What a Wonderful World
by Louis Armstrong
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Made famous by Louis Armstrong in 1967, this beloved song is a heartfelt celebration of the beauty of the world and the joy of ordinary life. The singer sees 'trees of green' and 'red roses' blooming for him and everyone, 'skies of blue and clouds of white', and 'bright blessed days' and 'dark sacred nights'. He sees the colours of the rainbow not only in the sky but also 'on the faces of people going by', and friends shaking hands and saying 'How do you do?' who are 'really saying, I love you'. He hears 'babies crying' and watches them grow, knowing 'they'll learn much more than I'll ever know'. Again and again he thinks to himself, 'What a wonderful world!' Recorded during the civil rights movement and war protests in America, the song is a gentle, hopeful message of love, gratitude, human connection and faith in a better future, urging us to appreciate the simple wonders around us.
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'What a Wonderful World', made famous by Louis Armstrong in 1967, is a warm, uplifting song celebrating the beauty of nature and the goodness of human life. Recorded amid the civil rights movement and war protests, it offers a hopeful vision of love and harmony.
The beauty of nature
The singer looks around and sees the simple wonders of the natural world: 'trees of green, red roses too', which 'bloom for me and you'; 'skies of blue and clouds of white'; and 'bright blessed days, dark sacred nights'. To him, each of these ordinary sights is a marvel, and he thinks to himself, 'What a wonderful world!'
The beauty of people
The singer then turns from nature to human beings. He sees 'the colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the skies', reflected 'on the faces of people going by', a gentle image of human diversity and unity. He watches 'friends shaking hands, saying "How do you do?"' and understands that 'they're really saying, "I love you"', finding love and warmth in everyday human courtesy.
Hope for the future
Finally, the singer hears 'babies crying' and watches them grow, reflecting that 'they'll learn much more than I'll ever know'. This line expresses his hope and faith in future generations and in the progress of humanity.
The song repeatedly returns to its refrain, 'What a wonderful world!', leaving us with a feeling of gratitude, peace and optimism, and gently urging us to cherish the simple, everyday beauty of the world and of one another.