A World of Pure Imagination - Perfect Harmony Songs Guide

Aug 23, 2026

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A World of Pure Imagination curates a set of classic and modern songs about dreaming, hope, and imaginative worlds, pairing each track with context on its origin, lyrics, and cultural impact. The guide supports classroom-style engagement through activities such as singing, listening, and seated movement, along with prompts for discussion and creative imagining. Included materials reference videos and lyrics and add enrichment facts, including inspiration sources behind “Imagine” and key backstories for each featured song.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

Featured Songs and Themes

“Over the Rainbow” - Context and Lyrics

“Imagine” - Inspiration and Impact

“Just My Imagination” - Point of View and Movement

“Pure Imagination” - Movie Connection and Discussion

“A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” - Cinderella Background

Imagination "Over the Rainbow" "Imagine""Just My Imagination""Pure Imagination" "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" | A World of Pure Imagination | | | --- | --- | | Come with us and travel to a world of pure imagination. You're invited to explore your dreams and hopes with fun
and playful music ranging from songs from classic musicals like The Wizard of Oz to the music of The Temptations. | | © Great American Songbook Foundation, all rights reserved Song: "Over the Rainbow" (1939) Songwriters: Harold Arlen and E.Y. "Yip" Harburg Brief Context: "Over the Rainbow," with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, is the AcademyAward-winning song from the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy Gale, played by Judy Garland, sings this song on her family’s farm in Kansas when longing for "some place where there isn't any trouble." Activity: Singing What do you need? Perfect Harmony "Over the Rainbow" video Perfect Harmony "Over the Rainbow" lyrics Archives Artifact Sheet music cover of "Over the Rainbow" from the Bob Grimes Collection, Songbook Library & Archives. The illustrations were drawn by Al Hirschfeld, the artist famous for his caricature portraits of celebrities. © Great American Songbook Foundation, all rights reserved Over the Rainbow Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far behind me Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly Birds fly over the rainbow Why then, oh, why can't I? Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly Birds fly over the rainbow Why then, oh, why can't I? If happy little bluebirds fly Beyond the rainbow Why, oh why can't I? Song: "Imagine" (1971) Songwriter: John Lennon Brief Context: In John Lennon's song "Imagine," Lennon invites listeners to imagine a place where the things that divide us do not exist. Broadcast Music, Inc. named "Imagine" one of the 100 most performed songs of the 20th century. In 1999, it was ranked number 30 on the Recording Industry Association of America's list of the 365 "Songs of the Century", earned a GRAMMY Hall of Fame Award, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's " 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll". Activity: Listening What do you need? Perfect Harmony "Imagine" video Did you know? The lyrics of "Imagine" were inspired by the 1964 book Grapefruit written by John Lennon's partner, Yoko Ono. The book is filled with instructions and drawings of what she hoped for in the world. © Great American Songbook Foundation, all rights reserved Song: "Just My Imagination" (1971) As performed by: The Temptations Brief Context: The Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)," reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 3 , 1971. The lyrics come from the point of view of a man looking out a window and watching a beautiful woman passing. He says to himself, "You're such a lucky guy / To have a girl like her is truly a dream come true." Almost immediately, though, he admits this isn't true at all. The girl isn't his. It was "Just my imagination running away with me." Activity: Movement What do you need? Perfect Harmony “Just My Imagination” video Suggested Seated Movement Follow Perfect Harmony leader Amy or create your own seated movement! Use movements like . . . Sway left to right Slowly march in place Snap your fingers to the beat © Great American Songbook Foundation, all rights reserved Song: "Pure Imagination" (1971) Songwriters: Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley Brief Context: “Pure Imagination” was written in 1971 by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the movie Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, where i

FAQs

What songs are included in the “A World of Pure Imagination” activity guide?

The guide features “Over the Rainbow,” “Imagine,” “Just My Imagination,” “Pure Imagination,” and “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.” Each song has context and an associated activity type.

What kinds of activities does the guide provide for participants?

Activities include singing, listening, engaged discussion, and suggested seated movement. The guide also lists what participants need, such as a “Perfect Harmony” video and lyrics.

What discussion prompt is suggested for “Pure Imagination”?

Participants are asked to imagine a room full of favorite candy or dessert and share which items they would put into that imaginative room, with example suggestions provided.

Aug 23, 2026

Upload by Anda