France sways to Iz's "Over the Rainbow"

If you've been in France for the past couple of months and turned on the radio at any point, then you cannot have failed to have heard a song first recorded in 1939 and since covered many, many, many times over the decades.

In its latest reincarnation though, it has taken France by storm, held the number one position in terms of physical singles sales since the last week of December and topped the digital singles sales throughout January and into the first week of February.

(screenshot from YouTube video)

The song of course is "Over the Rainbow" originally performed by Judy Garland in the film "The Wizard of Oz" and now a hit - this time around - for the late Hawaiian musician, Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole.

It's a simple vocal and ukulele version which certainly as Renee Montagne writes on NPR music "redefines a beloved classic" and was originally released in 1993 and which has been a hit in the US but which didn't really take off in Europe until last year.



Such a shame really that Europeans have waited so long to wake up to what is a delightful rendition, but there again "better late than never" as the saying goes although it's surely a pity that Iz didn't live see his success this side of the Pond.

If you want a full explanation about figures and more details on Iz's background, a good starting point would have to be that NPR music tribute to him although you might prefer to Google and/or head straight to Wikipedia first.

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131812500/israel-kamakawiwo-ole-the-voice-of-hawaii

But before you do anything, take a moment...simply sit back...hit play...and enjoy.

Bliss