Picture this. It’s 1967. Songwriters Bob Thiele, George David Weiss, and George Douglas pen a song ironically titled “What a Wonderful World.” Definition of irony: the use of words to convey meaning that is opposite of words’ literal meaning. Now, there’s nothing especially ironic about the title of the song, that is, until you consider that they write the song especially for Louis Armstrong’s talents. It’s 1967. The Civil Rights Movement is underway, and Americans are accustomed to images of firemen viciously spraying peaceful anti-segregation protesters.
“What a Wonderful World” is meant to be ironic. The song’s lyrics remind us that, if we want to *see* the beautiful world, we simply have to look for evidence in our midst. “I hear babies crying,” Louis sings. “I watch them grow. They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know. And I think to myself: what a wonderful world!” Nevertheless, the song goes unnoticed by American audiences for nearly two decades.
Fast forward exactly 20 years. It’s 1987 and the film “Good Morning, Vietnam” depicts an image montage of, among other things, atrocities committed against the Vietnamese. The song “What a Wonderful World” plays beautifully in the background. The irony is not lost on American audiences this time, and the song goes on to sell millions of copies (even though Louis Armstrong passed away 16 years prior to the release of the film). That was 1987. Fast forward another 20 years. Ironically, it’s 2007. We’re still in a war. And, of course, I still love the song. Why? Because sometimes, just sometimes, you gotta believe it’s a beautiful & wonderful world — despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
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 my self:
“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.”
Thay really say: “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!”
So, tell me, what’s your favorite song?
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Shhhhh … if you’d like to hear a secret / unauthorized 15-minute Dating Roadkill podcast in which my friends Mags & Bro tell you *their* favorite song, click HERE. :)
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello
I have been a lurker on your site for a while now, and just had to come out of the shadows to say…your post today was fabulous!! Choked up a little…I am…I love your site…and I will be back…oh, yes I will…That almost sounded a little stalkerish (is stalkerish a word??) lol…
It’s a lovely song, I agree. Oh, you really can’t ask what my favourite song is, it TOTALLY depends on my mood. Here’s a sample;
‘Mad World’ – Gary Jules. Not the Tears For Fears original, I think this version is a lot better.
Lithium -Nirvana. Enough said.
First Day Of Your Life -Bright Eyes. I find most Indie music, particularly Bright Eyes a bit tiring to listen to after a while but I’ll never get tired of this song, it’s genius!
Mouth -Bush. Great melody, lyrics are oh so meaningful and Gavin Rossdale is HOT! Greedy Fly is a close second.
Imagine – John Lennon. Enough said.
Electrolite – REM
Bigmouth Strikes Again – The Smiths
Closer to you – Wallflowers
Most Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Deftones, Audioslave, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Smashing Pumpkins, Counting Crows tunes.
If I had to pick a favourite classical piece it would be Rachmaninoff 3rd Piano Concerto 2nd Movmnt
I’ve probably left out a LOT but oh well!
i would have to say my favorite song of all time is Chantilly Lace by the Big Bopper. It can make me smile every time I hear it. My mom says that I used to dance around the living room in my little dress to that song!!!
I have tons of “love to listen to them” songs but that is the top of my list :)
Anything Prince (e.g. Sometimes it Snows in April, Darling Nikki, Slow Love)
Anything Depeche (e.g. In Your Room, Little 15, Somebody, Behind the Wheel)
Anything Nina Simone (e.g. Feelin Good, Black is the Color, of my True Love’s Hair)
Plus: Jacques Brel, Philip Glass, The Smiths, Morrissey and anything Rhapsody streams my way
This has been my favorite song of all time for many years.
I think Devo wrote “Beautiful World” because the irony was lost so they thought they fill it. It’s another extremely ironic song in the same vein.
Check your mail.
my fave of all time is “Perfect Day” the Damon Albarn version
Reggae – 3 Little Birds (Bob Marley)
Pop – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
Rap – Today Was a Good Day (Ice Cube)
Prince (yes, he’s his own category) – She’s Always In My Hair
Gospel – I Understand (Smokie Norful)
Blue Eyed Soul – Sarah Smile (Hall and Oates)
World – Take it Easy My Brother Charles (Jorge Ben)
I Hate Where I Live – Mississippi G*damn (Nina Simone)
Well, damn, I guess I’d better stop. You asked for one song. Much like Darwin, it changes with my mood. Now, if you asked me what album I’d keep if I could only keep one, it would definitely be Bob Marley’s “Legend.” It is the one album I can listen to repeatedly and NEVER tire of.
It gives you goosebumps, doesn’t it?
Favorite song today:
City Girl – Tegan & Sara
Favorite song of all time:
there’s no way to narrow it down, but what comes to mind currently is:
Smashing Pumpkins – Thirty-Three
Prince – If I Was Your Girlfriend
The Cure – Just Like Heaven
U2 – The Sweetest Thing
“I’m in love with a stripper” by T-Pain.
Just kidding.
“Mack the knife” by Bobby Darin is probably my number one.
On the other hand Good Charlotte has this one song…………
There must be something in the air tonight, but I was just thinking to myself how wonderful life is sometimes. For me, tonight was one of those nights and then I flipped to your blog and read your touching and eloquent post. And yes, sometimes believing its a wonderful world requires blind faith, but then there are the small moments when the evidence is overwhelming and it restores you.
Favourite song? Desperado. I’m kind of like that guy on Seinfeld that makes the whole world stop to listen to that song if its on the radio. Thank God it doesn’t get much airplay anymore….
wmy: *waves hi* YAY!!!! THANK YOU for delurking, and welcome to the public enjoyment of the blog!!!! I know what you mean about that song. I, too, got kind of choked up the first time that I saw the “Good Morning, Vietnam” clip.
Darwin: Okay, I’ve heard the songs by Nirvana, Lennon, Bush, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, the Pumpkins and Counting Crows. But, I haven’t heard any of the other ones yet. Actually, random info … I met the lead singed of the Counting Crows. Twice. In LA at the Viper Room many years ago and in New York last summer. But, that’s not really saying much. He’s kind of an attention whore and I think he likes being “noticed.” Now, as for the classical stuff, my heart belongs to violin concertos!! :)
History Chic: GREAT SONG!!! Love that one and “Sweet Caroline” and “Hooked on a Feeling” and “Dead Man’s Curve” and all of those other wonderful blasts from the past.
ErrorBoy: You have GREAT taste in music.
FairMaiden327: *kisses*
Howard: Same with Leonard Cohen’s “Halellujah”. Those types of songs are my favorite.
FairMaiden327: Just did. Sounds good. If I’m in town, I should be able to make it. Tentatively count me in.
distar: Is that the same song from Trainspotting.
Nerd Girl: I love **ALL** of those songs, especially Simone’s. I was born in Illinois, but raised in Mississippi.
Donna: Love your songs, babe!
AWE: I laughed when I saw your comment. Stripper??? :)
Lala: Thanks for the kind words about my post! :) And, I like what you’ve said about, “sometimes believing its a wonderful world requires blind faith, but then there are the small moments when the evidence is overwhelming and it restores you.
I grew up listening to James Taylor (my dad could put it on repeat for hours), and for some reason, I always loved “Fire and Rain” even before I really understood what it meant. As a matter of fact, it came up on random on my iPod last night as I was driving home from work, and it made me smile. Then I immediately start belting the words out with everything in me. Sad but hopeful…
…nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time,
it’s easy!
all you need is love
all you need is love
all you need is love, love
love is all you need
AmyD: I *love* James Taylor!!! :-)
Susan: Beautiful! I love the Beatles, too. :) Actually, for the most part, I usually only listen to music made in the 1960s & 70s.
Speaking of the 70′s, here’s another fave that ALWAYS makes me smile (and reminds me of chasing ice cream trucks with my cousins on summer break):
Make my funk a P-Funk, i want my funk un-cut
Make my funk a P-Funk, i want to get funked up (ahem)
I want the bommmmmmb, i want the P-Funk, don’t want my funk stepped on -
Make my funk a P-Funk, before i take it home!
Somebody asked “is there funk after death?” I said “is 7 Up?”
which I know is true. I’ll bet Heaven’s a lot funkier since the Hardest Working Man in Show Business arrived…
Too cute! And, “funky” is always good thing. ;-)