Just why ARE there so many "songs about rainbows"?

[Dave]

I haven't been listening to the radio too much this summer, because I've been riding my motorcycle to work. But while at work, I happened to hear two songs which mention rainbows back-to-back, and thought to myself:
"Just why ARE there so many songs about rainbows?"
We all know "The Rainbow Connection", but what set me off were these two songs. See how many you can think of, and add them...
Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us" and
Maroon Five's "And She Will Be Loved"

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Well, Dave - I can think of a few songs....I Won't Last A Day Without You has these lyrics: "when there's no gettin' over that rainbow..." And of course, Over the Rainbow says that "somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true..." Then there's Palma's song called "What The Ocean Knows", where it talks about how a rainbow fills the sky....plus the old tune "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows." I know there are more out there, Carpenters Online family....what are some more rainbow songs?

To answer your question, I believe that the Rainbow is a promise that life is here to stay - meaning there's more to life than what we know today.......That COULD be one reason why there's so many songs about Rainbows....

I'd like to be a Rainbow and promise life to you..."
Tim

[Rick Henry]

One of my favorite Rainbow songs is from the early 1960's called "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky". It's a great gospel song recorded by Mahalia Jackson.

[cam83]

Rainbow, Rainbow by Akiko on her CITY OF ANGELS album.

Cameron

[ps11932]

The song that I think is titled "I Can See Clearly Now" has a line that says, "Here is the rainbow I've been looking (or is it waiting) for." This is a great topic and one I'm sure many of us have thought about on occasion. I guess the rainbow serves as a reminder that whatever the storms or floods that may be facing us, there is still light and hope.

[Dave]

Hiya, Cam! The other day, the morning DJ on AM 620 mentioned Sandi Patti's name when he read the birthdays, and I thought of you. Hope that you're having a great summer!

[magiclamp]

One of my all-time favorite songs, "Look To The Rainbow". from "Finian's Rainbow" {Lyrics by: Yip Harburg].

I so wish Karen and Richard had covered this tune.

"Look To The Rainbow"

On the day I was born,
Said my father, said he.
I've an elegant legacy
Waitin' for ye,
'Tis a rhyme for your lips
And a song for your heart,
To sing it whenever
The world falls apart.

Look, look
Look to the rainbow.
Follow it over the hill and stream.
Look, look
Look to the rainbow.
Follow the fellow
Who follows a dream.
Follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow
Who follows a dream.

'Twas a sumptuous gift
To bequeath to a child.
Oh the lure of that song
Kept her feet runnin' wild.
For you never grow old
And you never stand still,
With whippoorwills singin'
Beyond the next hill.

Look, look
Look to the rainbow.
Follow it over the hill and stream.
Look, look
Look to the rainbow.
Follow the fellow
Who follows a dream.
Follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow
Who follows a dream.

Best regards,
magiclamp

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Cam, that's a GREAT song. Jim sent me the Akiko CD a couple of years ago, and I still enjoy it very much. I am especially fond of this cut, and the one called Only The Angels Know.
Best,
Tim

[magiclamp]

yesterdayoncemore said:

Cam, that's a GREAT song. Jim sent me the Akiko CD a couple of years ago, and I still enjoy it very much. I am especially fond of this cut, and the one called Only The Angels Know.
Best,
Tim

Oh I just love "Rainbow, Rainbow" as well! What a sweet record.
Akiko Kobayashi's voice is so warm and Richard's production so complimented her style.

Over the years I've purchased many of Akiko's albums which were released before/after "City Of Angels", and have enjoyed most of them, - but none quite as much as "City Of Angels".

Kindest regards,
magiclamp

[Moe]

Sheena Easton had a nice song in the late 80's called, "Follow my Rainbow." I saw her sing it once on TV and combined it with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

I think rainbow songs are a nice escape song. They allow you to dream of a better place or time, or even a better life. Maybe just a little get away, a break from reality.

[cam83]

Another album, by another group(sorry for getting off topic)...is the ANITA KERR SINGERS who did and had a lot of success as a VOCAL group, as well as being hired to do background vocals for famous artists...they even won a Grammy taking it away from the Beatles, if memory serves me correctly.

There was this album by Anita Kerr, that I grew up on, on 8-TRACK is GENTLE AS MORNING 1975 album. Beautiful album, beautiful songs, beautiful moods. Really reminds me of the Carpenters as their lead vocalist has a distinct and prominent voice, Miss Anita Kerr herself...and the background vocalists all compliment each other, I believe it was either 2 women and 2 men in group...and Anita Kerr, or Anita Kerr, another woman, and 2 men. But anyways, beautiful album, arrangements. I would recommend if you want something relaxing and peaceful, GET the album!!!

My thoughts,
Cam

[smoothie2]

admin said:

One of my favorite Rainbow songs is from the early 1960's called "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky". It's a great gospel song recorded by Mahalia Jackson.

Yes, Rick I heard that song not that long ago I think in a movie and I never had heard it...but I really liked it.

[smoothie2]

:DDelightful topic!..Very good input from everybody...
I once watched a movie about Judy Garland how she started out singing with her sisters and then made it on her own.
One the songs in the movie she sang was "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows"....I loved it and since then have heard it sung by others...kinda sad song though...
::)Everyone's answers to the question
are all so true. Rainbows = HOPE,
Wonderful
Promise of Heaven for believers...(God did put that rainbow in the sky after Noah and family weathered much rain)
a week or so back, after a terrible storm where
the sky and clouds were really a scary sight...
the sun came out and I saw a DoubLE RAinbOW...
I'll try to think of more songs...

[Rick Henry]

smoothie2 said:

:DDelightful topic!..Very good input from everybody...
I once watched a movie about Judy Garland how she started out singing with her sisters and then made it on her own.
One the songs in the movie she sang was "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows"....I loved it and since then have heard it sung by others...kinda sad song though...
::)Everyone's answers to the question
are all so true. Rainbows = HOPE,
Wonderful
Promise of Heaven for believers...(God did put that rainbow in the sky after Noah and family weathered much rain)
a week or so back, after a terrible storm where
the sky and clouds were really a scary sight...
the sun came out and I saw a DoubLE RAinbOW...
I'll try to think of more songs...

Absolutely beautiful Kathy... thank you for the thought.

[smoothie2]

:Dthanks Rick....great to hear from you too Cam.....
I also thought of a Merle Haggard song...I think the name of it is "Rainbow Stew"....and if I'm thinking right, it's an upbeat
song and I think he means that when we reach heaven...and the lyrics are something like : "Eatin' RAINBOW stew under that sky of blue...we'll all be drinkin' that free bubble-up, and eatin' that rainbow stew"...
well that was in the days still of "honky tonk" songs...and when I listened to country music...Anyway, it does seem kind of corny once down in words..
but ...there's a rainbow....ha OH YES, WARM GREETINGS TO YOU MAGICLAMP...GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US...
gREAT PIC OF YOU TOO ON YOUR POST AND i HAVEN'T HEARD THE
SONG YOU MENTION, BUT IT SOUNDS GREAT .

[magiclamp]

One of my favorite HARRY CHAPIN songs is called "So Many Colors In The Rainbow". He sang it with such heart, and if you've never heard it, I urge you to listen to this song.

Here are the lyrics, which I hope HARRY, who was such a giving and compassionate man, won't mind my posting.

Spoken)Your son marches to the beat of a different drummer, comer.
(Spoken)But don't worry,
(Spoken)We'll have him joining the parade by the end of the term
The little boy went first day of school
He got some crayons and started to draw
He put colors all over the paper
For colors was what he saw
And the teacher said.. What you doin' young man
I'm paintin' flowers he said
She said... It's not the time for art young man
And anyway flowers are green and red
There's a time for everything young man
And a way it should be done
You've got to show concern for everyone else
For you're not the only one
And she said...
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen
But the little boy said...
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one
Well the teacher said.. You're sassy
There's ways that things should be
And you'll paint flowers the way they are
So repeat after me.....
And she said...
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen
But the little boy said...
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one
The teacher put him in a corner
She said.. It's for your own good..
And you won't come out 'til you get it right
And are responding like you should
Well finally he got lonely
Frightened thoughts filled his head
And he went up to the teacher
And this is what he said.. and he said
Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen
Time went by like it always does
And they moved to another town
And the little boy went to another school
And this is what he found
The teacher there was smilin'
She said...Painting should be fun
And there are so many colors in a flower
So let's use every one
But that little boy painted flowers
In neat rows of green and red
And when the teacher asked him why
This is what he said.. and he said
Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen.
But there still must be a way to have our children say . . .
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one

Kindest regards,
magiclamp

[smoothie2]

Wow...what a terrific beautiful song!..I haven't heard it, but has superb lyrics.
Someone, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think H. Chapin died.
"Cats in the Cradle" is one of his most famed songs which also takes on a great message.
thanks for sharing magiclamp...(wonderful pen name)

[JohnnyAngel]

Great Topic!!!
The very first "non Carpenters" song that came into my mind was "Little Italy" by Stephen Bishop in duet with Chaka Kahn
The part that Chaka sings

"... Ah but Rosie,
She's got a rainbow on her shoulders
You better not loose her
Buy her flowers
make her heart sing
Oh dancing in the streets
in Little Italy.."

What a GREAT song!!

I also thought in "Johnny Nash's I can see clearly now" another great song!!


Regards

Jorge