Their signature style is dreamy slow songs, with beautiful melodies.
The original band, including Mike Bitts (bass), and Steve Brown (drums), was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 80s when the members met during a Catholic school production of Godspell. Although all members of the band have contributed musically, Karen Peris does most of the group's writing.
Their eponymous debut album, released in 1989 (A&M Records), was produced by Larry Klein, then-husband of Joni Mitchell, and recorded in the couple’s basement recording studio. The album peaked on the Billboard charts at #167 in 1990, and the album’s second track, "Black Sheep Wall", released as a single in 1989, peaked at #22 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks. The album’s fifth track, "Clear to You", was used on the soundtrack of the pilot episode of Beverly Hills 90210. Klein also produced their 1991 follow up, Umbrella.
Their third and final A&M album, Glow, released in 1995 (A&M Records), Was produced by Dennis Herring, who had previously produced two records for Camper Van Beethoven. This album is a departure from Klein's heavier production style. Whereas the first two releases may have brought to mind The Sundays and The Cocteau Twins with their moody keyboards, Herring's lighter touch gave more emphasis to the group's guitar work and to Karen's vocals and lyrics.
Glow contains songs that appear on the soundtracks of the films Empire Records, and Dream for an Insomniac, as well as the television series Party of Five. The album’s second track, Bright as Yellow, peaked on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks at #33.
In 1999 the band recorded for a new label, Badman. Additionally, drummer Steve Brown left the band to pursue a career as a chef. On the subsequent album, Birds of My Neighborhood, Brown played drums and brushes on "Snow," but otherwise the group became a trio. Now bereft of drums, their sound took an even more acoustic direction. Some songs featured just Don and Karen, and a few, such as "She May Turn Around," featured only Karen's voice and instrumentation.
The 2000 release of Christ is My Hope, featuring religious music that had inspired them over the years, was independently released on their own website. Small Planes, released in 2001, featured outtakes from Glow and Birds of My Neighborhood. 2003's Befriended was their next "regular" album.
In 2004, the Innocence Mission released Now the Day is Over, a collection of lullabies. Except for "My Love Goes With You," all songs are cover versions, such as a stripped-down vocal and piano rendition of Henry Mancini's Moon River,
The Innocence Mission's new album We Walked in Song was released March 13, 2007.
What A Wonderful World
The Innocence Mission 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
Are also on the faces, of people going by
I see friends shaking hands, sayin' "how do you do?"
They're really sayin' "I love you"
I hear babies cryin', 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
The lyrics to The Innocence Mission's song What A Wonderful World are a celebration of the beauty that surrounds us and the joy that comes from connecting with others. The singer marvels at the natural world, noticing the trees of green and the red roses blooming. They find wonder in the blue skies and white clouds, and appreciate both the bright day and the dark night. The colors of the rainbow are reflected not just in the sky, but in the faces of the people around them. They see friends greeting each other warmly and expressing love, and they take comfort in the sounds of babies crying and growing. Through it all, the singer recognizes the simple pleasures of life and feels grateful for the opportunity to share it with others.
The Innocence Mission's rendition of the classic song by Louis Armstrong is a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of life. The lyrics speak to a universal truth: that the world we live in is often stunning in its simplicity and complexity, and that there is meaning to be found in the connections we make with others. The song is a reminder to slow down, take notice of our surroundings, and appreciate the things that bring us joy. With its simple melody and emotive vocals, "What A Wonderful World" is a timeless anthem of hope and wonder.
Line by Line Meaning
I see trees of green, red roses too
I observe the beauty of nature's colors around us, including the green trees and red roses.
I see them bloom, for me and you
The flowers bloom for everyone to enjoy, bringing joy and happiness into our lives.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Despite the world's problems, there is still much beauty and wonder to appreciate and cherish.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white
The vast expanse of blue skies and white clouds is a sight to behold, representing the limitless possibilities of life.
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
Both day and night are special and valuable, each bringing their own unique blessings and miracles.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
The rainbow is a symbol of hope and beauty, reminding us of the wide spectrum of emotions and experiences in life.
Are also on the faces, of people going by
People of all backgrounds and cultures possess unique attributes and beauty that should be celebrated and appreciated.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin' "how do you do?"
The simple act of greeting and forming friendships is a universal expression of kindness and respect.
They're really sayin' "I love you"
Behind every handshake or greeting, there is the potential for a deeper connection and love between individuals.
I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
The cycle of growth and development is natural and beautiful, as we observe the growth of new life around us.
They'll learn much more, than I'll ever know
The younger generation has the potential to learn more than preceding generations, with new knowledge and experiences awaiting them.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Amidst all of the chaos and turmoil, it's important to reflect on the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
Yes I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The beauty of nature and humanity in all its diversity is worth marveling at, bringing a sense of peace and joy into our lives.
Oh yeah
An exclamation of agreement with the song's overall message of optimism and gratitude towards life.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George David Weiss, Robert Thiele
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind