We all know this song from the Wizard of Oz but this is a great version in its own right. I first heard this song in Life On Mars and will never forget it. Israel (IZ) fits “What a Wonderful World” in this and it is fantastic.
Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole recorded this in a medley with “What a Wonderful World” for his 1993 album Facing Forward. This version was used in the films Finding Forrester, Meet Joe Black, Life on Mars and 50 First Dates as well as on the television show ER.
The song peaked at #22 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 2004.
Over The Rainbow
Ooh, oohSomewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dream of
Once in a lullabySomewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true someday, I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That’s where you’ll find me somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dare to
Oh why, oh why can’t I? Well, I see trees of green and red roses too
I’ll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful worldWell, I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself what a wonderful worldThe colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
And also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands saying
How do you do?
They’re really saying I, I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more then we’ll know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
World
Someday I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That’s where you’ll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dare to
Why oh, why can’t I?
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
PowerPop... An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture 
I’ve heard this before. I’m sure I heard it in Life On Mars and probably in the movies you listed also.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is such a beautiful version of the song (the original of which I’ve always found a bit too syrupy!) It’s such a shame that he died.
Off topic: I wondered if you’d got my email?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I like this version also. Thank you for replying because I just checked my email and yep I missed it earlier. I usually don’t but lately it’s been one emergency at work after another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s okay.
LikeLike