Judy Garland

In the first entry of the series What Makes It Great, pianist and composer Rob Kapilow uncovers the secret to the success of "Over the Rainbow." At the piano, Kapilow demonstrates that the complete emotional narrative lies in the song's brilliant opening measures.

The concert poster for Judy Garland's 1961 performance at Carnegie Hall proclaimed her the "world's greatest entertainer." Rufus Wainwright is certainly less well-known than Garland, but he's retaining the set list and the superlative billing for his recreation of that legendary show.

The music for the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, features the beloved classics "Over the Rainbow," "We're Off to See the Wizard" and "If I Only Had a Brain." Author John Fricke discusses the stories behind the songs.

In the first entry of the series What Makes It Great, pianist and composer Rob Kapilow uncovers the secret to the success of "Over the Rainbow." At the piano, Kapilow demonstrates that the complete emotional narrative lies in the song's brilliant opening measures.

With a catalogue of more than 400 songs, including "Over the Rainbow," "Stormy Weather," and "Get Happy," the timeless music of Harold Arlen has kept America swinging, and singing, for decades. NPR marks the centennial of the songwriter's birth with an hour-long special.