Rainbow Connection - Cover Versions

Cover Versions

The original (Kermit the Frog's) version of "Rainbow Connection" reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1979; the song remained in the Top 40 for seven weeks total. Artists who have covered "Rainbow Connection" include Judy Collins, The Carpenters, Sarah McLachlan, DAT Politics, Aaron Lewis, Kenny Loggins, The Dixie Chicks, Justin Timberlake, Kiki and Herb, Jason Mraz, The Pussycat Dolls, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Tay Zonday, Jim Brickman, Caroline's Spine, Estradasphere, Leftöver Crack (with dramatically different lyrics), The Dresden Dolls, Willie Nelson, Peter Cincotti, Jane Monheit, pop-punk band Fifteen, Lea Salonga, Andy Bernard (played by Ed Helms) in The Office, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, The Loves, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and Trespassers William. It was sung by Blondie's Debbie Harry in a duet with Kermit on The Muppet Show in 1981 (Season 5) and implied that Kermit is well known for the song in the Muppet universe. Free Wild performs a rendition of the song on their 2010 Spin Dry tour. Also sung by Vonda Shepard in Ally McBeal (Season 2, episode "Angels and Blimps")

In 2007 a new recording of the song appeared on the Klone Records and EQ Music dance album, "Forever Carpenters", a tribute to The Carpenters by singer Jenny Sinclair. The album was essentially a dance remake of Carpenters hits, however, the "Rainbow Connection" is featured as stripped back (piano, strings and vocals only) ballad.

"Rainbow Connection" is the title song on Jane Monheit's 2009 album The Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me (the album title being a line from "Rainbow Connection"). Prior to this album, Jane Monheit's closing song in her concerts had usually been "Over the Rainbow". In her 2009 tour, she usually closed with "Rainbow Connection" followed by a direct segue into "Over the Rainbow".

Samuel Preston recorded a version on Jim Henson's birthday in 2010 and gave it away free on his Twitter page.

Weezer and Hayley Williams recorded the song for the tribute album, Muppets: The Green Album, released in 2011.

Mx. Justin Vivian Bond and Kenny Mellman (a.k.a. Kiki and Herb) covered this song on the album, "Kiki and Herb Will Die For You - Live at Carnegie Hall" (2004).

In the Yo Gabba Gabba! season 2 episode Weather, Paul Williams himself performs the vocals for the song during the Super Music Friends Show segment.

In 2011, characters from the web series Waterman covered the song.

In 2012, West End performer Meredith Braun recorded "Rainbow Connection" in both English and French ("L'Arc En Ciel") for her debut solo album "Someone Else's Story".

The Muppets as a group sang the song during the climax of The Muppets. A loose rendition of it was also sung by Fozzie Bear and the "Moopets".

During E!'s Countdown to the 84th Academy Awards show, Darren Criss performed the song live with Kermit the Frog.