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Sam Cooke, “(What A) Wonderful World”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 7 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; RCA; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via Pixabay]In the 7th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “(What A) Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 7th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “(What A) Wonderful World”, performed by 🎙 Sam Cooke.

 

Sam Cooke, The Man Who Invented Soul [📷: RCA]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.

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.”

classicYes, 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 nth 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.


🎙 Sam Cooke • 💿 The Man Who Invented Soul  🏷 RCA • 📅 2000

 Sam Cooke, “(What A) Wonderful World”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 7 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; RCA; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via Pixabay]

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

2 Comments

Carla Cooke (carlacooke.com) · January 12, 2023 at 8:43 am

This is Carla Cooke, daughter of Sam Cooke. I just sang this song to someone for a Cameo on the Cameo website. I also perform this song in my tribute show to my father.

11 Songs That Are Wonderful Through & Through | Playlist 🎧 · January 13, 2023 at 12:00 am

[…] 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 […]

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