“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is 82-years-old. Most people credit Israel Kamakawiwo’ole for the song, but it is actually Judy Garland who sang the song in her starring role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
The music is by Harold Arlen and lyrics written by E. Y. Harburg. This classic Academy Award winning ballad received numerous historic honors and accolades over the past 75 years of its life.
And it continues to live on, this time through 8-year-old Claire Crosby.
Claire started off with Disney inspired videos courtesy of her dad, Dave, who noticed that his daughter could carry a tune. He tells Parents,
” I remember some time after her first birthday, she was slamming her hands on our little keyboard in the living room. She started hitting the same note over and over, and then she began to sing the exact same note. I was sure at that moment that she was going to be able to sing.”
And so this YouTube sensation was born. She’s small and mighty!
Claire’s got online personality too. She knows how to engage her audience. This little singer smiles and talks to her viewers as if it was a one on one convo. And she’s only 8.
It was a rainy day so Claire thought she’d sing a song about rainbows for us. Isn’t she the sweetest?
That’s her signature blue ukulele by the way.
A fan named Izzy commented,
“Claire has the voice of a little angel. She is so talented, playing the ukulele whilst singing as well 💕💕”
Talented and confident. That’s Claire Crosby!
Now we can’t really blame the people today for automatically crediting Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Kah-MAH-kah-VEE-voh-OH-lay) as he really did redefine this classic.
It’s the version most often played on TV and the radio, combining Judy Garland’s poignancy with Israel’s enigmatic aura. Who hasn’t paused for awhile to lay back and enjoy Israel’s version? It was Israel’s Mana.
Claire’s got that magical effect too.
Her innocence and that adorable sweetness she has adds character to her cover of the song, and it does bring listeners to their favorite place. Let’s all escape for awhile. Grab a drink.
“Someday I’ll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops that’s where”
If only there was a place we could all go to. One without politics and madness. Just rainbows and beaches and not a care in the world.
Maybe that’s why Israel had that energy. He was from Hawaii and the man had a really positive attitude. Almost child-like in the best sense. And Claire, being 8, has not yet been corrupted by this world. She’s a gem.
And if you’ve seen Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, you would realize that Dorothy sang the song at the most appropriate time too.
And Claire? Well this little girl is just bursting with sunshine and rainbows every time she appears on YouTube. So let this child’s voice carry you far away to a land where all your wishes will come true.
Listen to Claire’s charming rendition below!
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