Everyone loves a good rainbow.
Maybe it’s the way that they arch across the sky, or the way that they seem to bring a touch of magic to any place they grace.
There can also be many emotions associated with a rainbow. They can show themselves after a nasty storm or just a trickle of rain. For many, they’re a sign of hope and happiness.
That’s exactly what makes them so great to write songs about.
In the list below I’ve compiled, what I believe are some of the best songs about rainbows ever created.
Not all of them are very popular, but they all deserve a spot on this list. There are songs from different genres and eras, but they’re all special in their own way.
What Are the Best Songs About Rainbows?
1. “Lonely Rainbows” By Lenny Kravitz
Most people have probably heard about Lenny Kravitz. The American musician and actor has been active since 1989. ‘Lonely Rainbows’ was released in ‘93, so it’s a song from early in his career.
“I know a place
Over the lonely lonely rainbow
Where we can make things right.”
The lyrics of this song are very simple, but it is a bit harder to decipher what they mean precisely. It could be about dying together or dreaming about the perfect life.
Read Next: 25 Greatest Songs About Thunder and Lightning
2. “Red, Gold And Green” By Burning Spear
Burning Spear, aka Winston Rodney, is a reggae artist born in Jamaica. Winston is almost 80 and still very active as a musician. The song was released in 1975 on the Marcus Garvey album.
“It’s, green and gold, it’s the rainbow.”
The reggae song has a great vibe. It’s something to relax to and forget your worries for a little while.
3. “Rainbowland” By Miley Cyrus & Dolly Parton
The iconic artists, Miley and Dolly, released this amazing country song in 2019. It’s one of the only country songs Miley has written and sung, and she does a fantastic job in the genre.
“Living in a Rainbowland
Where everything goes as planned.”
It is a song about living in the perfect world, a rainbow land, and how it is a possible scenario if we try to better the world as much as possible.
Read Next: Top 10 Easy Country Songs on Guitar for Beginners
4. “Down on the Farm” By The Doors
The American rock band was formed in 1965 and has known great success with songs like ‘L.A. Woman’, ‘Light My Fire’, ‘Love Her Madly’, and ‘Riders on the Storm’. ‘Down on the Farm’ hasn’t known the same level of popularity, but it’s a great song nonetheless. It was released in ‘71.
“Gonna run a rainbow ragged
City life’s a real bad habit.”
5. “Pocketful of Rainbows” By Elvis Presley
‘King of Rock and Roll’ Elvis Presley released ‘Pocketful of Rainbows’ in 1960. Presley was both a singer and an actor, and he passed away from heart disease in ‘77 when he was only 42 years old.
“I got a pocketful of rainbows
Got an armful of you.”
Elvis sings about being deeply in love with someone and forgetting about all the problems in life.
6. “Joy You Bring” By Shaggy
Shaggy, aka Orville Richard Burrell, is a Jamaican and American artist that has been active since the 90s. His first very popular song was ‘Boombastic’, which you’ve probably heard from. However, ‘It Wasn’t Me’ has been his greatest hit, released in 2000 with vocals from RikRok (Richardo George Ducent).
“For every smile and every dream (every smile and every dreamgirl)
I’ll paint you a rainbow (uh, a big rainbow).”
‘Joy You Bring’ is a beautiful love song.
Read Next: 25 Guitar Love Songs Guys Learn to Impress Girls
7. “Today’s Teardrops” By Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison is an icon. He was active from ‘53 to ‘88. The American singer-songwriter wrote and sang ‘Oh, pretty woman’. Most of his music is very emotional. The artist released ‘Today’s Teardrops’ in 1960.
“Today’s teardrops are tomorrow’s rainbows
And tomorrow’s rainbows, we will share me and you.”
This song describes the feeling that comes with thinking that you can get through all of the bad things with the person you love.
8. “Over the Rainbow” By Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole was an American artist born in Hawaii. The song by Judy Garland was covered many times by some of the most prominent artists. He released the cover in ‘93 on his album ‘Facing Future’.
“Somewhere over the rainbow,
Bluebirds fly.”
The ukulele in the song is absolutely beautiful. It works perfectly with the lyrics and his stunning voice.
If you’re into ukulele and want to learn how to play this instrument yourself, check out our list of the best online ukulele lessons.
9. “Rainbow In The Dark” By Dio
For those who do not know, Dio is a (heavy) metal band from the U.S. They released the song on their album, ‘Holy Diver’. The band was active until 2010.
“You’ve been left on your own
Like a rainbow in the dark.”
The song is seemingly about depressive feelings and trying to escape that headspace, like ‘a rainbow in the dark’.
10. “She’s A Rainbow” By The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones released ‘She’s A Rainbow’ in 1967. They are still active to this day and most recently released a single in 2020. The current band members are Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ron Wood. Their former drummer passed away in 2021.
“She comes in colours everywhere
She combs her hair
She’s like a rainbow.”
The band sings about an experience they’ve had with a beautiful woman under the influence of a drug. It’s unclear if the song is simply about love or if it’s about a sexual experience.
11. “Seven Wonders” By Fleetwood Mac
You’ve probably heard about Fleetwood Mac before because they’ve released several songs that became very popular over the years, like ‘Rhiannon’, ‘Go Your Own Way’, and ‘The Chain’.
“If I live to see the seven wonders
I’ll make a path to the rainbow’s end.”
According to Wikipedia, the song is about someone who’s been through a romantic relationship that nothing can compare to, even if they could witness the seven natural wonders of the world.
12. “Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows” By Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore was an American singer-songwriter who was active from ‘63 to 2015 when she passed away at the age of 68 from cancer. She released the song in ‘63.
“Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows.
Everything that’s wonderful is what I feel when we’re together.”
The song is about being in love with someone who makes all the bad things disappear and brings sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows into their life.
Read Next: 31 Best Beach Songs – The Ultimate Beach Playlist
13. “Come With Me” By The Muffinz
The Muffinz isn’t among the most famous of groups, but it should be. The talented South-African men have been active since 2010.
“I’m soaring, I’m flying
Over the rainbow.”
The song is about leaving behind troubles and dreaming about better things, where you’re happy and free. Flying away over the rainbow as birds would.
14. “Where Rainbows Never Die” By The Steeldrivers
The Steeldrivers is an American bluegrass band that has been active since 2005. They released this song in 2010.
“Waste away the sunsets
Where rainbows never die.”
A beautiful song about being old and seeing the end coming. They believe the afterlife is beautiful, ‘a place where rainbows never die’. Leaving a troubled life behind and being hopeful about what comes right after.
Read Next: 20 Best Funeral Songs of All Time to Honor Someone’s Life
15. “Catch a Fire” By Haddaway
This Haddaway song has very simple and repetitive lyrics. The Trinidadian-German singer, who’s been active since ‘87, released ‘Catch a Fire’ in 1995. The singer is still active to this day.
“Catch a wind,
Catch a rainbow,
Catch a fire.”
The lyrics seem to hint at a very passionate romance or a relationship with many intense emotions.
Read Next: A Blazing Collection of the 31 Best Songs About Fire
16. “If I Used To Love You” By Daniel Lemma
Daniel Lemma is a singer-songwriter from Sweden who was born in East Africa. He’s been active since the 90s but was part of a group then.
“Like a rainbow ’round my heart, babe.”
Daniel sings about loving someone more and more every day. He says that the love he felt in the beginning, is nothing compared to how much he loves them now. The love is ‘like a rainbow around his heart’.
17. “Rainbow” By Sia
Sia is an Australian singer-songwriter who’s been active since ‘90. Initially, she was part of the jazz band ‘Crisp’, and now she works as a solo artist.
“I can see a rainbow
In your tears as they fall on down.”
Sia sings about seeing the best in someone who’s struggling, while others drag them down.
18. “Rainbow Of Love” By Bob Sinclar & Ben Onono
Bob Sinclair is a French DJ. He produced the song with the British/Nigerian musician Ben Onono.
“Why go chasing rainbows
Rainbows from your door.”
The song is about finding beauty in oneself and pulling yourself through the bad times in life, knowing better things are coming your way.
19. “Fountain” By The Sweet
The Sweet is a British rock band active since ‘68. The band had four original members, three of whom have passed away as of 2020. The only remaining member is the guitarist Andy Scott. The band was quite popular in the 70s.
“Your love is the rainbow
Colors of love in the sky.”
The song was released in ‘78 and tells the story of someone dreaming about someone else’s love.
20. “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” By Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is a very famous American rock singer. He’s been active since ‘64 and still performs to this day.
“At the end of the rainbow, there’s happiness
And to find it how often I’ve tried.”
‘I’m Always Chasing Rainbows’ was released in ‘76. It’s a song about someone who’s ambitious but who fails at everything they do. They wonder if the world is to blame or if they have to point the finger at themself.
21. “Golden Teardrops” By Maxi Priest
Maxi Priest is a British Reggae artist who’s been active since ‘84. The song was released in ‘96 by the musician, and the lyrics are pretty straightforward.
“Golden teardrops, chasing rainbows.”
He sings about how someone lied to him about their relationship status, saying that she left someone who she’s actually still seeing. It seems to be about his sister or someone with whom he has a sibling relationship that has gone down the wrong path.
22. “Never Blame The Rainbows For The Rain” By The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues was a British band active from ‘68 until 2018. Three of the members have passed away already. You might know about them from the song ‘nights in White Satin’.
“Never blame the rainbows for the rain
And learn to forget the memories.”
The band sings about letting go of bad feelings and holding on to hope and serenity, living without regrets, and letting go of bad memories.
23. “There’s A Bluebird on Your Window Sill” By Wilf Carter (“Montana Slim”)
Wilf Carter was a Canadian singer-songwriter who got his first contract in ‘33 and passed away in ‘96 at the age of 91.
“There’s a bluebird on your windowsill
There’s a rainbow in your sky.”
It’s simply a song about a lovely day on which this person is thankful for everything and forgets about his previous worries.
Read Next: The 27 Best Songs About Birds (Ultimate Bird Song Playlist)
24. “There’s A Bluebird on Your Window Sill” By Doris Day
Doris Day was an American singer active from ‘39 to 2019, with many breaks in between. Her career ended when she passed away in 2019.
“Cutest feathers
(There’s a rainbow)
Lovely weather.”
This song is the same as the one we just discussed, but this cover has a different vibe. It almost feels like it is a different song.
25. “I. Pink Toes” By Childish Gambino & Jhené Aiko
Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover, is an American rapper and singer, among other things. He’s been active since 2005. Jhené Aiko is an American singer who’s been active since 2002.
“Rainbows, sunshine, everywhere we go.”
The song is seemingly about what the world looks like after taking drugs.
26. “Life At Rainbow’s End” By Ultravox
This song was released in 1977 by the British band, who were active from ‘74 to 2013, with several breaks in between.
“A good introduction to life at rainbow’s end.”
It isn’t easy to figure out what the song is about, but it hints at what life is like when you get all the money and success you could’ve ever hoped for.
27. “La Chanson d’Eddy” By Michel Sardou
Michel Sardou is a French singer who wrote and sang several French classics. He’s a big name in French music history.
“Je pense à la chanson d’Eddy,
Sous le Rainbow.
Sous le Rainbow, j’y suis.”
The song is about his friend Eddy Mitchell, a French singer who wrote ‘Under the Rainbow’.
28. “All the Colors of Me” By Bari Koral & Tracy Bonham
Tracy Bonham is an American singer who’s been active since ‘95, and Bari Koral is an American singer-songwriter.
“A Rainbow of colors, can’t you see
All the colors of me.”
This song was released in 2021 and is mostly for children. The artist makes music for children to relax to. She has a YouTube channel with over 500k subscribers.
29. “LOVE IS LOVE” By Jasmine Crowe, Brittni Paiva & Keith Weidner
Brittni Paiva, Keith Weidner, and Jasmine Crowe are American artists. They aren’t very well-known, but this song is a gem.
“Love is a rainbow
Love is love is love is love.”
The lyrics of this song are pretty straightforward. It’s about LGBTQA+ relationships and how love is love. It was released in 2021.
30. “Moonriver” By Morrissey
Morrissey is an English singer-songwriter who was a band member of The Smiths.
“We’re after
The same rainbow’s end.”
Moonriver was released in ‘94. It’s a stunning song, where he’s seemingly dreaming about the person he loves but who causes heartbreak. He wants to follow this person around whatever they go, wandering the world together.
Final Thoughts
There are many songs about rainbows, or where rainbows come up in the lyrics.
They often refer to good things, a good life. In many of the songs on this list, it’s something the artist strives towards, rainbows and better circumstances.
I hope you found some songs you like and add a couple to your playlist.
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