Bobby McFerrin does Wizard of Oz

[brendtwaters]

McFerrin also performed this at what was going to be the last episode of "A Prairie Home Companion" in 1987. Although APHC is a radio show, the episode was was also broadcast on the Disney Channel (IIRC - pretty sure that it was Disney and not PBS). In fact, I think the last *few* episodes were on TV.

At any rate, there's another outlet to pursue to try to find an original video of this performance. Far be it from Disney to pass down a buck. ;-)

[forloveISjoyANDhappi]

The love has been given, dont let it pass you, love is patient, it is waiting for you, God is waiting for me.

[vmbsyal]

Lighting division is very hard.~_~

[RMalone81491]

in the mid 90s i saw a wizard of oz show

there were actors playing the parts but bobby did all the voices it was awesome

[gfishbowl]

Is it just me or was Mr McFerrin the only African American face in the entire theatre?

[Satchel334]

@gfishbowl Maybe. But I saw Asians and Latinos in the audience as well as Anglos.

[hxcrocker75]

Whats up with his hand. Thats annoying, stop that!

[knotwrite]

Amazing falsetto haha

[Honorificabilitudi]

TOBIAS FÜNKE

[berryhill88]

@Honorificabilitudi I read your comment before watching video and my god I laughed too hard at 2:20

[Syntexz]

The entire orchestra is like, "What the fuck are we even doing here...?"

[dustbunee2007]

You know how he should've ended it? By saying, "Dorothy, wake up; your teeth are finished."

[caioishappy]

lol 1:52 wtf.........

[Bradm4n]

I love bobby mcferrin. I am watching the wizard of oz right as I type this and this is the first thing that came to mind at the first song!

I very strongly believe that he is one of the greatest things to happen to music ever.

[divineagent]

I love how everyone knows what Wizard of Oz is.

[Tobey2k4]

As silly and comical as this seems....the amount of musicianship involved is phenomenal. Just his vocal range makes him a god among men, let alone how he outlines the harmonies when the audience is singing...

Truly a living legend.

[GrammaCool]

Try this one .... youtube.com/watch?v=3RNc7AmRe-­8&feature=related

[ZeldainPark]

One of my friends was playing Bobby McFerrin on his iPod ans I kept asking him who it was and all he would say was "God." I had to steal a look to find his name.

[laneese1970]

Brilliant!!!



[AC3DG]

If you're looking for an original video of him doing this, he does it as part of a Prairie Home Companion / Garrison Keillior Home DVD series I found on Netflix. It's a series of a couple discs, I can't remember which one it's on though.

[tomascury1]

That's amazing!!! So beautiful!!!

[sandinmyears1]

You can really hear the chords in the song the way he "sings" it. I've often told people that if you think you can't hear an octave, just sing the first 2 notes to this song.

[JasonStoutCR]

I remember watching this live.... very cool

[auggiej1]

sorry i meant 3:39

[auggiej1]

3:28 lol

[BigBec1926]

Wish he would come back to Boston for another show. 

[superjam18]

Does he hold the world record for the largest vocal ranges?

[SeanBlum]

love his harmonies at the beginning!

[avon4miles]

Eight people are worried...and won't be happy.

[Gamidronn]

1:52 and so, the :O face was born

[Skelros]

@Gamidronn

she looks like shes dying

[tinallama11]

8 people are racist against munchkins.

[pcdfan87]

On The Wizard of Oz On Ice he was EVEY VOICE Except Dorothy. LOL! he is VERY Talented! :)

[lilyaoifan]

I hade the origional on an audio cassette as a child, but I'm not sure what happened to it. :O

[MsArrow313]

Woah. That was amazing! :)

[MissFluffy2310]

That was just awesome!!

[Mspendragon1972]

That was TRUELY Magical...I remember watching this when I was 17...it made me so happy and proud of him and being united as a nation because of just one thing that made us all so happy together ;) Thankyou Lyman Baum for writing the story in 1900...who knew that during such a horrible time in our history, it was taken after 39 years and made into something we could see and hear and remember as a nation so lovingly...God bless you Mr. McFerrin ;)

[ananon3423]

I'm digging those Harry Potter glasses.

[huntingvuk]

wow

[MsAutumnchild]

Excellent....amazing artist....Genius indeed.....not the clown at all....you see the audience transported to each moment in the story.....it takes a great gift to bring to life what this man has in this piece...God continue to smile on Bobby McFerrin, that he may continue to bless the world!

[eagle3530]

Bobby Mcferrin is a true individual and a true artist and one of the best performance out there. He's my hero of music. Whoever dislike him does not know the true music of vocalist. His attitude is what make Bobby Mcferrin a aspiring social organization

[AinysDorMent]

this is g-e-n-i-u-s

[otas32]

Spellbinding!

[dragonmaster0392]

I was recently just turned onto Bobby McFerrin and I can honestly say this man has so much talent, its ridiculous how much nicer his soprano voice is than some women's.

[bingradabwesend]

he IS good, but it's sad seeing him making the clown for the crowd. He deserves more!

[maakheru001]

@bingradabwesend clowns are some of the most intellectual people, their pride goes beyond how they may appear, for example the court jester is the only man in the castle who can insult the king and not be decapitated. He has so much power.

[wingdairu]

@maakheru001 That, and he's still at it. He's been asked why he hasn't retired, and he simply answered, "I'm having too much fun."

[bingradabwesend]

@maakheru001 court jesters are not taken seriously, that's why they can say anything, it's just for fun. Where do you see power? (anyway, this is off topic)

[bugsduggan]

If Bobby can sing that that, why then, Oh why can't I?

[Labyrinthory]

I think Bobby is the Wizard of Voice

[ginnybug72]

OMG!!!! I can't believe I actually just found this!!! I saw this performance on TV when I was still living at home as a teenager! LOVE IT!!!!!

[come2u2cu]

OH MY GOD I ACTUALLY (!) DROOLED!!!

[brass76]

his music is great for all ages and hope he lives on all the way for many kids to hear

[mjedge808]

I saw him do this live once, it was so fun!

[TheJianny]

P.O.O.P

[Andrewcbld]

@TheJianny people order our patties

[TheJianny]

@Andrewcbld xD yes!!!!

[criimsonrose]

I've never seen anyone command an audience as awesome as Bobby McFerrin! Huge range!

[sajjansarkar]

He is an exemplification of how much talent man is capable of if he breaks every shackle in his mind and follows his heart..

[sajjansarkar]

He is an exemplification of how much talent man is capable of if he breaks every shackle in his mind and follows his heart..

[airwolf28]

If there's a remake of the Wizard of Oz in a cartoon version, I would love to hear bobby do the whole thing with others like Barry Carl (former member from Rockapella), Robin Williams, Joe Pecsi (sp), and more..I know if most of the people get together, then it would have been a big movie blockbuster.

[meggiepooh788]

Never gets old...

[gwenairi]

fantastico.

[theacons08]

lol great!!

[NickXDDX]

the crowd managed to harmonise at 1:52 :P

[Partyburner]

@NickXDDX Indeed, its sounds like some of them are singing a major third above! I'm not sure, but I think some even harmonized on the note directly before that, singing a tritone above the melody, which resolved in that major triad by them going a semi step down and the melody going a semi step up. Really interesting, I wonder if this happened by accident.

[Phantomsbreath]

@Partyburner Probably did. People naturally harmonize. Especially in groups. This is why harmony for three people is harder then harmony for 30

[Veselaazdaja]

awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee­eeeeeeee

[dasun13]

all the white people gather around him like hew is DaSun and its cold outside

[MultiAlecat]

OMG!

[ryoko65]

too bad Bobby McFerrin couldn't do a duet with Yma Sumac - that would have been awesome :)

[Auquis]

The only black dude in the whole auditorium is the one on stage.

[bonehead1170]

When I see a show and the performer is making the big bucks, I'll be damned if he's putting me to work.

[Xcelerometer]

lol the lady at 1:53 was freakin brainwashed.

[tempo3rd]

he should be cast as glinda in wicked.

[townheadfury]

I could watch him all day long.

[WhoseLineCrazy]

I was hoping to hear him do "If I Were King of the Forest"

[James76TV]

Actually, "We're Off To See The Wizard" IS NOT what the Munchkins sing. It is actually called "You're Off To See The Wizard." Here's how it goes:

You're off to see the Wizard

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

You'll find he is a Wiz of a Wiz if ever a Wiz there was

If ever oh ever a Wiz there was

The Wizard of Oz is one because

Because, because, because, because, because

Because of the Wonderful things he does!

You're off to see the Wizard

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

[DezertSt0rm345]

thanx for uploading!

[vladimirtishma]

thumbs up for the audience!

[write2yibo]

be free, be bobby mcferrin =)

[jesusislord7713]

AWESOME ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

[MrFaridash]

putin de merde

[Accountedonline]

@MrFaridash No one understands you.....soooooorrrryyyy

[AllThingsGuitar]

@Accountedonline It's called french, it's not that rare :P

[southsidesman]

GOD bless that crowd for going along with him. They could have been pompous and thought that was beneath them. With so much ugliness in the world it's good to see people come together for good. To make beautiful music.

[themagician90]

@southsidesman the audience knew what they were in for. they came to that show because they wanted to. if he went to a high school and tried it with a bunch of teenagers there would have been a different outcome because teenagers are fucking stuck up. they would probably think that the whole performance was "gay"

[southsidesman]

@themagician90 I was one of those kids...

But then you grow up, and appreciate a performance and people - like these.

[360Warlock]

Dude is so Raw lol

[BatoBFlex]

Bobby is Genious!!! But I wonder,how he always have so talented audience like this...:)))

[106ohm]

Questo e' un concerto DI pubblico!

[Arabiasi]

Man, how did the audence follow him in pitch?

[fuckisnotadirtyword]

So much better than the original.

[virilevocalist]

I remember watching this on PBS. My dad taped it on vhs, but the tape got ruined some years later.

[britishippo]

Christ, that note at 3:39 makes me jump every time. Well. Played.

[OliverLue]

7 "dislike"s are flying monkeys ;)

[Mspendragon1972]

@OliverLue agreed...

[Chrisburnett53]

Music - A fun and wonderful interpretation of a Wizard of Oz medley. Give yourself a few minutes to watch it in its entirety. This from the man who gave us..."Don't Worry, Be Happy"

[TrilliousDivine]

wtf this was on pbs!?

[puchungahermosha]

I HAVE AN ORGASM

[Marlene55M]

Seven dislikes? Unbelievable. I always wonder what's going on with folks like that.

[fandepolna]

Excellent! I almost fell off from my chair for sheer laughter. Absolutely amazing voice.

I knew Bobby but never realised he had such a range. What a performer , too. Such a contrast with his Vivaldio pieces.

[seculis]

This is just about as good as it gets! :-D

Best entertainment ever! And even the most unmusical person can hear that he has an amazing voice and incredible range! Bobby McFerrin FTW!

[willfullyobscure]

I wish he had the pipes of a real singer, I would love to hear him do this, or anything, at the operatic decibel. it would be like a soul's voice.

[hernanmoyaar]

I'm crying and loughing all at the same time, can't believe it, just wonderful!!!

[hoodatwhatzit]

Loved watching this! I've listened to my .mp3 of a different performance of this so many times it's made me wonder if digital files can wear out. I enjoyed the audience reactions and the way everyone was so eager to join in. If Bobby can't make you enjoy music it's just not in you to like it all I think.

[ThierryLouis]

simply amaizing.......

[youkaisayaka]

Holy shit, huge pitch range

[Eugenios]

incredible!!!

[pifibbi]

so much memories...

[milford4plus]

This is so funny

[adayofrain]

I've been watching his other performances of wizard of oz, and this is probably his best performance and audience, they were really eager and responsive and you can tell he feeds off of all the positive energy. And if you notice, when the audience takes over the singing it gives him more freedom to improvise instead of carrying the melody the whole way through, and it really showcases his talent AND he got harmonies from the audience!! Good stuff :)

[cyoobist]

I love this fella, he has the best job ever. He gets paid to have fun and he doesn't even have to know the words hahaha! :D

[FfejTball]

Bobby for president!

[rainbowdayof76]

the original is the original Elmopalooza video from Sesame Street.

[musiciangirl2007]

Hes funny! he did this in the movie "For Our Children".

[alchemist4evr]

The only person I know of who plays the audience as an instrument

[hoodatwhatzit]

@alchemist4evr What a perfect description!

[mspickleh]

It took my whole class to do just the acting and singing parts. He can do that *and* sound effects! :D

[mspickleh]

Bobby McFerrin used to go to my church and play peek-a-boo with me! He is soooooooooooooooo awesome!

[HDANDERSON25]

@mspickleh no way! i envy you.

[mspickleh]

@HDANDERSON25 yah, the only problem is i don't remember him at all...... i was only like two

[marcandrelessard]

haha méchante affaire s't'un phénomène de cirque s'pas pire il fait une histoire avec des sons assez original...

[SantahClaus]

I love it how as soon as he finishes, he breaks character and acts all aloof like it was a piece of cake

[xxholly94]

wow..so beautiful..

[Adrilondon]

5:56...Loooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooove her

[haehnchenhanni]

funny guy=)

[arizon111]

this is a great way to recite the wizard of oz in 7.40 minutes lol!

[eirinorum]

I've got to share this with my 8th-graders, who have just studied "The Wizard of Oz" and the way all kinds of other cultural expressions refer to it.

Bobby McFerrin is a true master of three instruments: his voice, the microphone and last, but not least: the audience!

[whsbaseball625]

I remember seeing The Wizard of Oz on Ice where McFerrin did all the voices(except for Dorothy) and songs. It was wonderful! Maybe you can get a copy of that.

[Buzaglod]

This is strangely relaxing

[musefreedom]

i always wanted bobby mcferrin and dude from police academy to be my nursery school teachers

[lademoisellefichue]

I saw him perform this last night

<3

[FrostByte096]

same ;D

[Barvarianboy]

6:17 is my favorite part!!! lmao

[celia7494]

RIDICULOUSLY huge range. absolutely amazing.

[gremlinextreme101]

@celia7494 It might sound silly with the register he's using here, but I think he might be a natural bass. I'm in mens' chorus in college and as basses most of us have falsettos that cover the entire tenor 1 and 2 range. He seems to spend most of his time in falsetto, but certainly has a bass range as well.

[Phantomsbreath]

@celia7494 I'd LOVE to have that sort of vocal range.

[ThirdEyeLight]

What an entertaining and ridiculously talented man.

[90mv]

........How is he doing that ? LOL

[Setsuna67]

@Murtherful lmfao so true!!!!!

[monuseons]

@Murtherful what a crude comment you sex obsessed freak. Your attempt at a joke is terrible Billy Connolly's job is safe!

[lifeinsepia]

@Murtherful There's a similar thing when he does "Gonna get in my car", or what ever it's called.

[ambiemouse]

lmao. nice.

[Maestrojosh87]

Nice harmonies from the audience!!

[misanthrope8]

no, it's just "Over the Rainbow." The word "somewhere is not in the title."

[1schwererziehbar1]

that's not "wizard of oz" that's "somewhere over the rainbow", you cocksucking fucktard!

[misanthrope8]

@1schwererziehbar1

the title is "Over the Rainbow" and it was the Oscar winning song that year, 1932, and debuted in the film "The Wizard of Oz." Written by Harold Arlen. The word "Somewhere" is not part of the title, never mind those idiots on American Idol....and the fat Hawaiian.

[xXTapoutManiacXx]

haha he has an amazing personality, you can just tell by how he performs he has a great sense of humor

[Imjuskidn]

What a MASTER in his profession!!!

[musicscotty1]

Sick! Out-friggin'-standing!!

[Nom0retrolling4U]

Watching stuff like this really humbles me...

[DaVicious]

it's called "somewhere oveer the rainbow"...

[Fashionable0]

So schön kann eine gemeinsame Welt sein!!!

[MISSJHON]

Genius

[NZlover4everXo]

so so awesome! :)

[davidrdudley]

this is on an album called Disney For our Children

[flarevoice]

I have the audio of this, and have been looking for a video forever! Thanks so much! So awesome! Bobby is a genius beyond words!

[MarneyStinson]

Awesome!!! =)

[eamonnspoon]

He is class!!!!!!

[jonjon2034]

atleast a video of this exists.........

[Masterofvids]

haven't seen this in 8 years, but I haven't forgotten it.

[magicgeek12345]

EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thetrentone]

I just don't think genius does this man any justice. Thanks for the vid!

[FamilyCasting]

I love Bobby McFerrin!

[jgalloga]

bobby mcferrin makes me happy. :)