Some songs are so timeless that covering them feels like a gamble. But American Idol season 21 winner Iam Tongi has proven once again that he knows how to make a classic his own. On October 27, the 19-year-old singer released his heartfelt version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and with just a steel guitar, an acoustic, and his signature island tone, Tongi managed to transform the Wizard of Oz standard into something fresh, intimate, and deeply moving.
Perched simply on a stool, guitar in hand, Tongi opened with that iconic first line — “Somewhere over the rainbow…” — his warm, husky voice floating above the gentle strum of strings. It was stripped back, almost fragile, yet carried the weight of a young artist who sings from a place of honesty. For fans, it was another reminder of why he captured hearts the moment he auditioned for Idol.
“Thanks for all the continued love and support,” Tongi shared on Instagram alongside the release. “Excited to be dropping another song for you guys!” The humility in his post mirrored the sincerity in his performance — nothing flashy, no theatrics, just pure emotion.
This isn’t Tongi’s first time reinventing classics or weaving his Hawaiian roots into well-loved songs. His audition of James Blunt’s ballad “Monsters” on American Idol became one of the show’s most unforgettable moments, largely because of the vulnerability he brought while honoring his late father. That emotional connection to his music has since become his calling card.
In the months following his Idol victory, Tongi released original singles like “I’ll Be Seeing You” — which shot to No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock Digital Song Sales chart — and “Why Kiki?,” a breezy track that showcased his lighter, more playful side. With each release, he’s proven his ability to balance grief, joy, and hope in equal measure, making his artistry feel both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Covering “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” adds another layer to Tongi’s story. The song, immortalized by Judy Garland and reimagined by Hawaiian legend Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, has long been a bridge between longing and hope. Tongi’s version feels like a dialogue between both worlds — honoring tradition while stamping it with his own voice and identity.
Fans online quickly dubbed the cover “magical,” noting that Tongi managed to “make the song sound like it always belonged to him.” It’s a sentiment echoed by industry observers, who have praised the young artist’s gift for connecting with listeners in ways that transcend genre or geography.
For Tongi, though, the magic lies not in reinvention but in authenticity. Whether he’s paying tribute to his father, chasing away monsters, or reaching over rainbows, his songs are always rooted in the same truth: music, at its best, heals. And that’s why every release feels less like a performance and more like a conversation with the heart.
