Vocal Coach Reacts to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz (1939) [Miki’s Tips]

In this video I'll examine (from a vocal technique perspective) what makes Judy Garland as Dorothy singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" in The Wizard of Oz (1939) such an iconic and enduring performance.
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Michal Towber released her first CD on SONY/Columbia at 17. She was mentored by Billy Joel, who called her “a great songwriter.” Fellow Hunter High school alum, Lin-Manuel Miranda, recently tweeted that she was “always the most talented person in our class.” In 2005 she won an Emmy for outstanding composition on the daytime television drama One Life to Live. Her music has been featured by such various clients as SONOS, Rdio, Canon, and Urban Decay. You can check out her original music at Facebook.com/MichalTowber

[@longgrayline8055]

Judy Garland was a star amongst stars. By the way, this performance was rated the #1 musical performance in movie history. She deserved it.

[@sheldoncooper1134]

Sung with such ease and natural voice. So many have sung this and oversung it to show off how high they can go. This is the best version, sung by One of the greatest singers of all-time!!

[@davidlewis9672]

She was just a flat out natural singer. She's 16 here but she understood the impact of restraint. Especially since she had big voice and was a belter.

[@KokoPuffs52]

It's interesting to note that this delightful mix sound of Judy's was not her natural or preferred sound, but one that her vocal coach, Roger Edens, worked with her on. Her natural tendency was the big belt that she later became famous for. This lovely, plaintive voice was encouraged by the higher ups at MGM because they thought it would sell more tickets. They weren't wrong. Judy's mother was a singer and piano teacher, and that's where she learned her vocal placement and control, which rivals the greatest opera singer. Fantastic analysis! Thank you!

[@jolennon8629]

And to think she's only 16... already a pro at such young age

[@twc3546]

There’s a sadness and vulnerability in her performance. And the high notes and then low (birds fly..). And the simplicity is in keeping with the farm girl character she is playing. A perfect song

[@lc6067]

Enjoyed hearing the technicalities of what makes this singer and song so enduring. There’s also something beyond her expert musicianship that cannot be put into words. Judy Garland sang straight to your heart. You don’t just hear her, you feel her. The greatest talent of our century. I think Frank Sinatra was right when he said “In the end we will all be forgotten. But never Judy.”

[@jolennon8629]

And Judy puts so much emotion into whatever she sings. Over The Rainbow just gets more touching as time goes by. You watch the song on The Wizard of Oz and see hope and promise of a young girl, and hear the same song sung by her on the 50s and 60s and you see she's singing about all the strugles she had to go throughout her life ... Nice analysis of this masterpiece of cinema history ♥

[@normadesmond6017]

One of the best voices of the 20th century. Sinatra said of her voice: "In the end, we will all be forgotten, but never Judy." Well, you can't get a bigger compliment then that.

[@byzinski]

...and Sinatra said in an interview that the only singer he would pay money to go to hear sing was Karen Carpenter 🙏🏽

[@normadesmond6017]

@@byzinski very right!

[@sandyschipper155]

He was right.

[@sandyschipper155]

She Is my very favorite singer, has been since I was very young. She is natural, perfectly natural.

[@normadesmond6017]

@@sandyschipper155 yes, she was the total performer. She could do it all. Singing, acting, dancing. A talent that comes around once in a lifetime.

[@simondesbiens2463]

More Judy !!! She’s my favourite The best of the best

[@tilztofi3158]

She sings that song PERFECTLY

[@larkm.dalinrobart3316]

Never ever sick of it! I've heard her sing this song so many times during my nearly 67 years on this planet and it never fails to make me cry. Your description of her singing technique is lovely. Thank you!

[@samporter7018]

She had such a beautiful voice

[@VickiDavisDesigns]

I just love Judy Garland!

[@popland1977]

What a beacon of talent. A benchmark by which excellence is judged

[@MikeJones-uq4zj]

It’s her song. No one can touch Judy on this. No version beats hers.

[@CCoburn3]

Or even comes close. There are some performances that have achieved perfection. For instance, Gable was Rhett Butler. No one else can do that role. And this is Judy's song. She owns it. And anyone else who attempts to sing it is going to fall short.

[@janapuckett4118]

The more i have learned about her life, the more beautiful her work becomes. It makes me fight back tears, knowing how used and abused she was as a child actress, and how much pain she carried.

[@nickb9575]

It’s the perfect song with the perfect singer. Judy is the greatest.

[@Actionfiguresarefun]

What’s not to love it Judys performance. 🥰 it pulls you in.

[@deuxjournalistes2993]

oh my gosh, I never get sick of this performance. But I don't watch too much because I don't want to take it for granted. It is so special and so perfect: the lyrics, the melody, and the singer. I love Judy at any stage of her career because she's always so interesting. But it's very special to hear her at this young age, making these very delicate decisions. BTW, the "why" pronunciation I think must be from her Minnesota roots. My mom was born there too and she really enunciates those "wh"s. It's pretty funny and cute. Thanks again. Loved it!

[@MichalTowberVocalCoaching]

Megan thank you for your comment! I love that little tidbit about her pronunciation. I agree completely, it’s such a special performance. 🥰

[@joeterp5615]

This is sublimely beautiful. I have it on my playlist with hundreds of other all time favorites of mine from all genres... but this one is unique. It literally gives me the CHILLS... EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear it. It is otherworldly in it’s perfection. Haunting, beautiful, sad, hopeful, moving. I’ll sing along to most anything in my car... but I can’t with this... it’s too perfect to tarnish in any way. Her tone and interpretation... and her connection the the words... silence and awe are perhaps the most appropriate reaction. She of heavenly talent was made for this song... as it was made for her. A perfect eternal match. This makes even other truly great songs and performances seem mundane by comparison.

[@ralphewell8398]

Your love for her is obvious. Thank you.

[@thomasflynn5366]

It is amazing that she could do this as a teenager. So mature at such a young age. There is a reason we are still talking about this 80 years later.

[@seanmacmurchadha1807]

Rarely have a song and its singer been so perfectly matched. So many other singers have had a signature song but none has been so closely identified with a single song as Judy is with this masterpiece. It was her anthem. "Rainbow" has always been my song" she would say. "I get emotional about every song I sing but none so more than "Rainbow". "I never shed any phoney tears about it. Everybody has songs that make them cry. That's my sad song."

[@WonderfulWorldOfStuff]

It’s a beautiful song that I grew up listening to as my grandmother would sing it all the time whilst baking in the kitchen, maybe not as good as Judy herself but it was for us god rest both her soul. ❤️

[@jpierce8148]

You have a beautiful, attractive voice as well!

[@stephenperretti8847]

She was wonderful. Period.

[@sharoninglima1217]

Judy Garlands voice was magic and the Wizard of Oz one of my favorite movies! ❤❤❤

[@mqtie]

I have always loved the simplicity and warmth of this performance. Although she is longing for something away from the life she knows, her tone and the clarity speak to being home. At home. Comfortable. Thank you for this reaction video and thank you for your term "ornaments". That is new to me and truly describes those embellishments... as opposed to vocal gymnastics etc. Thanks for your smarts.

[@2pi628]

She sings it like she means it. That makes the song. Without it, perfection would seem dull and unremarkable, or memorable.

[@AnalogVoice]

This is unique did not expect to see a reaction video about the wizard of oz. I enjoyed the video.

[@MichalTowberVocalCoaching]

Analog Voice thank you for watching and commenting 🥰

[@ronaldcammarata3422]

"Perfect little piece of art" is a good description. And not just Judy Garland's singing - along with (obviously) the music (Harold Arlen) and lyrics (Yip.Harburg) - but also the set design (Edwin B. Willis), and film direction (King Vidor) making it a total artistic package that can stand on its own.

[@ericstephenjacobs]

Just for accuracy, the actual title of the song is "Over The Rainbow" not "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." I have the original sheet music. So many people get this wrong.

[@ImTash]

and it was originally going to be cut from the film entirely. what a mistake that would have been this song is an absolute gem

[@leonardshevlin7260]

One thing I love about the performance is that it is done in character. The innocence is Dorothy's innocence, not Judy Garland's.

[@lylewalker5166]

Great point!

[@rickt1154]

A timeless classic....It's so beautiful, it can bring a tear to a grown man's eye.

[@marcosc9130]

The best thing about that performance from my humble POV ( I don't have near as much knowledge as you do) is the fact that she knew restraint, we all know she had a beautiful and powerful voice, but the artistry of making it sweet and almost like a reflection instead of a huge display of power makes it that much better. (We have some moments where Judy sang it with a lot more power, like the one when she was 21, back in 1943, it's amazing and probably the best version from a purely musical perspective, but that is the key, there she is Judy Garland, here she is Dorothy, and Dorothy is a sweet little girl living a scary and uncertain moment, the delicacy she puts is every note is what make this iconic. What leads us to the main reason why Judy is miles ahead of the second best in this musical movie performances, she came up with this all, it's all her vision and her execution, everybody that came after just had her as a reference to what they should do, how they should attack the songs to make it better, and what worked and what didn't, she was on uncharted waters and it makes the performance even more special and shows just how underrated she is, what is crazy cuz everybody knows her very well, and she gets a lot of praise, but for what she did it's just not enough, as it wasn't even back then. This girls deserved A LOT more from life and from hollywood than what she got.

[@galenstone9097]

A tone that cuts straight to your soul. Judy owned a voice that will never be repeated. Godspeed for one of the greatest entertainers to ever live.

[@Rosannasfriend]

Great analysis. I like the way you explain things. Very simply.

[@FrozenRemix1]

Her voice was so rich and beautiful 🌹

[@idgriffin56]

No voice compares to Judy Garland. Unique, strong, crystal clear. Could listen to it forever.

[@mari69diaz]

Wooow! Love your Reaction, I never get sick of over the Rainbow, can you do more Judy please

[@stoneshack2000]

What a great review, thank you..

[@kforbes1981]

I would love to see your reaction to her live performance of this song late in her life. It’s incredibly emotional and a wonderful counterpoint to this original recording. I believe it was on her own show in the 50s or 60s.

[@ImTash]

@@harrysboobeardirectioner6854 huh? she was 16 here. Born 1922

[@kayedeedid]

Judy ended every concert with this song--well, before the encores. But, she was born in a trunk and had been on stage with her sisters from the moment she was able to walk and/or talk. She didn't know any other life.

[@SocratesCurse]

Thank you, Judy

[@CCoburn3]

I don't see why anyone would use this song for an audition. It's been done -- and done right. Judy OWNS this song, and no one on earth is ever going to do it as well as she did. If you're going to audition, why on earth would you choose a song where you are guaranteed to fall short? It doesn't make sense.

[@rickkemp1]

Innocence and maturity.

[@CustomAnthemsMusicProductions]

Great video, your passion for singing is fantastic!

[@MichalTowberVocalCoaching]

CustomAnthems Music Productions thank you so much for watching and for your kind comment 😊

[@caleguillory5451]

Judy Garland also incorporated a unique layering of vocal textures you forgot to mention. It occurs the first time she sings the word “bluebirds” on the syllable “birds”. It’s a slight distortion layered on top of extremely smooth legato with some vibrato mixed in.

[@deborahmulcahy1421]

I will always be intrigued by the beauty of the song and how beautifully she sings.

[@mari69diaz]

More Judy please, love it and I can listen to this song forever

[@mamymimma]

Oh thanks a lot! I love legendary singers 😍 Have a great week Miki! ♡

[@MichalTowberVocalCoaching]

Mamy Mimma thank you, Mami! You too! 🥰

[@mari69diaz]

Never get sick of this piece of Art, Perfection Exist, Judy Garland Genius❤❤❤❤ More Judy please

[@UberManTampa]

No one can touch Judy

[@danm9006]

Vocal coach, YOU have a lovely voice! I hope you sing often and share that gift.

[@paulascott5701]

They had her sing it many different ways and almost used a version where she belted it out but the movie director reminded them "she is a little girl day dreaming" and they toned it down to a more natural presentation. Judy had been singing in front of audiences since she was 5 years old with her family. That is how you become a true professional by the time you are 14 or 15.

[@SKaR64]

Good analysis. One of the greatest songs ever sung.

[@paulweber3339]

Again so lovely throughout the song. I'm trying to learn music/vocal mechanics so thanks for the help.

[@jimcrowley1709]

Good analysis of her style. I wish more singers would emulate more of this today. Bing Crosby, very popular at the time, also had a smooth way of presenting a song.

[@sheldoncooper1134]

Perfection! And my favorite song and singer of all-time!

[@ronaldcammarata3422]

I understand that, during editing, Louis B. Mayer suggested cutting the song out of the movie because, he felt, it brought the pace to a halt (and thought it sounded beyond what a young girl should be singing).

[@jamiekeister9803]

Really great analysis. Interesting!

[@robertoferrari5397]

..and she was just a kid..so wonderful.

[@alanmerritts]

You have a nice voice!! Thump Thump!

[@chnalvr]

I would love to know about the development of Judy's singing talent. I know that MGM stars in her time were strongly coached and worked in voice, dance and acting, plus she was very dedicated to her work, even as a young teen. How much was coaching and practice for Judy and how much was raw talent? Her video clips of her singing even at age 13 and 14 sound like an adult woman.

[@terrysmith8749]

It was her talent. She was the greatest talent that ever trod the boards. I loved it when she sang swing. Judy was so full of talent that you couldn't fit it all into that tiny body of hers. All those times you thought Judy was fat, no she wasn't. They just stretched her so they could stuff her with more talent. And as she started getting smaller that extra talent was starting to blend well into her system. Judy, without any doubt was the greatest. Frank was right, Frank, Dean, are gone, but Judy isn't, she's all over u-tube. She certainly isn't forgotten. And her fan base is growing daily. Sbe can do something that so many people today can't do. She can sing and entertain. What a concept.. 51 years after her death, she's still entertaining. Great talent lasts forever.

[@terrysmith8749]

Judy was a naturally gifted person. Singing, dancing, and acting, comedy or drama. I believe the most influential musical person in Judy's life was Roger Edens. He didn't change her much, he just did some tweaking. He didn't want to change this young girls God given talent. He wrote a lot of material for her legally and illegally. Judy was like the daughter he never had. They were the absolute best of friends until her death, and his a few months later. AND BEFORE ANYONE SAYS IT, I KNOW.

[@marcosc9130]

A lot of hard work and sacrifices, much like Michael Jackson's father, Judy's mother was a terrible person and exploited her daughters, specially Judy making her live a very unhealthy life since she was basically a baby, it's very bittersweet because it made her as great as she was, but the price she had to pay is not fair and not one anyone should have to either. She loved performing since she was a baby (since 2 yo) but a lot of times she had to do it without really wanting. We know how evil her mother was to her on the age of 15 till her 20's, when arguably she had at least a little voice about her own life, it's scary to think what happened before, when was only a little kid wanting to live her dream, and everyone around her distorted this to their own benefits.

[@lylewalker5166]

Roger Edens coached her at MGM. She had the talent and he helped shape it to perfection.

[@mickeymouse2able]

"perfect piece of art"....i love it. How love-ly. I wonder if anyone said these wonderful words to her when she was 16 - 17 when she made this "perfect piece of art".

[@ezekel.4656]

Loved your reaction to this. Would love to see you react to more Judy songs! Especially The man that got away from A star is a born.

[@kuklafranandollie]

Part of the seamlessness is due to the editor. This is actually two takes cut together. The start, up to “way up high”, is from a false start (take 5) and the rest is from take 7. A seamless edit! Also, it’s hard to judge her physical technique since she of course recorded this weeks before filming and is lip syncing to playback.

[@Gregorius24]

“Over the Rainbow” was recorded on October 7, 1938 and the scene was one of the last filmed, which was mid-March 1939. (Principal photography of “Oz” lasted from October, 1938 through March 1939.) 🎶🌈❤️

[@albertadriftwood3612]

The singing is truly wonderful, but then there's the acting and her interaction with the dog. You're right.The whole performance is a work of art.

[@robinbeerman4726]

She had a beautiful voice. They used her.

[@lenwelch2195]

She’s impressed as we all are . When she sings ( and she has a lot of talent she sings the last part in one continuous singing which Garland doesn’t do. Garland takes her breath ata moment that is unnoticeable and least interrupts the flow of emotion of the meaning of the song. She sang better than she talked in a stuttering little jabs which is perfect for telling a funny absurd story. The greatest singer and entertainer ever. Only one Garland , a gift to all of. Us from god. I believe there is a god because she could only come from god

[@Leamichellefan2244]

I’ve heard other people sing this song and don’t get me wrong. Some of them do a great job with it other people make me wanna tear my hair out but Judy to me is the definitive one.

[@boy_going_nowhere]

Loved this! I've just subscribed :)

[@603storm]

I bet she didn’t know she was doing any of the technical things being pointed out. She was singing it in the way she thought best and was natural to her.

[@HisWordisLife4U]

So smooth and warm with innocent emotion. Sounds like a dream, which is what the song is about. It's what the whole movie is about--a dream. An angel singing while day dreaming.

[@Hunkiralyfi]

Thank you!

[@stevec3872]

Being 68 and growing up only being able to see "The Wizard of Oz" just once a year, which was a big deal and we didn't even have a color tv, to this day I am instantly in tears to hear Judy Garland sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I don't know if it's missing and lamenting that age of innocence as a kid or just how that song captures the meaning of the movie.

[@kayedeedid]

I think, when you've heard perfection--and you know it's not going to be done better ever--you just get overwhelmed. You're not sad, just so fortunate to be in that moment, that tears start flowing.

[@bradhdoubler3359]

That she was only 17 when she sang this....simply amazing.....

[@Gregorius24]

Actually, Judy was 16, she recorded “Over the Rainbow” in early October 1938. 🎶🌈🙂

[@RyneMurray23]

RIP.. This song makes me so sad.❤️

[@paxonearth]

Mesmerizing no matter how many times I see it.

[@BillBuck1972]

I love this song. If the song had been cut out of the movie, I don't think the movie would have had the impact that it has had.

[@jamesthomas6322]

The studio wanted to cut this scene out of the movie. Stronger minds prevailed and an eternal classic was born. No one could perform this song like the immortal Judy Garland. Bravo, Judy.

[@PK--ITA]

You know, the "old" way of singing, much more linear, was so beautiful that you had to screw it up completely and introduce these "great" meisms, etc. And so we started digging at the bottom on a deep gulf. Reccomened - "Disney Preincess" by Voctave.

[@gohca8496]

You have such a great voice 😘

[@redrum482]

Great reaction! WWHHyyy.

[@davidwalden8455]

Such a magical and unforgettable performance considering the many obstacles ( well documented) Judy had to overcome and the studio as well.

[@DaninMaine]

This song is a lovely, wistful swing ballad, which is how Judy sang it. Too many singers since sing it like it's the National Anthem of the Universe. Calm down and sing the beautiful words.

[@Carmelmen1]

Great singer

[@frankgyori2740]

This song was almost not included in the movie...

[@richdandanell2911]

Man , What a wonderful singer with a timeless voice . There is a young modern performer who also has a astounding voice , her name is Diana Ankudinova . There are many voice coaches composers and other music experts and singers that are saying Diana just may have the most unique and singular voice of our time . It would be interesting to see what you think . Two of her most iconic pieces are her cover of ( Wicked Game ) and ( Rechenka ) . Diana is something no music lover should miss she is like no one else on earth .

[@ajperkins288]

This iconic song showcases Judy's talent (nurtured first by her parents in the vaudeville circuit). This performance even more so displays the skill of Judy's vocal coach(es)❗ This is back when Hollywood was an "industry" and stars were created and not born (watch Judy's most demanding role in A Star is Born) Each day was filled with hours of singing, dancing and acting lessons in Addition to, scene rehearsal and filming. If an actress could meet the industry demands they were replaced. Judy was in Show Boat and Annie Get Your Gun‼

[@drummerchicago]

the craziest thing is that Judy was 16 while singing this.

[@jerribarnard885]

some were over the rainbow I freaking love this moive oh why oh why cant I play in it

[@davidwayne9982]

It was also said of JG that she was the only star ever to do everything she did PErFECTLY frst time... She never had a re-take of a song..

[@joemacinnis1972]

You've got such a lovely voice. What do you think of Karen Carpenter?

[@XtremiTeez]

You can't have pie without Cool Hwip.

[@johnheppenstall4904]

I've often read that when she was signed to MGM she'd never had a singing/music lesson in her life and I'm pretty sure she never did (going on the reports I've read). I think she was such a natural. At that time. Later, she learned how to be the mistress of the dramatic.

[@gabe-po9yi]

And Judy was only 16 when she sang this!

[@mybartmanful]

Excellent review of this magnificent piece of music and our beloved Judy. I am assuming that she recorded this and was lip syncing to the track. Either way, it's breathtaking. As her career continued, she employed much more dynamic and a "belting" technique but it always maintained that little bit of innocence that she portrayed in the original recording.

[@Rpzinna]

Could you also do analysis on Trolley Song and Get Happy sung by Judy Garland?

[@jrewing3718]

Interesting how David Bowie based some of "Starman" on this song, including a "Some-where" like octave leap when he sings "Star-man",

[@jotham777]

You also have to realize that there’s a 0.07 % chance this recording came from the set. She’s gotta be lip syncing a studio performance. This is usually the case. The exception is Les Miserable from a few years ago, which freed up the actors to interpret the song while performing, in the way that inspired them in the moment.