Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland is a song known for being featured in the Wizard of Oz. In the movie, Dorothy sings a song imagining how perfect life would be like away from bleak, old Kansas. She describes this place as “somewhere over the rainbow.” In reality, the song actually has political meaning. Since it was released around the time of the Great Depression, people needed a sliver of hope. The song represents Franklin Roosevelt’s “New Deal Project” that was proposed to get America out of the Depression. Originally, the song was supposed to be cut from the movie. MGM thought that it was too slow, and dragged the movie on. Now it is an iconic song from the movie that still has popularity and relevance today. When people hear the song, they automatically think of the little girl from Kansas, longing to be somewhere other than home.
My name is Rebecca Nocentino, and I am a junior at Rowan University. My major is Writing Arts with a concentration in New Media, and I am minoring in Radio, Television and Film Studies. I have a very broad taste in music, but usually listen to indie, alternative or R&B in my free time. Music and writing are two of my passions. I have been playing acoustic guitar since I was taking lessons at 11 years old. Being older now, I try to teach myself more and practice everyday, or whenever I get a chance. I also love to write poetry in my free time, and figured out with a little practice, I can turn a poem into a song. I now enjoy song writing, and base my music either off of my own life experiences, or someone else’s. My biggest inspirations when it comes to music are Alanis Morissette, Ed Sheeran and Amy Winehouse. I love writing songs because it is a way for me to harness emotions I have, whether angry, happy or sad, into an outlet that can create something beneficial, such as music.