The 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" is known for its iconic music, which has become an integral part of popular culture. The witch music in the film plays a significant role in setting the atmosphere of the story and highlighting the power and presence of the witches. One of the most recognizable witch songs from "The Wizard of Oz" is "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead." This joyous and triumphant tune is sung by the Munchkins after the Wicked Witch of the East is crushed by Dorothy's house. The lyrics celebrate the demise of the witch and add a sense of relief and happiness to the scene. In contrast to the jubilant "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead," the Wicked Witch of the West has her own distinctive theme song.
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A 1903 review for the musical wrote, The burlesque parody of the cockney coon song never satisfies the audience until the two comedians have sung and danced themselves completely out of breath. Black-face as a comedy routine went on well into the 1950s, but in this case, the performance was not not being presented as a Minstrel show, but had similar tropes and gags to make the audience laugh.
In contrast to the jubilant "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead," the Wicked Witch of the West has her own distinctive theme song. The ominous and haunting melody is often accompanied by the sound of the witch's cackling laughter. This musical motif is used to enhance the tension and suspense whenever the Wicked Witch appears on screen, adding an eerie and foreboding atmosphere to her scenes.
'The Wizard Of Oz'
Bert Lahr (far right), Ray Bolger (back row, right), Judy Garland (sitting, right), composer Harold Arlen (sitting left), and various MGM and music publishing executives sing songs from the 1939 film musical 'The Wizard of Oz' around a microphone in the NBC radio studio, circa 1939. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesBert Lahr (far right), Ray Bolger (back row, right), Judy Garland (sitting, right), composer Harold Arlen (sitting left), and various MGM and music publishing executives sing songs from the 1939 film musical 'The Wizard of Oz' around a microphone in the NBC radio studio, circa 1939.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Wizard of Oz is, of course, a great movie. But it wouldn't have worked without the songs, which came from Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, a couple of guys with a piano, imagination and energy. Their talents and a rich orchestral score from Herbert Stothart helped make The Wizard of Oz one of the most widely seen, best-known and best-loved motion pictures in history.
John Fricke, author of several books about The Wizard of Oz, was among the millions of Americans watching the first time the movie appeared on television. It was November 1956.
He remembers being 5 years old and watching the movie with his cousins.
"All the kids were scared of the monkeys and the witch," he says. "And everybody walked away two hours later having had this great, happy evening. I was the one who had the life-changing experience."
A lobby card from Victor Fleming's 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesFricke explains that Oz was one of the first movie musicals to make the songs part of the narrative, essential to understanding the characters and their motivation. He also says that to have a young Judy Garland playing Dorothy was a songwriter's dream.
"The property of The Wizard of Oz, the script for The Wizard of Oz, the songs for The Wizard of Oz were all written specifically for Judy Garland," he says. "This was to be her first huge Technicolor showcase. And when Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg were signed to write The Wizard of Oz, they realized that there was a desire to have a ballad up front in The Wizard of Oz that would define Dorothy's character. And Arlen and Harburg realized they could write a ballad that had a great emotional range and great vocal range, because Judy Garland — even at 15, 16 — had that kind of power."
Fricke says MGM executives worried that placing the ballad "Over the Rainbow" at the beginning of the movie would slow it down.
"When Wizard of Oz was finished and taken out to be sneak previewed, one of the things they kept cutting out and putting back into the picture was the whole 'Over the Rainbow' sequence," he says. "But there was no way Oz could sustain itself without that song. That is Dorothy's theme musically. That is Dorothy's theme lyrically. I don't think you can overestimate the importance of that song and that performance in that spot in that movie."
Click the audio link above to hear more about the songs in The Wizard of Oz.
- Harold Arlen
- E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
- Judy Garland
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Another memorable witch song from the film is "The Jitterbug." Although it was cut from the final version of the movie, this lively and energetic tune showcases the Wicked Witch's attempts to destroy Dorothy and her friends using a mesmerizing dance called the jitterbug. The song adds a whimsical touch to the story and was included in some stage adaptations of "The Wizard of Oz." Lastly, the song "Over the Rainbow" performed by Dorothy (Judy Garland) is not specifically a witch song, but it serves as a contrast to the dark and mysterious world of the witches. Dorothy's hopeful and longing rendition of this ballad represents her desire for a better life away from the troubles of Kansas. The song has since become an enduring symbol of hope and dreams, and it plays a central role in the emotional journey of the characters. In conclusion, the witch music from "The Wizard of Oz" contributes to the overall atmosphere and narrative of the film. Whether it's the celebratory tune of "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead," the ominous theme of the Wicked Witch of the West, the energetic "Jitterbug," or Dorothy's iconic "Over the Rainbow," each song adds depth and emotion to the story, making it a beloved classic in cinematic history..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch's Musical Legacy: A Look into Her Iconic Songs from The Wizard of Oz"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch music from Wizard of Oz". I was expecting beautiful, enchanting melodies that would transport me to the magical world of Oz, but instead, all I got was a cacophony of strange, discordant sounds. The music was confusing and lacked any structure or recognizable tunes. It did not capture the essence of the original Wizard of Oz soundtrack at all. I was hoping for something that would bring back nostalgic memories, but instead, I was left feeling frustrated and let down.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I would not recommend "Witch music from Wizard of Oz" to anyone. The music was grating to my ears and gave me a headache. It sounded like someone was randomly banging on pots and pans, with no rhyme or reason. I couldn't make out any discernible melody or rhythm. It was a complete waste of my time and money. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this album if you're looking for quality music.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch music from Wizard of Oz", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The songs lacked the charm and magic that made the original Wizard of Oz soundtrack so memorable. Instead of feeling transported to the whimsical world of Oz, the music made me feel disoriented and disconnected. The compositions felt disjointed and choppy, making it difficult for me to fully enjoy the listening experience. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this album.