Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow Lyrics

[Blue Tick]

Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) (pronounced [kaˌmakaˌvivoˈʔole]) was a Hawaiian musician.

He became famous outside Hawaiʻi when his album Facing Future was released in 1993 with his medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World", which was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and commercials.

Kamakawiwoʻole was nicknamed "The Gentle Giant" by his admirers. He was described as always cheerful and positive, and he was best known for his love of the land and of the people of Hawaiʻi.[citation needed] Through his consummate ukulele playing and incorporation of other idioms (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains one of the major influences in Hawaiʻian music over the last 15 years.

Wiwoʻole means courage or courageous in the Hawaiʻian language. Ka maka means the eye, the center, the outlook, to see.
Source Wikipedia
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe5p1BXNCQM&feature=related]YouTube - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow Lyrics[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po8rG4nXpUs&feature=related]YouTube - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Wonderful World[/ame]

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

I think his version is the best.

http://www.puritanboard.com/f51/over-rainbow-31447/

 

[Blue Tick]

You know I just stumbled across this today, and thought, wow, what a great voice!

 

[Kim G]

I've loved his version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow ever since I heard it a few months ago!

 

[Scott1]

I think "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was voted the most popular song in the last 100 years.

You may recall Judy Garland first popularized this in "The Wizard of Oz." That's where I first remember hearing it- and the tune has stuck in my mind ever since.

 

[Answerman]

I like Yngwie Malmsteen's version best but then again I am a sucker for guitar pieces. I can't find a link to it on youtube though, sorry.

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

I think "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was voted the most popular song in the last 100 years.

You may recall Judy Garland first popularized this in "The Wizard of Oz." That's where I first remember hearing it- and the tune has stuck in my mind ever since.

Just fyi, this song is actually called "Over the Rainbow." It was included in this thread, regrettably:

http://www.puritanboard.com/f52/most-annoying-songs-ever-In my humble opinion-34738/

but I've always loved it.

I like Yngwie Malmsteen's version best but then again I am a sucker for guitar pieces. I can't find a link to it on youtube though, sorry.

I would like to hear that version sometime.

 

[Answerman]

Here's the MP3 of Malmsteen's version:

Yngwie Malmsteen - Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Mp3Tube

 

[Augusta]

He does have a good voice. I like his style.