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Sam Cooke’s 1960 pop classic “Wonderful World” is this week’s Song of the Week. “Wonderful World” was released on single in April 1960, backed with “Along the Navajo Trail.” It also appeared on the album “Wonderful World”, released in October 1960.

With its appealing arrangement, sublime vocal and targeted teen lyrics, “Wonderful World” hit big in the summer of 1960 and would be followed up shortly after by another perfect slice of pop, “Chain Gang.” Cooke had entered the most successful period of his career, which would sadly be cut short with his untimely death on December 11, 1964.

“Wonderful World” has been featured prominently in several movies, including “Breathless” (1983), “Hitch” (2005) and perhaps most famously “Witness” (1985). However, the classic barn scene in “Witness” featured Greg Chapman’s cover, not the Sam Cooke original.

Authorship

“Wonderful World” was written by Sam Cooke, Lou Adler, and Herb Alpert.

Recording date/location

“Wonderful World” was recorded on March 2, 1959 at Rex Productions in Los Angeles, CA. This was Cooke’s final session for Keen Records, who he had signed with in 1957. He moved from Keen to RCA.

Musicians

The following musicians appear on “Wonderful World”:

• Sam Cooke – vocals
• Cliff White – guitar
• Adolphus Asbrook – bass
• Ronald Selico – drums
• Lou Rawls – backing vocals.

The song was arranged by René Hall, who worked extensively with Cooke as an arranger, conductor and guitarist.

Chart performance

“Wonderful World” peaked at number 12 in the US in June 1960. The same week saw the Everly Brothers’ “Cathy’s Clown” knocked off the top spot by Connie Francis’ “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.”

This was Sam Cooke’s highest US chart placing since “You Send Me” hit number one for three weeks in 1957.

Cooke hit number 27 in the UK with “Wonderful World” in 1960 and number two when re-released in 1986 following its use in a Levi’s commercial. It also hit number one in the Netherlands in 1986.

Covers

Otis Redding – “Wonderful World”

Otis Redding recorded a cover of “Wonderful World” at Stax Studios, Memphis, in 1965. The classic Stax sound is in full evidence here, with a strong horn section and raw vocals from Otis. Redding featured the song on his album “Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul,” along with two other Sam Cooke covers – “A Change is Gonna Come” and “Shake.”

Art Garfunkel – “Wonderful World”

Art Garfunkel featured “Wonderful World” on his 1977 album “Watermark.” His easy listening cover featured some re-written lyrics and guest vocals by Paul Simon and James Taylor. The voices work well together, but the choice to have three men sharing vocal duties does detract somewhat from the one-to-one lyric.

Herman’s Hermits – “Wonderful World”

Herman’s Hermits had the greatest chart success with “Wonderful World”, reaching number four in the US and number seven in the UK in 1965. Peter Noone’s vocals are adequate, but lack Cooke’s finesse, and the speedier arrangement is less appealing than the original. It’s a good effort though and was apparently recorded as a tribute to Cooke who had died shortly before.

There will be a new Song of the Week on November 29.

“Wonderful World” is available on a number of Sam Cooke compilations, including the excellent single disc “Portrait of a Legend – 1951-1964” and the four-disc “Sam Cooke: Man Who Invented Soul.”

Title
Sam Cooke: Portrait of a Legend – 1951-1964 (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Sam Cooke: Man Who Invented Soul (4 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now