"What a Wonderful World" is a famous song written by Bob Thiele (as George Douglas) and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong on August 16, 1967. The song became especially well-known thanks to Armstrong's distinctive gravelly voice and hopeful, optimistic lyrics about the beauty of the world despite its troubles. The song was intended as an antidote to the social and political turmoil in the United States during the mid-1960s, including the Vietnam War and racial strife. It celebrates simple yet beautiful aspects of life, such as trees, roses, skies, rainbows, and human connections. Initially, it was offered to Tony Bennett, who declined it. Louis Armstrong recorded it after it was suggested it could suit his unique voice and spirit. Despite its success in the UK pop chart in 1968, it did not initially do well in the US due to lack of promotion. However, it later gained widespread acclaim and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The lyrics express seeing the beauty in everyday things and realizing what a wonderful world it could be if people gave it a chance, emphasizing love as the secret.
If you want, I can also provide the full original lyrics or more about Louis Armstrong's role in popularizing this timeless classic.
