A few years back, a movie came out called "50 First Dates" with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.  When I first saw it, I liked it, but the end credits were what got me.  The song that was used was "Over the Rainbow," but it was a version I'd never heard before.  I was intrigued, as it had a Hawaiian sound and a singer with a golden voice.

Doing a bit of research, I found out the artist was Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, also known as IZ, or Bruddah IZ.  I found out that Iz was very popular in his native Hawaii, and he was larger than life.  At one point, weighing in at almost 1000 pounds, Iz struggled with weight, substance abuse, and personal tragedy.  But somehow, he managed to keep going.  When he died in 1997, this song became a posthumous hit for him, being used in several movies and commercials.  It launched Iz into the mainstream.

For anyone wishing to learn more about Iz, I highly recommend the DVD "IZ:  The Man and His Music."  When you watch his life story unfold, "Over the Rainbow" is certainly a bittersweet end to this man's legacy.

Here is my version.  I hope to post a better version soon, but this will have to do for now.  Iz, this one's for you.

.com/watch?v=T_HmezrruGc