Early Songs About The World

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I have been writing a lot for National Novel Writing Month (already reached my 50,000 words), and the fact this has become a worldwide event got me thinking – what about songs about the world? So I went through my music collection and found…

So, so, so many songs about the world!

So many, in fact, they could not be contained in one column!

As such, here is the first one – a list of early songs about “the world”!



Like I said, so many songs to choose from! I really had to restrict myself, and, therefore, the normal rules apply here. The word “world” must appear in the title, one song per artist (across all lists), one version of each song (also across all lists), no live only tracks, I need to like the song. They are listed in chronological order, the date of first release, either as single or the home album. These are not only charting singles, but songs from my collection that fulfill the requirement and that I like. I do understand that, especially in this first list, some favourites might not appear. Apologies in advance.

Here are Early Songs About The World!


’Goodbye Cruel World’ by James Darren (1961)

A weird track, about a guy who is leaving it all behind to join the circus, just because his girlfriend left him. The sort of pop song that came out post-Buddy Holly, pre-Beatles, showing that there has always been some strangeness in what is popular.


’A World Without Love’ by Peter And Gordon (1964)

Written by Paul McCartney (one of the duo was the brother of his then-girlfriend Jane Asher), attributed to Lennon-McCartney, this was one of many songs written for other people by members of The Beatles that did well in the charts. The thing is, this is a strong track, to boot.


’Five O’Clock World’ by The Vogues (1965)

I will always associate this song with The Drew Carrey Show, which is a shame because it is better than that. Although, I first heard it on the soundtrack album to Good Morning, Vietnam, so I was also late to the party.


’It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World’ by James Brown (1966)

James Brown was at the forefront of so many musical styles, and yet is often overlooked in the history of popular music. This track is one of his earlier hits, and is possibly one whose lyrical ideas do not hold up under modern sensibilities. Still, it’s a classic. And Renee Geyer does an amazing job of it as well.


’What A Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong (1967)

One of the most beautiful songs recorded. Armstrong’s rough voice just makes this feel so raw and full of emotion, with even the string backing not taking over. This is such an amazing song, and that closing, “Ohhh, yeahhh…” just sends shivers down the spine.


’A World Of Our Own’ by The Seekers (1967)

The Seekers were one of Australia’s first international musical success stories, and this was one of their more popular songs in Australia. Showcasing their great vocal harmonies, it is just a pleasant pop song.


’Joy To The World’ by Three Dog Night (1970)

“Jeremiah was a bullfrog!” Yeah, no idea what it means, either, but there is something definitely joyful about this track that brings a smile to the face and makes everyone want to sing along to the chorus.


’Wild World’ by Cat Stevens (1970)

Cat Stevens is hit or miss to me. His great songs are truly great, and yet he has also released a lot of songs I don’t care for. This one, however, is really good, and has been covered quite a bit through the years. Stevens at his finest.


’The Man Who Sold The World’ by David Bowie (1970)

Probably better known today through the cover version by Nirvana, the original is one of Bowie’s better known songs from this period and is a great example of the developing songwriter he was becoming.


’I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing’ by The New Seekers (1971)

Starting life as a pop song, re-written into an advertisement for Coca-Cola, then re-written again into another pop song (recorded also by the Hillside Singers, who did the Coke advert) this is the version I know, by a band that has as much to do with the old Seekers as it does with the original Coke advert (surface association only). At lot of useless information here – fun pop song.


’You’re My World’ by Daryl Braithwaite (1975)

I have so many versions of this song, but this is my favourite. There is just something about Braithwaite’s voice that I think lifts many songs to a higher level, and this is one of them, from early on in his career.


’Rockin’ All Over The World’ by Status Quo (1977)

A cover of a John Fogerty solo song, I will always associate this song with Live Aid – it was the song used to open the event. One of Status Quo’s best known songs, it is also a great song for a beginner to play on guitar and so much fun to sing along to whenever a pub band covers it. Such a cool track.


A dozen songs about the world from the 1960s and 1970s, with what I hope is a little something for most musical tastes.

There will be two follow-up lists of world songs, so until then, I hope you have fun listening.


#music
#list
#pop_culture
#performing_arts
#quirky
#retro
#vintage
#world

%wneverywhere