Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole was a Hawaiian ukulele player, singer-songwriter, and activist best known for touching the world with his beloved rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” first made famous by Judy Garland in the 1938 movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Through his joyful songs and lifelong advocacy for the islands’ values and culture, Israel has been widely referred to as the “Voice of Hawai’i.”
While Kamakawiwo’ole remains an icon for Hawaiians and Hawaiian music, his most popular song received over 147 million streams on Spotify —nothing short of legendary. In 2001, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was voted the greatest song of the 20th century in a joint survey by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Recording Industry Association of America. On May 20, 2020, Google celebrated Asian Pacific Heritage Month on what would have been his 61st birthday with a two-minute animated video, directed by Sophie Diao, of his “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” In 2021, Kamakawiwo’ole’s cover of the song was inducted into the National Recording Registry as part of the country’s heritage of American recorded sound. Kamakawiwo’ole died in 1997 at the age of 38.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dream of
Once in a lullaby, oh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true-ooh-ooh
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops that’s where
You’ll find me, oh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to
Oh why, oh why can’t I? I
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top that’s where you’ll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to
Why, oh why can’t I? I
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ah-ah-eh-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Harburg E Y / Arlen Harold
Somewhere Over the Rainbow lyrics © Emi Feist Catalog Inc.
The beautiful rainbow image is courtesy of Creative Commons.
For another song that will make your spirits soar, listen to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” right here.
This was marvelous!!! I enjoyed Israel’s rendition more than Judy’s. The other songs are inspirational. I loved it. Do more.
Israel’s rendition is, indeed, remarkable. Different from Judy’s. Both, in my opinion, brilliant. And comforting…
He has a beautiful voice and I agree with Muriel.
His voice seems unusually beautiful to me. Israel was a beautiful person.
My favorite song of all time. I like both renditions.
It’s interesting that some folks prefer Israel over Judy! I love both as well.
Great story about “Over the Rainbow” and Iz. We all want to dream of a better place. Eventually, we come to realize that it’s within us.
When I lost my job during COVID, I had to learn this very hard lesson. Thank you, Dave.
It is a magical song, inspiring possibility and love. I love reading your posts. Norm
I am so glad you are enjoying UGL! I’m trying to combine inspiration and whacky humor. How am I doing?
I have loved Iz’s rendition for a long time now. It’s so beautiful. Thanks for resharing.
People are reacting very positively to Iz’s version. I’m thrilled it’s touching so many hearts.
One of my most loved songs. Both renditions are beautiful!
I’m so glad you enjoyed both versions! Very different from one another yet equally beautiful.