Wonderful Life (Black song)

"Wonderful Life" is a song by English singer Black from his 1987 debut album, Wonderful Life. The song was released twice as a single and was successful the second time, becoming a top-10 hit in Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Black, who wrote the song while broke, commented: "I was really being ironic... Most people took it at face value."[1]

"Wonderful Life"
Single by Black
from the album Wonderful Life
B-side"Life Calls"
Released
  • 1986 (1st release)
  • 1987 (2nd release)
StudioPowerplant Studios, London
GenrePop
Length4:49
Label
Songwriter(s)Colin Vearncombe
Producer(s)Dave "Dix" Dickie
Black singles chronology
"More Than the Sun"
(1984)		 "Wonderful Life"
(1987)		 "Everything's Coming Up Roses"
(1986)
"Sweetest Smile"
(1987)
"Wonderful Life"
(1987)
"I'm Not Afraid"
(1987)
Music video
Black - Wonderful Life (Official Video) on YouTube

Single release

First released in 1986 by Ugly Man Records, it initially peaked at number 72 on the UK Singles Chart.[2] The label and Vearncombe then decided to re-release the song with a new record company, A&M Records after the success of "Sweetest Smile" and the single reached a higher peak of number eight on the chart in August 1987.[3]

Reception

In a contemporary review in Smash Hits, Vici McDonald called it a "wonderful record – sentimental without being slushy". She went on: "It's heartening to see someone who a) isn't particularly handsome, b) has a spook-name (i.e. Colin Vearncombe), c) has no discernible 'image' and d) writes slightly odd lyrics, get into the charts purely on the strength of their music, which in this case is very strong indeed."[4]

The song was described by AllMusic as a "seductive, bittersweet ballad".[5] The Daily Telegraph said: "Its oddly uplifting lyrics... combined with Black's melancholy croon created, as one critic observed, 'luxuriantly melodic pop that sounds something like a male version of Sade'."[6]

Music video

The music video, shot in black and white, was filmed around the English seaside resort of Southport, Merseyside, as well as Wallasey near Black's hometown of Liverpool, and features New Brighton Lighthouse and promenade. The video includes the Looping Star rollercoaster, a ride at Pleasureland at the time, as well as The Galleon fairground ride, the shrimping boat, local shops and residents.[7] It was directed by Gerard de Thame, husband of television presenter Rachel de Thame, and won an award at the New York Film Festival in 1988.[8]

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the single's liner notes and AllMusic.[9][10]

Studios

Personnel

  • Colin Vearncombe – vocals
  • Roy Corkill – fretless bass
  • Jimmy Hughes – drums
  • Martin Green – saxophone
  • Dave "Dix" Dickie – keyboards, programming
  • The Creamy Whirls (Tina Labrinski, Sara Lamarra), Doreen Edwards – backing vocals
  • Jimmy Sangster – fretted bass
  • The Sidwell Brothers – brass section

Formats and track listings

7-inch single

  1. "Wonderful Life" – 4:49
  2. "Life Calls" – 3:51

12-inch maxi single

  1. "Wonderful Life" – 4:49
  2. "Life Calls" – 3:51
  3. "Had Enough" – 4:58
  4. "All We Need Is the Money" – 4:23

Charts

Certifications
Certifications and sales for "Wonderful Life"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
France (SNEP)[35] Gold 500,000*
Germany (BVMI)[36] Gold 500,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Silver 200,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Mathilde Santing version
"Wonderful Life"
Single by Mathilde Santing
from the album To Others to One
Released1999
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Colin Vearncombe
Producer(s)John Tilly
Mathilde Santing singles chronology
"Inspiratie"
(1997)		 "Wonderful Life"
(1999)		 "Come to Me"
(2005)

Dutch singer Mathilde Santing recorded her own cover version of "Wonderful Life" on her 1999 album To Others to One. It was released as a maxi single and was used in a television advertisement for Interpolis, a Dutch insurance company, in 2005.[38] In addition to the album To Others to One, it is also on the albums 20 jaar hits 1981–2001 (Muziek 20 Daagse 2001) and 100 Love Songs [2008].

Weekly charts
Weekly chart performance for Mathilde Santing's cover
Chart (1999) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[39] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[40] 5

Year-end charts
1999 year-end chart performance for Mathilde Santing's cover
Chart (1999) Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[41] 44
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[42] 43

Tina Cousins version
"Wonderful Life"
Single by Tina Cousins
from the album Mastermind
Released30 May 2005 (2005-05-30)
StudioCharlton Farm (Bath, England)
Length3:53
Label
Songwriter(s)Colin Vearncombe
Producer(s)
  • Louie Nicastro
  • Tom Maddicott
Tina Cousins singles chronology
"Hymn"
(2005)		 "Wonderful Life"
(2005)		 "Come to Me"
(2005)
Audio
"Wonderful Life" on YouTube

British singer Tina Cousins covered "Wonderful" for her second studio album, Mastermind (2005). She recorded it at Charlton Farm Studios in Bath, England. This version, produced by Louie Nicastro and Tom Maddicott, was released in Australia on 30 May 2005 and reached number 17 on the country's ARIA Singles Chart the following month. In the United Kingdom, following a digital release in late November 2005, the cover debuted and peaked at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart on 4 December 2005. The song also charted in Finland, reaching number 17 on the Finnish Singles Chart.

Track listings

UK CD single[43]

  1. "Wonderful Life" (dance radio edit)
  2. "Wonderful Life" (ballad version)
  3. "Wonderful Life" (extended mix)
  4. "Wonderful Life" (Kenny Hayes Sunshine Funk remix)
  5. "Wonderful Life" (Lee S remix)
  6. "Wonderful Life" (Low Frequency Occupation club mix)

UK digital download[44]

  1. "Wonderful Life" (dance radio edit) – 3:53
  2. "Wonderful Life" (extended mix) – 8:18
  3. "Wonderful Life" (Kenny Hayes Sunshine Funk remix) – 6:25
  4. "Wonderful Life" (Lee S remix) – 6:20
  5. "Wonderful Life" (ballad version) – 3:20
  6. "Wonderful Life" (Low Frequency Occupation club mix) – 7:18

Australian and New Zealand maxi-CD single[45]

  1. "Wonderful Life" (dance version) – 3:53
  2. "Wonderful Life" (ballad version) – 3:20
  3. "Wonderful Life" (Low Frequency Occupation radio edit) – 3:50
  4. "Wonderful Life" (Low Frequency Occupation club mix) – 7:18
  5. "Wonderful Life" (Methods of Flow club mix) – 6:12
  6. "Wonderful Life" (Low Frequency Occupation Dubful Life) – 6:36

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes.[43]

Studio

Personnel

  • Colin Vearncombe – writing
  • Louie Nicastro, Tom Maddicott – production
  • Sil Wilcox – worldwide representation
  • PixelFrame.com.au – cover design

Charts

Release history
Release dates for Tina Cousins' cover
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Australia 30 May 2005 (2005-05-30) Maxi-CD Big [53]
United Kingdom 28 November 2005 (2005-11-28) Digital download All Around the World [44]
CD [54]

Other cover versions

A dance version by TJ Davis reached No. 42 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 13 on the UK Dance Singles Chart in December 2001.

In 2011, the song featured on the Christmas album Funny Looking Angels by Smith & Burrows, a collaboration between Tom Smith (Editors) and Andy Burrows (We Are Scientists and ex-Razorlight).[55] A version by Katie Melua was originally included on the BBC Radio 2's Sounds of the 80s compilation album, and was subsequently released as a single in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Children's Hospital Charity.[56]

Use in the media

References
  1. Leigh, Spencer (28 January 2016). "Colin Vearncombe: Singer known as Black whose 1987 song Wonderful Life was a hit around the world". The Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  2. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  3. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  4. McDonald, Vici (12 August 1987). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. Vol. 9, no. 16. p. 61.
  5. Ankeny, Jason. "Black – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  6. "Colin Vearncombe, singer-songwriter – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  7. Brown, Andrew (10 July 2015). "How many Southport landmarks can you see in 1987 hit Wonderful Life by Black?". Southport Visiter. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  8. "Gerard de Thame Films". Gerarddethame.com. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  9. Wonderful Life (liner notes). Black. A&M. 1987. Retrieved 11 October 2021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. "Black – Wonderful Life – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  11. "Top 50 Australian Singles Chart – Week ending 5th June, 1988". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  12. "Black – Wonderful Life" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  13. "Black – Wonderful Life" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  14. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 16. 16 April 1988. pp. 18–19. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
  15. "Black – Wonderful Life" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  16. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Wonderful Life". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  17. "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Black".
  18. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 44, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  19. "Black – Wonderful Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  20. "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 49. Amsterdam. 12 December 1987. p. 16. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  21. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  22. "Black – Wonderful Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  23. "Offiziellecharts.de – Black – Wonderful Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  24. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  25. "Tedenska lestvica" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  26. "Jaaroverzichten 1987" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  27. "European Charts of the Year 1987 > Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. p. 34. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  28. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  29. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  30. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1987". GfK Entertainment (in German). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  31. "Jahreshitparade 1988" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  32. "1988 Year End Eurocharts > Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. 1 January 1989. p. 30. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  33. "TOP – 1988". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  34. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1988". GfK Entertainment (in German). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  35. "French single certifications – Black – Wonderful Life" (in French). InfoDisc. Select BLACK and click OK. 
  36. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Black; 'Wonderful Life')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  37. "British single certifications – Black – Wonderful Life". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  38. "Mathilde Santing Officiële Gambling". Mathildesanting.info. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  39. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  40. "Matilde Santing & The Oversoul 13 – Wonderful Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  41. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  42. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  43. Wonderful Life (UK CD single liner notes). Tina Cousins. All Around the World Productions. 2005. CDGLOBE472.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  44. "Wonderful Life". Apple Music. 28 November 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  45. Wonderful Life (Australian & New Zealand maxi-CD single liner notes). Tina Cousins. Big Records. 2005. BIGS012.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  46. "Tina Cousins – Wonderful Life". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  47. "Issue 797" ARIA Top 50 Dance Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  48. "Tina Cousins: Wonderful Life" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  49. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  50. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  51. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  52. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Dance Singles 2005". ARIA. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  53. "New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 30th May 2005" (PDF). ARIA. 30 May 2005. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  54. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 26 November 2005. p. 25.
  55. "Smith & Burrows". Smithandburrows.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011.
  56. nero (3 September 2015). "Katie Melua – Wonderful Life Single". Colinvearncombe.com. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  57. "Fleury Michon + Black". Musiquedepub.tv (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  58. Emirates Wonderful Life Dubai on YouTube
  59. Swift, James (1 September 2015). "Katie Melua covers 'Wonderful Life' for Premier Inn campaign". Campaign. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
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