Chelsea Dickey

Prof. Sandra Riley

ENG 1201 - English Composition II

February 14th, 2021

What A Wonderful World

Each of the music videos of “What A Wonderful World” portray the same message. The

way the message is portrayed is very different for each of the videos. The first video by Louis

Armstrong states “what a wonderful world” multiple times throughout the video. This is

supporting the claim to look at the bright side and to see the positivity in the world. The first

version of What a Wonderful World was written by George David Weiss and George Douglas in

1967. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in the same year. It eventually

topped the charts in the United Kingdom. The video has a jazz-like musical style and may draw

in the type of audience that likes jazz music. The second video is also sending the same message

as the first video to look at the bright side in the world. This version of What a Wonderful World

by Joey Ramone was released on YouTube January 22, 2009. It has over 6 million views and

was a big hit much like the first version of this song. This version of the song has a more rock-

like musical style. Although it is very different from the original video it still sends the same

message as the first video. Both versions of What a Wonderful World by Joey Ramone and

Louis Armstrong share the theme of trying to find the positivity in the world and focus on just

that. Even though each of the videos may draw in different audiences and were written and

produced in totally different times the same message is portrayed in both of the videos.
 Both versions of the video are stating how the world is a wonderful place to live in. The

first video states “I see trees of green, red roses too”. This quote is telling us there is hope for the

world to become a better place. This is at the beginning of the song showing the audience of the

song that it focuses on the positivity of the world. Both of the videos are talking about all of the

good things in the world. The two versions have an uplifting mood and can help boost someone

up. Both of these videos were made to send the message to just be happy. Also, to not let the

negative in the world cancel out the positive. The first version of the video may draw in an older

audience or someone that needs a mood booster. The reason for this is because the time it was

produced and the atmosphere of the video. The second video may draw in a rocker or someone

who enjoys rock music. The video is based around rockers and will definitely draw in that type

of audience. Both versions of the video may draw in very different audiences. Although, both of

the videos will have an uplifting and positive mood to anyone who watches them.

Together, these videos send the same message and have the same claim. They both create

an emotional reaction known as a pathos appeal. Both of the videos are very good at getting this

message across. The first video shows the joy on Louis Armstrong's face and how happy he truly

is. He is trying to influence others to see the world in a more positive way. This will have an

emotional reaction on the people watching this video. The second video shows two kids

watching the music video singing and dancing to the song of Joey Ramone on a tape recording of

him on a stage. It shows them dancing to the song and just being happy together. This will also

have an emotional reaction on the people watching the video. These videos both give off the

same message just in very different ways.

 The lyrics of both of the songs immensely help get the message across to the audiences of

the different videos. The song talks about “the colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky”. This

is referring to the good things in the world. The lyrics from these songs are a big part of the

impact these songs can have on people. If they listen to the words carefully people may realize

the world is not such a bad place and there are a lot of great things that do happen. It may

influence people to just make the best out of every situation no matter how hard it may be.

These songs can be very positive influences on people and great songs for people to listen

to. They both have a positive atmosphere and uplifting mood to them. These songs can be a very

big mood booster for anyone when they are having a hard time seeing the bright side of

something or a certain situation. Both versions of the song, “What a Wonderful World” by Joey

Ramone and Louis Armstrong share the theme of trying to find positivity out of every situation

no matter what that may be and focuses on only that. Even though each video is completely

different, with a different setting, and produced in totally different times the same message is

portrayed in both of the videos.

 Works Cited

What A Wonderful World, YouTube, Soulful Sounds, Nov 17 2020, 2:29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqhCQZaH4Vs

Accessed February 9, 2021

What A Wonderful World, YouTube, Joey Ramone, Jan 22, 2009, 3:14

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IoO5nkxT_4

Accessed February 9, 2021