(What A) Wonderful World



"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.

Sam Moran sings this song on his "Colour Of Love" album.

Lyrics
Don't know much about history

Don't know much biology

Don't know much about a science 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

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 that 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 tryin' 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 science 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