"Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World"

[Joe]

Hi all,

Recently I heard the opening of "Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" on a TV commercial for Organic Kellogg's Corn Flakes. Aselin isn't singing though.

I've done a bit of detective work and found some interesting info. about the origins of this medley.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was a popular entertainer and singer in Hawai'i. His medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" was included on his album "Facing Future" in 1993.

Read the details of the short but musically gifted life of Israel here, on Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwo%27ole

[Ginny]

I actually saw this commercial the other night. I was like "this is the commercial Joe was talking about!!!"

I think El Maddero Hattero thought I was the mad hatter ...

Cheers,
Me

[afanoffiona]

Ya, I know. I was like THEY STOLE ASELIN'S SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, that is interesting. It would also be interesting to know how it got into Aselin's music. I wonder what would make Aselin choose that opening.

God Bless,
afanoffiona

[Joe]

Hi all,

There was question about "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in American Profile, a magazine included in newspapers today.

In the magazine's "Ask American Profile" section, Mary Hall, of Ore City Texas, asks...Who performs "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at the end of the movie 50 First Dates? I remember this particular version also was used on ER when Dr. Greene died."

The response...

"The lovely, ukulele-backed version was recorded in 1993 by Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwole'ole, more widely known as "Iz" and also known for his physical statue, standing 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing some 700 pounds. After his death in 1997 of weight-related respiratory illness, his striking version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was also used in the movies Finding Forrester and The Big Bounce, for TV episodes of Providence, Charmed and Party of Five and in a 2006 commercial for Rice Krispies."

We all know that Aselin, not mentioned in the article, has given her special magic to that song!

Cheers,
Joe