Travel Tunes - Week 18

Remember the dot com bubble?  We had the Pets.com puppet (because pets can't drive) and homegrocer.com (because Tim can't drive)...I miss Homegrocer, actually.  There was also etoys.com.  Remember them?  Do you remember their theme song?  I do...it's the only thing I bought at their site...the CD featuring it.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole is the Hawaiian native that sang that song.  It's actually the classic Over The Rainbow done Hawaiian style with a ukelele with Israel's mourning "ooing" at the beginning that makes it unforgettable.

Kamakawiwo'ole was a huge guy with a beautiful voice.  Weighing in at over 700 pounds, his obesity got the best of him and he passed away at the young age of 38.

On the CD, Over the Rainbow is a medley with What a Wonderful World.  In this week's video, it's just Over the Rainbow.  It's a great rendition of the song and somewhat disturbing that Kamakawiwo'ole couldn't have lived a healthier life...the video ends with his memorial service and his ashes being spread over the ocean.  The song itself evokes a journey to another world...like in Oz...and is a great companion on the road.

Enjoy!

-Darryl