First Time Hearing | Israel IZ Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere over the Rainbow Reaction
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- čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
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Fun Fact: IZ was so influential in Hawaii, he's the only ever non-politician or royal to receive a state funeral, which is depicted the end of the video.
😔😭 so missed
And he deserved the honor more than most of them
The music video is of the funeral. Culture is not always our friend... Being big and fat is espoused in Hawaii, it makes you an O.G. but it kills too.
yes, i love my hawaiian brothers, they cast the hawaiian flags at half-staff day of his funeral
@@ontheroad5317 Absolutely
This song has a pretty cool backstory as well:
(This is a long one folks, fair warning)
In 1988 a studio manager named Milan Bertosa got a call from a regular client of his on behalf of IZ at 3 a.m saying he had an idea he "desperately wanted to see through." Bertosa was originally like "nah it's late, another time" type of thing. So IZ got on the phone and was "really sweet, well mannered, and kind" so he eventually changed his mind. 15 mins later, IZ shows up at the recording studio with his ukulele, then records this song in 1 take and leaves. The next day he kept the master and gave IZ a copy which was later re-recorded as an "upbeat Jawaiian version" for his debut album in 1990 Ka ʻAnoʻi. Jump to 1993, and Bertosa is working on IZ's second album, Facing Future. On one of the last few days of recording he felt something was missing, so he dug through some older recordings and came across the 3 a.m acoustic version, he played it for another producer who loved it, so he put it on the album. That album then became the best selling album by a Hawaiian artist and still is 20 years later. It's the only Hawaiin album to sell 1 million units and subsequently be certified platinum by the RIAA. The song meanwhile In 2020, was selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
I noticed it has a few lyrics from Louis Armstrongs "It's a Wonderful World". Is this some sort of cover?
@@NorrisFoxx it is a cover, but it's essentially two songs combined, the other song being "Over The Rainbow"
That's very interesting. Thank you for sharing!
thanks for sharing.
🤙🏽
There aren't many songs in this world that can make you smile AND cry. This is one of them. RIP IZ.
I commented the same thing before I read your comment. It has the same effect on me.
This song instantly sooths me, makes me happy hearing it, makes me a little somber as well because it reminds me of when i was young and the fact he passed away before he could give us more music like this!
Something about this version of this song makes me cry every time. It just evokes emotion and I think it did for you too?
Same.
For me it takes me right back to the ER episode where Dr Greene died in Hawaii since they played this song during the episode.
@@Malic430 Yes! Although it seemed to be played in half the movies and TV shows for a while, the ER episode is the one I always think of. What a tearjerker.
It gets me tearing up too
We played this at my dad's funeral last year.
As someone who was born and raised in Hawaii and is of Hawaiian decent, I grew up listening to Bruddah Iz. It's so cool seeing my culture getting seen by new people. Thanks for the great reaction!!
💜🌺🤙
I grew up hearing this song as well. It always helped me feel safe and happy when, for a long time in my childhood, I couldn't get those feelings and assurance. Every time I hear it now, it all comes back to me. I miss him and his music...
This is my favorite version of this song by far, and as a Kansan I have heard quite a few different ones over the years.
I also grew Up with this Song Here in Germany and every time i hear IT i get Happy regardles If i was Mad, angry, heartbroken etc i feel better after listening and i never once skipped this Song
There’s a longer version of this that incorporates “What a Wonderful World”. Magic.
Thank you for sharing! I was just thinking about how great to listen to those songs together. I’m looking for it now!
I was going to remind others that know IZ's music and glad you shared. Thank you. It's my favorite piece by IZ. When life was super hard by losing everything I had physically from a person hitting my car, this saved me emotionally.
My dad passed away in late 2010, and that version was the last song he shared with me. Holds a special place in my heart.
I love that version ❤️
YES!!!!!!
Brother Iz will always be an icon of Hawaii. Beautiful man, beautiful voice and a beautiful soul. And yes that was his celebration of life. Aloha
I’d like to correct you if I may. Yes, he was an icon for Hawai’i but he was truly God’s gift to the world. The voice of an angel and, as somebody mentioned above, I don’t think he realized the profound and powerful impact his voice had on the world. His voice stirs up so many emotions each and every time I hear him. Rest In Peace, Braddah IZ 🙏🏼🙏🏼🏝️🏝️😢😢
The beginning when you said his voice sounds angelic, and you didn't know he passed. This song gets me teary every single time, it's beautiful 😢
I still remember waking up the morning of his passing and my tutu kane (Grandfather) telling all of his grandchildren that, "Braddah Iz" has passed. It was very emotional for a lot of the Natives who were very touched and proud of our heritage. His music filled a lot of peoples heart with warmth and kept us to look at the positives. Not only in our culture, but to a lot of people around the world. My grandfather took us in his truck around the island as semi-trucks, motorcycles, hunting/lifted trucks, cars all had the Hawaiian flags, Braddah IZ's shirts, flags, artwork, etc. It was so beautiful to see all my Polynesian people together once again. I sadness, but also in celebration. It was one of the very last times I've ever seen an event where so much of us came together as one and I tear up every time I see this video. Not only it was a sad time. It was very overwhelming to see so many of us in unity. Times have changed now. I just miss how it was when I was a kid. Thank you for reviewing this song.
The most beautiful version of this song ever ❤️ R.I.P IZ ❤️
It's sad for a lot of people that they meet IZ through this song and say goodbye at the same time.
@@rsent4026 It's a beautiful sadness
I almost fell bad for him. He discovered this incredible talent, is blown away by his range and ability, and realizes it's gone forever in the same sequence. That can't be the way he was hoping it would go
IZ may not be with us physically, but his spirit lives on in "Over the Rainbow " and any other songs he sung. His soul lives on in music. 💙 Rest in Peace, you touched the workd and didn't even know it.
Your reaction is real, thank you for that. At first when you said how much you liked his voice and that it would go far, you had no idea that he'd died. What a roller coaster of emotion for you. Don't ever feel sorry or embarrassed for showing your true feelings. In this case, it was like you made a new friend and then lost him in the span of seven minutes and thirty-one seconds.
This song literally saved my life. Years ago, while traveling through immense grief. I found this song on the soundtrack of finding Forrester. Became obsessed and played it repeatedly. Made realize there was beauty in life, and I needed to absorb more of it. And to express it in some way. And still i strive to.
The combo with 'what a wonderful world' did same for me. Had to play it every day for years to get through the physical trauma and PTSD from it. ❤
The song is pure magic. I am so happy you had the same experience of it.
50 First Dates is how I came across this song. I've loved it ever since.
Thanks. I was trying to remember what movie I knew this from. :D
@@RaptorNX01Thanks for the reminder. I was wondering where I first heard of the song. Yup 50 First Dates.
I can't help but get emotional and tear up whenever I hear IZ's version.
What he did with his music resurrected the Hawaiian language and helped Hawaiian people learn about the truth of their history and culture, which was all taken away from when the Kingdom's government was illegally overthrown in 1893. The song "E Ala E" ("Wake up!") is powerful; "Hawai'i '78" always makes me cry. There's a lot to learn about him and yes, he died way too young. He made good use of his time here, though. He recorded with the Sons of Ni'ihau; the one I've listened to for years is Ho'oluana. It's an album to look up on CZcams; someone has posted the whole thing. A lot of his songs are in Hawaiian, and you can find translations online for many of them. Hearing Iz on the radio inspired so many people to learn where they came from, learn their language, and fight for Hawaiian Sovereignty.
His last name is pronounced ka-MAH-kah-VEE-voh-OH-lee.
Truly, this man was (IS) an angel.
Iz passed away in June 1997, aged 38, this video shows his memorial. This song is in the movie 'Finding Forrester', that's how I discovered Iz😊. Sadly, I had many cds stolen, including his.
50 first dates too
also on Meet Joe Black
Whenever I feel down or angry or frustrated - listening to his songs is like a soothing ray of sunshine - there is something in voice in his whole personality that makes you smile.
It’s said he recorded this in 1 take. Such an amazing piece of music.
Something like he showed up at the studio in the middle of the night, and the engineer wasn't going to do it at first, conceded, recorded it in a single take, and it's been an epic success worldwide, influencing pretty much every corner of the globe in multiple ways.
How I found out about this song was by accident. I'm retired now, but when I worked my co-workers called me Gabby. One time during lunch, a co-worker handed me her ear bud and said, "Gab...you need to listen to this song." The song began with, "This one's for Gabby..." and then Izzy began "humming" the start of this song. She wanted me to just catch the dedication at the beginning, but I was soooo enamored with the rest of it I couldn't put it down. I had no idea when I began the day that I would find my favorite song, 10 years after the singer had passed away.
IZ and his story is beautiful and heartbreaking. I LOVE everything about his music.
I used to babysit for my grandson when he was a baby. This song was used for a tv commercial, and every time it came on, he would stop whatever he was doing and listen to it. So I started using it as his 'go to sleep' song and would play it over & over at his nap time, until he fell asleep. He always took his nap with no fuss at all and he still stops & listens to it if it comes on the radio (he's 17 now). 😊
I have written that exact sentence as a comment somewhere on the internet (I think it was a review on Amazon many moons ago) and I know exactly which commercial you are talking about. We watched a lot of PBS when my boys were little (now 22&24). We lived with my mom at the time and I really thought my mother left this comment for a second. Everybody would just stop and listen.
@@hollymartin7035 👍🏻 😁 ❤
iz's voice is what angels sound like. My mom LOVED this song and I played this for her and she cried. It's so beautiful and that beauty has a profound effect.
The first time I heard IZ I decided I would make it to Hawai’i before I died. I've been twice now. No one will ever be as amazing. 😢
Thank you for your respectful reaction.
One thing you didn't mention is "IZ's" Ukulele playing. It is masterful and would be easy to overlook as being just simple strumming. It is actually quite complex, but he was so skillful in its execution that it sounds effortless, like his voice. A good video to learn to appreciate his technique is called "Why Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Ukulele Hit Is Magic". The CZcamsr ("Ukulele Tricks") demonstrates how complex the exact technique IZ really was.
IZ’s rendition of this song ALWAYS makes me cry… always! Thanks for your reaction; it seems it had an impact on you too!!
That video always chokes me up. It's the most beautiful funeral I've ever seen. . Everyone is happy that he was in their lives for as long as he was, cheering for him. Everyone surely felt his loss, but they were there to celebrate his life, and his return to the earth and the sea.
You know what makes it even more special. It only took him one 5 min take to record this song. No studio editing bs just a great voice and a melody.
He did an amazing cover of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver that you should listen too. If you want an original song then “Hawaii, 78” is a great song about Hawaiian independence. And the IZ is prounced “is”. He is known as Brudda Iz.
Hawaii 78 is really a must
As wonderful as his English language songs are, I would love to see some reactions to his Hawaiian language songs… which were the majority of his recordings. I suggest Lā ʻElima, Ka Pua Uʻi, Kūhio Bay, and of course any number of songs from his years with the Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau.
@UnclePauhana you sound like a long-time friend like maybe you were from the same part of Oahu, and I'm just a howlie girl but I think we both agree he had an amazing voice and was a beautiful man... IZ LIVES ON ♡♡♡
@@connieleighton4375 Aloha Connie, you're right, IZ was one-of-kind, and lives on through his music and all the hearts he touched. BTW, itʻs spelled haole (how-leh) and isnʻt an insult, in case you've heard otherwise.
@UnclePauhana lol I always get the spelling wrong... it's so tricky, and no I don't take it as a bad thing.ive been to the islands twice and can't think of a prettier place and I felt nothing but kindness from the people. Much love from colorado...♡
You can't help but smile when you hear this song. So pure, so clean. Perfection.
Many of us cried the day bruddah IZ died. He was a beautiful soul. Listen to his "White Sandy Beaches of Hawai'i". An outstanding love song, sung with that pure melodic voice he had.
White Sandy Beach is one of my Favorite Songs he did!
Yes White Sandy Beach is just as beautiful!
That is one of my all time favorites too.
On a white..... Sandy Beach..... Of hawaiiiiiiii. Love that song. Lived in Hawaii ages 3 to 8. Even met Iz once.
@@derek2593 Wow! That’s fantastic and a great memory.
This recording was truly his gift to the world. RIP IZ
That man could make your goosebumps get goosebumps. You can feeel the energy when he sings. Rip my friend
A brief life, many struggles, but what a legacy. Sing in peace, IZ.
This is perfection to me. Brings a tear to my eye everytime. IZ and his story is absolutely amazing.
This track gets me everytime I hear it, so powerful and touching, it always makes me a little sad, but in the end it also makes me happy. Forever a Legend - one of the true GOAT 🙌 RIP IZ 🖤❤
This will always be my fav version of the song.
Love IZ glad you found him. He has alot of great songs. Yes he died. He had a disorder that made him so big. It eventually took his life. On one of the islands in hawaii has a life sized bust statue of him.
This puts you in a happy place. Somewhere Over the Rainbow? He's singing in God's choir. It may be a memorial, but what a memorial.
It is Iz's memorial.
That was his funeral service the way they do it in Hawaii. They all go out on surfboards with flowers has been the largest one I have ever heard of in Hawaii. It’s so loving.
In 1966 I was in the Navy and we were entering Pearl Harbor and had to detour because of the funeral for the Hawaiian great Kui Lee (Kuiokalani Lee) It was huge. How big, I can't say.
Big IZ! My favorite song by him is Hawaii 78
There's no other way to put it than to say his performance of this song is beautiful.
He's got such a comforting voice. Every time I hear this song I just feel a safety and serenity it's hard to get from elsewhere
kind of like all your worries are gone and you can just let it all out.
This version makes me cry every time… I think this is the first time I’ve seen you speechless… And it’s absolutely understandable!
Does me, too, and I am a 6'5", 270lb manly-man, who rarely cries. If someone doesn't feel something when this version plays, I don't trust them.
@@johndeeregreen4592I’m a 6’ 222 lb man and I consider myself manly as well 😂 but I’m in tears every time I hear his angelic voice and remember he’s no longer with us 😢🙏🏼🏝️
I remember hearing this song the first time in the death’s episode of Mark Greene in ER. I was crying like a baby. Since that day, everytime, I feel something inside when I hear it.
Same. Takes me back to the shots of Marc Greene playing with his grown daughter, new baby, and Elizabeth on the beach. Chokes me up every time.
Same here. I still get choked up as it takes me straight back to that episode 😢
Same, I bawled like I lost a close family member.
RIP IZ! This is the best rendition of this song ever made.
The pureness of his soul is filtered into this song.
I never knew about him or his story, and I don't have any emotional connection to this song to something that happened in my life, but I tear up every time I hear it. When I was a child, and now in my 30's.
It's so sad when you discover an amazing artist and while enthralled listening to their song, you realize they are gone. This happened to me with IZ and with Eva Cassidy as well. They are both sorely missed.
---- Yes, unfortunately IZ died too young at 38-years old on June 26, 1997 from respiratory failure primarily caused by his obesity. There were approximately 10,000 people who attended his funeral. Those were scenes when his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12, 1997. Many people further commemorated him by honking their car and truck horns on all Hawaiian highways that day
---- IZ's version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow has been used in many movies (i.e., Adam Sandler's 50 First Dates, Sean Connery's Finding Forrester, etc), in many TV series (i.e., ER, Glee, Lost, etc), and in TV commercials
---- IZ's version is the longest-leading number-one hit on any of the Billboard song charts, having spent 358 weeks on top of the World Digital Songs chart
---- This is one of the two best versions of Somewhere Over The Rainbow ever recorded
---- Another version to check out is by singer Eva Cassidy, who also, unfortunately, is deceased. It is radically different than the version by IZ, but equally fantastic in another way: czcams.com/video/2rd8VktT8xY/video.html
If you listen to the song off of the actual album there is a recording of IZ saying "Ok, this is for Gavvy"...which is his nephew who was born the night of the recording.
Its Perfection. For me the reason i love it and still listen to it. Is that you can hear bros soul speaking on it, every little breath makes this song not just the notes.
I walked down the aisle to this song and even 19 years later it still makes me tear up with happy tears.
The story of how this track was recorded is amazing.
IZ was an angel,and God called his angel home.Thank you IZ!
IZ was a force to be reckoned with and is deeply missed. Glad you realized how amazing his talent was and thanks for playing it all the way thru❤️
Bruddah IZ is so missed by those of us from Hawaii. A hui hou Bruddah; you have left us with such a powerful love for Hawaii and her beautiful sons and daughters. Our grandson is named after the song "Kainoa" and he loves his very own "song" by this wonderful gentle giant.
He was truly a legend on The Islands, his legacy will live on in those he touched, gone far too early but accomplished more in his far too shortened life and is missed greatly.
He is a legend all over the world, in my opinion. His style was so simple, it highlighted his incredible talent and humanity.
Every time I hear this song done by this artist, I get teary-eyed it is very, very beautiful and so emotional to me.
I can’t listen to this version of the song without balling like a baby. Hit me hard watching 50 First Dates. 😭😭😭😭😭😭
Try Louis Armstrong. Or "Good Morning Vietnam"
IZ has no idea how many ppl he blesses with his voice and life. His rendition of this song could be a wedding song, funeral song, or just easy listening for those who are up and those who are down. Rip IZ
He died way way WAY too young 😢
RIP IZ. They still love you down here.
I have always loved Brother Iz. His funeral was a beautiful event. If you haven’t seen it be sure to . I cried but saw it’s beauty at the same time. He was much loved in Hawaii and I have one of his albums. Yes I have heard a dozen different versions of this song,but this one always touches my heart.
A gentle soul. An amazing human. This song reaches everyone.
I can't watch or listen to this song without bawling! Even reading this title has me tearing up so much I can hardly type. My fave song from IZ is "White Sandy Beaches" The end always makes me giggle
The fact that IZ showed up to the studio and recorded this live with just his ukulele totally blows me away, even in July 2023. Nothing else was needed. It was perfect as done. There's was absolutely nothing else that could be added. Total genius! I tear up every time I listen to this recording. There's definitely a message here for each and everyone of us. Expressing it so simply without great elaboration, touches my soul. For me, it speaks for all of us. Thanks for sharing IZ! This is one of my all time favorite recordings.
Hearing him sing always gives me goosebumps
This record will always be a classic. So moving.
I first heard this song at my uncle's funeral, I was blown away and how it set the tone for the service. I did not find out who he was until years later. Your description of his voice being angelic is spot on and I felt that at the funeral. His voice was amazing, and I doubt we will have another person who even comes close.
This is one of those special songs that can make me emotional and since my family used it at my dad’s funeral it now makes me cry but it’s such a beautiful song and I don’t mind shedding a tear for my father. Happy memories 😢❤
What a beautiful culture that celebrates this man and his music. I find it very very beautiful.
I can only imagine Iz and Eva Cassidy harmonizing and serenading everyone who is already "over the rainbow" with this song.
OMG, yes!!
Eva Cassidy, another tragic loss. Just recently found her and her wonderful voice. I was saddened that she was gone.
"White Sandy Beach of Hawaii" is a song of his I've always enjoyed. It's sang similarly to this song.
His versions of "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "In This life" are really good as well. I'd recommend "Ulili E," "Hele On To Kauai," "E Ala E," and "Hawaiian like me"
My suggestion would be for you to purchase his CD which has such great songs on it.
Bruddah Iz, as he was known in Hawaii, was the most loved entertainer ever to come out of the 50th state. His version of "Over the Rainbow" is well-known internationally and has graced many movies.
The best voice ever, loved far and wide!
Aloha from Hawaii!
Daisy
this song makes me sob and sob. The impact of that huge paddle-out is just stunning. RIP dude
So much love and compassion in his voice. Breaks me down everytime.
If you didn't know IZ, you'd never expect such a giant of a man was singing this. He died too early. RIP.
The first time I heard this beautiful song. My husband and I were watching the show 'ER'. The main character 'Dr. Green' had cancer and he took his daughter to Hawaii to spend time with her.
One night as he was laying in bed, his daughter came in the room and put on some headphones on him. And this song was playing!!
It brought me to tears. And I've been a fan of this song ever since!! It just hits you at the right place!
One of the best musical rendition ever done he sadly died at 38 years old and was one of the most loved human beings ever to live in Hawaii and all over the world 🌎 wild bill
My mom got remarried and we've got 5 kids in the family. We all play guitar and some of us aren't terrible at singing lol. We got some djembes going too. But we practiced for a month then played this for her at her wedding (her request). It was honestly a lot of fun and makes this song super memorable for me! Great great song tho.
IZ and his ukulele. ❤
This will forever be my favorite version of this song and to hear you say “his voice is angelic” made me cry! Excited to take the journey of the rest of this song with you!
That look on your face throughout this video is exactly my feeling when I listen to it. It’s such a beautiful, peaceful track that I just have to close my eyes and smile.
The end of this video was his funeral - He died in 1997
The whole album that this come "Facing Future" is solid gold. The opening and closing pieces are heart rending, especially in light of his death not too long after its release.
Bruddah Iz was the soul of Hawai'i. I would definitely suggest you listen to anything and everything you can find of his. His funeral was so beautiful. There was a tractor trailer convoy from Honolulu to the beach where his celebration of life was held. I remember standing on the side of the freeway and tossing lei out to the trucks as they passed.
The simplicity and beauty of the song and IZ version has a child like quality that makes you feel young again when life was simple and innocent, when the future ahead was hopeful, your greatest adventure was always just around the corner.
He and Judy are the only two I think who truly do this song justice.
yes we lost this beautiful soul :(
its sad he's gone wish he had stayed around so much longer rip IZ you will be missed
IZ your magical voice, ukele and music will live forever! Well done, rest peacefully...
Who among us can say that our funeral would be comprised of so many people that were touched in their souls by us as he did... Great rain. Thank you. 😊
sorry to be that guy its "Reign" not "Rain"
I too discovered IZ after he had left this world. I don't remember what it was that brought me to him but he had been gone about ten or twelve years. As far as I'm concerned all his music is wonderful. Unfortunately there's just not enough of it.😢
Mahalo ...Aloha Is The Law Rest In Paradise Precious IZ🤙 Rich Blessings To ALL THX for posting MRLBOYD
This guy was such a great singer. Wish he were still with us. Beautiful voice.
RIP Iz We miss you. Thank you for all your beautiful music.
When I was in Hawaii his music permeated throughout my car and my soul as I explored Oahu. What a beautiful soul this man was. Somewhere was his commercial hit, but he has so much other stuff. More ethnic Hawaiian....which is awesome.
He had a burial at sea. It was quite something. As we all knew, he struggled with his weigh. Pure Hawaiian, raised on his mommas poi, he just couldn't get a handle on it. He was married and his wife was devoted. A loss for the planet.
The song Hawaii is lathered with his feelings about his homeland and what happened to it. I recommend it.
Every time I listen to this song, there's a certain moment when I can't catch my breath.
By the time I do... I already feel a gentle, warm tear trickling down my cheek.
A Gift of Love & Hope.
RIP & Thank You, Iz!! 🌈
An angel on this earth who left us the beautiful gift of his music. I visited Maui for the first time in 1998 a year after he passed and everywhere on the island his music was being played. It was majestic and echos in my memory forever. RIP IZ
I had this played at my father's funeral. I always loved this version of the song best. IZ was such a great singer.
Played this at my mothers funeral service. Cry everytime I hear it now.
My daughter and I picked this for mum's funeral as well