What a Wonderful World
"What a Wonderful World" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Louis Armstrong | ||||
from the album What a Wonderful World | ||||
B-side | "Cabaret" | |||
Released | September 1, 1967 | |||
Recorded | 1967 | |||
Studio | United, Las Vegas, US | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:21 | |||
Label | ABC | |||
Songwriter(s) | Bob Thiele (as George Douglas) George David Weiss[2] | |||
Producer(s) | Bob Thiele[2] | |||
Louis Armstrong singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"What a Wonderful World" on YouTube |
"What a Wonderful World" is a song written by Bob Thiele (as "George Douglas") and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in 1967 as a single. In April 1968, it topped the pop chart in the United Kingdom,[2] but performed poorly in the United States because Larry Newton, the president of ABC Records, disliked the song and refused to promote it.
After it was heard in the film
Composition and production
Thiele produced the track under his own name, but as a co-composer was initially credited under the pseudonym George Douglas. His real name has appeared on it from its 1988 issue onward.
One source claims the song was first offered to Tony Bennett, who turned it down,[4] although Louis Armstrong biographer Ricky Riccardi disputes this.[5][non-primary source needed] In Graham Nash's book Off the Record: Songwriters on Songwriting, George Weiss says he wrote the song specifically for Louis Armstrong, as he was inspired by Armstrong's ability to bring together people of different races.
Armstrong was gigging at the
A second problem arose with the taping session: nearby freight train whistles interrupted the music twice, forcing the orchestra to start over. Armstrong shook his head and laughed off the distractions, keeping his composure. The session ended around 6 am, going longer than expected. To be sure the orchestra members were paid extra for their overtime, Armstrong accepted only $250 musicians' union scale for his work.[6]
Release and reception
Because Newton refused to promote the song, it initially sold fewer than 1,000 copies in the US.
ABC Records' European distributor EMI forced ABC to issue a What a Wonderful World album in 1968 (catalogue number ABCS-650). It did not chart in the United States, due to ABC not promoting it,[9] but charted in the UK where it was issued by Stateside Records with catalogue number SSL 10247 and peaked on the British chart at number 37.
Enduring success
The song gradually became something of a pop standard.[10] An episode of The Muppet Show produced in 1977 and broadcast early in 1978 featured Rowlf the Dog singing the song to a puppy. In 1978, it was featured in the closing scenes of BBC radio's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and was repeated for BBC's 1981 TV adaptation of the series. In 1988, Armstrong's recording was used in the film Good Morning, Vietnam (despite its setting in 1965, two years before the song was recorded) and was re-released as a single, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1988. It charted at number 1 for the fortnight ending June 27, 1988 on the Australian chart.
When the ABC television sitcom Family Matters premiered in 1989, Armstrong's version of "What a Wonderful World" was used as the show's theme song. However, after the fifth episode, it was replaced by the original song "As Days Go By".[11]
In 2001, rappers
After it was released digitally, Armstrong's 1967 recording had sold over 2,173,000 downloads in the United States as of April, 2004.[14]
In 2021, it was ranked at No. 171 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time".[15]
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Chart (1967–68) | Peak position |
---|---|
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] | 1 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] | 6 |
Denmark[18] | 2 |
Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 2 |
Norway (VG-lista)[20] | 6 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] | 7 |
1 | |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[23] | 6 |
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[36] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[37] | Gold | 250,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[38] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[40] | Gold | 500,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua version
"What a Wonderful World" | ||||
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Single by Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua | ||||
B-side | "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (by Katie Melua)[41] | |||
Released | December 3, 2007 | |||
Length | 4:19 | |||
Label | Tesco | |||
Producer(s) | Mike Batt | |||
Eva Cassidy singles chronology | ||||
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Katie Melua singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"What a Wonderful World" on YouTube |
In 2007, Georgian-British singer-songwriter Katie Melua recorded a version of "What a Wonderful World" with American singer and guitarist Eva Cassidy, who had died in 1996. Recorded by Melua singing over the original Cassidy track, the duet was released in late 2007 as a charity single for the British Red Cross.[42] Melua, who considers Cassidy one of her musical idols, had previously sung with Cassidy in this manner on Christmas Eve 2006, when she performed "Over the Rainbow" on the BBC One television program Duets Impossible with a videotape of Cassidy singing the song.[42] This version of "What a Wonderful World" was available for purchase only at Tesco stores and on the Tesco Direct website.[43]
Upon its release, the single debuted at number 45 on the
When the song reached number one in the UK, Melua thanked everyone who bought the single, saying, "Thank you to everyone who has shown such festive goodwill."[42] The duet was later included on her 2008 compilation album The Katie Melua Collection.[46]
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2007–2008) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[47] | 24 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[48] | 6 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] | 19 |
1 | |
1 |
Year-end charts
Chart (2007) | Position |
---|---|
UK Singles (OCC)[52] | 58 |
Other notable versions
- 1988: Willie Nelson, on his album What a Wonderful World (reached number 6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums)[53]
- 1989: Billboard Hot Country Singles chart)[54]
- 1992: Nick Cave and Shane MacGowan, the lead single and title track to their split album What a Wonderful World[55] (reached number 72 on the UK charts)[56]
- 1993: Somewhere Over the Rainbow") on the album Facing Future (sold over 2.5 million copies in the U.S. and Canada alone)[57]
- 1999: Anne Murray, on What a Wonderful World which also spawned a book and video (the album reached No. 1 on the US CCM chart, No. 4 on the US Country chart, No. 38 on the top 200, and No. 15 on the Canadian Country charts)
- 2004: Rod Stewart recorded a version of the song with Stevie Wonder for Stewart's album Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Volume III (released in the United States as the lead single from the album and by early 2005 reached No. 13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart).[58]
- 2010: Robert Wyatt, with Ros Stephen and Gilad Atzmon, recorded a version for the album For The Ghosts Within. The song was also released as a single.[59][60][61]
- 2011: Bob Thiele Jr. did a cover of the song which was performed by Alison Mosshart and the Forest Rangers for the FX series Sons of Anarchy (SE4E1 Out) and was included in Songs of Anarchy: Music from Sons of Anarchy Seasons 1-4 album.[62]
- 2012: Pat Byrne's version reached No. 3 in the Irish Singles Chart after appearing on The Voice of Ireland.
- 2018: Barbra Streisand blended the song with Lennon's "Imagine" for her album Walls.[63]
- 2019: Reuben and the Dark contributed a cover of the song for the soundtrack of the 2020 film Dolittle.[64]
References
- ^ Gabriel, Lawrence (January 1, 1998). "Louis Armstrong". In Knopper, Steve (ed.). MusicHound Lounge: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 21.
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
- ^ "Chart History: Louis Armstrong – Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ "Sundance Channel : Video: : SPECTACLE: Season 1 – Episode 5 (clip)". SundanceChannel.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ "Ricky Riccardi: Video Pops What a Wonderful World": The First Fifty Years". Facebook. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- ^ a b "What A Wonderful World". The Pop History Dig. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1592236510.
- ^ "45 Discography for HMV Records – UK – POP series 1001–1617". Globaldogproductions.info. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ "ABC-Paramount Album Discography, Part 6". Bsnpubs.com. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ISBN 9781609742843.
...is now best remembered for singing a sentimental popular song.
- ^ "22 Facts About Family Matters". MentalFloss.com. December 22, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ ISSN 0006-2510.
- ISBN 978-0735590908. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ Grein, Paul (April 16, 2014). "Chart Watch: "Happy" tops 4M". Yahoo! Music.
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ^ "Danske Hitlister.dk". Danske Hitlister.dk. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – What a Wonderful World". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World". VG-lista. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- Top 30. Archived from the originalon April 9, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 1
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8936." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8664." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Louis Armstrong" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Louis Armstrong Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ Carolyn Hope. "Barry's Hits of All Decades Pop rock n roll Music Chart Hits". hitsofalldecades.com.
- ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Louis Armstrong; 'What a Wonderful World')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ What a Wonderful World (UK CD single liner notes). Eva Cassidy, Katie Melua. Tesco. 2007. TD001.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c "Katie Melua page". Eva Cassidy Web Site. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ Masterton, James (December 16, 2007). "Week Ending December 22nd 2007". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 09 December 2007 – 15 December 2007". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ Jones, Alan (December 22, 2007). "Lewis Makes Way for Melua and Cassidy's One-Retailer Charity Duet". Music Week. p. 36.
- ^ "Katie Melua – The Katie Melua Collection". AllMusic. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- Ultratip. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 120, no. 1. January 5, 2008. p. 63. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ "Eva Cassidy & Katie Melua – What a Wonderful World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2007". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- ^ "Willie Nelson". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
- ^ "What a Wonderful World - Nick Cave, Shane MacGowan | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "what a wonderful world | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- Nielsen Business Media. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
- ^ "Rod Stewart – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ "Jazz breaking news: Robert Wyatt Collaborates With Gilad Atzmon On New Album To Be Launched At Pro-Palestine Jazza Festival". Jazzwise.
- YouTube
- ^ "...For the Ghosts Within - Robert Wyatt, Gilad Atzmon, Ros" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Christ, Shawn (November 12, 2014). "Bob Thiele Jr.'s Journey from the Record Biz to 'Sons of Anarchy', Music Supervisor Talks Family, Songwriting and Montages [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]". Music Times.
- ^ Ding, Sophie (October 12, 2018). "Barbra Streisand releases soaring 'Imagine / What a Wonderful World' mash-up from new album 'Walls'". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ "REUBEN AND THE DARK SHARE "DANCER" FROM UPCOMING LP". killbeatmusic.com. October 21, 2019.
External links
- How political is What A Wonderful World? – BBC News article about history and meaning of song