About the song
At 91 years old, Willie Nelson remains a force of nature—his unmistakable voice, well-worn like a favorite old leather saddle, still carries the weight of a thousand stories. A poet of the American highway, Nelson has never let age slow him down. Instead, he embraces it with the same weathered grace that defines his music. His rendition of What a Wonderful World is a testament to his enduring optimism, a heartfelt tribute to the simple, profound joys of life.
Originally made famous by Louis Armstrong in 1967, What a Wonderful World is a song of quiet gratitude, a reminder to stop and appreciate the beauty around us. Nelson, ever the storyteller, brings his own brand of warmth to the song. His version, recorded in 1988 for the album of the same name, strips away the orchestral grandeur of Armstrong’s original and replaces it with something more intimate—a gentle country arrangement, cradled by the soft strum of his trusted guitar, Trigger.
Nelson’s voice, at once both fragile and defiant, lends the song a wistful quality. Where Armstrong’s rendition glows with hopeful wonder, Nelson’s carries a touch of melancholy, as if he is savoring each lyric with the knowledge that time is fleeting. And yet, there is no sadness here—only appreciation. He sings of “trees of green, red roses too” with the slow, unhurried cadence of a man who has truly seen them, lived through them, and loved them.
Even now, well into his tenth decade, Nelson continues to tour, record, and defy expectations. His life has been a long and winding road, filled with triumphs and hardships, but through it all, he has never lost his ability to find beauty in the world. What a Wonderful World is more than just a song for him—it’s a philosophy, a way of living. At 91, Willie Nelson isn’t just surviving. He’s thriving, singing with the same twinkle in his eye that he always has, reminding us all to slow down, look around, and take in the wonder of it all.
