Listeners All Over Enjoy Timeless Classic 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' And Its Soulful Tune

Jul 26, 2022 by apost team

His name was as formidable as his size — and Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole lived accordingly.

Kamakawiwoʻole was the singer-songwriter behind the classic ‘‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World,’’ a medley fashioned after the genteel, peaceful rhythms that fete island life.

The song, released in 1993 as ‘‘Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World,’’ was featured on Kamakawiwo’ole’s album ‘‘Facing Future’’ and became part of several TV programs and commercials; it was also included in music scores for the movies ‘‘Meet Joe Black’’ and ‘‘Son of the Mask.’’

To Kamakawiwo’ole — known popularly as Iz, Big Iz or The Gentle Giant — the entry was much more than a music bed. Its gentle tenor ukulele and Iz’s lovely falsetto marked his music as the expression of native Hawaiian culture he felt was losing its leverage at the hands of the travel industry.

Indeed, Iz recognized as early as age 11 that the modern music of Hawaii was anything but traditionally Hawaiian. What would eventually follow were four studio albums and four compilation entries, with ‘‘Facing Future,’’ his most popular LP, achieving double-platinum status.

All are infused with the sunny, meditative ukulele that fuels stories and anecdotes about life on the islands as reflected in the state motto. ‘‘The life of the land,’’ it reads, ‘‘is perpetuated in righteousness.’’ Obesity would take a toll on Iz’s health, with the singer weighing over 700 pounds, according to the Star-Bulletin. He died in June of 1997 at the age of 38. About 10,000 people attended Iz’s memorial services and cremation. He is the only Hawaiian non-government figure whose body has lain in state at the capital. Even as his life was colossally brief, his memory fuels the musical distinction within Hawaiian culture today.

According to WBUR News, Iz once said:

‘‘I guess this is gonna sound kind of weird, but I'm not scared for myself for dying, because I believe all these places are temporary. This is just one shell, because we Hawaiians live in both worlds. It’s in our veins.’’

The song hit number 12 on the Billboard Hot Digital Tracks in 2004. It later was certified Platinum when it hit 1,000,000 downloads purchased. In 2014, the song sold 4.2 million copies. The iconic song was titled under a different name in the United Kingdom. The song title was changed to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," where it quickly became a hit overseas as well. Not only did the song reach top charts in the U.K. but also Germany. In 2010 the song received gold status for selling over 750,000 copies. The iconic song stayed 12 non-consecutive weeks and was the most successful song in Germany in 2010.

The song has become a renound song all over the world for good reason. It has been in iconic movies and tv shows such as "50 First Dates," "Life on Mars," ER," "Scrubs," "Snakes on a Plane," and many more. Kamakawiwo’ole had no idea that his song would reach the masses far and wide. However, someone who knew him growing up shared that the first time he heard Iz sing- the whole room went silent. Del Beazley, a friend to the artist and a singer himself, told NPR that his talent was remarkable and a show to be hold. 

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"What happened was, as soon as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole opened his mouth and sang, that whole place went quiet. Every great singer has something special. It's almost a nasal or head tone. And that thing just cut right through the air, stopped everybody in their tracks," Beazley shared. 

"In Hawaii, we talk about this thing we call mana," Beazley rememered. "Mana is like an energy that you get. We believe we get ours from the elements first, the Earth, your sky, your ocean, your God, and all that is inside of us. And when we open our mouth to speak, to sing or to play, that's what we let out. But it's that that makes him [Israel] special, because his mana always came out," he said. 

After Kamakawiwo'ole passed away in 1997 his community was devastated. He was young and just at the beginning of a succesful music career. After being cremated, loved ones of his took him on a canoe passage. "In the old days," Beazley said, "people would wail when the mo'i or 'king' passed away — and cry. And that's really what it was. This whole island came together just to say goodbye to this one Hawaiian. But I tell you, he would have been laughing," he finished. 

Jon de Mello, a producer close to the artist said "All the big semi-trucks on the island of Oahu had their air horns blowing. And from the ocean we could hear the echo, the bounce off the mountain ranges."

The singer had shared with de Mello that when he passed away, not to be sad. "I guess this is gonna sound kind of weird, but I'm not scared for myself for dying. Because I believe all these places are temporary. This is just one shell. Because we Hawaiians live in both worlds. It's in our veins. When our time come, don't cry for me." he said. 

Are you a fan of Iz? Which one of his songs is your favorite? If you love this artist make sure you pass this along to your friends and family to carry on his legacy!