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From 'The Muppet Movie,' the classic "Rainbow Connection" by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher.

I tried 3 times in 2 years to get good recordings of this song, hiring and pardoning multiple guest artists who were and then weren't available. I've performed "Rainbow Connection" live a lot, but couldn't bear to just throw down a mellow acoustic guitar cut without any effort -- I've heard this played dozens of times by so many artists, and it always sounds the same. I needed a fresh honest version or I couldn't release it. I love this song too much to snooze through it.

Then --

On June 26th, 2015, opposite-sex marriage became Just Plain Marriage and the law of the land changed to allow any consenting citizens to marry. I was elated. I was thrilled. I spent all day on Twitter and Facebook rejoicing with strangers as everyone's profile pics turned to rainbows. And I decided to tackle this song again.

So I set up a mic in my borrowed bedroom in Austin, TX and started just yelling into the microphone and clapping my hands. I hollered until I found a way to make the song feel new again, like a stomping powerful celebration, like a call to action.

Here's how it came out.

It's very homemade but very honest too.

I'm not much good at looping and drum arrangements, so I invite any and all folks who enjoy remixing to remix this tune any way you like, creative commons attribution non-commercial sharealike, and if you want to sell what you make write me, we can work out a deal. I'll post stems here soon as I have time to, email me at marian@mariancall.com to prompt me if I'm too slow for you.

lyrics

Why so many
songs for rainbows?
What's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions
only illusions
rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told
and some believe
I think they're wrong, wait and see

Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me

Who said each wish
could be answered
if wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that
someone else believed it
and look what it's done so far
What's so amazing it keeps us stargazing?
What do we think we might see?
Keep on, keep on...

Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, the lovers, the dreamers and...

Have you been half asleep
and heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Maybe the sweet sound
calls the sailors?
The voice may be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
There's something I'm supposed to be

Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, the lovers, the dreamers, and me

credits

from Marian Call Sings the Classics, vol. II, released August 12, 2015
"Rainbow Connection" written by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher, published by Fuzzy Muppet Songs for Atlantic Records.

Performed, arranged, engineered, edited, and mixed by Marian Call
Thanks to the Donors' Circle for clapping along!

Featuring auxiliary percussion borrowed from other tunes, played by:
Cameron Cartland, hand drums & bass drum
Colter Lemons, drum key & hammer
Stephen Bidwell, shakere
Brian Adams, Hasselblad shutter
Zippy the Cat, shaker

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Marian Call Alaska

Marian Call has things to say. She sounds a little like Ingrid Michaelson meets They Might Be Giants & Regina Spektor for bourbon & laughs, which sounds improbable, but give it a try. She hails from Alaska and tours North America and Europe, and she lives on Twitter. Her songs are quirky, sharp, surprising confections in every genre full of rich dark carmelized sugar, savor, & spice. ... more

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