Sam Cooke, “(What A) Wonderful World” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

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In the 7^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “(What A) Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke.

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”T” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]he 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 7^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “(What A) Wonderful World”, performed by 🎙 Sam Cooke.[/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

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.”

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^thdegree. 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.