The Top 3 Pop Culture Uses for Rhapsody in Blue

Ahead of the Cleveland Orchestra tackling George Gershwin’s jazzy composition Rhapsody in Blue Jan. 5-7, we rank its top three uses in popular culture. 

Great Gatsby (2013) 
Timed with the on-screen reveal of Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, the musical climax and grand fireworks give us all the pop culture feels.

United Airlines  
The airline has been using the song in its TV ads since the late 1980s. Now anytime we hear it, we think of being whisked away to faraway locals — or sitting for hours on a tarmac.

Fantasia 2000 
The composition’s mix of jazz, piano and classical instruments takes on a life of its own set to four busy big city characters making their way through one day.