Nikki recorded the Ella Fitzgerald classic "Airmail Special" for Verve Records and it was released in June 2007 on the album We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song. Produced by Tommy LiPuma, this track made Yanofsky the youngest singer ever to record for Verve.
In September 2008, Yanofsky released her first full-length album, a live CD/DVD concert package entitled "Ella... Of Thee I Swing". Supported by her production company, A440 Entertainment and distributed in Canada and Japan by Universal Music, it garnered critical acclaim and earned her two Juno Award nominations in 2009: 'New Artist of the Year' and 'Vocal Jazz Album of the Year'. She also won 'Favourite Jazz Artist' at the 2009 Canadian Independent Music Awards.
Songwriters Stephan Moccio and Alan Frew chose Yanofsky to sing CTV’s broadcast theme for the 2010 Winter Olympics, "I Believe.” The Song reached number one on the Canadian Hot 100 on the week of February 27, 2010. This made her the first Canadian artist to have a number one song on that chart since "Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne topped the chart in 2007. The song was certified “Quadruple Platinum” for digital downloads in April 2010.
Nikki recorded her first studio album, Nikki, with 14-time Grammy Award-winning producer Phil Ramone. Along with the album-release of "I Believe", it includes some of Yanofsky’s first original works—writing in collaboration with Jesse Harris (of Norah Jones fame) as well as fellow Canadian songwriters Ron Sexsmith and Feist. It was released in April 2010 by Decca Records and was supported by an international tour. Nikki earned a Juno nomination for "Vocal Jazz Album of the Year", and won the WAVE Smooth Jazz Award for "Female Vocalist of the Year."
Nikki has performed internationally at jazz festivals and major concert venues both solo and alongside such well-known artists as Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean, Celine Dion, The late Marvin Hamlisch and The Count Basie Orchestra.
In 2008, Yanofsky received the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award from the Quebec Chapter of The Association of Fundraising Professionals. Over her career, she has helped raise over $10 Million for local, national and international charities. She is currently associated with The Montreal Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Wish Foundation and MusiCounts.
http://www.nikkiyanofsky.com
Over The Rainbow
Nikki Yanofsky 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
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over, over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?
Nikki Yanofsky's "Over the Rainbow" is a timeless classic that borrows and expands upon the main theme of the original song sung by Judy Garland. The song reflects upon the hope and promise of a better future that is just out of reach. The opening lines, "Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, there's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby" suggest that the singer is yearning for an alternate reality where things are simpler and more magical. The following line, "Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true" reinforces this idea that the singer wants to believe in a better future.
The second verse, "One day I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me, where your troubles melt like lemon drops, way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me," emphasizes the desire to escape from the everyday troubles and hardships that are weighing the singer down. The idea of floating above the clouds, where troubles melt like lemon drops, is meant to convey a sense of freedom and lightheartedness.
The final verse, "If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why can't I?" highlights a sense of longing and desperation. The singer wants to know why they can't have the same sense of happiness and freedom that the birds seem to have. Overall, the song is a beautiful and stirring reflection on the human desire for something greater, something beyond the mundane and ordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
There is a place far away above the sky where the singer dreams to be
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
The singer heard of this magical place only in a song, but it still fills her with hope and wonder
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
The singer imagines that this faraway place has clear blue skies and a beautiful landscape
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
The artist believes that if you have the courage to dream big, your dreams can actually become a reality
One day I'll wish upon a star
The artist is hopeful that one day she will have the opportunity to make a wish and have it come true
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
The singer wants to escape from her current troubles and be in a place where nothing can hold her back
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
The singer imagines a place where all her worries disappear and life becomes sweet like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
The artist dreams to be in a place far away from civilization, where she can truly be free
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
The artist envisions a happy and magical place where even the birds fly with joy
If birds can fly over, over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
The artist refuses to be trapped or limited by her current situation and wants to believe that she too can achieve anything she wants
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
The singer wonders why happiness seems only possible in a faraway place, rather than in her current life
Why, oh, why can't I?
The artist questions why she is not able to find happiness, despite the fact that even birds can fly to a better place
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Яна Галенко
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
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
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over, over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?
Julissa Andrea Rodriguez Mejia
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
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
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over, over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?
Альона Наливайко
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
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
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over, over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?
Jaco
It's hard to get tired of looking at - and hearing - Nikki sing, but the guy backing her on piano is ... genius. Wow.
ThreesharpsA
Wow, every time I come back to this I'm blown away. This may be the best version of Over The Rainbow ever done. What an incredible talent she has.
morethanmyownlife
her voice is so good, it gives me chills
Evandro Macedo
Maravilhosa, repertório impecável. As canadenses estão dominando o Jazz e cantando muito. Tomara que venha ao Brasil.
Stephen Palomino
es una de las mejores interpretaciones que he escuchado de este tema.
Яна Галенко
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
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
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over, over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
One day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where your troubles melt like lemon drops
Way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds, they fly
If birds can fly over the rainbow, why, then why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?
Aiste
Beautiful voice , she ist very very very good Singer ! 🙏🏻🥰
Nishma R
I knew she was good but I'm pretty sure I just died of this sheer amazingness.
Robby Kalna
Quality! Really deserves more recognition!
Rusty James
heard nikki once by accident on cd and was instantly hooked. love the sound. love the commitment. also love the look when she wore the black dress and black high-top keds in performance.