Who originally performed 'Solla Sollew'?

Kevin Chamberlin originally performed 'Solla Sollew'.

What does the name 'Solla Sollew' symbolize?

It symbolizes an idealized refuge of serenity and happiness.

What genre best describes 'Solla Sollew'?

Musical theater and gentle pop.

What message does 'Solla Sollew' convey?

Hope, resilience, and the desire for peace and comfort.

Who composed and wrote 'Solla Sollew'?

Stephen Flaherty composed it, and Lynn Ahrens wrote the lyrics.

Solla Solew Lyrics – Seussical

Solla Solew Lyrics

Stephen Flaherty

[HORTON ]
There's a faraway land
So the stories all tell
Somewhere beyond the horizon.
If we can find it
Then all will be well,
Troubles there are few,
Someday, we'll go to...
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew

HORTON & CIRCUS ANIMALS
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew

HORTON
I've lost my poor Whos
And we've traveled so far.
Oh, JoJo, forgive me
Wherever you are.

(We see JOJO at military school, writing a letter. MR. and MRS.
MAYOR are home, reading his letter.)

JOJO
Dear Mom and Dad,
I'm thinking of you.
And wishing we all were in Solla Sollew

MAYOR
They say breezes are warm there

HORTON
And people are kind.

JOJO, HORTON
Maybe it's something like heaven.

JOJO, MAYOR, MRS. MAYOR, HORTON
I close my eyes
And I see in my mind
Skies of bluest blue

CIRCUS ANIMALS, ALL
Solla Sollew

HORTON
I've had so much trouble JOJO, MAYOR,
Finding my way there. MRS. MAYOR &
When I get close, CIRCUS ANIMALS
It disappears. Solla Sollew
If we can get there,
We're gonna stay there
If it takes us miles,

JOJO, MAYOR AND MRS. MAYOR
If it takes us miles

HORTON
If it takes us years.

High on a mountain
Or lost on the sea,

HORTON & JOJO
Sooner or later, I'll find it

MAYOR
I have a picture
Of how it will be

MAYOR & MRS. MAYOR
On the day I do

HORTON & MAYOR & MRS. MAYOR & JOJO
Troubles will be through
And I'll be home with you.

ALL
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew
Solla Sollew

HORTON
I'll be home...
With you

ALL (BUT HORTON)
Solla Sollew.
Last Update: June, 18th 2025

Song Overview

Screenshot from Solla Sollew lyrics video by Stephen Flaherty — Stephen Flaherty is singing the 'Solla Sollew' lyrics in the music video.

Song Credits

Featured Artist: Kevin Chamberlin
Producers: Stephen Flaherty
Composers: Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Orchestration: Doug Besterman
Release Date: January 30, 2001
Genre: Musical Theater, Pop
Album: Seussical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Language: English
Copyright © 2001 ML Genius Holdings, LLC

Song Meaning and Annotations

Stephen Flaherty performing song Solla Sollew — Performance in the music video.

"Solla Sollew", a luminous lullaby from Stephen Flaherty's whimsical musical Seussical, paints a dreamy portrait of a utopian land where problems dissolve like cotton candy in warm sunshine. Blending Broadway charm with comforting pop melodies, this gentle anthem explores themes of hope and the universal yearning for escape and comfort. It begins in a softly hopeful mood, gently swells with determination, and then softly ebbs back into tender reassurance.

Set against Dr. Seuss’s imaginative landscape, the song represents a fantastical retreat from life's harsh realities, carrying listeners through the story’s emotional currents with the comforting rhythm of a mother rocking her child to sleep. It’s a place we all have dreamed of, yet nobody quite reaches—a distant metaphor for the elusive perfection and peace we chase throughout our lives.

"I close my eyes
And I see in my mind
Skies of bluest blue"

Dreamy Escape in "Solla Sollew"

The heart of "Solla Sollew" is woven from gentle threads of hope and longing. Each verse brings a poignant reflection on the human desire for relief and reassurance:

"There's a faraway land
So the stories all tell
Somewhere beyond the horizon
If we can find it
Then all will be well"

Metaphorically, Solla Sollew is not simply a geographical place—rather, it's a symbolic destination within our own hearts. It mirrors that eternal human quest for happiness, fulfillment, and the peace of mind that seems forever just out of reach. Horton’s struggle to find this paradise mirrors real-life hardships—no matter how hard we search, our ideal often feels tantalizingly distant, dissolving like mist as we draw near.

Symbolism and Imagery

The repeated phrase "Solla Sollew" creates a soothing, hypnotic effect, reinforcing the idealistic imagery:

"Troubles there are few
Someday, we'll go to
Solla Sollew"

It symbolizes innocence, purity, and escape from reality’s struggles—a beautifully simplistic representation of comfort and hope. Horton, Jojo, and the Mayor family embody diverse perspectives unified by this universal hope. Their varying voices harmonize to echo shared dreams, cementing the song’s broad emotional resonance.

Similar Songs

Thumbnail from Solla Sollew lyric video by Stephen Flaherty — A screenshot from the 'Solla Sollew' music video.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" – Judy Garland
Both songs beautifully articulate a yearning for a faraway place free from troubles. Garland’s iconic piece similarly creates an idyllic vision of escape, using colorful imagery and a hopeful yet bittersweet tone. The soothing melody and emotional parallels make it the quintessential companion to "Solla Sollew".
"Pure Imagination" – Gene Wilder (from Willy Wonka)
Wilder’s captivating track embraces whimsical imagination, encouraging listeners to believe in a world full of magical potential and bliss. Like "Solla Sollew", it captures the essence of idealistic escapism through its gentle melodies and vividly dreamy verses.
"Neverland" – Zendaya (from Finding Neverland)
"Neverland" explores a similar lyrical realm—a refuge of childlike innocence and simplicity. Zendaya’s delicate vocals reinforce the sense of gentle comfort and the hope for a place untouched by adulthood’s complications, perfectly complementing the emotional atmosphere of "Solla Sollew".

Questions and Answers

Scene from Solla Sollew track by Stephen Flaherty — Visual effects scene from 'Solla Sollew'.

Who originally performed "Solla Sollew"?: The original performance featured Kevin Chamberlin, who portrayed Horton in the Broadway musical Seussical.
What does the name "Solla Sollew" symbolize?: "Solla Sollew" symbolizes an idealized refuge, a metaphorical paradise of serenity and happiness beyond life's struggles.
What genre best describes "Solla Sollew"?: The song blends musical theater and gentle pop, characterized by its soothing melodies and emotionally resonant verses.
What message does "Solla Sollew" convey?: It expresses hope, resilience, and the human desire for peace and comfort amid life's complexities and challenges.
Who composed and wrote the song "Solla Sollew"?: The song was composed by Stephen Flaherty with lyrics written by Lynn Ahrens, the celebrated musical duo known for crafting rich Broadway scores.

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