Wonderful World
Herman’s Hermits Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 loved me too
What a wonderful world this would be

Don't know much about geometry
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 can be with you
What a wonderful world this would be

I don't claim to be an A student
But I'm tryin' to be
Oh 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 if this one can be with you
What a wonderful world this would be

But I do know that I love you
And if this one can be wityh you

What a wonderful world this would be
END

Overall Meaning

Herman’s Hermits' song "Wonderful World" is a classic love song with a very simple structure. The singer describes all the things he doesn't know about in life, such as history, biology, science, French, geometry, trigonometry, and algebra, but all he does know is that he loves someone and if that person loved him too, it would make the world a wonderful place. This song is about love, hope, and the power that comes when two people are together.

The lyrics suggest that even though the singer lacks educational knowledge, he can still win over the love of his life. The line "But I'm tryin' to be, Oh maybe by being an A student, baby, I can win your love for me," shows that he is willing to do everything to win his love. The chorus line of "What a wonderful world this would be" is repeated throughout the song, implying the power love has to make the world a better place.

Overall, the song celebrates the power of love and how it can transcend all boundaries.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't know much about history
I don't have much knowledge about the past events of human civilization.

Don't know much biology
I don't have much knowledge about the study of life.

Don't know much about science books
I don't have much knowledge about written publications that explain scientific concepts.

Don't know much about the French I took
I don't have much knowledge about the French language that I studied.

But I do know that I love you
But I'm certain that I feel love towards you.

And I know that if you loved me too
And I'm convinced that if you also feel love towards me.

What a wonderful world this would be
Then it would create a beautiful world for us both.

Don't know much about geometry
I don't have much knowledge about calculating shapes and sizes of things.

Don't know much trigonometry
I don't have much knowledge about calculating angles and distances of things.

Don't know much about algebra
I don't have much knowledge about mathematical operations.

Don't know what a slide rule is for
I don't know the purpose or use of a device used for mathematical calculations.

But I know that one and one is two
But I do know that when you add one and one together it equals two.

And if this one can be with you
And if I can be with you.

What a wonderful world this would be
Then it would create a beautiful world for us both.

I don't claim to be an A student
I admit that I'm not a top academic performer.

But I'm tryin' to be
But I'm putting in effort to better myself.

Oh maybe by being an A student, baby
Perhaps if I become a top academic performer, my love for you will increase.

I can win your love for me
I can earn your love for me.

And if this one can be with you
And if I can be with you.

What a wonderful world this would be
Then it would create a beautiful world for us both.

Writer(s): Lou Adler, Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert, B. Campbell

Contributed by Savannah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@paolamariefuchsstitelmann7458

6y↑8

Don't know much about history .....
Don't know much biology ....
Don't know much about a 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 do know one and one is two -
And if this one could be with you ....
What a wonderful world this would be ....

Now I don't claim to be an 'A' student ....
But I'm trying to be !!
For 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 a sciences book ....
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 .....

guitar solo -

But I do know that I love you !!
And I know that if you love me too -
What a wonderful world this would be ....

All comments from YouTube:

@patdaniels9693

1y↑4

Sam cook sung this song, but I loved the way Peter noo sang it especially with all of those guitars. I simply loved the British Invasion. Wish that I could go back in time. Music was so beautiful and had meaning. Awwww! What a beautiful recording.

@sopheak2009

9y↑29

Wow I sometimes wish I was a teenager in the 60's because I absolutely love this music and would have loved to go to this concert. Including the King Elvis and the handsome Ricky Nelson :)

@Ewwtuba

1y↑3

Look at all those cute grandmothers! I was early teens then, I'm pretty sure I still have the original vinyl, greatest hits, they're on the steps.

@petrslivinski7481

7y↑10

Now this is music! I wish I could go back with my lovely wife to these days and dance the night away with our friends. So many happy memories.

@TheDagery

3y↑3

I know it's been four years since this comment, but I really envy your generation for having access to those sorts of clubs and bars. These days, everything is EDM, and any sort of dancing is impossible.

@petrslivinski7481

3y↑2

@@TheDagery
Dancing is a lost, foreign language to today's generation. Too much staring at the palm of the hand that's holding a phone. People have forgotten how to actually hold a conversation and there's too much wealth!

@chazhernandez657

1y↑3

Growing up with British Invasion of music was incredible. The Herman Hermits were a big part of that sound. 🎶🎶🎶

@sarapinsky315

9y↑41

Herman's Hermits was my favorite band way back then. I actually saw them in concert 50 years ago today!

@DrummerDanVa

1y↑1

They were my favorite band also as a young kid. Saw them in a show in Pittsburgh along with the Animals in the mid 60's.

@giraffeyvolty8364

1y↑2

That's so Great! Treasure then and now! ALOT to pass down to younger ones!

@karlfisher1864

46w

Check out Colin with the Zombies, the first album please.

@brndxt

26w

I was born and raised in Asia, and I started listening to Herman's Hermits back in the 1960s. I attended their concerts twice when they toured Asia many years later. Brings back many fond memories. Many thanks. ❤

@curznpets

6y↑6

I saw Herman's Hermits 2 weeks ago. What a phenomenal show! I was 12 when they got started and watching the concert brought me right back there. I'm in love with Peter Noone all over again!

@grzdupdefguy3824

3y↑14

This is the song everyone needs right now. Change starts from within. I love you all. Let's make a wonderful world together

@gearyheidinewaccount3237

1y↑1

Amen

@eddie054

48w↑4

Sure looks real and not lipsynced. The best!

@raceface48

8y↑25

How could anyone not like this??

@JrPorras69

Tim Tidball i

@charlesaguilar1708

6y↑2

Anyone remember The great SAM COOKE?

@terrysigrist3540

6y↑4

I saw them in 1967 in Asbury Park, NJ. The Who was there opening act. Loved Keith Hopwood!

@justinherbert9146

1y↑10

They were a great live band -- that's why the Beatles respected them and treated them well - they saw and heard that they could really play having been on the same bill as them at times

@JOHNWLOUCKS

46w↑2

They are a really tight and competent band. They played together for a long time before becoming famous and it shows. Derek was a super guitarist !

@mbuchart2927

16w

Agreed. And that was because Herman's Hermits, like The Beatles, had played hundreds of live shows before they hit the big time and became famous. So, although they were young, they were already seasoned performers. Bands nowadays rarely have the opportunity gain experience that way. I think I read that in a Peter Noone interview.

@bernicereynolds4760

1y↑1

Saw them live at Maple Leaf Ball Park in Toronto mid sixties. My dreamboat Peter Noone ❤️

@sunnytan4979

4y↑3

I'm 14 and I like this song...

@fuzzydog99

9y↑4

Loved this guy and the group back in the day .

@derekec

8y↑13

Kudos to the ""k"ameraman, who had the sense to place the camera where it should be. Preserved a great piece of history and finally spotlighting Derek, who was way ahead of his time and one of the truly great early rock guitarists. RIP Lek...you would have done more great things for music if you'd have had the time.

@vaniacardenas7618

7y↑6

Awesome Peter. A peruvian fan of him.

@GamerToday

1y↑1

Hermits hermits always been my fav of that decade. I mean nothing for me came close in terms of talent

@pabloscope

11y↑2

WOW!! Excellent footage!!

@joedrumer9029

2y↑2

Beautiful song those years 😎👍

@chuckspage3853

5y↑1

Love this music..... I wanted to be him when I was learning to play guitar back in the early 70's

@sauquoit13456

7y↑11

On this day n 1965 {July 14th} Herman' Hermits performed their covered version of "Wonderful World" on the Dick Clark produced ABC-TV network weekday-afternoon program 'Where The Action Is'...
At the time the song was at #12 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; the week before it was at #4 and that was also it's peak position on the chart, it spent 10 weeks on the Top 100...
Also at the time the group's "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" was at #3, for the next two weeks it was at #2, then it peaked at #1 {for 1 week} and it stayed on the Top 100 for 10 weeks...
And exactly five years earlier on July 14th, 1960 Sam Cooke's original version of "Wonderful World" was at #18 on the Top 100, the two previous weeks it was at #12 and that was it's peak position on the chart...
Between 1964 and 1968 Herman's Hermits had nineteen records on the Hot Top 100 chart; eleven made the Top 10 with two reaching #1*, besides "Henry VIII", their other #1 record was "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" for 3 weeks in 1965...
Herman, born Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone, will celebrate his 70th birthday in four months on November 5th, 2017...
* They just missed having a third #1 record when "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks}, the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Stop! In The Love of Love" by the Supremes...

@justinherbert9146

Thanks for the excellent info!

@JM4LAJF

10y↑4

The girls dancing by the stage, ahahha.. the 60's. Love this cover.

@cardona89

2y↑3

Great arrangement!!! Better than the record. Underrated gutarrist!

@sauquoit13456

5y↑2

On this day in 1965 {April 16th} Herman's Hermits performed "Wonderful World" on the British ITV network television program, 'Ready Steady Go!'....
Thirteen days later on April 29th, 1965 "Wonderful World" entered the United Kingdom's Top 50 Singles chart at position #26, three weeks later it would peak at #7 {for 1 week} and it spent nine weeks on the Top 50...
It reached #4 on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
Between 1964 and 1970 the Manchester, England quintet had twenty records on the UK Singles chart, ten made the Top 10 with one* reaching #1, their debut record "I'm Into Something Good", for two weeks in 1964...
Herman, born Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone, will celebrate his 72nd birthday this coming November 5th, 2019...
* They just missed having a second #1 when their record "My Sentimental Friend" peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} in 1969, the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Get Back" by the Beatles and Billy Preston...

@957davidm

10y↑1

At 0.07 you can brriefly see a Pye Mark 3 camera come into shot, so it's the GTV9 television station televising this show in Melbourne, Australia in 1966. As a resident of Melbourne I am quite familiar with the various cameras used at the time. The other 3 stations in Melbourne back then used RCA or Marconi cameras. This particular show was sponsored by Hilton, a brand of women's hosiery (not the hotel chain).

@renaerufus8707

10y↑6

Oh... they're so COOL!!! <3

@reenaheenan3101

7y↑25

Men had such great hair in that era. And they had such fun. No one seems to have fun today.

@ronpolaris5883

WORD!!!

@couchpotato6270

Songs Mirth I remember this one kid in high school, who wore a buzz cut freshman year, he was nice looking, but the buzz cut didn’t do anything for me. Then when we came back for sophomore year he had let his hair grow out. Yowza 🤩 His hair was so gorgeous. Woof. 😁

@TheSaltblock

3y↑1

@@couchpotato6270 ive been buzzing my hair for 30 years. I wish you hadnt said that lol.

@colbyw869

"no one seems to have fun today" lmao stfu

@j.j.upright4010

@@colbyw869
😠 Jealousy is a sickness!! 🤪

@paulrob55

4y↑1

Great to see them actually playing live.

@justinherbert9146

very good live band they were - they could really play and sing

@Daniel-ts3uy

20w

Herman I bet you now a lot more about those subjects than me. Don't matter, great cover.

@lelandfrn51

1y↑4

Back in the day, when musicians could perform without swearing and could dress appropriately.

@rosemma34

7y↑3

wow! good stuff! worthy cover of a classic Sam Cooke tune

@kyleciarrocchi

6y↑1

WOW this is incredible

@VernMoline

7y↑5

great live performer

@charlesaguilar1708

8y↑1

An excellant song by HH! I think Sam Cooke did this song also but, I like Herman's version! I would have been more than happy to play the guitar solo! A great piece of work!

@scorpionshok6202

48w↑1

This song is special. For me it is far from masterpiece, primarily because these lyrics are too simple. But it doesn't prevent me from using it to settle down my nerves and improve my mood.

@andyhall6149

10y↑4

What a catchy tune

@pieronicolosi

10y↑9

Bella cover !!!

@mammacarmela1951

Lo sai che è più carino oggi che allora? Veramente un bell'uomo. Lui e la moglie e figlia stanno su Twitter e Facebook perché anche la figlia vuole fare la cantante. Sono simpaticissimi tutti e tre.

@nancysalaysay5415

4y↑1

Great music

@joeok8641

7y↑5

Thanks England

@Denon1970

4y↑1

Magnifica versión

@kingz7242

10y↑2

Great song im glad my teacher told me about this band

@kingz7242

6y↑1

Hey I found my old comment neato amazing how so many things can change it what feels like such little time

@nadjapetkovic7945

@@kingz7242 your teacher is very cool :)

@axxellein

47w↑1

TRES Cool

@Itsaboutthewaterlife

A real oldie.

@pilgrimichael

10y

Tks fr the info David. .

@WytZox1

8y↑24

Kids hearing this song today wouldn't know what slide rule is for since solar cell calculators made slide rules obsolete in 1980s. ☺

@Utdtom1

WytZox1 can confirm (I'm 15)

@chrisbacos

Very True

@allenquintana1437

Actually guys, My friends in Engineering Department, 1971 at NMSU wanted their first HP 360 hand calculator......a whopping $300.00

@Jshfd144

WE SAW PETER NOONE AT BERGEN PAC, NJ - PETER NOONE IS A REAL GENTLEMAN, AND, WE LOVE HIS MUSIC! WHAT AN ENJOYABLE, MARVELOUS SHOW

@cottonceena

8y↑7

NICE !

@captainweekend5276

9y↑3

This was going to be the theme tune to the BBc panel show QI, but they couldn't secure the rights.

@zsuzsannabanhalmi9502

5y↑1

Wonderfool

@gdholmfirth

6y↑3

Love the dancers. Notice how reserved the audience is, especially compared to a Beatles concert?

@gdholmfirth

26w

Yes kids. Grandma could dance back in the day.

@jackflash5659

3y↑4

Jimmy Page played guitar on this record.

@erlindaaballe3124

Galing Ng idol ko

@bunnyfish714

3y↑1

Jimmy Page plays guitar on the record

@billmanley4morgan548

6y↑13

Why are they not in the Rock n'Roll Hall of Fame,

@winnienelson4517

2y↑1

Agree!!

@gearyheidinewaccount3237

Cuz the hall is lame!!

@AlJacksonSongwriter

3y↑1

If these guys wouldn't have had to go head to head with the Beatles... we would have to rewrite the rock history books. Always one of my favorites. "A Must To Avoid" is (to this day) in my top 3 of all time. Oh, to be a teen back then.

@lindakristinekjlibraten777

They don't much about lots of things, but they do know about good music!

@user-mu4br4vt2h

they are my favor always

@TheGrandmasterMan

This has a better feel to it than the record.....has a looser vibe and swings (I hate that phrase) a bit more.

@martinbormann69

1y↑2

Long Live Derek Leckenby !!

@mbuchart2927

11w↑1

I love his fills. The blues scale guitar solos took over a few years later (Clapton, etc.) which I find (yawn) rather boring. I'd rather listen to Lek's playing any day.

@judithhr

6y↑5

For us boomer girls in 1965, Peter Noone was our Justin Bieber. The Biebs even stole his hair style! Thankfully, our Biebs grew up very well adjusted.

@waltersabo8192

9y↑2

Jimmy Page plays lead guitar. Enough said

@MrLasvegasvic

What the hell are you talking about. Jimmy Page never played lead guitar for the Hermits.

@waltersabo8192

yes he did per Peter Noone. On this song.

@MJTheDJ1964

9y↑1

Micky Most their producer sometimes would use session players for ALL HIS GROUPS INCLUDING THE ANIMALS, HH, AND YES EVEN THE YARDBIRDS!!! The fact is that HH played on many of their hit singles and most of the album tracks. Karl Green and Keith Hopwood appeared on every Hermit track either by playing or backing vocals. Most was impatient and didn't always like to wait for the group to travel the 200 miles to get to London from Manchester. Lek In particular was
frustrated at this practice because he was a damn good player. Peter has been at odds with his old bandmates and purposely has exaggerated the use of session men.

@WytZox1

***** ~> Actually Peter "Herman" Noone had numerous turnover in his band and Jimmy Page was briefly one of his Hermits before his Yardbirds era. ☺

@MrLasvegasvic

I will stand corrected then. When they did this live I never saw Jimmy.

3 More Replies...

@TyhlerNovac

8y↑1

they will be at new York state fair today

@hotwax9376

One of the rare instances where I actually like a cover more than the original. I hate to say it, but Sam Cooke's voice just doesn't fit the lyrics of this song. It's supposed to be about a teenager, but Sam Cooke sounds like a middle-aged man singing it. And I say this as someone who likes a lot of Sam Cooke's other songs.

@teruo.saitou

3y↑1

サムクックの超有名曲ですね

@whatcausesthat

Comparing covers is for terminally geeky musos. Like comparing Billy Stewart's version of "Summertime" with Janis Joplin's -- only an utter pinhead would do that. They're both fantastic, but certainly not alike. This band, The Hermits, was criminally underrated because 16 Magazine glomed onto Peter and tried to turn him into some proto-Bobby Sherman, and Peter Noone remains a much underrated vocalist. This is a brilliantly rendered rock steady cover that is brimming over with ebullience, and a very different version from Sam Cooke's magnificent original. Both versions are superb, unless of course, you are some wannabe Lester Bangs back from the grave. In which case, go back to your coffin.

@daliborsnajdr6871

6y↑1

0:45 ... \m/ Yeah Peter, say heavy metal!

@patchouliessence3218

I also don't have horses to share and I don't have portraits I've drawn...but i have written poem after poem after poem professing my love...does it mean nothing?

@rinka272

7y↑3

having french Exam today, escaping from reality>>>>

@rinka272

-have

@troller192

9y↑24

those dance moves performed by the groupies, though

@michaelb.3978

5y↑3

Those are G0-Go girls, not groupies!

@bunnyfish714

3y↑2

They were called "Go-Go Girls"NEVER GROUPIES,two different things

@j.j.upright4010

😭 Groupies???
LMFAO! 🤓😄😂🤪

@rayl9335

3y↑1

Paid dancers. Screams were pre recorded. Audience looking like bunch of maniquinnes. Totally staged for promo but great band performance.

@mcguire4u1

11y↑1

Good take on a Sam Cook classic...I always liked these guys...kinda bubblegum I know but the lead singer is cool

@MrChaney4

10y

This band bombed until it found at 15 year old singer named Peter Noon. With him, Hermans Hermits took off.

@paolamariefuchsstitelmann7458

6y↑8

@KurtkoBein266

9y↑2

one republic of the 60s.

@gonzalopriale3293

Is this live or lipsynched?

@louiscabrera2898

is that mick Jaggers baby btother.

@WytZox1

I always thought young Mick Jagger looked like an older version of Tommy Bond (Butch from Little Rascals). ☺

@moo_mniam_pl

It's true ;)

@rogerchristian5201

3y↑1

I know what a slide rule is for but I still can't use one. lol

@christo91

Filmed during the infamous choreographer strike

@timholt9948

Nice co er

@SubidubidubiDu1

6y↑1

Bieber Noone

@cromwellg60

True story in the 60s one of this band tried it on with my mother and my father punched him. Not sure which one though.

@rhondahadnot4228

A lot of people loved Sam Cooke

@jackcuneo6098

Some of their material is really cringy, but this one they covered very nicely

@chriskelly1433

Welcome,Pete noone and the helmets.

@MrRicardonz15

Justin Bieber has a band?

@gonzalopriale3293

Nice hair on the lead singer, i think Prince copied it

@DaSillyGoose

What's with the 6 chick's on the side of the stage spazzing out?

@joecolclough3775

5y↑1

Good but nowhere near Sam Cooke's version

@georgeralph8031

The motel manager said he was being belligerent before she shot him. No charges were ever filed.

@violetbowie4567

9y↑3

Peter Noone is so awkward.

@WytZox1

9y↑5

Peter Noone was a child actor on British TV who as a young teen (age 16) rode the coattails of the British Invasion to pop-music stardom. Awkward? Not bad for a teen and still rocking on today at age 67. ☺

@raceface48

8y↑2

That's part of the innocent appeal, genuine.

@allymayful

Interesting - many thought the opposite - that he was precocious.

@raceface48

Who cares, fun song!

@morsol8491

Ik lol

@myistcat2212

What fun song except the girl dancers don't have a whole lot of rhythm, I think only one was dancing to the actual beat. lol But hey it's all about having fun.

@brettldouglas

4y↑4

Sam Cooke version is much better.

@MrMegas2

sam sung it better

@Artman1

7y↑4

Donald Trumps theme song.

@morsol8491

Yarwun lolololol ikr

@honsombody7127

6y↑1

what a useless version , without feelings.

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