Remembering the order of the colors in the rainbow can be tricky, but there are some fun and catchy songs that can help. Songs put the colors of the rainbow in a sequence and set it to an easy to remember melody. Having a song creates an association in your mind between the tune and the sequence of colors. This can make recalling the proper order much easier, especially for younger children who are just learning the colors. So if you are struggling to remember red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, try using a rainbow color song!
Popular Rainbow Color Songs
There are a few well-known songs used to memorize the sequence of hues in a rainbow. Here are some of the most popular and catchy tunes:
Roy G. Biv
One of the most commonly used mnemonic devices is the name Roy G. Biv. This Imaginary name stands for the first letter of each rainbow color:
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Indigo
- Violet
By memorizing this name, you can easily recall the proper order of the spectrum. There are a few different Roy G. Biv songs set to familiar melodies.
Rainbow Song
Another popular tune is simply called the Rainbow Song. The lyrics go like this:
Red and orange, green and blue,
Shiny yellow, purple too.
All the colors that we know,
Live up in the rainbow.
This simple song covers all the key rainbow colors in order. The upbeat melody makes it fun and easy to memorize.
I Can Sing a Rainbow
The classic song I Can Sing a Rainbow is also frequently used. This song lists the rainbow sequence:
I can sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow too.
Listen with your eyes,
Listen with your ears,
And sing everything you see.
I can sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow too.
Red and orange,
And yellow and green,
Purple and blue.
With its catchy tune, this song sticks in your head well. The repetition of the color order helps reinforce memorization.
More Songs to Remember Rainbow Colors
In addition to the most popular tunes, there are some other helpful rainbow songs to memorize the sequence. Here are a few more options:
Over the Rainbow
The famous song Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz can be used as a rainbow memory aid. Just pull out the color lyrics:
Somewhere over the rainbow,
Red, orange and yellow, green, blue and purple too.
Use this tune people already know by heart and focus on the color words.
Rainbow Connection
Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie has lyrics perfect for memorization:
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they’re wrong, wait and see.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Pull out the rainbow reference and colors for an easy cue.
My Rainbow
There is also an educational song called My Rainbow which lists the colors in order clearly:
There are seven colors in a rainbow,
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple too.
So many colors in the rainbow,
I can sing them out for you.
The repetition drives home the proper sequence for memory retention.
Rainbow Stew
For a more unique tune, there is the silly song Rainbow Stew. The lyrics incorporate the colors in order:
Take red, orange, yellow, green and blue,
Purple and stir them in my rainbow stew.
Stir them all up and what have you got?
Rainbow Stew, Rainbow Stew, hot, hot, hot!
The whimsical nature of this song makes it fun for kids.
Tips for Using Rainbow Songs
When trying to use rainbow songs to memorize the sequential color order, keep these tips in mind:
– Listen to the song multiple times, and try singing it yourself from memory. Repetition is key.
– Focus only on memorizing the colors referenced in the song. Don’t get overwhelmed trying to memorize all the lyrics.
– Associate the tune with the coloring pattern. Picture moving through the rainbow color sequence in your mind as you sing.
– Use visuals like rainbow drawings, charts or color strips when practicing the songs. Connect the colors to the music.
– Break down long songs into shorter segments. Learn the color order in pieces and then string all the verses together.
– Quiz yourself or your kids by singing short snippets and fill in the next color. Keep rehearsing until you’ve mastered the pattern.
– Have fun with it! Set it to fun motions or dance moves. Making it engaging boosts memorization.
Using a Table to Visually Map the Colors
It can also be helpful to visualize the sequence of rainbow colors in a table. Here is a simple color order table:
| Color | First Letter |
|---|---|
| Red | R |
| Orange | O |
| Yellow | Y |
| Green | G |
| Blue | B |
| Indigo | I |
| Violet | V |
Having a visual reference like this can provide an additional tool to memorize the proper rainbow sequence. You can refer back to the table when trying to recall the correct order. The visual shape and pattern of the table may help cement the information.
Conclusion
Using catchy rainbow songs provides an easy and engaging way to memorize the order of colors in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Upbeat tunes like Roy G. Biv, I Can Sing a Rainbow, and Rainbow Stew put the colors in sequence and get them stuck in your head. Complimenting these musical mnemonics with a visualization like a color order table can further solidify the pattern. So next time you need to recall the spectrum sequence, try singing yourself the solution!
