"Oh What a World" is a song written and performed by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. It was released as the second single from Wainwright's third studio album, Want One (2003), released digitally via iTunes and 7digital in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2004.[2] Promotional copies were also distributed to radio stations in an attempt to increase awareness of the song and album. The song includes several arrangements from Maurice Ravel's Boléro.
| "Oh What a World" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Rufus Wainwright | ||||
| from the album Want One | ||||
| Released | November 8, 2004 (UK) | |||
| Genre | Baroque pop | |||
| Length | 4:23[1] | |||
| Label | DreamWorks | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rufus Wainwright | |||
| Producer(s) | Marius de Vries | |||
| Rufus Wainwright singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Oh What a World" also appears on Rufus Wainwright: Live at the Fillmore, the bonus DVD that accompanies Want Two (2004),[3] the repackaged double album released in the UK simply titled Want,[4] and the 2005 compilation album Acoustic 05.[5]
The song contains an interpolation of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, which premiered in 1928.[6]
Track listing edit
- UK digital single
- "Oh What a World"
- UK promotional CD
- "Oh What a World" (album version)
- "Oh What a World" (radio edit)
Personnel edit
- Rufus Wainwright – voice, orchestral arrangements
- Marius de Vries – piano, programming, orchestral arrangements
- Joy Smith – harp
- Nick Hitchens – tuba
- Isobel Griffiths – orchestra contractor
- Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader
- Alexis Smith – programming
- Simon C Clarke – alto sax, baritone sax, flute, alto flute, piccolo
- Tim Sanders – tenor sax
- Roddy Lorimer – trumpet
- Paul Spong – trumpet
- Annie Whitehead – trombone
- Dave Stewart – bass trombone
- Maxim Moston – orchestral arrangements
- Chris Elliott – orchestral arrangements
Television performances edit
- The Frank Skinner Show - November 4, 2004
Live performances edit
- Nobel Banquet - December 10, 2022
References edit
- ^ Johnson, Zac. "Want One". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- ^ "7digital – Oh What a World". 7digital.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
- ^ Collar, Matt. "Want Two". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- ^ "Want". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- ^ "Acoustic, Vol. 5". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- ^ "Rufus Wainwright: Oh What A World". Universal Music. Retrieved 3 January 2014.