I selected the song “Tiny Bubbles” performed by Don Ho. The song was originally written (by Leon Pober) for Lawrence Welk who turned it down. Don Ho’s producer Sonny Burke chose Don to sing it after his single “Born Free” flopped. Don Ho grew up in Hawaii on O’ahu island. “Tiny Bubbles” was released in 1966 and make #57 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The instruments used in the song are representative of modern pop music in America at the time utilizing acoustic and electric guitar, a drum set, a piano, and strings. However, the song is different from other pop music from that time because of the Hawaiian influence. 

The song itself is slow, flowing, and warm. Don sings about the way it feels to be under the influence of wine combined with feelings towards a lover. The melody “floats” over the contrasting solid beat with drawn out chords in the background to support. The song also features a few lines of Hawaiian lyrics imbedded within.

I chose this song for two reasons. First, I grew up listening to this song as a kid (thanks mom!) and I enjoy it. Second, because of the impact it made in the world. In three years of it’s release, the song was covered by various artists in several countries 34 times. Most notable are Rodger Williams’ piano cover, Rex Allen’s country cover, and Scottish country singer Sydney Devine’s cover. All three of these covers were also wildly successful catering to different musical tastes in several countries. I think It’s fascinating that this song could impact the lives of so many individuals within such a short span of time and carry a piece of Hawaiian culture with it to all of those people.

Tiny bubbles
In the wine
Make me feel happy
Ah, they make me feel fine
Those tiny bubbles
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love you till the end of time
So here’s to the golden moon
And here’s to the silver sea
And mostly here’s a toast
To you and me
When the tiny bubbles (tiny bubbles)
In the wine (in the wine)
They make me feel happy (make me feel happy)
Make me feel fine (make me feel fine)
Those tiny bubbles (tiny bubbles)
Make me warm all over (make me warm all over)
With a feeling that I’m gonna (with a feeling that I’m gonna)
Love you till the end of time
Tiny bubbles (Oooh-a-licki)
In the wine (ik-a-may-li)
Make me feel happy (a-ka-oli)
Ah, they make me feel fine (ik-a-ba-al-he)
Those tiny bubbles
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love you till the end of time
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love you till the end of time
With a feeling that I’m gonna
Love you till the end of time