By Hoshino Sakura
Rainbows and the aurora borealis are both beautiful and magical, and have come to be used as motifs in music across all cultures and genres.
Death Cab for Cutie uses the Northern Lights as way of evoking a special and magical time when reflecting on time passed. Science can seem clinical and sometimes take the magic away from phenomena such rainbows or the aurora borealis, but discovering that the aurora phenomena are caused by Solar Winds somehow is even more magical, and I am sure with his song, Nick Nicely agrees.
Rainbows may just be light refracting on water particles, but Yona & Orkesteri Liikkuvat Pilvet really bring the magic back to life with Sateenkaarilaulu (Rainbow song). The way voice interacts with instruments is really evocative and as listener I can really see the rainbow and feel the sun and the rain.
Rainbows have religious significance in many cultures and the Rainbow Serpent is part of the Aborigine creation myth and rainbows have a deep significance for them. Gurrumul Yunupingu is celebrating the birth of a child in the beautiful Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow).
One of the fascinating things about rainbows is that contrasting elements sun and rain combine to produce something new and beautiful. Ali Akbar Khan, John Handy & Dr. L. Subramaniam create a rainbow of sound with the their different backgrounds of classical Indian, classical western and Jazz, in the fantastic Rainbow Serenade.
Rainbows feature in love songs extensively and while Chet Baker wants his lover to Make Him Rainbows, Contrary Parade are happy to just see the Trace of Rainbow in their lover.
Rainbows are perhaps most used as symbols of hope, and even though Leon Bibb is surrounded by rain, he has a Rainbow Round His Shoulder and is going home at last. But poor Harry Nilsson is still searching and lamenting his luck in I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.
Of course, our journey could only ever end with this number. Somewhere Over The Rainbow is such an iconic song of hope that and pathos that it has become a classic, loved around the world. We had many different versions nominated this week, but Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s version is one that resonated with me the most.
Aurora Rainbow A-List Playlist:
Death Cab For Cutie – Northern Lights
Nick Nicely – Solar Wind
Yona & Orkesteri Liikkuvat Pilvet – Sateenkaarilaulu (Rainbow song)
Gurrumul Yunupingu – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)
Ali Akbar Khan, John Handy & Dr. L. Subramaniam – Rainbow Serenade
Chet Baker – Make Me Rainbows
Contrary Parade – Nijinoshippo (trace of a rainbow)
Leon Bibb – Rainbow Round My Shoulder
Harry Nilsson – I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Brilliant Brightness B-List Playlist:
Miles Davis – Will O' The Wisp
Black Uhuru – Ion Storm
Sugata Masaki - Niji
Goose House - Rainbow of Tears (Namida no niji)
Patti Smith - Farewell Reel
Astrud Gilberto – Look To The Rainbow
Soft Cell – Northern Lights
Jimi Hendrix – Bold As Love
Andy Partridge – Rainbeau Melt
Tipper – Broken Spectre
Guru’s Wildcard Pick:
ReoNa - Niji no Kanata ni (Beyond The Rainbow)
ReoNa is only 22 years old and my tip for future stardom! She is an accomplished actress, singer and composer with a great future ahead of her – remember you heard her here first!
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Celestial phenomena: songs about rainbows and the northern lights. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address. Also please follow us social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: