The classic 1967 rock song behind the creation of the rainbow flag
Around this time of year, with Pride Month in full swing, the classic dulcet tones of Judy Garland often spring to mind.
You realise, in this context, that The Wizard of Oz achieved a legacy of so much more than filmic innovation. It was, literally and figuratively, a whole new world of possibilities and promises, making us all feel like there is a life to be found beyond mundanity and self-imposed boundaries.
It’s easy to understand the reasons why the queer community adopted its signature song, ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, as well as the message behind it, into their hearts as an anthem of acceptance, love, and togetherness. The symbol of the rainbow, therefore, also comes to the fore, and it pulls into focus how important that 1939 performance really was.
Or, at least that’s the sweet and romantic version of events that people often like to run with. Garland was roundly classed as a gay icon, and it has always seemed fitting as a means to honour her legacy that ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ would exist as a champion song for the community.
But sorry, Judy, you’ll have to move aside. The Rolling Stones are actually the ones who can take credit for the muse of the rainbow flag itself, being the beacons of diversity and inclusion that they are. OK, that may be a slightly tongue-in-cheek take on it, but the fact remains that perhaps the most uncharacteristic Stones song has taken them on their most glittering flight.
When Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow flag, unveiled his blaze of bright colours at the San Francisco Pride in 1978, people were quick to note the supposed connection between that symbol and Garland’s ray of refracted light, but the artist unfortunately had to let them down. Sure, he could recognise the cute coincidence, but his visions were far more psychedelic.
However, according to Baker, the flag was more “about The Rolling Stones and their song ‘She’s A Rainbow’,” than any tales about munchkins and technicolour lands. In this respect, although the lyrics to ‘She’s A Rainbow’ have always been fairly ambiguous, you could see how the image of a woman who “shoots colours all around/ like a sunset going down” would provide a wealth of inspiration.
As such, even though The Stones were normally a lot grittier and hardcore, their one venture into sparkles and sunshine arguably reaped the most reward in playing a small part in changing the course of history. Gay icons may have their place, but rock and roll has always been at the forefront of moving the world forward.
As a consolation prize, could Garland and Mick Jagger maybe have shared the crown? Well, given how famously feisty both of them were and still are, that may be an idea that sounds nice in theory but wouldn’t have worked in practice. However, one thing is fairly certain – they would have both been proud to fly that rainbow flag, in all its colourful glory, hand in hand together.
