What A Wonderful World [premiered 1/24/2024]
Written by Bob Thiele, George David Weiss (1967)
Originally recorded by Louis Armstrong (1967)
Famously covered by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (1990)
I have a sign on my refrigerator that reads, “Today, look for ONE reason to smile, to feel good, to laugh, and to feel peaceful.” When I sing or hear “What A Wonderful World” I am reminded that I have a choice to look for those things. They do exist! Even when the majority of the noise in the world offers a long list of distractions, to the contrary.
This performance is from our concert at the East Meadow Library out in Long Island, NY on April 13, 2023.
Enjoy the music!
=== DID YOU KNOW? ===
Composer and performer George David Weiss, who co-wrote the song, said he wrote it specifically for Louis Armstrong. He was inspired by Armstrong's ability to bring people of different races together.
66-year-old Louis Armstrong became the oldest act to top the UK charts when this song reached #1 in 1968. It was also the biggest-selling single in the UK that year.
The song did not do well on the charts in the US originally. It’s been said that the president of ABC Records didn’t like the song, so he refused to promote it.
Later, when it was included on the soundtrack for the film, “Good Morning, Vietnam” it would reach #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988.
The song has since become a beloved standard all over the world. It has been covered more than 900 times. The original Louis Armstrong recording has sold more than one million physical copies and more than two million digital downloads.