His voice became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" was released on his albums Ka ʻAnoʻi and Facing Future. It was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and television commercials. Along with his ukulele playing and incorporating other genres, such as jazz and reggae, Kamakawiwoʻole remains influential in Hawaiian music.
Kamakawiwoʻole was born at Kuakini Medical Center in Honolulu to Henry "Hank" Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwoʻole, Jr. and Evangeline "Angie" Leinani Kamakawiwoʻole. The notable Hawaiian musician Moe Keale was his uncle and a major musical influence. He was raised in the community of Kaimuki, where his parents had met and married. He began playing music with his older brother Skippy and cousin Allen Thornton at the age of 11, being exposed to Hawaiian entertainers' music, such as Peter Moon, Palani Vaughn, and Don Ho, who frequented the establishment where Kamakawiwoʻole's parents worked. Hawaiian musician Del Beazley spoke of the first time he heard Israel perform when playing for a graduation party. The whole room fell silent on hearing him sing. Israel continued his path as his brother Skippy entered the Army in 1971, and cousin Allen parted ways in 1976 for the mainland.
In his early teens, he studied at Upward Bound (UB) of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and his family moved to Mākaha. There he met Louis Kauakahi, Sam Gray, and Jerome Koko. Together with his brother Skippy they formed the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau. A part of the Hawaiian Renaissance, the band's blend of contemporary and traditional styles gained popularity as they toured Hawaii and the continental United States, releasing fifteen successful albums. Kamakawiwoʻole aimed to make music that stayed true to the typical sound of traditional Hawaiian music. During that time period, the songs that many people associated with Hawaii, typically, were not traditional-sounding songs.
The Makaha Sons of Niʻihau recorded No Kristo in 1976 and released four more albums, including Kahea O Keale, Keala, Makaha Sons of Niʻihau, and Mahalo Ke Akua. In 1982, Kamakawiwoʻole's brother, Skippy, died at age 28 of a heart attack[5] related to obesity. In that same year, Kamakawiwoʻole married his childhood sweetheart Marlene. Soon after, they had a daughter named Ceslieanne "Wehi" (born in c. 1983).
The group became Hawaii's most popular contemporary, traditional group with breakout albums 1984's Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha and its follow-up, 1986's Hoʻola. Kamakawiwoʻole's last recorded album with the group was 1991's Hoʻoluana. It remains the group's top-selling CD.
In 1990, Kamakawiwoʻole released his first solo album Ka ʻAnoʻi, which won awards for Contemporary Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year from the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA). Facing Future was released in 1993 by The Mountain Apple Company. It featured a version of his most popular song, the medley "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" (listed as "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World"), along with "Hawaiʻi 78", "White Sandy Beach of Hawaiʻi," "Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man," and "Kaulana Kawaihae." The decision to include a cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was a last-minute decision by his producer Jon de Mello and Kamakawiwoʻole. Facing Future debuted at #25 on Billboard magazine's Top Pop Catalogue chart. On October 26, 2005, Facing Future became Hawaiʻi's first certified platinum album, selling more than a million CDs in the United States, according to figures furnished by the Recording Industry Association of America. On July 21, 2006, BBC Radio 1 announced that "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (True Dreams)" would be released as a single in America.
In 1994, Kamakawiwoʻole was voted favorite entertainer of the year by the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA).
E Ala E (1995) featured the political title song "ʻE Ala ʻE" and "Kaleohano," and N Dis Life (1996) featured "In This Life" and "Starting All Over Again."
In 1997, Kamakawiwoʻole was again honored by HARA at the Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Favorite Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Island Contemporary Album of the Year. He watched the awards ceremony from a hospital room.
Alone in Iz World (2001) debuted at #1 on Billboard's World Chart and #135 on Billboard's Top 200, #13 on the Top Independent Albums Chart, and #15 on the Top Internet Album Sales charts.
On December 6, 2010, NPR named Kamakawiwoʻole as "The Voice of Hawaii" in its 50 great voices series.
On March 24, 2011, Kamakawiwoʻole was honored with the German national music award Echo. The music managers Wolfgang Boss and Jon de Mello accepted the trophy in his stead.
A 2014 Pixar short film, Lava, features two volcanoes as the main characters. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and his style of music was James Ford Murphy's partial inspiration for the short film.
Rusty Old Steampipes
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Help me out and I'll go there
Wish me luck give me somethin'
Help me out and I'll go there
All I want is a brand new truck
With one eyed jacks and beginners luck
The doctors script for the perfect drug
But I got no money and I got no man
I drive around in a beat up van
I ride on coffee and percodan
Get it all while I can, get it all while I can
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Come on now
So people tell me to clean up my mess
Like I was sweet sixteen in a dirty dress
But I'm wiser now so I must confess
That I get it all while I can, yeah
I get it all while I can
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Somebody told me
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Just make it real and make it last
Someday maybe I'll understand
This crazy old life is in my hands
Someday maybe I'll figure it out
Somebody help me anybody tell me
Wish me luck give me somethin'
Help me out and I'll go there
Wish me luck give me somethin'
Make it real and make it last
[Incomprehensible]
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Somebody told me
Is that too much to ask?
Is that too much to ask?
Just make it real and make it last
The lyrics of "Rusty Old Steampipes" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole are about a person who desires a better life but feels trapped by their current circumstances. The singer wishes for luck and something to help them out, to give them the opportunity to achieve their desires. These desires are expressed through the repeated refrain of "get it all while I can," indicating a sense of urgency and a desire to make the most of life while they still have the chance.
The singer describes their current situation as one of poverty and struggle. They have no money and no partner, driving around in a beat-up van and relying on coffee and percodan to keep them going. The desire for a "brand new truck" and "perfect drug" represents a longing for a better life with material possessions and ease of living.
Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that they may not understand everything about life, but they want to make the most of it while they can. The repeated question of "is that too much to ask?" suggests a frustration with feeling stuck and unable to achieve their desires. However, the final line of "just make it real and make it last" implies a hope that things can change for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish me luck give me somethin'
Asking for assistance and support in achieving goals
Help me out and I'll go there
Promising to reciprocate help if received
All I want is a brand new truck
Desiring material possessions
With one eyed jacks and beginners luck
Favorable circumstances and luck for success
The doctors script for the perfect drug
Desiring pharmaceuticals for pleasure or escape
Get it all while I can
Prioritizing immediate gratification
But I got no money and I got no man
Lacking financial stability and a partner in life
I drive around in a beat up van
Having a run-down mode of transportation
I ride on coffee and percodan
Using drugs to complement daily activities
Is that too much to ask?
Questioning the feasibility of desires becoming reality
So people tell me to clean up my mess
Receiving criticism for personal choices and actions
Like I was sweet sixteen in a dirty dress
Being judged or treated unfairly by others
But I'm wiser now so I must confess
Acknowledging personal growth and reflection
That I get it all while I can, yeah
Continuing to prioritize immediate gratification
Somebody help me anybody tell me
Seeking guidance and advice from others
Make it real and make it last
Desiring long-lasting, genuine experiences
Someday maybe I'll understand
Hoping for clarity and insight in the future
This crazy old life is in my hands
Acknowledging personal responsibility for one's life
Someday maybe I'll figure it out
Hoping to find answers and solutions
Just make it real and make it last
Reiterating the desire for authentic and lasting experiences
Contributed by Ruby B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
geothermal
Rusty old steam pipes bangin away
Letting me know it's another day
In hell
In a cell
He did wrong and he agree's
So punish him with humanity
For he's a human
He's not a dog
Show him a picture or give him an answer that will help him
He wants to free his body
He wants to free his mind
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song
Twenty three hour's in a lifeless cell
Day after day it's the same old hell
Who know's why
I'd like to know
I wish I knew the answer for this
To release his soul from captivity
Oh lord
Hear his plea
Show him a picture or give him an answer that will help him
He wants to free his body
He wants to free his mind
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song
Rusty old steam pipes bangin away 3x
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song
Scott Allard
The lyrics, the harmony; another amazing song by this talented group.
geothermal
Rusty old steam pipes bangin away
Letting me know it's another day
In hell
In a cell
He did wrong and he agree's
So punish him with humanity
For he's a human
He's not a dog
Show him a picture or give him an answer that will help him
He wants to free his body
He wants to free his mind
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song
Twenty three hour's in a lifeless cell
Day after day it's the same old hell
Who know's why
I'd like to know
I wish I knew the answer for this
To release his soul from captivity
Oh lord
Hear his plea
Show him a picture or give him an answer that will help him
He wants to free his body
He wants to free his mind
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song
Rusty old steam pipes bangin away 3x
He's been in prison too long
Here's his song
Sandra Escudero
Qué hermosa melodía!!!!!!!
Gracias gran IZ por tu talento musical y tu voz tan maravillosa y dulce!!!!!!
Un placer para los oídos y el alma!!!!!!
❤💕💖😔😔🙏🙏
AOUSCHE THE DUDE
HEARD THIS IN THE GYM IN HALAWA IN 1996...UNCLE WARREN SANG IT...THERE WASN'T A DRY EYE IN THAT GYM...I JUST LISTENED TO IT 9/17/2019 AND THANK YOU IZ !!!! 25 YEARS LATER IT STILL BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES....I WON'T FORGET WHERE I'VE BEEN....
kala5583
I saw em the same time lol, never forget where I came from! Mahalo
Lydia Torrence
Love this. I’m sure my cousin n ex felt they needed to be free physically emotionally spiritually. No one should be locked up like animals in a kennel. Especially for expired license.
Jose Marcos
A melodia e a base para para uma reliacao nois pode chegar no alto moreno tiamo vida ❤❤❤❤
Carrie Bowlen
this a great song I love there voices together!
Trevor Smale
A pleasure to listen to this man sing.
mjm -
This song never gets old ….