Showing posts with label Over the Rainbow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Over the Rainbow. Show all posts

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Israel Kamakawio'ole's Medley of Hope and Vision

I first heard the song "Over the Rainbow" when I was a small boy over half a century ago. My father had just left to serve in Korea, and I was filled with unfamiliar emotions. I was lying in bed when I heard the song playing on the television, and I was surprised when I was moved to tears. I think I needed to believe something hopeful could be somewhere over the rainbow. Now, of course, when I hear this wonderful medley, the same emotional associations come back. That's how the brain works, and that's how I react. Maybe that's why I like this medley so much.



By the way, for those of you who don't know, Israel Kamakawio'ole was a huge celebrity on the islands until his death 12 years ago...