What if one gravelly voice could make the whole world feel at peace even for just three minutes? Louis Armstrong didn’t just sing “What a Wonderful World” he made you believe it. In the original spoken intro version of the song, he gives viewers more than a melody. He provides a perspective, hope, and a gentle challenge: to see beauty in a world that often forgets it exists.
As the orchestra swells behind him, Armstrong’s vocals remain grounded, sincere and deeply human. He sings of skies, rainbows and babies crying, small things with significant meaning. Every note carries weight not because it’s flawless but because it’s felt. Armstrong isn’t naive about the world’s struggles he’s choosing to see past them. That choice alone is powerful.
Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World (Original Spoken Intro Version) ABC Records 1967, 1970
And fans around the world feel that power. In the comments and across generations, listeners describe the performance as healing, timeless and the song that makes you believe again. People play it at weddings, funerals and quiet nights when they need hope. Armstrong’s voice became a lighthouse and this song, a guiding light for the soul.
That emotional grounding carries into another beloved performance but this time, the energy shifts. In When the Saints Go Marching In alongside Danny Kaye, Armstrong shows another side of his genius one full of joy, wit and infectious rhythm. Where Wonderful World invites reflection, Saints invite celebration. Together, Armstrong and Kaye don’t just perform they play. They exchange verses, jokes, trumpet blasts and pure energy, turning a gospel classic into a musical carnival.
Louis Armstrong & Danny Kaye – When the Saints Go Marching In
Armstrong’s trumpet leads with its signature brightness while his vocals bounce with a kind of joy you can’t fake. Danny Kaye, known for his comedy and timing, keeps up with every note, matching Armstrong’s charisma with humor and heart. The chemistry between them is electric, two performers completely in sync, celebrating music as something joyful and shared. It’s the kind of performance that makes you smile without realizing it.
That’s the magic of Louis Armstrong. He could whisper hope in one breath and roar joy in the next. Whether reminding us to cherish the world or helping us dance through it, his voice has a way of meeting people where they are. Decades after these performances, he still brings comfort and inspiration. So whether it’s your first time hearing him or your hundredth, go revisit these moments. Follow him on your favorite platform, share the songs and remember what Louis said best: Love, baby. Love. That’s the secret.