Born to a working-class family, Ferry studied fine art and taught at a secondary school before pursuing a career in music. In 1970 he began to assemble the rock band Roxy Music with a group of friends and acquaintances in London, and took the role of lead singer and main songwriter. The band achieved immediate international success with the release of their eponymous debut album in 1972, containing a rich multitude of sounds, which reflected Ferry's interest in exploring different genres of music. Their second album, For Your Pleasure (1973), further cultivated the band's unique sound and visual image that would establish Ferry as a leading cultural icon over the next decade.
Ferry began a parallel solo career in 1973 by releasing These Foolish Things, which popularized for the first time the concept of a contemporary musician releasing an album covering standard songs and was a drastic departure from his ongoing work with Roxy Music. His second album, Another Time, Another Place (1974), featured as its cover image Ferry posing by a pool in a white dinner jacket and represented one of his most impactful fashion statements. Over the next two years, Roxy Music released a trilogy of albums, Stranded (1973), Country Life (1974) and Siren (1975), which broadened the band's appeal internationally and saw Ferry take greater interest in the role of a live performer, reinventing himself in stage costumes ranging from gaucho to military uniforms.
Ferry disbanded Roxy Music following the release of their best-selling album Avalon in 1982 to concentrate on his solo career, releasing further singles such as "Slave to Love" and "Don't Stop the Dance" and the UK no. 1 album Boys and Girls in 1985. Including his work with Roxy Music, Ferry has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
As well as being a prolific songwriter, Ferry has recorded many cover versions, including standards from the Great American Songbook, in albums such as These Foolish Things (1973), Another Time, Another Place (1974), Let's Stick Together (1976), Taxi (1993) and As Time Goes By (1999), as well as Dylanesque (2007), an album of Bob Dylan covers. In 2019, Ferry was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Roxy Music.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Ferry
Studio albums
These Foolish Things (1973)
Another Time, Another Place (1974)
Let's Stick Together (1976)
In Your Mind (1977)
The Bride Stripped Bare (1978)
Boys and Girls (1985)
Bête Noire (1987)
Taxi (1993)
Mamouna (1994)
As Time Goes By (1999)
Frantic (2002)
Dylanesque (2007)
Olympia (2010)
The Jazz Age (2012)
Avonmore (2014)
Bitter-Sweet (2018)
Wonderful World
Bryan Ferry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about science books
Don't know much about the French I took
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be
Don't know much about geography
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about algebra
Don't know what a slide rule is for
But I know that one and one is two
And if this one could be with you
What a wonderful world this would be
I don't claim to be an 'A' student
But I'm trying to be
Maybe by being an 'A' student, baby
I can win your love for me
I don't claim to be an 'A' student
But I'm trying to be
Maybe by being an 'A' student, baby
I can win your love for me
Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about science books
Don't know much about the French I took
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be
What a wonderful world this would be
What a wonderful world this would be
What a wonderful world this would be
What a wonderful world this would be
What a wonderful world this would be
The song "Wonderful World" by Bryan Ferry is a love song that expresses the singer's feelings for his partner. The first verse of the song makes it clear that the singer doesn't have much knowledge about history or science, but he does know that he loves his partner. The chorus of the song expresses the desire that if his partner loves him too, they can make a wonderful world together. The second verse continues with the theme of lack of knowledge in other areas such as geography, trigonometry, and algebra. However, the singer knows that being with his partner would make the world a better place.
The third verse is interesting in that it shows the motivation behind the singer's desire to improve his academic performance. He wants to be an 'A' student so that he can win his lover's love for himself. This verse also indicates that the singer is aware that his lack of knowledge in certain subjects might be a hindrance in their relationship. The final chorus repeats the desire for a wonderful world with his partner.
Overall, the song is a romantic ode to the power of love to overcome differences and shortcomings. The singer acknowledges his limitations but believes that if they both love each other, they can create a positive impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know much about history
I lack knowledge in regards to historical events.
Don't know much biology
I am not familiar with the workings of living organisms.
Don't know much about science books
My lack of understanding extends to science literature.
Don't know much about the French I took
Even though I studied French, my knowledge of it is limited.
But I do know that I love you
Despite my deficiencies, I have certainty that my feelings for you are genuine.
And I know that if you love me too
I am certain that a mutual love between us would exist.
What a wonderful world this would be
Having love fill our lives would make the world a marvelous place.
Don't know much about geography
My lack of knowledge extends to the layout of the Earth's surface.
Don't know much trigonometry
I am not knowledgeable in regards to the study of triangles and their properties.
Don't know much about algebra
My understanding of mathematical equations is not extensive.
Don't know what a slide rule is for
I am unfamiliar with the purpose of a specialized calculating tool.
But I know that one and one is two
However, I do know the fundamental concept of adding two quantities together.
And if this one could be with you
If I could be with you, the one I love,
What a wonderful world this would be
Our shared love would indeed make the world a marvelous place.
I don't claim to be an 'A' student
I do not assert that I am a top-performing student.
But I'm trying to be
However, I am working towards improving my academic success.
Maybe by being an 'A' student, baby
Perhaps by achieving outstanding academic success,
I can win your love for me
I can gain your admiration and affection.
What a wonderful world this would be
Our mutual love and my academic achievements would combine for a truly marvelous existence.
What a wonderful world this would be
The idea of having love in our lives and academic achievements makes for a truly wonderful world.
What a wonderful world this would be
The notion of our love and my academic success continues to inspire me.
What a wonderful world this would be
The prospect of love and academic achievement is filled with boundless positivity.
What a wonderful world this would be
The idea of love and academic excellence creates a truly amazing world.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Herb Alpert, Lou Adler, Sam Cooke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind