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If I Only Had a Brain

From the musical

The Wizard of Oz



Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.

"If I Only Had a Brain" (also "If I Only Had a Heart" and "If I Only Had the Nerve") is a song by Harold Arlen (music) and Yip Harburg (lyrics). The song is sung in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz by the character Scarecrow, played by Ray Bolger, when he meets Dorothy, played by Judy Garland. The characters pine about what each wants from the Wizard. It was also sung in Jeremy Sams and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 2011 musical adaptation with an additional reprise called "If We Only Had a Plan" when the characters discuss on how to rescue Dorothy in Act II.

Originally written by Arlen and Harburg as "I'm Hanging On To You" for the 1937 Broadway musical Hooray for What!, the song was ultimately dropped from that show, and when the pair was later hired to do the songs for Oz, Harburg simply wrote new lyrics to his catchy melody, a syncopated schottische in the style of tunes used for vaudeville soft shoe and sand dancing.

    Release Date: 1939
Awards
1994 - Boston Harmony Sweepstakes Best Original Arrangement


Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-9 of 9 items.


Various Arrangers : Musicals : SSATBB : Sheet Music Collection

Various Arrangers : Musicals

This a cappella ballad version of "If I Only Had A Brain" was inspired by Harry Connick, Jr.'s vocal/piano treatment of the hit from The Wizard of Oz. Tight voicings and substitute harmonies make this ideal for jazz concert/festival programming. The rubato styling provides a strong musical showcase for the full choir. This spirited, a cappella, medium swing arrangement of the old silver screen classic, "Singin' In The Rain," will challenge your singers and delight your audiences. An interesting reharmonization and clever scat section provide a wonderful contrast to the delightful melody. It is high energy, it swings and it's fun! "Over The Rainbow," the time-honored standard tune, is given a lush a cappella treatment. There is a feature solo for a soprano or tenor throughout the arrangement, and a very strong and powerful ending. In this sensitive ballad interpretation of the popular jazz waltz by Sammy Fain and Bob Hilliard, "Alice In Wonderland" ranges from unison opening to lush six-part harmony and features a tenor solo. One of the most popular charts.

Songlist: Alice In Wonderland, If I Only Had A Brain, Singin' In The Rain, Over The Rainbow, Alice In Wonderland

More details
Voicing: SSATBB | 4741b | Sheet Music Collection | $11.98 | A Cappella


Harold Arlen : The Harold Arlen Songbook : Solo : Songbook : 073999590807 : 0881884251 : 00359080

Harold Arlen : The Harold Arlen Songbook

A must-own collection of 76 songs of Harold Arlen. Includes his major works and some previously unpublished titles. Highlights include: Come Rain or Come Shine - Get Happy - Let's Fall in Love - The Man That Got Away - Over the Rainbow - Stormy Weather - and more!

Songlist: Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive, Lullaby, Ain't It De Truth, God's Country, Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home, As Long As I Live, Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, Out Of This World, Blues In The Night, Buds Won't Bud, My Shining Hour, Right As Rain, Cocoanut Sweet, Come Rain Or Come Shine, Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead, Dissertation On The State Of Bliss (Love And Learn), Don't Like Goodbyes, Down With Love, The Eagle And Me, The Morning After, Get Happy, Evelina, Fancy Meeting You, For Every Man There's A Woman, Fun To Be Fooled, Goose Will Never Be Peacock, Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe, Happy As The Day Is Long, Happy With The Blues, Hit The Road To Dreamland, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 20252b | Songbook | $21.95 | PVG


Harold Arlen : The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Deluxe Songbook (Vocal Selections) : Solo : Songbook : 038081356495  : 00-32755

Harold Arlen : The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Deluxe Songbook (Vocal Selections)

This book features all of the classic songs by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen. Also included are the never-before published "character themes" by Academy-Awardae winning composer Herbert Stothart, the complete "Munchkinland Musical Sequence," and the song "The Jitterbug," which was cut from the original film. Utilizing rare M-G-M studio manuscripts and the original motion picture soundtrack, each song is presented in its original key. As a bonus, this unique collector's item includes two songs from the 1903 Broadway musical production of The Wizard of Oz, with lyrics by original Oz author L. Frank Baum. These songs have not been published in over a century. The songbook also contains dozens of original production stills and publicity photos, an essay on the story behind the songs and score, and biographies of the composers.

Songlist: If I Were King of the Forest, If I Only Had a Brain, We're Off to See the Wizard, The Merry Old Land of Oz, Over the Rainbow, Lullaby League and Lollipop Guild, Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead, (You're Out of the Woods) Optimistic Voices, Lullaby League

More details
Voicing: Solo | 40040b | Songbook | $19.95 | PVG


Lisa DeSpain : Broadway Presents! Teens' Musical Theatre Anthology : Solo : Songbook & Online Audio : 884088687113 : 0739057987 : 00322201

Lisa DeSpain : Broadway Presents! Teens' Musical Theatre Anthology

Broadway Presents! Teens' Musical Theatre Anthology: Female Edition is a delightful collection of musical theatre songs from a variety of shows that span decades of theatre history. Using the original vocal scores, the songs have been selected and adapted with the ranges and skills of teen singers in mind. Authoritative historical and contextual commentary, audition tips, and 16-bar cut suggestions for each song make this the most useful and relevant collection of its kind. CD includes accompaniment tracks.

Songlist: All That's Known , Chim Chim Cher-Ee , Corner Of The Sky , Evenin' Star, Grow For Me, Heart, I Can't Be Bothered Now, I Chose Right, I Could Write A Book, I'd Rather Be Sailing, I'm Calm, I'm Not That Smart, I've Seen You, If I Only Had A Brain, It's No Problem, Johanna, Ladies' Choice, Larger Than Life, Left Behind, My Unfortunate Erection, Singin' In The Rain, Slide Some Oil To Me, Some Girls, Streets Of Dublin, Were You There?, They Can't Take That Away From Me, What Do I Need With Love, What Would I Do If I Could Feel, When I'm Not Near The One I Love, Where Is The Life That Late I Lead, and more

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Voicing: Solo | 5468b | Songbook & Online Audio | $27.95 | Voice and Piano


Various : The Singer's Anthology of Movie Songs - Men's Edition : Solo : Songbook : 840126943993 : 1705114776 : 00358205

Various : The Singer's Anthology of Movie Songs - Men's Edition

A collection of classic and contemporary songs originally featured in films, in authentic arrangements and appropriate keys. CONTENTS: Alfie (Alfie) - Call Me Irresponsible (Papa's Delicate Condition) - City of Stars (La La Land) - Evermore (Beauty and the Beast 2017) - Go the Distance (Hercules) - If I Only Had a Brain (The Wizard of Oz) - Les Poissons (The Little Mermaid) - Love Is Here to Stay (The Goldwyn Follies) - Mona Lisa (Captain Carey, U.S.A.) - Moon River (Breakfast at Tiffany's) - Mystery of Love (Call Me By Your Name) - Over the Rainbow (The Wizard of Oz) - The Rainbow Connection (The Muppet Movie) - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) - Santa Fe (Newsies) - Theme from New York, New York (New York, New York) - This Is Me (The Greatest Showman) - Unchained Melody (Unchained) - The Way You Look Tonight (Swing Time) - When I Fall in Love (One Minute to Zero) - When You Wish Upon a Star (Pinocchio) - Writing's on the Wall (Spectre)

Songlist: Alfie, Santa Fe, Go The Distance, This Is Me, Call Me Irresponsible, Mona Lisa, Writing's On The Wall, City Of Stars, Evermore, Mystery Of Love, If I Only Had A Brain, Les Poissons, Love Is Here To Stay, Moon River, Theme From 'New York, New York', Over The Rainbow, The Rainbow Connection, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, Unchained Melody, The Way You Look Tonight, When I Fall In Love, When You Wish Upon A Star

More details
Voicing: Solo | 10077b | Songbook | $22.95 ON SALE $19.95


Various : The Great American Songbook - Broadway : Solo : Songbook : 888680680619 : 1495093433 : 00233276

Various : The Great American Songbook - Broadway

From Gershwin and Rodgers & Hammerstein to Stephen Schwartz & Stephen Sondheim, 100 timeless hits from the Great White Way are showcased in this book of classics in arrangements for piano, voice and guitar. Songs include: And All That Jazz - Beauty and the Beast - Can't Take My Eyes off of You - Don't Rain on My Parade - Edelweiss - Footloose - I Whistle a Happy Tune - If I Only Had a Brain - The Impossible Dream (The Quest) - Luck Be a Lady - Maria - New York, New York - One - Popular - Puttin' on the Ritz - Seasons of Love - Send in the Clowns - Seventy Six Trombones - Singin' in the Rain - Someone to Watch over Me - Sunrise, Sunset - The Surrey with the Fringe on Top - This Is the Moment - Tomorrow - Try to Remember - Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets) - You're the Top - and more.

Songlist: Anything Goes, Azure-Te (Paris Blues), Beauty And The Beast, Once Upon A Time, All At Once You Love Her, Burn, Tomorrow, Maria, Seasons Of Love, One, Somewhere, Day By Day, I Will Never Leave You, Always True To You In My Fashion, Somebody Loves Me, And All That Jazz, And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, When You Got It, Flaunt It, Springtime For Hitler, Aquarius, Night Song, As Long As He Needs Me, New York, New York, Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now, Popular, Defying Gravity, Baubles, Bangles And Beads, Begin The Beguine, Sunrise, Sunset, I Believe In You, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 40124b | Songbook | $29.50 | PVG


Various : The Great American Songbook - Movie Songs : Solo : Songbook : 888680754402 : 1540030490 : 00278787

Various : The Great American Songbook - Movie Songs

100 timeless hits from the silver screen are showcased in this massive collection of classics in arrangements for piano, voice and guitar. Songs include: Alfie - Because You Loved Me - City of Stars - Come What May - Don't You (Forget About Me) - Endless Love - Eye of the Tiger - Flashdance...What a Feeling - Happy - I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow - Let It Go - Moon River - My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from 'Titanic') - New York, New York - Over the Rainbow - Puttin' on the Ritz - The Rose - Singin' in the Rain - (I've Had) the Time of My Life - Up Where We Belong - The Way We Were - The Wind Beneath My Wings - You've Got a Friend in Me - and more. 464 pages!

Songlist: Happy, At Last, The Rose, You Light Up My Life, True Love, Alfie, You've Got A Friend In Me, All The Way, Somewhere, Kiss From A Rose, My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From 'Titanic'), Because You Loved Me, When She Loved Me, The Look Of Love, I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow, Let It Go, Come What May, Secret Love, New York, New York, As Time Goes By, Somewhere Out There, High Hopes, This Is Me, The Power Of Love, Ben, Blaze Of Glory, I Believe I Can Fly, Can't Help Falling In Love, The Candy Man, Charade, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 40601b | Songbook | $27.50 | PVG


Various Arrangers : Kids' Solo Vocal Collection : Solo : Songbook & 1 CD : 884088913953 : 1480345199 : 00119839

Various Arrangers : Kids' Solo Vocal Collection

20 songs for young voices, including musical theatre, movies and other favorites.

Songlist: Animal Crackers In My Soup, Happiness, When She Loved Me, Any Dream Will Do, High Hopes, Let There Be Peace On Earth, I Want It Now, Heart, Green Eggs And Ham, The Girl I Mean To Be, Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter From Camp), If I Only Had A Brain, It's A Most Unusual Day, Mairzy Doats, On Top Of Spaghetti, Over The Rainbow, Puff The Magic Dragon, Put On A Happy Face, Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be), Ten Minutes Ago

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Voicing: Solo | 3031b | Songbook & 1 CD | $19.95 | Voice and Piano


Vocal Selections : The Giant Book of Children's Vocal Solos : Solo : Songbook : 888680096359 : 1495051536 : 00153571

Vocal Selections : The Giant Book of Children's Vocal Solos

A must-own comprehensive collection of 76 songs from musical theatre, movies, folksongs and standards for any budding vocalist!

Songlist: Beauty And The Beast, Animal Crackers In My Soup, Happiness, You've Got A Friend In Me, Impossible, This Little Light Of Mine, Tomorrow, Simple Gifts, Born To Entertain, Some Folks, Maybe, The Work Song, High Hopes, Baby Face, Baby Mine, It's Possible (In McElligot's Pool), The Ballad Of Davy Crockett, Down In My Heart, Sit Down, Sister, Sing, The Bare Necessities, Let Me Entertain You, Be Kind To Your Parents, Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (The Magic Song), Let There Be Peace On Earth, Shenandoah, The Streets Of Laredo, Candle On The Water, Castle On A Cloud, Catch A Falling Star, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 20033b | Songbook | $24.95 | Voice and Piano


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-1 of 1 items.


If I Only Had a Brain : 2-Part : Sally K. Albrecht : Harold Arlen : The Wizard of Oz : Songbook : 00-35513 : 038081397092

Sally K. Albrecht : If I Only Had a Brain

What fun! This easy swing favorite from The Wizard of Oz has been arranged as a novelty hit especially for 2-part choirs. Features some simple staging suggestions and easy scat syllables. Featured on Showbiz! choral movement DVD (00-35858).

Arranger: Sally K. Albrecht | Composer: Harold Arlen | Lyricist: E.Y. Harburg | Musical: The Wizard of Oz

More details
Voicing: 2-Part | Sheet Music | $2.10 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00-35513 | Showtrax CD Available

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