Rainbow Connection facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Rainbow Connection" |
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| B-side | "I Hope That Somethin' Better Comes Along" |
"Rainbow Connection" is a famous song from the 1979 movie The Muppet Movie. Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher wrote the music and words. In the film, Kermit the Frog (voiced by Jim Henson) sings this special song. It became very popular, reaching No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1979. The song stayed in the Top 40 for seven weeks! Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher were even nominated for an Oscar for this song.
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Making the Song: Rainbow Connection
Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher worked together before on songs for the 1976 movie A Star Is Born. For The Muppet Movie, they were asked to write all the songs.
How Kermit's Song Started
Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, told them how the movie should begin. He wanted the first scene to show Kermit the Frog all by himself. Kermit would be singing and playing his banjo.
Williams and Ascher wrote most of the song quickly at Williams' house. But they got stuck on one part of the chorus. They needed the perfect words to connect the chorus to the main idea of rainbows.
Finding the Perfect Words
While having dinner with Williams' wife, Kate Clinton, they explained their problem. They were looking for a phrase that would make "a rainbow connection." As they talked about it, they suddenly realized that "the rainbow connection" was the perfect phrase itself!
They also found inspiration from another famous song. They looked at "When You Wish Upon a Star" from the 1940 movie Pinocchio to help them.
Meaning Behind the Lyrics
Paul Williams has said that his favorite words in the song are: "Who said that every wish/ Would be heard and answered/ When wished on the morning star?/ Somebody thought of that/ And someone believed it/ Look what it's done so far." He likes these words because they show that "there's power in your thoughts." He also made sure the words fit how Kermit the Frog talks.
Song's Impact and Other Muppet Versions
"Rainbow Connection" has had a big impact. Many charities have used its name to show its hopeful message. These include groups helping children and camps for kids with serious illnesses or disabilities. The song's name has even inspired business names and Christmas decorations!
Awards and Recognition
The American Film Institute (AFI) recognized "Rainbow Connection" as a truly great movie song. It was named the 74th greatest movie song of all time in their list, AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs.
Kermit's Song in Other Muppet Shows
Kermit the Frog has sung "Rainbow Connection" many times since the movie.
- In 1980, he sang it on The Muppet Show with guest star Debbie Harry.
- The song's beginning was used in The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984).
- A big group of Muppets sang it at the end of the 1985 special The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years.
- In the 2011 movie The Muppets, Kermit sings it as a duet with Miss Piggy. Then, all the Muppets join in.
- A shorter version was sung by "The Moopets" in the same 2011 movie.
- Steve Whitmire, who performed Kermit after Jim Henson, recorded a new version for the The Muppets soundtrack.
- The song also appeared in the 2015 TV series The Muppets.
- On April 25, 2020, Kermit (performed by Matt Vogel) released a new video of the song online. He did this to cheer people up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Song's Chart Performance
"Rainbow Connection" was popular around the world.
| Chart (1979/80) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 14 |
Other Artists Who Sang It
Many other musicians have recorded their own versions of "Rainbow Connection." Here are some of them:
| Artist | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Judy Collins | 1980 | album Running for My Life |
| Mary O'Hara | 1980 | album The Scent of the Roses |
| The Brothers Cazimero | 1980 | album Waikiki, My Castle by the Sea (sung primarily in Hawaiian) |
| Lea Salonga | 1981 | album Small Voice |
| The Carpenters | 1981 | 2004 album As Time Goes By; an outtake from the 1981 album Made in America |
| Kenny Loggins | 1994 | album Return to Pooh Corner |
| Less Than Jake | 1997 | EP Muppets |
| Me First and the Gimme Gimmes | 1999 | album Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Are a Drag |
| Willie Nelson | 2001 | album Rainbow Connection |
| Sarah McLachlan | 2002 | album For the Kids |
| Peter Cincotti | 2003 | album Peter Cincotti |
| Jason Mraz | 2004 | album For the Kids Too! |
| The Dixie Chicks | 2004 | album Mary Had a Little Amp |
| Johnny Mathis | 2005 | album Isn't It Romantic: The Standards Album |
| Jane Monheit | 2009 | album The Lovers, The Dreamers And Me |
| Weezer and Hayley Williams | 2011 | album Muppets: The Green Album |
| Jim Brickman | 2012 | album Piano Lullabies |
| Edu | 2012 | album sketches |
| Yale Whiffenpoofs | 2013 | released as "Rainbow Connection (Glee Cast Version) – Single" and credited as the Glee Cast |
| Zee Avi | 2014 | album Nightlight |
| Gwen Stefani | 2015 | album We Love Disney |
| Todd Smith | 2016 | album Bellissimo!, as "El-Creepo!" |
| Sleeping at Last | 2016 | album Covers, Vol. 2 |
| Julian Velard | 2017 | album Fancy Words for Failure |
| Lisa Loeb | 2017 | album Lullaby Girl |
| Dan Stevens | 2017 | official soundtrack of the Legion TV series |
| Maddie Poppe | 2018 | American Idol audition (solo) and finale performance (duet with Kermit the Frog) |
| Jim James | 2019 | Performance at Newport Folk Festival (duet with Kermit the Frog) |
| Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson | 2019 | Performance on 53rd Annual Country Music Association Awards |
Appearing in Other Media
"Rainbow Connection" has also been featured in other TV shows.
- In 2006, Ed Helms sang a part of the song in an episode of The Office called "The Convict".
- In 2008, Paul Williams performed the song on the preschool show Yo Gabba Gabba! in the "Weather" episode.
- In 2017, the TV show Legion included the song in one of its episodes.
- The Rainbow Connection on Muppet Wiki, a Wikia wiki
See also
In Spanish: Rainbow Connection para niños
