1. Somewhere over the Rainbow
A beautiful and melodic tune that is not only iconic to the film but further solidified in music history with the popular cover version by Israel "Bruddah Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole and still covered by popular artists to this day. It's the song that showed the talents of Judy Garland and endured the audience to the lovable Dorothy.
2. The Wizard of Oz
First started after the Yellow Brick
road song and then continues after Dorothy is joined by each new
member, the Scarecrow, the Tin man and the Cowardly Lion. After Over
the Rainbow this might be the most sung tune from the movie, fun to
whistle and skip along to and of course gives the title of the
movie. Anytime your out for an adventure it's hard not to burst out singing "we're off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful wizard of Oz". The song also makes great use of alliteration in the lines "We hear he is a whiz of a wiz; If ever a wiz there was; If ever, oh ever a wiz there was".
3. If I Only Had A Heart
The sweet sounds of the Tin man's
vocals bring warmth to the character. His journey for a heart is
something that a lot people could relate to even to this
day. He may be the most sympathetic of the trio and the moment that he bangs his hollow body to the percussion's of the song in the middle of a dance number makes the whole scene remarkable.
4. The Merry Ol' Land of Oz
The welcoming response to our four
heroes makes for a fun song that sticks in your head. From
introducing the horse of a different color to cleaning up each
member of the group, this song is sure to have you singing a “couple
of tra-la-la's, that's how we pass the day away in the merry ol'
land of Oz.”
5. The Munchkin Parade/Ding Dong the
Witch is Dead
This opening number in the
colorful Munchkin land starts off with some amazing rhyming by Dorothy describing her encounter with the witch. It
quickly turns to an infectious number that will have you singing
“Ding dong the witch is dead, which old witch? The wicked witch.”
The song shows Dorothy as a hero to the munchkins for ending the
reign of terror by the wicked witch of the East. The Lullaby League and the Lollipop Guild along with the rest of the munchkins make for a great start to Dorothy's journey through the land of Oz.
6. If I Only Had a Brain
The introductory song to the
Scarecrow shows the characters struggle in life without a real
brain. It's a fun song and dance number that endears us to the
Scarecrow and begins the real journey of “we're off to see a
wizard”.
7. Follow the Yellow Brick Road
The yellow brick road is the
opening of the “Wonderful Wizard of Oz” tune found throughout
the movie. The short and simple song is responsible for the phrase
that is often quoted form the movie “follow the yellow brick
road” where ever someone sets off on a journey.
8. King of the Forest
Highlighting the Cowardly Lions dream
of being king of the forest this tune is sung while the group
eagerly awaits seeing the Wizard. Not a fun musical dance number
like much of the other songs this one instead takes a personal look
into the dreams of the heroes.
9. If I Only Had the Nerve
The shortest of the “If I Only
Had a...” Songs but the Lion makes up for it later in the movie with King of
the Forest. Again showing the lack of a component that each
companion thinks they need to be whole, this short song is the most
forgettable of the three. But it still ends with "we're off to see a wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz."
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my! Is not an actual song sung but a repeated phrase, so it doesn't count. But still one of my favorite quotes from the movie. What is your favorite song from The Wizard of Oz. Comment below or tweet to me @BelleArboreus.
Here is the link to an article about the 80th Anniversary https://longislandweekly.com/the-wizard-of-oz-film-celebrates-80-years-of-magic-and-wonder/
Nice list. I love this movie! I think Ding Dong the Witch is dead is my favorite.
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