McPee’s “Rainbow” Soars the Charts
Katharine McPhee’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz” has entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 12—the song’s highest position ever on the Billboard pop singles chart.
McPhee first performed the song on “American Idol” when she was one of the three remaining contestants, and then on the show’s finale when she came in as runner-up to Taylor Hicks.
Written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, and originally sung by the “Wizard of Oz” star Judy Garland, the song was first heard by audiences at the film’s premiere in 1939. It wasn’t until July 1940 when the first Billboard pop singles chart was published, and so Garland’s recording of the song never made it.
A Bronx vocal group known as the Demensions had a single of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” that reached No. 16 on the Hot 100 in 1960, and singer Gary Tanner took the song to No. 69 in 1978.
McPhee’s recording of the song is one step behind Fifth Estate’s version of “Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead,” for being the highest charted song off “The Wizard of Oz” soundtrack. The Stamford, Conn. Group brought the song to No. 11 in 1967.
“My Destiny,” the B-side of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” has debuted at No. 60. McPhee is currently sidelined from the “American Idols Live” tour with a case of bronchitis and laryngitis. Her current plans include a guest hosting gig on “The View” on July 19.
McPhee first performed the song on “American Idol” when she was one of the three remaining contestants, and then on the show’s finale when she came in as runner-up to Taylor Hicks.
Written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, and originally sung by the “Wizard of Oz” star Judy Garland, the song was first heard by audiences at the film’s premiere in 1939. It wasn’t until July 1940 when the first Billboard pop singles chart was published, and so Garland’s recording of the song never made it.
A Bronx vocal group known as the Demensions had a single of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” that reached No. 16 on the Hot 100 in 1960, and singer Gary Tanner took the song to No. 69 in 1978.
McPhee’s recording of the song is one step behind Fifth Estate’s version of “Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead,” for being the highest charted song off “The Wizard of Oz” soundtrack. The Stamford, Conn. Group brought the song to No. 11 in 1967.
“My Destiny,” the B-side of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” has debuted at No. 60. McPhee is currently sidelined from the “American Idols Live” tour with a case of bronchitis and laryngitis. Her current plans include a guest hosting gig on “The View” on July 19.
