Yip Harburg: The Blacklisted Lyricist Behind "The Wizard of Oz" and "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"

The Life and Philosophy of Yip Harburg

• 💡 Yip Harburg, though his name might not be widely known, penned lyrics for iconic songs like "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
• 🧠 Born into poverty on Manhattan's Lower East Side, Harburg's experiences deeply influenced his work, instilling a lifelong commitment to fighting racism and poverty.
• ✊ He viewed songs as "man's anodine against tyranny and terror," believing the artist's role is to be on the side of humanity.

Musical Beginnings and "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"

• 📚 Harburg developed an early passion for poetry, inspired by authors like O. Henry and W.S. Gilbert, and met Ira Gershwin in high school, sparking a lifelong collaboration.
• 🎶 The iconic song "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" originated from a Russian lullaby tune by Jay Gorney and evolved from a satirical piece to a poignant anthem of the Great Depression.
• 😔 Despite the era's censorship favoring escapist songs, Harburg's "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" directly addressed the harsh realities of the Great Depression, becoming a national phenomenon.

Crafting "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

• 🎬 For "The Wizard of Oz," Harburg and composer Harold Arlen were brought in to create the score, with Harburg also contributing to the script and acting as a "show doctor" to improve the film's narrative.
• 🌈 Harburg's contribution to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" involved integrating the music with the story, a novel approach for Hollywood at the time.
• ✍️ He developed the dummy title "I want to get on the other side of the rainbow" for the song, which evolved into the final, iconic lyrics, capturing a young girl's yearning for escape and hope.

The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Lyrics

• 🎭 Harburg's influence extended beyond lyrics; he helped integrate the music into the narrative, wrote dialogue, and served as the final script editor, unifying the film's artistic vision.
• 📖 The original story by L. Frank Baum contained political symbolism, with characters representing farmers, laborers, and Wall Street financiers, a theme that resonated with Harburg's own social consciousness.
• 🌟 Despite initial critical lukewarm reception, "The Wizard of Oz" gained immense popularity through television broadcasts, becoming a beloved American artwork.

Broadway, Politics, and Blacklisting

• 🎭 Harburg's Broadway shows, including "Bloomer Girl" and "Finian's Rainbow," were politically charged, addressing themes of women's suffrage, racial equality, and anti-capitalism.
• ✊ "Bloomer Girl" was groundbreaking for its portrayal of an Underground Railroad conductor, and "Finian's Rainbow" was notable for being one of the first Broadway shows with an integrated chorus of Black and white performers.
• 🚫 During the McCarthy era, Harburg faced blacklisting, preventing him from working in Hollywood, radio, and television for over a decade due to his socialist political views.