Who sings Somewhere Over The Rainbow on YouTube?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the artist who performed a version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" that is popular on YouTube. Participants share their experiences with the song, express their enjoyment, and discuss various renditions and related musical topics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express their enjoyment of a version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" but initially do not know the artist.
  • One participant identifies the artist as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and mentions the album "Facing Future," describing his voice as soft despite his large stature.
  • There is a reference to the original version of the song by Louis Armstrong, prompting a discussion about different interpretations of the song.
  • Several participants discuss the phenomenon of songs being reinterpreted in different genres, citing examples of songs that have transitioned from one genre to another and achieved success.
  • Participants share personal anecdotes about the song getting stuck in their heads and express a mix of enjoyment and frustration regarding this experience.
  • There are mentions of various songs that have been redone in different styles, with participants providing examples of notable genre shifts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the enjoyment of the song and its various renditions, but there are multiple competing views regarding the original artist and the nature of song reinterpretations. The discussion remains unresolved on some points, particularly regarding the extent of genre changes in music.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on personal interpretations and experiences, and there is a lack of consensus on the definitions of remakes versus covers. The discussion includes subjective opinions about musical preferences and interpretations.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in music reinterpretations, song identification, or discussions about popular music culture may find this thread engaging.

Ivan Seeking
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I had heard this and really liked it but had no idea who did it. Good ole UTube.

I know that MIH has heard it before. :biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8&mode=related&search=

Anyway, for some reason I couldn't get it out of my head once I heard it. It's not really the kind of thing I normally like, but it sure stuck; esp the first half.
 
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Ivan Seeking said:
I had heard this and really liked it but had no idea who did it. Good ole UTube.

I know that MIH has heard it before. :biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8&mode=related&search=

Anyway, for some reason I couldn't get it out of my head once I heard it. It's not really the kind of thing I normally like, but it sure stuck; esp the first half.

If you still want to know who did it, it's Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. He's a BIG fella, but with one of the softest voice. The album that this tune is from is called Facing Future.

Zz.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
Good ole UTube.
Careful, that's the site that's sueing YouTube because millions of people can't spell out Y-O-U. :wink:

I'm scared to click the link though. I don't need a song stuck in my head all day. :rolleyes:
 
Gokul43201 said:
You're not thinking of the original Satchmo' number are you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIDBW1CGTKM&mode=related&search=
That's always been one of my favorite songs.

Kamakawiwo'ole's arrangement is pretty good, too. (Isn't his name a song? Not a song title, but an entire song? I had to cheat and copy and paste because I'd never remember the entire thing)
 
Ivan Seeking said:
I had heard this and really liked it but had no idea who did it. Good ole UTube.

I know that MIH has heard it before. :biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8&mode=related&search=

Anyway, for some reason I couldn't get it out of my head once I heard it. It's not really the kind of thing I normally like, but it sure stuck; esp the first half.
yeah, I love that. Isn't it wonderful? :smile: Hey, did you ever see that episode of Scrubs where they did the show around a Wizard of Oz theme? It was so cool! They did it very subtly - a fantastic job!:approve:
(the end of it)
 
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Math Is Hard said:
yeah, I love that. Isn't it wonderful? :smile: Hey, did you ever see that episode of Scrubs where they did the show around a Wizard of Oz theme? It was so cool! They did it very subtly - a fantastic job!:approve:
(the end of it)

hey, I remember that episode.

Scrubs is awesome.:approve:
 
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  • #10
So 7 hours later, I realize that this song has been stuck in my head the entire time. NOOOOOOOO!
 
  • #11
Math Is Hard said:
yeah, I love that. Isn't it wonderful? :smile: Hey, did you ever see that episode of Scrubs where they did the show around a Wizard of Oz theme? It was so cool! They did it very subtly - a fantastic job!:approve:
(the end of it)


I hadn't seen Scrubs, but, not a bad job. I have noticed that they are also using the intro - ooooooooing only - it in a commercial for a breakfast cereal, I think it was... And the number of copycats out there is amazing.

Can anyone name another song that was redone as a completely different genre of music, that was then a hit a second time? What seems somewhat unique to me is that this isn't just an upgrade from 60s rock to 90s rock, this is a change from what... showtune to Hawaiian? That's quite a leap for a second go around.
 
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  • #12
Ivan Seeking said:
Can anyone name another song that was redone as a completely different genre of music, that was then a hit a second time? What seems somewhat unique to me is that this isn't just an upgrade from 60s rock to 90s rock, this is a change from what... showtune to Hawaiian? That's quite a leap for a second go around.

I can name 2 off the top of my head:

1. MacArthur Park was discofied by Donna Summer

2. Always on My Mind by the Pet Shop Boys.

Zz.
 
  • #13
ZapperZ said:
If you still want to know who did it, it's Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. He's a BIG fella, but with one of the softest voice. The album that this tune is from is called Facing Future.

Zz.

YESSSSS I've known that version for a few years now & always wondered who did it! thanks soo much! :approve:
 
  • #14
Ivan Seeking said:
Can anyone name another song that was redone as a completely different genre of music, that was then a hit a second time?
Many...(if you ignore the distinction between a remake and a cover)...here's a few that come to mind:

I Shot the Sheriff - reggae (marley) to rock(clapton)
Baby I Love your Way - rock (frampton) to reggae (big mountain)
Heard it Through the Grapevine - soul (marvin gaye) to rock (CCR)
All Along the Watchtower - talking, with harmonica (dylan) to screaming, with electric guitar (hendrix)
Walk This Way - rock (aerosmith) to hip-hop (run DMC)
Redemption Song - reggae (marley) to rock (U2), alternative rock (dave matthews band), soul (stevie wonder, lauryn hill), hip-hop (arrested development), folk (indigo girls)
 
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  • #15
Oooh.. I can come up with a couple even more extreme.

How about Sergey Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2 becoming a big ballad hit called "All By Myself" by Eric Carmen?

Along the same line, Beethoven's Symphony #5 becoming "A Fifth of Beethoven", a #1 dance hit for Walter Murphy Band (it appeared on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack).

Zz.
 
  • #16
ZapperZ said:
Oooh.. I can come up with a couple even more extreme.

How about Sergey Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2 becoming a big ballad hit called "All By Myself" by Eric Carmen?

...which was more recently ruined by Celine Dion.

There's the Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston versions of "I will always love you". Cher's "Do I ever cross your mind" was redone by Ray Charles and Bonnie Raitt as a lovely slide guitar-enhanced duet. Tori Amos did her own slow and sultry version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit".
 
  • #17
what about michael bolton's version of recondita armonia from puccini's tosca...
... i guess it isn't really a cover song but i don't think he's ever done an album of 'opera hits'; i think it was on one of his pop albums.
 
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