Wonderful World ( Sam Cooke song ) - wikipedia Wonderful World ( Sam Cooke song ) `` ( What a ) Wonderful World '' redirects here. For the Louis Armstrong song, see What a Wonderful World. `` Do n't Know Much About History '' redirects here. For the book, see Kenneth C. Davis. `` Wonderful World '' Single by Sam Cooke from the album The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke B - side `` Along the Navajo Trail '' Released April 14, 1960 ( 1960 - 04 - 14 ) Format 7 - inch single Recorded March 2, 1959 Studio Radio Recorders, Los Angeles Genre Rhythm and blues, soul Length 2 : 09 Label Keen Songwriter ( s ) Lou Adler, Herb Alpert, Sam Cooke Producer ( s ) Sam Cooke Sam Cooke singles chronology `` You Understand Me '' ( 1960 ) `` Wonderful World '' ( 1960 ) `` With You '' ( 1960 ) Music video `` What A Wonderful World '' ( lyric video ) on YouTube `` Wonderful World '' ( occasionally referred to as `` ( What A ) Wonderful World '' ) is a song by American singer - songwriter Sam Cooke. Released on April 14, 1960 by Keen Records, it had been recorded during an impromptu session the previous year, Cooke 's last recording session at Keen Records. He signed with RCA Victor in 1960 and `` Wonderful World, '' then unreleased, was issued as a single in competition. The song was mainly composed by songwriting team Lou Adler and Herb Alpert, but Cooke revised the lyrics to mention the subject of education more. `` Wonderful World '' ended up doing substantially better on the charts than several of his early RCA singles, becoming his biggest hit single since `` You Send Me '' ( 1957 ). The song peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit number two on Billboard 's Hot R&B Sides chart. Herman 's Hermits charted better with a cover of the song in 1965, reaching number four in the United States and number seven in the United Kingdom, respectively. Another cover by Art Garfunkel with James Taylor and Paul Simon charted at number 17 in 1978. The Sam Cooke version was featured in the 1978 film Animal House and gained greater recognition in the UK upon a 1986 re-release when it peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, going silver ( it had peaked at number 27 on the UK singles chart on first release in 1960 ). Its 1986 success was attributed to sound - alike versions featured in the film Witness ( 1985 ) and a memorable Levi 's 501 television commercial. Contents 1 Background 2 Release and reception 3 Later versions 4 In popular culture 5 Charts and certifications 5.1 Weekly charts 5.1. 1 Sam Cooke version 5.1. 2 Herman 's Hermits version 5.1. 3 Simon & Garfunkel with James Taylor version 5.1. 4 Johnny Nash version 5.2 Certifications 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links Background It was light, it was n't, ' Listen to this song. ' Sam always told me, ' You got to be talking to somebody. ' Even if the lyric was heavy, his approach to it was n't that intense. Co-writer Lou Adler Lou Adler and Herb Alpert composed the song with the theme that neither knowledge nor education can dictate feelings, but that love `` could make the world a wonderful place. '' Adler did not take the song very seriously but Cooke appeared to be taken with it, I reckon. `` He 'd say, ' What about that song, you know ? ' And then he 'd start on it again, '' recalled Adler. Cooke wanted to steer the song toward the subject of schooling, revised the song and decided to cut it at a recording session on March 2, 1959, five days after completing his Billie Holiday tribute album, Tribute to the Lady. The session 's main goal was to record three songs Cooke had composed. There was no arranger or orchestra and the personnel consisted of Cooke, guitarist Cliff White, bassist Adolphus Alsbrook, teenage drummer Ronnie Selico and a quartet of singers that Cooke biographer Peter Guralnick believes may have been the Pilgrim Travelers -- J.W. Alexander, Lou Rawls, and George McCurn ( nicknamed Oopie ). No footage of Cooke performing the song in his lifetime is known -- in 1986 ABKCO president Allen Klein offered a $10,000 reward for anyone obtaining such footage. Release and reception Cooke signed to RCA Victor in 1960 but his first two singles on the major label -- `` Teenage Sonata '' and `` You Understand Me '' -- failed to register on the charts. Meanwhile, John Siamas, co-founder of Keen Records, discovered the `` demo '' recording of `` Wonderful World '' among unreleased Cooke recordings. Keen released `` Wonderful World '' in competition with RCA 's issue of `` You Understand Me '' in the same week. `` Wonderful World '' quickly became Cooke 's best - performing single since his first hit `` You Send Me, '' reaching number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the magazine 's Hot R&B Sides chart. Billboard reviewed the single upon its release, giving it four stars and writing, `` Moderate rocker gets a smooth belt from Sam Cooke in his usual, salable style. '' In 2004, the song was placed 373rd in Rolling Stone magazine 's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Later versions `` Wonderful World '' Single by Herman 's Hermits B - side `` I Gotta Dream On '' ( UK ) `` Traveling Light '' ( US ) Released April 16, 1965 ( 1965 - 04 - 16 ) ( UK ) May 1965 ( US ) Format 7 - inch single Recorded March 1965 Studio De Lane Lea, London Genre Beat Length 1 : 57 Label MGM Songwriter ( s ) Sam Cooke, Lou Adler, Herb Alpert Producer ( s ) Mickie Most Herman 's Hermits singles chronology `` Mrs. Brown, You 've Got a Lovely Daughter '' ( 1965 ) `` Wonderful World '' ( 1965 ) `` Just a Little Bit Better '' ( 1965 ) `` ( What A ) Wonderful World '' Single by Art Garfunkel from the album Watermark B - side `` Wooden Planes '' Released January 1978 ( 1978 - 01 ) Format 7 - inch single Label Columbia Songwriter ( s ) Sam Cooke, Lou Adler, Herb Alpert Art Garfunkel singles chronology `` Break Away '' ( 1975 ) `` ( What A ) Wonderful World '' ( 1978 ) `` Since I Do n't Have You '' ( 1978 ) Herman 's Hermits had a major hit in the mid-1960s with an uptempo version of the song ( omitting one verse ) which reached number four in the US and number seven in the UK. The Hermits ' version was, according to singer Peter Noone and guitarist Keith Hopwood, done as a tribute to Cooke upon his death. Otis Redding recorded a version of the song on his 1965 album Otis Blue. In 1978, Art Garfunkel recorded the song at a slow tempo, with Paul Simon and James Taylor alternating as lead and backing vocalists. This reached number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on the Cash Box Top 100. The Garfunkel version also became a number - one US Adult Contemporary hit for five weeks. Despite Paul Simon 's presence on the recording, the song was not credited as a Simon and Garfunkel single. Instead, labels for US copies of the Columbia Records single read, `` Art Garfunkel with James Taylor & Paul Simon ''. A photograph from Discogs displays the label as it appeared. The song ( as credited under the alternate title, ( What A ) Wonderful World `` ) was included on later versions of Garfunkel 's solo album, `` Watermark ''. It was added in place of another song ( `` Fingerpaint '' ) to capitalize on the single 's success. The Garfunkel version includes a final verse not present in the original Sam Cooke recording ; however, it is still credited to Adler, Alpert and Cooke. Do n't know much about the middle ages, looked at the pictures then I turned the pages, Do n't know nothin ' ' bout no rise and fall, do n't know nothin ' ' bout nothin ' at all. Girl it 's you that I 've been thinkin ' of, and if I could only win your love, oh, girl, What a wonderful, wonderful world this would be. What a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful world this would be... The last line repeats, and the song fades out at this point. Johnny Nash also recorded and performed a version. Hong Kong singer Sandy Lam released a cover of the song in 1997. In 1993, Japanese group Ulfuls released a cover of the song, which was later used in 1997 as ending song for the drama `` Sore ga kotae da ! '' In popular culture This section indiscriminately collects miscellaneous information. Please compress this material to remove any irrelevant or unimportant information. ( February 2017 ) The song is used in the 1978 film Animal House in the well - known lunchroom scene where Bluto ( John Belushi ) gathers food in preparation for a food fight. The song was also included in the 1983 film Breathless. The original Sam Cooke version of the song comprised the title soundtrack of the 2005 film Hitch. After a Greg Chapman cover of the song was featured prominently in the 1985 film Witness in a scene where Harrison Ford dances with Kelly McGillis, `` Wonderful World '' gained further exposure. Particularly in the United Kingdom, where a copy of the song, produced by Karl Jenkins and Mike Ratledge and with vocals sung by Barbadian Tony Jackson, a backing singer for Paul Young, appeared in `` Bath '', a well - remembered, Roger Lyons - directed 1985 advertisement for Levi 's 501 jeans. As a result, the Sam Cooke version of the song became a hit in the UK, reaching No. 2 and selling a certified 250,000 copies. In a 2005 poll by the UK 's Channel Four the song was voted the 19th - greatest song ever to feature in a commercial. Charts and certifications Weekly charts Sam Cooke version Chart ( 1960 ) Peak position UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 27 US Billboard Hot 100 12 US Hot R&B Sides ( Billboard ) Chart ( 1986 ) Peak position Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 1986 rechart Herman 's Hermits version Chart ( 1965 ) Peak position US Billboard Hot 100 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 7 Simon & Garfunkel with James Taylor version Chart ( 1978 ) Peak position US Easy Listening ( Billboard ) US Billboard Hot 100 17 US Cash Box 15 Johnny Nash version Chart ( 1976 ) Peak position UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 25 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales United Kingdom ( BPI ) Silver 250,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone Notes ^ Jump up to : Guralnick 2005, p. 279. Jump up ^ Nelson George ( April 26, 1986 ). `` Rhythm & the Blues ''. 98 ( 17 ). Billboard : 25. Retrieved August 1, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Guralnick 2005, p. 324. Jump up ^ `` Reviews of THIS WEEK 'S SINGLES ''. Billboard. April 4, 1960 : 57. Retrieved August 1, 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2015 - 05 - 25. Retrieved 2015 - 05 - 25. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ Bluto 's a Zit - Animal House ( 5 / 10 ) Movie CLIP ( 1978 ) HD, YouTube Jump up ^ Bryan Appleyard ( 22 August 1986 ). `` Spectrum : I Sold It Through the Grapevine / Pop Music in Advertising ''. The Times. Jump up ^ Sam Ingleby ( 17 May 2004 ). `` Karl Jenkins : Fanfare for the Common Man ''. The Independent. Jump up ^ `` Latest Releases ''. Ron Roker. Retrieved 2014 - 06 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Coke theme is top of the pops ''. The Manchester Evening News. 1 July 2005. Retrieved 2013 - 04 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Sam Cooke -- Awards ''. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Sam Cooke '' ( in Dutch ). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Herman 's Hermits Chart History ( Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Art Garfunkel Chart History ( Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Sam Cooke -- Wonderful World ''. British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Wonderful World in the `` Search BPI Awards '' field and then press Enter. References Wolff, Daniel J., S.R. Crain, Clifton White, and G. David Tenenbaum ( 1995 ). You Send Me : The Life and Times of Sam Cooke. William Morrow & Co. ISBN 0 - 688 - 12403 - 8. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) Guralnick, Peter ( 2005 ). Dream Boogie : The Triumph of Sam Cooke. Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 978 - 0316377942. External links Full lyrics of this song ( as sung by Sam Cooke ) at MetroLyrics Full lyrics of this song ( as sung by Art Garfunkel ) at MetroLyrics Sam Cooke Studio albums Keen Songs by Sam Cooke Encore Tribute to the Lady The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke RCA Victor Cooke 's Tour Hits of the 50 's Swing Low My Kind of Blues Twistin ' the Night Away Mr. Soul Night Beat Ai n't That Good News Posthumous releases Shake Try a Little Love Live albums Sam Cooke at the Copa Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963 Collaboration albums 3 Great Guys Compilations Hit Kit I Thank God The Best of Sam Cooke The Man and His Music Portrait of a Legend : 1951 -- 1964 Singles `` You Send Me '' / `` Summertime '' `` I 'll Come Running Back to You '' `` ( I Love You ) For Sentimental Reasons '' `` You Were Made for Me '' / `` Lonely Island '' `` Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha '' `` Only Sixteen '' `` There ! I 've Said It Again '' `` Wonderful World '' `` Chain Gang '' `` Sad Mood '' `` That 's It, I Quit, I 'm Movin ' On '' `` Cupid '' `` Twistin ' the Night Away '' `` Bring It On Home to Me '' / `` Having a Party '' `` Somebody Have Mercy '' / `` Nothing Can Change This Love '' `` Send Me Some Lovin ' '' `` Another Saturday Night '' `` Frankie and Johnny '' `` Little Red Rooster '' `` ( Ai n't That ) Good News '' `` Good Times '' / `` Tennessee Waltz '' `` That 's Where It 's At '' `` Shake '' / `` A Change Is Gonna Come '' Related articles Discography The Soul Stirrers René Hall Linda Womack We Remember Sam Cooke IAMSAM Book : Sam Cooke Category : Sam Cooke Portal : R&B and Soul Music Wikiquote : Sam Cooke Johnny Nash Studio albums Hold Me Tight ( 1968 ) Let 's Go Dancing ( 1969 ) I Can See Clearly Now ( 1972 ) My Merry - Go - Round ( 1973 ) Celebrate Life ( 1974 ) Here Again ( 1986 ) Singles `` As Time Goes By '' `` Cupid '' `` Stir It Up '' `` I Can See Clearly Now '' `` Tears on My Pillow '' `` ( What a ) Wonderful World '' `` Rock Me Baby '' Related topics JAD Records Book : Johnny Nash Herman 's Hermits Peter Noone Keith Hopwood Derek Leckenby Karl Green Barry Whitwam UK albums Herman 's Hermits Both Sides of Herman 's Hermits There 's a Kind of Hush All Over the World Mrs. Brown, You 've Got a Lovely Daughter US albums Introducing Herman 's Hermits Herman 's Hermits on Tour Hold On ! Both Sides of Herman 's Hermits There 's a Kind of Hush All Over the World Blaze Mrs. Brown, You 've Got a Lovely Daughter Extended plays Hermania Mrs. Brown, You 've Got a Lovely Daughter Herman 's Hermits Hits A Must to Avoid Hold On ! Dandy The London Look Compilation albums The Most of Herman 's Hermits The Most of Herman 's Hermits Volume 2 The Very Best of Herman 's Hermits Singles `` I 'm into Something Good '' `` Show Me Girl '' `` Ca n't You Hear My Heartbeat '' `` Silhouettes '' `` Mrs. Brown, You 've Got a Lovely Daughter '' `` Wonderful World '' `` I 'm Henery the Eighth, I Am '' `` Just a Little Bit Better '' `` A Must to Avoid '' `` Listen People '' `` Leaning on the Lamp Post '' `` You Wo n't Be Leaving '' `` This Door Swings Both Ways '' `` Dandy '' `` No Milk Today '' `` There 's a Kind of Hush '' `` Do n't Go Out into the Rain ( You 're Going to Melt ) '' `` Museum '' `` I Can Take or Leave Your Loving '' `` Sleepy Joe '' `` Sunshine Girl '' `` Something 's Happening '' `` My Sentimental Friend '' `` Years May Come, Years May Go '' Related articles Discography Hold On ! ( 1966 film ) Mrs. Brown, You 've Got a Lovely Daughter ( 1968 film ) Book Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wonderful_World_(Sam_Cooke_song)&oldid=865225201 '' Categories : 1959 songs 1960 singles Sam Cooke songs Otis Redding songs Song recordings produced by Mickie Most Herman 's Hermits songs Glen Campbell songs Simon & Garfunkel songs James Taylor songs Richard Marx songs Dutch Top 40 number - one singles Billboard Adult Contemporary number - one singles RPM Top Singles number - one singles Songs written by Sam Cooke The Flying Pickets songs Songs written by Lou Adler MGM Records singles Songs about school Keen Records singles Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Archived copy as title Articles with hAudio microformats Articles with trivia sections from February 2017 All articles with trivia sections Singlechart usages for UK Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart making named ref Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Français Italiano Norsk nynorsk Русский Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 22 October 2018, at 15 : 43 ( UTC ). 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Question: who sings what a wonderful world it would be
Answer: Sam Cooke