The song's creation was deeply rooted in the historical context of its time. During the turbulent 1960s, America was grappling with civil rights movements, the Vietnam War, and widespread social unrest. Louis Armstrong, already a legendary figure in jazz at 66 years old, brought his distinctive gravelly voice and innate optimism to what would become his final great recording.
The song's musical composition is noteworthy for several elements:
The arrangement by Tommy Goodman features a gentle, orchestral backdrop
The tempo is deliberately slow at 72 BPM, allowing Armstrong's vocals to shine
The key of F major contributes to its warm, optimistic sound
The song's impact and recognition have grown significantly over time:
Reached #1 on the UK pop charts in April 1968, despite initial poor performance in the US
Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, cementing its historical significance
Featured in over 200 films and TV shows
Continues to inspire listeners with its timeless message of love, peace, and harmony
Louis Armstrong's live performances were particularly memorable, with his 1968 BBC Studios appearance being especially significant. During this performance, he showcased his unique ability to connect with audiences through both his jazz trumpet playing and his warm, infectious personality. His interpretation transformed simple observations about nature and human relationships into profound statements about life itself.
The song's lyrical content is deliberately simple yet metaphorically rich. Each verse presents everyday observations - trees growing, clouds in the sky, people greeting each other - as evidence of life's inherent beauty. Louis Armstrong's delivery adds layers of meaning to these simple observations, particularly poignant given the racial and social tensions of the era.
The song's enduring appeal lies in its simple yet profound message, encouraging listeners to appreciate the beauty in everyday life and the power of human kindness. Louis Armstrong's famous quote, "It ain't the world that's so bad, but what we're doing to it," encapsulates the song's underlying philosophy. This perspective was particularly meaningful coming from Armstrong, who faced racial discrimination throughout his career yet maintained an optimistic outlook that shines through in this recording.
Today, What a Wonderful World continues to resonate across generations and cultures, having been covered by over 600 artists in multiple languages. Its message of hope and appreciation for life's simple pleasures remains as relevant in the 21st century as it was in 1967.
What a Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Ooh, yes
Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" is a tribute to the beauty of life, love, and the natural world. The song is about the joy and wonder that can be found in the simple things in life. Armstrong begins the song by describing the beauty of nature, the trees, and the red roses that are blooming for both him and us. It is an acknowledgment that we are all interconnected and share the same world.
Armstrong then goes on to describe the beauty of the sky and the clouds which are painted in shades of blue and white. The warmth of the sun and the magic of the night are also mentioned. The song has a Theme that nature is full of diversity, complexity, and beauty. The emphasis here is more on the natural environment and our place in it.
The final verse of the song is about the power of human connection and love. Armstrong's debut states that he sees people of all races, faces lit up with the colors of the rainbow. People are connecting with one another, shaking hands, and saying “I Love You”. Armstrong implies that the human family is diverse and vibrant, yet all share a common thread of love and respect.
Overall, "What a Wonderful World" is an uplifting celebration of love, life, and the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
I see trees of green
I observe the trees that are colored in green
Red roses too
I also see the red color flowers known as roses
I see them bloom
Furthermore, I see these flowers blooming
For me and you
These are not just present for me, they are also present for you
And I think to myself
This makes me think to myself
What a wonderful world
This is such a beautiful world we live in
I see skies of blue
Additionally, I see blue colored skies
And clouds of white
I also observe white clouds floating in the sky
The bright blessed day
This is a bright and blessed day
The dark sacred night
As well as a dark and sacred night
The colors of the rainbow
The magnificent colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
That are looking so beautiful in the sky
Are also on the faces
These bright colors are also reflected on the faces
Of people going by
Of the people who are passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Even friends who shake hands
Saying how do you do
Are actually greeting each other
They're really saying
But in reality, they are expressing
I love you
Their affection towards each other
I hear babies cry
At the same time, I hear babies crying
I watch them grow
I observe them while they are growing up
They'll learn much more
These babies will learn a great deal more
Than I'll ever know
Than what I could possibly comprehend
Yes, I think to myself
Yes indeed, I am convinced
What a wonderful world
That this truly is a marvelous world we inhabit
Ooh, yes
Yes, most definitely
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George David Weiss, Robert Thiele
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
What A Wonderful World - Casey Abrams - Lyrics
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
Singing how do you do
They're really singing
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
Musical Interlude
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Singing how do you do
They're really singing
I love you
I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They goin’ learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I think to myself
What a wonderful world
@Smoke-tf8xk
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
Then clouds of white
The bright blessed days
The dark sacred nights
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 are really saying “i love you”
I hear babies crying
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
Rest in piece Louis ❤️
@belledelphine7303
Lyrics:
I see trees so green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you.
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
I see skies so blue and clouds so 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 crying, 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
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.
@Ilovemonkey123
Verse 1]
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
[Verse 2]
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed days, the dark sacred nights
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
[Bridge]
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"
[Verse 3]
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
@dantheman1508
Louis Armstrong Isn't Dead, He's Just In Another Wonderful World.
@tangoaustin7998
Wdym about that
@sunnydasheep
Whyyyyyyy did u need to make me cry 😢
@tangoaustin7998
But it made me cry too lol
@sunset_4625
Awwww
@obduliotorres8263
do you mean d-well be right back
@squishee5890
"I'm not singing about the world as it is now. I'm singing what it could be"
-Louis Armstrong
@zsar_official
True
@zsar_official
What a wonderful world it could be