Rainbow Connection

Rainbow Connection (by Kermit the Frog...actually written by Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams).

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they are wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered,
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star-gazing,
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the Dreamers and Me.

All of us under its spell,
we know that it's probably magic...

...Have you been half asleep? And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
...Is it the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something I'm supposed to be...
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me.

This is my favorite English-language song. It's an absolutely amazing piece of work. Kermit heartfully makes some amazing points.

The first verse establishes that Kermit does not believe that rainbows are merely illusions. I suppose frogs do not grasp basic science like humans do, but than again, I don't think he is quite literally speaking about rainbows anyway. He is suggesting that there really IS a "rainbow connection".

The second verse illuminates the point drastically. He talks about wishing on a star. Again, this is something that people BELIEVE works. Kermit turns around and sutbetly suggests that it is BELIEF that is important. For "look what it's done so far". Granted, the cynic would say: "I bet the success rate of wishing on a star is very bad", but the notion of belief itself is what Kermit is suggesting...just like how he BELIEVES that people are wrong about rainbows being merely illusions. He believes that "someday we will find it, the rainbow connection...".

The last part of this line ("someday we will find...") is the most impressive one, as it makes an allusion to Cyrano de Bergerac (which in turn makes a reference to "the Two Noble Kings" if I'm not mistaken). In "The Two Noble Kings", there is a conversation between Theseus and Hyppolita. Theseus suggests how lovers have "strong imaginations" much like the Dreamers and the Madmen. In many ways I would have to agree with Theseus. Lovers, Dreamers, Madmen etc. have a sort of "romantic" notion to them. There is a certaion notion of passion involved. Is not Don Quixote a Lover, a Dreamer or a Madman? I would argue he is all three! The very conversatoin had between Theseus and Hyppolita shows that Shakespeare is questiong reality itself...or at least how people perceive the world. Hyppolita talks about how "wonderous" their stories are. The stories however suggest that they are probably based on reality...and thus, the notion of reality itself is muddled.

It's been a long time, but if I recall correctly, Cyrano de Bergerac (I doubt you'd be surprised that an ugly fool like me would consider it an Amazing story...I think it was Ayn Rand who called it "the greatest play in World literature". I certainly consider it "up there" on any list) refers to this statement. In the "lunatics" scene, the idea of "lunatics" (people from the moon) is very much similar to "the madmen", and it is quite obvious the writer intends to refer to Shakespeare (by the way, the Steve Martin movie-adapation named "Roxanne" is in my opinion one of the best stage-to-movie adaptations ever. I love the choices made. Very underrated movie!).

But the most amazing part of this statement by Kermit the Frog is that he says "someday WE will find it, the rainbow connection, the Lovers, the Dreamers and ME". He is saying his is MAD! He is saying he is a lunatic! That he's NUTS! Whoa Kermit, no wonder why I consider you the greatest kids character ever invented! Kermit truly is an amazing charachter. Popular, but shy. He is a superstar, and yet he is a brooding philosopher/thinker. Kermit is one of my heroes.

He than asks "have you been half-asleep? And have you heard voices?" He's talking about reality and perception again. Are you awake or asleep? Are you half asleep? The notion of being half-asleep is incredible. You are neither in the dream world or hte world "of the living". Perhaps you are day-dreaming. It is still a matter of perception, reality and your place in it. For that matter, it is a call. A call to wake up and realize what is around you, and to realize your self (not to mention yourself...which is differen than the phrase "your self").

He makes this "call, and than talks about the voices. This is intriguing because of the Greek Sirens reference. He says he hears voices (is he Mad?!) cause they are calling his name. The Sirens are trying to distract him from his goal. The Sirens are beautiful, seductive, and they are calling for him. They are trying to keep him from the "right path" (as is said in Hindi: Sai Rastha). What is amazing though is that he turns around and ADMITS that "its something I'm supposed to be"! Think about it. Kermit the Frog is an entertainment's sake character. He is a distraction. A beautiful, seductive distraction. But Kermit is the "brooding philosopher" actor. He is Kurt Cobain of "Kids entertainment characters". You can HAVE Mickey Mouse (that pretentious fake-ass mouse...I see right through him). You can HAVE Bugs Bunny (that cross-dressing devil). I'd rather have the self-aware, brooding, philosophical, Kermit the Frog. He admits he is a distraction. He also admits that he can not be that (he's supposed to be it, but he can't). He has a conscience!

In essence, this song is about understanding reality, and perception. It is about illuminating the notion of faith amongst that which "science prevails". I have nothing against science personally, but I love Kermit's raw admissions. It is also about finding something. Kermit talks about "what's so amazing that keeps us star-gazing". He is surrounded in the corporate world, and yet he is thinking deeper. He is a great example of those people who (at least pretend if not really) see the shallowness of Hollywood and/or success (for that matter THE WORLD) and still search for more. He is those people who would rather "find the rainbow connection".

Someday maybe we WILL find the Rainbow Connection. Either way, this is an amazingly well written song. It alludes to Greek myth, Shakespeare, Cyrano de Bergerac, and is boldly honest (as Kermit admits he's a "Siren"). It is my favorite English-language song. I hope by reading this, you too can appreciate it like I do. :)