# Need Help Identifying this Song

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-this-song/443315>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 30, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-this-song/443315 "2008-03-30T21:26:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Grits\_and\_Hard\_Toast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Grits\_and\_Hard\_Toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grits_and_Hard_Toast)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-this-song/443315/1 "2008-03-30T21:26:22Z")

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Does anyone know who the singer of this song is, and what it is from?

Does anyone know of songs that have been done similarly?

[![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZqXyVN03mE)

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-this-song/443315/2 "2008-03-30T21:38:58Z")

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That is the wonderful [Israel Kamakawiwo’ole](http://www.amazon.com/Facing-Future-Israel-Kamakawiwoole/dp/B00000JFG3%5B/url)’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

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**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-this-song/443315/3 "2008-03-30T21:41:59Z")

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I know it’s stylized, but I’m still kinda surprised that you don’t know _Over the Rainbow_ from the lyrics!

This is the famous version by the late Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, which merges it with _What a Wonderful World._ Available on [this recording](http://www.amazon.com/Facing-Future-Israel-Kamakawiwoole/dp/B00000JFG3).

_Edited to add:_ Damn you, **pinkfreud**! (shakes fist)

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**Author:** ![Grits\_and\_Hard\_Toast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Grits\_and\_Hard\_Toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grits_and_Hard_Toast)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-this-song/443315/4 "2008-03-30T22:20:49Z")

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Thanks so much **pinkfreud** and **choie**!

I did recognize Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World. I was thinking it might have been something only found on a movie soundtrack or somewhere else it would be hard for me to locate.

I passed that clip on to many of my friends, none of them knew the singer, but all asked me to let them know when I found out who it was.

I am looking forward to listening to his other work as well.

Thanks again!