackson for decadeszzz..!..but I have to bow lowww to Frankie....low..!...as you have said, the 'extras' that Mike had, Frankie had...maybe even a little more ! - nuance, maturity, emotion....and this was a kid !...there's a tendency to think that this is the adult Frankie, because of his grown-up suits, but Frankie has a few mature-voiced recordings (still sounding Great !) from his 20's.
Frankie - a Badd Dude !
.....and this cat wrote Hits from he was a kid, something our super-talented Mike didn't catch til he was a few years older. Rest in Peace, you guys....love you.
Add Love!™
Mindy Moore I Totally Agree!
Chris Carlton
Still rocking this in 2021. What a beautiful song. RIP Frankie Lymon. Gone but never forgotten.
Roger Auclair
The music industry is littered with countless tragedies and Frankie Lymon's case is one of the saddest.
Clipper Kings
Lo llpoppp
kickstand311
I've listened to this several times and now it's my fave rendition of this song.I can hardly listen to it without crying