(What a) Wonderful World
Sam Cooke | Artist Essentials
First released: 1960 (year verified)
Original Keen studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: Listen for the playful balance between the simple refrain and the small turns of the lead vocal.
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Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1960 (year verified)
The Recording Academy identifies the original Keen single as a 1960 release, and ABKCO separately documents the original 1960 album. The session year and the 1980s reissue do not set this recording's release year.
Recording: Original Keen studio recording
Credit: Sam Cooke
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original single: Wonderful World / Along the Navajo Trail
GRAMMY Hall of Fame - original Keen single identification
The (What A) Wonderful World entry identifies Sam Cooke, Keen, 1960 and single format. This is the original release annotation, not its 2014 induction year. Also identifies You Send Me as a 1957 Keen single; the unrelated Louis Armstrong song has a separate entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
The Complete Keen Years - ABKCO original-release notes
Explicitly identifies You Send Me as Cooke's 1957 Keen debut, before its 1958 album. Identifies the original 1960 Wonderful World album and distinguishes original masters from stereo bonuses; also distinguishes Cooke's solo career from the Soul Stirrers. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
In the yearly lists
These are listening-list appearances, separate from the first-release date.
About Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke grew up in Chicago after his family moved from Mississippi, and his early singing developed in gospel groups, including the Soul Stirrers. You Send Me brought him major solo success in 1957, followed by a pop and soul career that included Cupid and Chain Gang. He also worked as a songwriter and music-business entrepreneur, founding SAR Records with J.W. Alexander. His solo recordings and the Soul Stirrers' group performances remain different parts of that history.
Artist background sources
Sam Cooke - ABKCO artist biography
Mississippi/Chicago upbringing, gospel and Soul Stirrers career, 1957 You Send Me breakthrough, later repertoire, songwriting and SAR partnership with J.W. Alexander. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
Continue listening
Recommended positions express one editorial listening sequence. They are not measured quality scores.
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