Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow: Lyrics and Music Video
Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole lyrics and music video. You can sing while listening to the song Somewhere Over The Rainbow performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Hope you like the music video and song lyrics for Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
About the Song
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole – Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Song Overview
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's *Somewhere Over the Rainbow* (1993) is a timeless medley blending the classic *Somewhere Over the Rainbow* with *What a Wonderful World*. Recorded in a single take with his ukulele and soothing vocals, the track became a posthumous global sensation, symbolizing Hawaiian culture, hope, and tranquility.
Release and Chart Performance
- Recorded in 1988 and released on the album Facing Future (1993).
- Gained mainstream popularity after Kamakawiwoʻole’s death in 1997, peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 (2004) and topping charts in France, Germany, and Switzerland.
- Certified 4x Platinum in the US (4M+ sales) and surpassed 1.5 billion streams globally.
Musical Style and Themes
The song merges:
- Minimalist ukulele strumming, Kamakawiwoʻole’s warm falsetto, and a laid-back Hawaiian rhythm.
- Lyrics celebrating optimism and beauty, fusing the magic of both classics:
“Somewhere over the rainbow / Way up high / And the dreams that you dream of / Once in a lullaby…”
Legacy and Cultural Impact
- A global anthem of comfort, played at weddings, funerals, and major events (e.g., 9/11 memorials, COVID-19 tributes).
- Featured in films like Meet Joe Black (1998), 50 First Dates (2004), and TV shows like Scrubs and Glee.
- Preserved in the National Recording Registry (2020) for its cultural significance.
Songwriting Credits
A fusion of two iconic songs:
- *Somewhere Over the Rainbow*: Written by Harold Arlen (music) and Yip Harburg (lyrics) for The Wizard of Oz (1939).
- *What a Wonderful World*: Written by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele, popularized by Louis Armstrong (1967).
Summary
*Somewhere Over the Rainbow* is more than a cover—it’s a heartfelt ode to resilience and beauty. Kamakawiwoʻole’s soulful rendition turned it into a universal symbol of peace, ensuring his voice and Hawaiian heritage resonate across generations.
Keywords
- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Over the Rainbow lyrics
- Hawaiian ukulele Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- Facing Future album songs
- Best Hawaiian music covers
- Posthumous hit songs 2000s
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: Somewhere Over The Rainbow Lyrics
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh ooh ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true
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
Blue birds fly
And the dream that you dare to
Oh, why, oh, why can’t i, i?
Oh, 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
Oh, why, oh, why can’t i, i?
Ooh, ooh, ooh ooh ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh ooh ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh ooh ooh
