Wonderful World is a song written by Dave Sharp and was first played live at his solo acoustic show at The Mean Fiddler, London on 27th May 1990. It was recorded by The Alarm and appeared on the Raw album released in April 1991. A new version was recorded for Dave’s solo album Hard Travellin’ released in August 1991. Wonderful World had been origianlly demo-taped fro the Change album.
1990 Raw album recording
Running length : 5:01
Written by : Sharp/Twist
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar
Nigel Twist – Drums
Recorded 5th August 1990 at Amazon Studios, Liverpool, England
Produced by The Alarm.
Engineered by Mark Pythian and Rob Storm.
Alternative Studio Records – Demo, Dave Sharp solo album, remastered
1990 – Dave Sharp – Hard Travellin’
Running length : 4:18
Musician & Credits
Dave Sharp – Vocals & Electric Guitar
Rock-a-Billy Bill Penn – Electric Guitar
Reverend Charles McIntosh – Acoustic Guitar & Backing Vocals
Doctor Joe De Lorenzo – Doghouse Bass
Al Kooper – Hammond B3
Billy Beard – Drums
Dave Kennedy – Additional Percussion
Recorded at the Hit Factory, New York, USA and The Sound Emporium, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Produced by Bob Johnston and Dave Sharp
Executive Producer by Andy Monroe
Engineered by Tom Flye. Assistant Engineer by Linell
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Raw [1991-1991] [Remastered]
Running length : 5:02
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar
Nigel Twist – Drums
Remastered from the 1990 original recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
Album Appearances and discography for studio recordings
22nd April 1991 : The Alarm – Raw – IRS Records vinyl IRSA EIRSA 1055, cassette EIRSC 1055, CD EIRSACD 1055 (UK Release). Original 1990 recording
Raw was also released on vinyl, cassette in Italy. Vinyl and CD in Europe. CD and cassette in USA. CD only Canada and Japan
27th August 1991 : Dave Sharp – Hard Travellin’ – IRS Records, UK release catalogue number UK.EIRSCD 1059 (CD), USA release, catalogue number X2 13090 (CD), 1990 Dave Sharp solo recording version
2000 : The Alarm – Raw [1990-1991] – Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C016 (CD). Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc. 1990 recorded version remastered.
2002 : The Alarm – 68 Guns compilation album released in the Netherlands on Disky Cat. No. SI 905175. Original 1990 recording
Lyrics – Raw version
Guys wearing gas masks are leveling their guns
At school children singing whilst studying sums
It’s a clear sign of violence
And it’s laced with heavy support
This whole situations been dragged through the dirt
By gargoyles and monsters and man eating birds
Who act like the jury but you never see them stand up in court
It’s savage and ugly the riots unfurl
But these are the ways of this wonderful world
These are the ways of this wonderful world
Well back at the banquet a madam meets her fate
Whilst almost a mile from her country estate
The helpless and homeless are dancing a ring in the rain
Prompted by pressure from home and abroad
Fifty five of them ministers will try to reach accord
On some ill judged remarks concerning madam baby Lorraine
It’s savage and ugly the riots unfurl
But these are the ways of this wonderful world
These are the ways of this wonderful world
Consignments of bibles and passenger planes
Japanese funerals and gambling games
And backers and bidders are dealing in textiles and lace
They order revues that will salvage the state
Guaranteed to put off and pass up that decay
While the latest concerns are reports of a slackening pace
Well it’s savage and ugly the riots unfurl
But these are the ways of this wonderful world
These are the ways of this wonderful world
Well it’s savage and ugly the riots unfurl
But these are the ways of this wonderful world
These are the ways of this wonderful world
Yes these are the ways of this wonderful world
So don’t be a panicking haven’t you heard
That these are the ways of this wonderful world
This wonderful world
(One more time)
Violence
Aggression
Homeless
Helpless
Hey wonderful
(to cross ref)
Audio & Visual Sources
(Page updated 16/07/2021)