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Rainbow Connection

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Rainbow Connection is a popular song written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher and originally performed by Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson) in The Muppet Movie in 1979. By extension, as evidenced in the TV special, The Muppets at Walt Disney World, the song has come to epitomize the ideals and artistic spirit of Henson and his company as much as When You Wish Upon a Star represents Walt Disney and his company.

Critical reception and legacy

Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams received Oscar nominations at the 52nd Academy Awards for the score of The Muppet Movie and for Rainbow Connection, which Allmusic described as an "unlikely radio hit ... which Kermit the Frog sings with all the dreamy wistfulness of a short green Judy Garland"[1] and went on to add that "'Rainbow Connection' serves the same purpose in The Muppet Movie that 'Over the Rainbow' serves in The Wizard of Oz, with nearly equal effectiveness: an opening establishment of the characters' driving urge for something more in life."[1] The song was also nominated for the Golden Globes for Best Original Song in 1979, but lost both Oscar and Globe to It Goes Like It Goes from Norma Rae, a win that some critics decried.[2][3]

The song's name has been used by a number of charitable organizations wishing to evoke its message, including a children's charity similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation,[4] a summer camp for seriously ill children,[5] and a horseback riding camp for people with disabilities.[6]

The American Film Institute named Rainbow Connection the 74th greatest movie song of all time in AFI's 100 Years…100 Songs.

Cover versions

The original (Kermit the Frog's) version of Rainbow Connection reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1979; the song remained in the Top 40 for seven weeks total.[citation needed] Artists who have covered Rainbow Connection include The Carpenters, Sarah McLachlan, DAT Politics, Aaron Lewis, Kenny Loggins, The Dixie Chicks, Justin Timberlake, Kiki and Herb, Jason Mraz, The Pussycat Dolls, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Tay Zonday, Jim Brickman, Caroline's Spine, Estradasphere, Leftöver Crack (with dramatically different lyrics), The Dresden Dolls, Willie Nelson (who is quite often incorrectly credited with penning the song), Peter Cincotti, Jane Monheit, pop-punk band Fifteen, Lea Salonga, Andy Bernard (played by Ed Helms) in The Office, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, The Loves and Trespassers William. It was sung by Blondie's Debbie Harry in a duet with Kermit on The Muppet Show in 1981 (Season 5) and implied that Kermit is well known for the song in the Muppet universe. Rock band Weezer is recording the song for the Muppets Remastered soundtrack with an appearance by Paramore's Hayley Williams. Free Wild performs a rendition of the song on their 2010 Spin Dry tour.

Rainbow Connection is the title song on Jane Monheit's 2009 album The Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me (the album title being a line from Rainbow Connection). Prior to this album, Jane Monheit's closing song in her concerts had usually been Over the Rainbow. In her 2009 tour, she usually closed with Rainbow Connection followed by a direct segue into Over the Rainbow.

References

  1. ^ a b Cater, Darryl. "Muppet Movie Original Soundtrack Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  2. ^ Tom Shales. "Kramer vs. Everybody," The Washington Post (DC), April 15, 1980, page B1: "The already forgotten ballad 'It Goes Like It Goes,' from 'Norma Rae,' won the Oscar as best song over competitions that included 'The Rainbow Connection' ..."
  3. ^ Rich Copley. "'The 75th annual Academy Awards' – trophy date on your night with unpredictable Oscar. Will he be a dream—or a dud?", Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), March 21, 2003, Weekender section, page 18: "Sometimes, old baldy leaves us scratching our skulls: ... the 1979 Oscar for best original song goes to It Goes Like It Goes from Norma Rae instead of Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie ..."
  4. ^ Rainbow Wish Connection
  5. ^ RC Camp
  6. ^ The Rainbow Connection.org
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