10 Amazing Cover Songs You Need To Hear

Louis Armstrong sang the hell out of this song, it's really hard to find anyway to equal his performance or even match it. The song depicts a pretty optimistic view of life, but the key and arrangement always make it sound bittersweet and regretful; every cover (and there are many) of What A Wonderful World never changes this general structure. Joey Ramone's cover of the Armstrong standard, though, adds whole new dimensions to the bittersweet elements.

Ramone's first and only solo album was released nearly a year after his death in 2001 at the age of 49; the lead single from the album “Don't Worry About Me” was What A Wonderful World. Ramone knew of his inevitable death from lymphoma at the time of recording; and maybe that's what gives the song its pathos. It's such a loving song, it feels like the punk icon is saying goodbye to fans and the world as a whole.

It's hard not to hear acceptance emanating from Ramone's voice and the underlying context of the song lifts it to new heights. The Joey Ramone version of WAWW appeared on the soundtracks for Without A Paddle and that remake of Freaky Friday, but don't hold that against it. It's a good song.