"Over the Rainbow," Through the Years

I'm a sucker for older artists performing the songs from their younger days. I don't know if it's a more mature voice, or the wisdom of the years shining through, but it always seems to add a poignancy missing from the original work.

Take, for example, these three performances of "Over The Rainbow," Judy Garland's most famous song.

"Over the Rainbow," 1939

"Over the Rainbow," 1955


"Over the Rainbow," 1969

Of course, knowing of Judy Garland's personal struggles with depression and addiction certainly add a layer of tragedy to the song. "If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh why, can't I?" Truly heartbreaking.