By the time he stepped into the studio to record "What A Wonderful World" in 1967, Louis Armstrong was 66 years old, well into the so-called golden years.

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Having enjoyed a nearly 45-year career in jazz and popular music, his status in the jazz world was in a period of denouement, with the emergence of younger players, faster sounds, and the post-war proliferation of more complex styles like bebop.

At a time when the struggle for civil rights and fears of global tensions between world powers were at the forefront of society's collective mind, Armstrong's rendition of the Bob Thiele- and George David Weiss-written pop ballad struck a chord with listeners young and old alike. The simple, almost naive beauty of the lyricism, combined with Armstrong's throaty, smiling delivery made for a winning combination in a world that seemed increasingly dark and unwelcoming.

Following its release, the song climbed to No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart, and nearly broke through to the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in an era when psychedelic rock and British Invasion guitar pop dominated.

The lasting impact of the song has been immeasurable, with an untold number of artists recording covers throughout the past 50 years – everyone from Joey Ramone to Ziggy Marley to Nick Cave. The original recording was re-released in the U.S. in 1988, and subsequently climbed to No. 32 on the Billboard singles chart. In 1999 the recording was officially inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame. Armstrong was also posthumous awarded the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972.

"What A Wonderful World" is now arguably most famous and identifiable song in Armstrong's catalog, and in a day and age that bear a startling likeness to the fears and uncertainties of the late 60s, stands as a needed reminder that, yes, despite it all, it is still a wonderful world.

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