He became famous outside Hawaii 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.
Through his consummate ukulele playing and incorporation of other genres (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains one of the major influences in Hawaiʻian music over the last 15 years
Fullblood Hawaiian born artist Israel released several CD's and got his break in US when a Radio DJ in California played his version of the Judy Garland written song 'Somewhere over the rainbow' from his 'Facing Future' album, a simple song with his voice and a Ukulele in a traditional hawaiian performance. Israel or 'Iz' is the most popular and legendary artist that came from Hawaii and never seem to be forgotten by the citizens.
He died 26th of June 1997 of heartfailure due to his massive bodyweight of over 900 punds (400 Kilos). Today, 'Somewhere over the rainbow' is widely used in commercials and movies and is still popular over 10 years after since that rainy day in California where people heard it on the radio for the first time. And the album 'Facing Future' has sold over 1 million on world basis.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dream 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 tops is where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
Well I see trees of green and red roses too,
I'll watch then bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white and the brightness of day
I like the dark and I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands saying, How do you do?
They're really saying, I, I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
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 is where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dreams that you dare to, oh why, oh why can't I?
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" is a beautiful, bittersweet interpretation of these two classic songs, both of which were written in the 1930s. The lyrics, originally penned by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg ("Somewhere Over the Rainbow") and Bob Thiele and George David Weiss ("What a Wonderful World"), deal with the power of imagination, hope, and love in the face of hardship and adversity.
The first verse of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" describes a magical, faraway place where dreams really do come true. The singer longs to escape from his troubles, represented by the clouds that surround him. He wishes to be free from these worries and to find a place where he can be happy and at peace. The bluebirds that fly over the rainbow symbolize the freedom that he desires. The first verse is followed by a chorus that expresses the singer's frustration at his inability to reach this utopia. Despite his wishes and dreams, he is still trapped in his mundane, troubled life.
The second part of the song, "What a Wonderful World," is a tribute to the beauty and wonder of the world we live in. The singer marvels at the natural world, with its green trees and red roses, blue skies and white clouds. He also notes the diversity of people he encounters, from friends to strangers, and sees love as the common thread that binds us all. The final verse brings the two songs together, as the singer repeats his wish to someday escape his troubles and find a world of his own.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
There's a place beyond the sky full of hope and happiness.
And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby
The dreams you have while you're in a peaceful state can come true.
Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly
In that place, there's freedom and birds fly without restrictions.
And the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true
The dreams you have can truly become a reality.
Someday I'll wish upon a star, wake up where the clouds are far behind me
One day I'll reach that place of happiness and forget all my troubles.
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
Troubles disappear easily as if melting like lemon drops.
High above the chimney tops is where you'll find me
In that happy place, you'll find me flying high above everything else.
And the dreams that you dare to, oh why, oh why can't I?
It's hard to see others fulfilling their dreams when you're struggling to achieve yours.
Well I see trees of green and red roses too
I observe the colors of nature and its inherent beauty.
I'll watch then bloom for me and you
I'll enjoy the flowers blooming for everyone to see, as they add beauty to life.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The world is full of beauty and wonder, and it's amazing to be a part of it.
Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white and the brightness of day
I observe the colors of the sky and the brightness of the sun, which are always present despite life's challenges.
I like the dark and I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Even in the darkness of night, I find beauty and wonder in the world.
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Rainbows, like nature, display vivid colors and beauty in the sky.
are also on the faces of people passing by
People are like rainbows in that they display diverse colors and shades in their personalities, emotions, and expressions.
I see friends shaking hands saying, How do you do?
I see people greeting each other and showing respect and kindness.
They're really saying, I, I love you
Underneath the surface, people are expressing their love and appreciation for one another.
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow
I observe the natural progression of life, from birth to growth and maturity.
They'll learn much more than we'll know
The new generation will learn and experience things that we may never have the chance to understand.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Despite the challenges of life, the world remains full of wonder and amazement.
Someday I'll wish upon a star, wake up where the clouds are far behind me
The wish for peace, happiness, and fulfillment remains a constant desire in life.
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
In that place of ultimate happiness, problems disappear easily and without worry.
High above the chimney tops is where you'll find me
In the ultimate place of true happiness, you'll find me soaring higher than ever before.
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
It's a place that transcends the boundaries of the world we know.
And the dreams that you dare to, oh why, oh why can't I?
It's painful to see others follow their dreams when you're still struggling to achieve your own.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eventconsultant1
This is why dogs never die:
“Some of you, particularly those who think they have recently lost a dog to “death”, don’t really understand this. I’ve had no desire to explain, but I won’t be around forever and must for those out there to finally understand.
Dogs never die. They don’t know how too. They get tired, very old and their bones hurt. Of course they don’t die. If they did they would not want to always go for a walk, even long after their old bones say “No, no not a good idea. Let’s not go for a walk.” Nope, dogs always want to go for a walk. They might get one step before their aging tendons collapse them into a heap on the floor but that’s what dogs do. They walk.
You see, a walk with you is all there is. A walk with their best friend and the symphony of odor that the world is. Cat poop, another dog’s mark, a rotting chicken bone and you. That is what makes their world perfect and in a perfect world death as no place.

Dogs just get very, very sleepy. That is the thing you see. The don’t teach you that at the fancy university where they explain about quarks and economics. They know so much there that they forget that dogs never die. It is a shame really. Dogs have so much to offer and people just talk too much.
When you think your dog has died, it has really just fallen asleep in the world and now lives in your heart. And by the way, it is wagging its tail madly, you see, and that is why your chest hurts so much and you cry all the time. Who would not cry with a happy dog wagging its tail in their chest? Ouch! Wap, wap, wap, wap, wap, that hurts. But they only wag because they are so happy to be so close to you.
Whenever they wake up in your heart they wag their tail. After a few dog years, they sleep for longer periods of time and you will too. They were a GOOD DOG all their life and you both know it. It gets tiring being a good dog all the time, particularly when you get old and your bones hurt and you fall on your face and don’t want to go outside to pee when it is raining but they do because they are a good dog. So understand that after they have been sleeping in your heart, they will sleep longer and longer.
But don’t get fooled. They are not “dead”. There is no such thing, really. They are sleeping in your heart and when they wake up, usually when you are not expecting it. It is just who they are.
I feel sorry for people who don’t have dogs sleeping in their heart. They miss so much. Excuse me, I have to go cry now.”
@goodgolden9978
“1B views”
Now this, does put a smile on my face
@royal_explosion3480
It’s really does 😊
@notaperson8300
😄
@bossbigmoney263
XD I said the same thing thats crazy this song is awesome!!
@mintseerr5062
It's deserved, this man's voice and peaceful nature is something the world needs but doesn't deserve
@eduardoalmeida61
there is hope, there is love
@MrMaurotheawesome
He didn't die...
He just went somewhere... over the rainbow :')
@ellacarmen7331
That's a good thought....
@arthurdalbock6295
This comment made me more positive thanks man
@rockguy9902
I love this man hes so nice