Kamakawiwo'ole’s Spontaneous Hit “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World”

There are quite a few hit songs that have been wildly used in the visual media industry, that are not originals. Be it a cover, a mix, or a rendition, it may be more widely known or used than it’s original. While this may be impressive on its own, it is all the more impressive if the song was also a spur-of-the-moment one-take. This is exactly what happened with Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World”.

This acoustic ukulele medley was born from a combination of Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow”, originally written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, originally released in 1967.

 

History

Considered by many, as the best Hawaiian musician of all time, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (1959-1997) was a musician, singer, songwriter, and activist, from Honolulu. He already had a large following and audience, with his involvement in Hawaii’s most popular contemporary group, but nothing was as impactful than his international debut.

 

In 1988, Israel contacted the recording studio at 3am, telling recording engineer and producer Milan Bertosa that he had an idea. Although Bertosa was at the end of an exhausting long day at the Honolulu recording studio, he relented and gave Israel 15 minutes to get there. After arriving, they quickly set up, did a short sound check, start rolling the tape, and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” mix was born. It was a one take session that made him a legend. Yet, it was not immediately shared with the world, even though they knew it was a very special recording. They simply made a copy and filed the original away. The song was later re-recorded as an “upbeat Jawaiian” version for the album Ka ‘Ano’i, Kamakawiwo’ole’s 1990 solo debut album. However, five years after the original recording session, Bertosa, now an engineer for Mountain Apple Company in Honolulu, played the original acoustic version for producer Jon de Mello. It was then when it was decided to release in Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s 1993 album Facing Future.

 

The album became certified platinum, multi-award winner, and one of the highest-selling Hawaiian music albums of all time. Its success has since then outshined that of the original songs, and used so often, that younger generations may only know Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s medley. You can even most often find the song under the “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” title now.

 

How is it used?

You can tell that this push of inspiration that he had at 3 am, was from the heart. The authenticity and vulnerability that this version evokes, allows for an emotional connection with the audience, and the visual media industry knows this. The song pulls on our heartstrings, often used in emotional, nostalgic, and dreamy sequences. Universal Studios first took interest in using the song in a film for its emotional context, as used in the 1998 film Meet Joe Black, directed by Martin Brest. 

Due to this song’s heavy influence of Hawaiian music and Hawaiian representation internationally, it is also often used as the “go-to” song for any film or scene set in Hawaii. As much as it is another location-based song in the industry, it is also an emotion-based song; or both! Such as in the 2004 romance/comedy film, 50 First Dates, directed by Peter Segal. In this film, the song is used in a sweet and romantic tone, when Drew Barrymore’s character watched the video of their wedding, reminiscing and watching with love. 

 

The song has since then been used in countless commercials, Television shows, and films.

 

 

Some other notable uses:

• The Edge of All We Know (2020) – directed by Peter Galison
• Finding Forrester (2000) – directed by Gus Van Sant
• Fred Claus (2007) – directed by David Dobkin
• Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ball Dancing and Charm School (2005) – directed by Randall Miller
• Happy, Happy (2010) – directed by Anne Sewitsky
• IMAX: Hubble 3D (2010) – directed by Toni Myers
• Scrubs “My Way Home” (S5, E7) – directed by Zach Braff
• Cold Case “Wishing” (S2, E15) – directed by Emilio Estevez
• ER “On the Beach” (S8, E21) – directed by John Wells
• ER “Graduation Day” (S13, E2) – directed by Joanna Kerns
• Charmed “Lucky Charmed” (S5, E17) – directed by Roxann Dawson

 

 

Classic or Cliché? 

The song and the artist are somewhat considered a national treasure, especially for the Hawaiian community. The story about it, is even more intriguing. The song has more often been used in television rather than films; but while it has been used for Hawaii location scenes, it is most often used for its positive emotional weight. Regardless on its originality, the way it was delivered in that 3 am recording session, created a spontaneous and beautifully-crafted classic.