The Best Songs In The Wizard Of Oz, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• The Wizard of Oz remains an influential musical with 26 iconic songs that impact pop culture and everyday lives.
• Songs like “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland and “We’re Off To See The Wizard” are enduring cultural staples.
• Characters like the Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow shine through songs like “If I Only Had The Nerve” and “If I Only Had A Brain.”

As the film adaptation of Wicked dominates theaters both critically and financially, with its own set of iconic songs, fans should not forget that it and the Broadway show would not exist without 1939’s The Wizard Of Oz. It was not only a revolutionary movie with its impressive design and use of color, but it was a musical that rivaled the Disney films of the era.

The characters, the story, and the set pieces are all enhanced by a soundtrack that is still considered iconic over eighty-five years later. With twenty-six songs, The Wizard Of Oz remains an influential musical that not only impacted pop culture in general but everyday lives as some songs are ingrained in people without ever having seen the film they came from.

10 The Merry Old Land Of Oz

Going Through The Emerald City With Style

• Song Link
• Sung By: Frank Morgan, Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Tyler Brook, Oliver Smith, Charles Irwin, Lois January, Elivda Rizzo, Lorraine Bridges, MGM Studio Chorus, Bobby Watson, Ralph Sudam

So much of the time spent in The Wizard Of Oz is getting to the Emerald City, which makes it imperative to have the inside of the city have an impact. That is when “The Merry Old Land Of Oz” comes in, showing the jovial and seemingly Utopian society as the citizens welcome Dorothy, Toto, and their companions with open arms with the final musical number of the movie.

As the heroes get tidied with improved costumes, bright shades of green on the environment and the people complement the fun lyrics in the song, which feels like the anthem for the city. Everyone is happy and helpful, helping the song convey the feeling of wanting to live in the Emerald City as the perfect place in “The Merry Of Old Land Of Oz” as the title suggests.

9 Optimistic Voices

The Heroes Are Nearly Done With Their Trek

• Song Link
• Sung By: The Debutantes, The Rhythmettes

“Optimistic Voices” is one of the shortest songs in The Wizard of Oz. The song begins after Glinda saves Dorothy and her companions from the sleep-inducing poppy fields. It reassures them that the most challenging parts of their fantasy journey to Emerald City are behind them, and they are close to reaching their destination, which makes the title feel fitting.

The choir of female voices is delightful, reminiscent of angels singing from the clouds. The scene also contains a comedic element, as the characters are confused by the singing voices, breaking the fourth wall. However, it’s hard not to smile while listening to the enchanting melody. One character even feels a little extra bounce in their step as they skip merrily toward the Emerald City.

8 Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead

Celebrating A Witch’s Death Should Not Be This Catchy

As morbid as it sounds, the Munchkins have a celebration anthem titled “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” dedicated to the death of the Wicked Witch Of The East, which is difficult not to enjoy. It’s never shown how much of a tyrant the witch was, but there is a sense of newfound freedom in how they relish her mortal defeat as they chant with a marching band playing.

The dark yet cheerful humor adds to the song, which allows it to be used in other movies or memes on the internet, such as when a hated character dies in a TV show. Additionally, the song is genuinely catchy, with the simple chants becoming earworms for anyone.

7 Follow The Yellow Brick Road / You’re Off The See The Wizard

A Simple But Memorable Farewell To Munchkinland

At some point in their lives, everyone has likely heard the phrase “Follow The Yellow Brick Road,” even if they haven’t seen The Wizard Of Oz or read any of the books by L. Frank Baum. The song is quite simple, with the Munchkins singing instructions to guide the main character on her journey to find the titular character as they lead her and Toto out of Munchkinland.

The visuals effectively convey the excitement of the song as Dorothy dances out of Munchkin City with a crowd of admirers trailing behind her. This is especially true when “Follow The Yellow Brick Road” builds up and transitions into the first version of “We’re Off To See The Wizard,” adding another iconic element to the performance.

6 If I Only Had The Nerve

Cowardly Lion Leaves Viewers Singing And Laughing

• Song Link
• Sung By: Bert Lahr, Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley

The Cowardly Lion is the last companion to join Dorothy’s traveling party, and he is arguably the funniest. Bert Lahr brings the character to life with his expressive performances and thick accent. When “If I Only Had The Nerve” plays, the song enhances the enjoyment of his character as he shares his deep desire to be brave.

It is even more impressive to see the actor perform in a claustrophobic costume as the lion. Additionally, this song is the final variation of the tunes sung by the companions. As a result, by the end, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man all join in the song, creating a genuine conclusion to a melody that has been growing with each chapter.

5 If I Only Had A Brain

The First Companion Song Has A Lot Of Thought Put Into It

The first of the companion songs notably introduces the Scarecrow, highlighting his charming yet humble nature as he expresses his desire to have a brain with the fittingly titled, “If I Only Had A Brain”. Ray Bolger plays a crucial role in this performance, thanks to his impressive vocal range—which spans from soft and delicate to loud and boisterous.

His physical performance is also noteworthy. His dancing and movement effectively portray a character that seems almost boneless, resembling a live-action cartoon character. The Scarecrow is significant not only because he is the first companion, making him important to the audience, but also because his song suggests that the companions already possess what they are searching for. This idea comes full circle by the end of the story.

4 It Really Was No Miracle

A Short Bop That Is Sure To Never Leave Heads

• Song Link
• Sung By: Judy Garland, The Munchkins

After Glinda calls out to the Munchkins, Dorothy describes her arrival in the song “It Really Was No Miracle.” This song has an upbeat tempo that creates a lively tune, incorporating numerous rhymes with the word “witch,” which contributes to its catchy melody.

In a sequence filled with many songs, “It Really Was No Miracle” is fast-paced as it is not even a minute long. There are television show intros that are longer than this song, which shows the ingenuity of both the lyrics and composers to create a song that can rival some of the more complicated songs in The Wizard Of Oz soundtrack.

3 If I Only Had A Heart

The Tin Man Warms Hearts With His Vocals And Dancing

The Tin Man’s song about his longing for a heart is softer than the other two companions, as Jack Haley serenades about wanting to be a tender and caring person. Ironically, for a character that claims he’s just a hollow robot, his song is one of the most emotional songs in The Wizard Of Oz, which hints at the moral that they all have what they were seeking all along.

The song is enhanced in the film during the latter half, where it features an upbeat instrumental section while Tin Man dances. The song features a continual evolution, transitioning from melodic reflections of a solitary robot to an engaging dance segment, which contributes to its distinctiveness compared to many other songs.

2 We’re Off To See The Wizard

The Ideal Song To Sing With Friends Or Family

• Song Link
• Sung By: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr

The song “We’re Off To See The Wizard” is repeated several times throughout the story, each time Dorothy meets and befriends a new companion on her journey down the Yellow Brick Road. While one might expect the song to lose its appeal over time, it remains a catchy tune with each reprise while signifying the beginning of a new branch in the characters’ adventure toward the Emerald City.

It’s one of those songs that made a cultural impact, as people hum or sing it while walking to the store, going to work, visiting friends, or heading home. The song serves as the perfect traveling anthem, partly due to its cheerful melody and the smooth harmonies of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, which enhance each rendition.

1 Over The Rainbow

Judy Garland Still Blows People Away Decades Later

Before Dorothy even gets to the land of Oz, she delivers what is the first and easily the most famous song in the film “Over The Rainbow”, a song that captures the audience and gives a look into her desires. Judy Garland, remarkably, at only sixteen years old, finds a middle ground between soft and powerful as Dorothy pines for something new in her life, something that many can relate to.

The tone of “Over the Rainbow” is intriguing because the song can evoke both sadness and upliftment. This duality has contributed to its status as an iconic musical classic, inspiring famous artists to create covers across various genres of music, ranging from Hawaiian reggae to pop ballads. When people think of the music from The Wizard of Oz, one of the first songs that likely comes to mind is.