| "Rainbow Connection" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson) | |
| Published | 1979 (Fuzzy Muppet Songs) |
| Writer | Paul Williams Kenneth Ascher |
| Cover versions | |
| Judy Collins The Carpenters Sarah McLachlan Kenny Loggins Justin Timberlake Willie Nelson Peter Cincotti Weezer and Hayley Williams The Muppets |
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"Rainbow Connection" is a popular song written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher and originally performed by the character of 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.
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Kenneth 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 the Oscar 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 name's influence can also be seen throughout culture - from business names[7] to artificial Christmas tree products.[8]
The American Film Institute named Rainbow Connection the 74th greatest movie song of all time in AFI's 100 Years…100 Songs.
Kermit the Frog reprises the song in The Muppets. A shorter version of the song performed by The Moopets tribute band is also used in the film. In 1996 in Wanganui, New Zealand, a 21-year-old man burst into a radio station (Star FM) and took the manager hostage. His demand was to play "Rainbow Connection" by Kermit the Frog.[9]
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. Artists who have covered "Rainbow Connection" include Judy Collins,[10] The Carpenters, Sarah McLachlan, DAT Politics, Aaron Lewis, Kenny Loggins, The Dixie Chicks, Justin Timberlake, Kris Aquino, 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. Free Wild performs a rendition of the song on their 2010 Spin Dry tour. Also sung by Vonda Shepard in Ally McBeal (Season 2, episode "Angels and Blimps")
"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".[11]
Character personality, Miss Richfield 1981, regularly works "Rainbow Connection" into her own comedic routine where she plays the song with a saw and bow.
Samuel Preston recorded a version on Jim Henson's birthday in 2010 and gave it away free on his twitter page.
Weezer and Hayley Williams recorded the song for the tribute album, Muppets: The Green Album, released in 2011.
Mx. Justin Vivian Bond and Kenny Mellman (a.k.a. Kiki and Herb) covered this song on the album, "Kiki and Herb Will Die For You - Live at Carnegie Hall" (2004).
In the Yo Gabba Gabba! season 2 episode Weather, Paul Williams himself performs the vocals for the song during the Super Music Friends Show segment.
In 2011, characters from the web series Waterman covered the song.[12]
The Muppets as a group sang the song during the climax of The Muppets. A loose rendition of it was also sung by Fozzie Bear and the "Moopets".