Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
Over the Rainbow
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a land that I 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
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds 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 song "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz is one of the most iconic songs in American music history. The lyrics vividly express a longing for a place where all troubles disappear and dreams come true. The first verse describes the land beyond the rainbow as a place where the skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. The singer dreams of someday reaching this place, and the second verse describes how that dream will be achieved - by wishing upon a star and traveling beyond the clouds.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
There exists a place beyond the clouds and above the sky
There's a land that I heard once in a lullaby
I have previously heard of this magical place only in a comforting melody
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
In this celestial expanse, the heavens are a deep shade of blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Every aspiration, regardless of how unattainable it may seem, has the potential to be realized
Someday I'll wish upon a star
There will come a time when I make a hopeful request upon a celestial beacon
And wake up where the clouds are far
I will find myself in an idyllic realm removed from the puffy masses
Behind me
With my troubles relegated to the past
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Obstacles and hardships metamorphose into nothingness like candy in the mouth
Away above the chimney tops
Distant from the terrestrial world and all of its burdens
That's where you'll find me
I will be situated within this serene utopia
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
Amongst this peaceful realm, bluebirds are free to soar
Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh, why can't I?
If winged creatures can traverse this heavenly space, then why am I unable to do so as well?
If happy little bluebird flies beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why can't I?
Even if a contented avian being can explore beyond the rainbow, why am I prevented from such an experience?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lioness Princess Bear
All the beautiful souled men are in their 50’s-70’s.....I wonder what We have left to look forward to, when it seems all the best men are about to leave the earth.
Since I was a child, I always worried-who would be left to look up to, wen all the OLD generation has gone & all that’s left is what’s been forgotten....
A good hearted man
A vulnerable man
A Strong but kind gentle man
An honest hearted man
A faithful man
A reliable man
Now it’s just SPEED SPEED SPEED
FAST PACED, money & volume & Sex Orientated, the ways of purity in the heart are not valued or treasured anymore.....
I was right to worry as a child.
TowerTreeLady
Michael is a never ending source of wonder and amazing talent. I truly love this song and and I believe Michael evenheard the sound of the bluebird's wings. He is always such a part of his songs. .Great photos too.
Mildred Eselin
@Lioness Princess Bear hi
Lioness Princess Bear
All the beautiful souled men are in their 50’s-70’s.....I wonder what We have left to look forward to, when it seems all the best men are about to leave the earth.
Since I was a child, I always worried-who would be left to look up to, wen all the OLD generation has gone & all that’s left is what’s been forgotten....
A good hearted man
A vulnerable man
A Strong but kind gentle man
An honest hearted man
A faithful man
A reliable man
Now it’s just SPEED SPEED SPEED
FAST PACED, money & volume & Sex Orientated, the ways of purity in the heart are not valued or treasured anymore.....
I was right to worry as a child.
Erin F
He seems like such an emotional, handsome man with such a beautiful voice.
phantom1539
I had heard years ago that this song was only on a foreign-released version of one of Michael's old albums. I had looked for it online years ago, and this is the first time I've found it!
Cara Twomey
Absolutely amazing. I would much rather listen to this man sing than One Direction or Justin Bieber like most other girls my age do.
Lioness Princess Bear
JENNA GREENAWALT how old are you? (I’m 40). I’ve only just heard his voice for the 1st time today & I’ve just been crying 😭 & crying...(something I’ve avoided for a month-the crying I mean).
Lioness Princess Bear
How old are you then?
Erin F
Same here. =D
Stephanie Finnigan
I love it and put me to sleep in my dreams tonight don't you agree