For me, one of the most perfectly written songs I know is "What a Wonderful World" as recorded by Louis Armstrong.

For me the song is celebrating the beauty of life, not in spite of, but maybe because of, its impermanence. That's a funny kind of happy/sad dichotomy for most and I think it's very difficult to capture that notion in a simple lyric. But this says it all:

I hear babies crying
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

This notion is captured in the melody as well, which follows a progression scrambling major and minor chords - a very faint touch of sadness here and there with a much larger dose of contentment and satisfaction.

Finally the arrangement also suggests the happy/sad duality - the hopeful and happy sounding strings mixed with Louie's "seen it all" vocal.

I think it's just perfect.....

I'm sure I could do a better job describing what I feel than this - will have to think about it some more though. Which I guess is the whole point. smile

Scott


Scott's EP "The Mayor of Kingdom City" - Free download at Prosity Records

Scott's CD "Full Assembly Required" on CD Baby

http://soundcloud.com/s-w-campbell