"If I were the king of the FOREST!"

 

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Music and Lyrics from The Wizard of Oz

Written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, the score for the Wizard of Oz is much like other Hollywood musicals of the late 1930's and early 1940's. During this time, it was common to write lyrics that related directly to the plotline, and here, there is only one true number that can stand on it's own - Over the Rainbow. Arranger Herber Stothart was responsible for underscoring the film using both material written by Arlan and Harbug, as well as his own compositions, traditional and classical music. While there is underscoring throughout the film, it is interesting that once Dorothy and her pals go off in search of the Wicked Witch, there are no more musical numbers. This is due to two cuts - initially, in the haunted forest, a scene called the Jitterbug took place. However, the Jitterbug was considered too happy for impending capture by the flying monkeys. A reprise of Over the Rainbow was also filmed while Dorothy is watching the crystal ball, but cut as the studio felt that it was too emotional, and therefore scary for children.

Interesting Fact : The entire song Over the Rainbow was cut from the film at one point, because L.B. Mayer couldn't figure out how the little girl was singing in the barnyard in Kansas had anything to do with the plot of The Wizard of Oz. It was then spliced back in during later edit of the film.

Complete Score (with incidental / background music used in the film)

Main Title Credits MGM Studio Orchestra
Trouble in School MGM Studio Orchestra
Over the Rainbow Judy Garland
Miss Gulch MGM Studio Orchestra
Leaving Home MGM Studio Orchestra
Crystal Gazing MGM Studio Orchestra
Cyclone Wicked Witch of the West
Munchkinland Wicked Witch of the West

Come out.. Come out...

Billie Burke
It Really was No Miracle Judy Garland
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead Munchkins
Muchkinland Scene (Lollypop Guild, Lulliby League, etc.) Munchkins
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead Reprise

Munchkins
Threatening Witch MGM Studio Orchestra
Leaving Munchkinland MGM Studio Orchestra
Good Fairy Vanishes MGM Studio Orchestra
Follow the Yellow Brick Road / You're off to see the Wizard Judy Garland / Munchkins
The Cornfield MGM Studio Orchestra
If I Only Had a Brain  
We're off to see the Wizard Judy / Bert / Buddy / Ray*
The Apple Orchard MGM Studio Orchestra
If I only had a Heart  
Witch on Roof MGM Studio Orchestra
We're off to see the Wizard Judy / Bert / Buddy / Ray*
Into the forest of wild beasts MGM Studio Orchestra
Lion's confession  
If I only had the nerve  
We're off to see the Wizard Judy / Bert / Buddy / Ray*
Poppies MGM Studio Orchestra
The Spell MGM Studio Orchestra
Optimistic Voices  
The Gates Open MGM Studio Orchestra
Merry Old Land of Oz  
If I were the King of the Forest  
At the Gates of the Emerald City MGM Studio Orchestra
The Terrified Lion MGM Studio Orchestra
The Haunted Forest MGM Studio Orchestra
The Jitterbug's Attack MGM Studio Orchestra
The Witches Castle / Toto Brings News MGM Studio Orchestra
March of the Winkies MGM Studio Orchestra
Dorothy's Rescue / On the Castle Wall MGM Studio Orchestra
The Wizard's Expose MGM Studio Orchestra
Fill-In Awards/I Was Floating Through Space