Creating Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! 🙂 Today’s song for our countdown has a timeless and, in light of recent events, timely message to share. This song was written as an antidote for the increasingly racially and politically charged climate of everyday life in the United States (sound familiar?). Recorded by jazz legend Louis Armstrong in 1967, during a time of war and civil unrest, the song shares a message of optimism, love and hope. The lyrics point out the amazing beauty of our world, it speaks of the goodness in people, and it reminds us of the sweet little babies being born today who offer infinite possibility for the future.

 “There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind.”

– Louis Armstrong

When “Wonderful World” was released in 1967 it topped the charts in Europe, but it didn’t chart at all in the USA and fell into obscurity. Ironically, it took 20 years, more civil unrest and another war to become a proper American hit. Armstrong’s recording was featured in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam, in which a DJ [actor Robin Williams] plays it on the radio [trivia moment: the film’s scene takes place in 1965 – two years before the song was actually recorded]. The single was re-released and charted at number one. A nation reached out for the healing balm of its message.

We each have the power to create a wonderful world with our love. I pray that we will embrace Louis Armstrong’s musical message and always strive to make, keep and share the wonderful world.

Wishing you all good things for your Thanksgiving celebration. – MoSop

What A Wonderful World –  Lyrics

Written by  Bob Thiele (under the pseudonym of George Douglas)

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying, “I love you.”

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Oh yeah

A thousand thanks to all who entered my first Giveaway! Our lucky winners will be announced later today. Woot!