11 Songs That Are Wonderful Through & Through | Playlist 🎧

11 Songs That Are Wonderful Through & Through features music courtesy of Aretha Franklin, Bring Me The Horizon, Ja Rule, Mariah Carey, and Prince.

Ah, it’s a WONDERFUL time to be alive! Why? Well, we have wonderful songs to share with you. Ah, the gift of the playlist – it’s evergreen! On this musical compendium, if you didn’t pick up on it already, the keyword is wonderful. 🎧 11 Songs That Are Wonderful Through & Through features 11 songs with the word wonderful in their respective titles. Simple, right? Right! Musicians featured on this W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L list include 🎙 Aretha Franklin, 🎙 Bring Me The Horizon, 🎙 Ja Rule, 🎙 Mariah Carey, and 🎙 Prince among others.  So, without further delay, let’s jump right into these wonderful tunes, shall we?!

1. Aretha Franklin, “Wonderful”

💿 So Damn Happy • 🏷 Arista • 📅 2003

“I just gotta let you know / In case you didn’t know / I-I-I-I-I-I think you’re wonderful.” Ah, how great it is to feel wonderful, particularly when it comes from the late, great, Queen of Soul, 🎙 Aretha Franklin. The Grammy voters must’ve felt wonderful listening to 🎵 “Wonderful” from 💿 So Damn Happy considering it won Franklin another 🏆 Grammy (Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance).  Honestly, it is a beautiful song, filled with the positive side of love.  “Wonderful” was not written by Franklin, but the songwriting is in capable hands: 🎼 ✍ Aleese Simmons, Katrina Willis, Phillip “Silky” White, and Ron “AMEN-RA” Lawrence, who also produces.

“Wonderful” is all about those feel good, love vibes. In the first verse, she sings, “’Cause the vibe we share feels so comfortable / Is it possible someone could make me lose control.” Everyone hopes for that when it comes to love, which makes the lyrics relatable. Where unrequited love is incredibly painful, to have someone “Feeling me like I’m feeling you” is a godsend.  Of course, doubt arises too – “Questioning what this is / If it’s too good to be true / I don’t want to fool myself / ‘Cause I’m fallin’ hard for you” – but The Queen doesn’t dare kill the vibe! The dedication is real, the vocals are fire, and the production is bright, soulful, and incredibly warm. What I’m saying is, the lift is real here, and it hasn’t expired two decades after the arrival of this award-winning gem.

Appears in 🔻:

• Aretha Franklin, “Wonderful”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 50 (2022)

2. Bring Me The Horizon, “Wonderful Life” (Ft. Dani Filth)

💿 amo • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2019

🎵 “Wonderful Life”, the fifth track from 💿 amo, the 2019 LP by 🎙 Bring Me the Horizon, is a great blend of rock and pop, with crossover appeal. Following the intro, the intensity ratchets up.  The record ends up being aggressive, set in a minor key, with an electrifying groove, bass line, and sick guitars.  Front man 🎙 Oli Sykes performs the first and second verses. In the first, he references infamous serial killer Ed Gein: “Looked on the bright side, got keratitis / And you can’t sit there unless you’re righteous / I wear a happy face like I’m Ed Gein / I feel all numb now, is that a feeling?” He follows up with a rather ‘tortured’, incredibly energetic chorus:

“‘Lone, getting high on Saturday night

I’m on the edge of a knife

Nobody cares if I’m dead or alive

Oh, what a wonderful life.”

Sykes’ is joined by 🎙 Dani Filth (🎙 Cradle of Filth) in the third verse.  Verse three is captivating lyrically, featuring a mix of chanted and sung vocals (“I got a Type 2 kinda thirstiness / A far-out other-worldliness / And one day this might hurt me less / But everybody knows I’m still down”). “Wonderful Life” runs long, but features great production, and an aggressive, kick ass performance.

Appears in 🔻:

• Wonderful: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2021)

3. Sam Cooke, “(What A) Wonderful World”

💿 The Man Who Invented Soul  • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2000

Apparently, the late, great 🎙 Sam Cooke didn’t know much about various things – academics specifically. See Exhibit A 🔎: “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.”  So, is the iconic soul musician totally inept on 🎵 “(What A) Wonderful World”? Absolutely not! While the soulful Cooke may not be well-versed in the things mentioned throughout this highlight, he probably isn’t interested in learning either. Why? The focus is love.  Why? The focus is love.

See Exhibit B 🔎:

“But I do know that I love you

And I know that if you love me, too

What a wonderful world this would be.”

Yes, Cooke makes it clear that he is no genius, but he understands the power of love above all! Ultimately, “(What A) Wonderful World” is a bright, optimistic sounding vintage soul classic.  It has a simplistic vibe and sensibility yet feels potent to the n^th degree. The lyrics are memorable and catch, while  the backdrop is terrific, too.  Cooke penned “(What A) Wonderful World” alongside 🎼 ✍ Lou Adler and Herb Alpert – yeah, that Herb Alpert!  This gem would peak at no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1960, among Cooke’s highest charting hits.

Appears in 🔻:

• Sam Cooke, “(What A) Wonderful World”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 7 (2023)

4. Elton John, “Wonderful Crazy Night”

💿 Wonderful Crazy Night • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 2016

“Ice cubes on the back of your neck / Warm wind blowing through the parking lot / We’d remember and never forget / What a wonderful crazy night it was.”  What a killer opening line, 🎙 Elton John! Of course, kudos are owed to John’s longtime lyricist, 🎙 Bernie Taupin.  The lyrics hail from the amazing 🎵 “Wonderful Crazy Night,” the title track from John’s 2016 album. Beyond the epic lyrics, it’s also worth highlighting the music.  John remains beastly on the keys, not to mention his superb, expressive vocals.  His backing band are on-point as well, making this a high-energy gem. This “Wonderful Crazy Night” is filled with driving rhythms and a soulful-rock sound with a dash of gospel flavoring – HALLELUJAH 🙌! There’s also “Loose clothes and cool, cool drink / [and a] Greasy breeze from the chicken stand.”  Rock on 🤟, methinks!

Appears in 🔻:

• Wonderful: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2021)

5. Prince, “Wonderful Ass”

💿 Purple Rain Deluxe (Expanded Edition) • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2017

“You think my neurosis is just a phase / You’ve got a wonderful ass.” It’s no secret what the late, great 🎙 Prince refers to on 🎵 “Wonderful Ass” – ASS 🍑.  Prince utters the word ass repeatedly, never missing an opportunity, it seems.  A prime example of his poetry: “I guess what it is that I hate your ideas of fun (Oh yeah?) / But baby I rate your ass number one”). Well, I guess having a no. 1, award-winning ass is an honor, particularly when it comes to 👉👌… Moving on!

“Wonderful Ass” graces the expanded edition of his iconic 💿 Purple Rain album (1984). Of course, the biggest ‘controversy’ of Purple Rain was undoubtedly a reference to masturbation in 🎵 “Darlin Nikki”.  It is worth noting, Prince mentions self-love on “Wonderful Ass,” though the line is less colorful compared to “Nikki” (“Masturbate / Stimulate, stimulate, stimulate”). Revisiting “Darlin Nikki,” ‘The Purple One’ has been far more explicit…“Wonderful Ass” only furthers the Purple One’s penchant for sex back in the day. Besides being so complimentary about her booty, the expanded edition of Purple Rain features a slew of other provocative songs including  🎵 “We Can Fuck”. Wow!

Appears in 🔻:

• In Remembrance: 13 Provocative Songs from Prince
• 15 Juicy, Voluptuous Booty Anthems
• Prince, “Wonderful Ass”: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 3 (2023)

6. Ja Rule, “Wonderful” (Ft. R. Kelly & Ashanti)

💿 R.U.L.E. • 🏷 The Island Def Jam Music Group • 📅 2004

“If it wasn’t for the money, cars, and movie stars, and jewels / And all these things I’ve got / I wonder, hey / Would you still want me?” That is what disgraced, 🏆 Grammy-winning, R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 R. Kelly sings in the chorus of the 2004 hit, 🎵 “Wonderful”. “Wonderful” is not attributed to Kelly as the lead artist – that honor goes to gruff-voiced, gritty rapper 🎙 Ja Rule (💿 R.U.L.E.).  Also, appearing on this rap banger with Rule is 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Ashanti, who contributes to the chorus with Kells, providing the response to his questions:

“Would you still want me? (Want you)

Would you still be calling me? (Still calling you)

You be loving me? (I’ll be loving you).”

Even though “Wonderful” is a hip-hop song, with two R&B singers on the track, it is incredibly smooth.  Of course, Ja Rule is the farthest thing from a smooth rapper, so, he brings punch on verses one and three. Even though Rule is hard-nosed, he admits, “The power of P-U-S-S-Y / Got a lotta niggas wonderin’, it ain’t just I,” later adding in the first verse, “If it wasn’t for the money and the things I got / Shit, she probably wouldn’t like me.” Woo! He does make a legitimate point in the third verse: “I wonder why love is about money.” Also, can’t fail to mention R. Kelly once again, who performs the second verse on this top-5 Billboard Hot 100 gem.  You can check out the filthiness for yourself.  Revisiting “Wonderful,” it remains a bop, though it can’t be denied that that it hits different listening to songs featuring or written by R. Kelly.

Appears in 🔻:

• Ja Rule, “Wonderful”: Rap BNGRZ 🔥 1 (2023)

7. The Killers, “Wonderful Wonderful”

💿 Wonderful Wonderful • 🏷 Island • 📅 2017

🎵 “Wonderful Wonderful” serves as the opener on 💿 Wonderful Wonderful, the fifth studio album by 🎙 The Killers.  It sets the tone, building intrigue.  Initially mysterious with a sense of unpredictability, the listener is stimulated by a more experimental approach.  Once things settle in, unpredictability wears off, but it’s a pro that the band doesn’t show their cards initially.  Another pro? Stunning production comprised of gritty guitars, pummeling drums, and strings.  WONDERFUL WONDERFUL!

It’s ambitious, which is both a pro and a con. Given lofty ambition and long length, arguably the title track’s a bit much.  Of course, that’s nitpicking.  There are more than enough bright spots, including the outgoing, dramatic bridge.  All in all, “Wonderful Wonderful” is wonderfully wonderful. 🎙 Brandon Flowers and company shine!

Appears in 🔻:

• Wonderful: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2021)

8. Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir, “Wonderful”

💿 Like a Ship (Without A Sail) • 🏷 Numero Group • 📅 1971

Three words: “HE is wonderful.” Who, 🎙 Pastor T.L. Barrett? Why, the Wonderful Counselor, of course! The lyrics of 🎵 “Wonderful” (💿 Like a Ship (Without A Sail), 1971) speak to the sheer awesomeness of G-O-D.  “The Lord is my shepherd / And the Lord is my guide,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “He told me whatever should I need / Ooh, he would provide / That’s why I’ll praise his holy, holy, holy name.” Hallelujah!

Much of the song is led by the Pentecostal pastor/musician’s commanding, dynamic, and spirit-filled vocals.  Still, this record IS attributed to 🎙 Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir.  Towards the end of the record, the choir enters into the mix, highlighting key laudatory lyrics, “Praise His holy name.” Prior to either Pastor Barrett or the choir singing, the audience is blessed with an anointed rhythm section.  The incredible extended intro (about 50 seconds in duration) is dominated by the piano 🎹. With piano carrying the weight, there is also a solid groove from the drums, a robust bass line 💪, and the rich, warm support of the organ.  Praising the pianist even more, what about those consistent incredibly bluesy licks and riffs, as well as the incredible harmonic touches? That alone provides a surefire lift 🏋🏾!

Appears in 🔻:

• Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir, “Wonderful”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 2 (2023)

9. Eric Clapton, “Wonderful Tonight”

💿 Slowhand • 🏷 Polydor • 📅 1977

“And then she asks me, ‘Do I look all right?’ / And I say, ‘Yes, you look wonderful tonight.’” 🎵 “Wonderful Tonight” (💿 Slowhand) is a classic by iconic musician, 🎙 Eric Clapton.  Better yet, this is THE classic by Clapton, which is saying something considering the gems he’s released over the years. What makes “Wonderful Tonight” so wonderful? The vocals are authentic, expressive, and incredibly nuanced – Clapton at his best. His guitar playing is incredibly warm and lush – beautiful, melodic lead lines.  Also, add soulful organ, robust bass, and drums to the mix, and the production is filled out sweetly. The final component? The lyrics, which are simple, yet incredibly effective and timeless.

“I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don’t realize how much I love you.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Experience the Events That are Going Down Tonight
• Wonderful: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2021)

10. Mariah Carey, “Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child”

💿 Merry Christmas • 🏷 Sony • 📅 1994

When it comes to 💿 Merry Christmas, the famous, 1994 🎙 Mariah Carey, the biggest song is undoubtedly 🎵 “All I Want for Christmas is You”.   That said, there are some great religious songs associated with Christmas that rouse the spirit and touch the soul. One such song is the closing cut, 🎵 “Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child”. Of course, the 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B musician is far from the first singer to perform this traditional classic, but she does a marvelous job, backed by gospel choir.

“Jesus, Jesus

Oh, what a wonderful child

Jesus, Jesus

So lowly, meek, and mild

New life, new hope, new joy He brings

Won’t you listen to the angels sing

Glory, glory, glory

To the newborn King

Jesus, Jesus.”

“Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child” celebrates the birth of Jesus.  Also, by hailing “the newborn King,” the record alludes to the marvelous and miraculous things he’d come to do.  Carey sings the lead commandingly, making you feel how awesome the birth of Christ, and Son of God is.  She exhibits her usual finesse, but she also gets ‘rough’ with it! One of the biggest surprises of the Carey performance is the double-time breakdown section, which transforms the song to the feel of Pentecostal service.  The riffs by Carey are on-point, and listening, it’s hard NOT to catch the spirit (or some semblance of it)!  “Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child,” in the context of Christmas, really speaks to the ‘reason for the season.’

Appears in 🔻:

• Mariah Carey, “Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child”: Sunday Refresh 🙏 29 (2021)

11. Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World”

💿 What a Wonderful World • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 1968

“I see trees of green, red roses too / I see them bloom for me and you / And I think to myself / What wonderful world.” ICONIC!  Some of the most iconic lyrics EVER! Hands down 🎵 “What a Wonderful World” is one of the greatest songs ever written. As a musician with music composition degree, I wish I’d written this song. Of course, I wasn’t alive in 1968, so, there’s that. Anyways, beloved jazz legend 🎙 Louis Armstrong made this 🎼 ✍ George David Weiss and Bob Thiele-penned number a timeless, unforgettable classic.  A hopeful, uplifting song, the smooth “What a Wonderful World” plays the same role it did back in the 60s – assuaging pain as much as a recording itself can do.  Armstrong’s distinct vocals are perfectly suited to capture the moving, poetic lyrics.  Only select songs are perfect, but “What a Wonderful World” is surely one of them.

“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’.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Wonderful: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2021)
• 13 Totally Ear Catching WHAT Songs
• Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 6 (2022)

11 Songs That Are Wonderful Through & Through [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, Island, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Mercury, Numero Group, Polydor, RCA, Sony, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner; Photo by nappy via Pexels]