Oh What a World (song) explained

Oh What a World
Cover:	Rufus Wainwright Oh What a World album cover.jpg
Border:	yes
Type:	single
Artist:	Rufus Wainwright
Album:	Want One
Released:	(UK)
Genre:	Baroque pop
Length:	^[1]
Label:	DreamWorks
Producer:	Marius de Vries
Prev Title:	I Don't Know What It Is
Prev Year:	2004
Next Title:	The One You Love
Next Year:	2005

"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" 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

UK digital single

1. "Oh What a World"

UK promotional CD

1. "Oh What a World" (album version)
2. "Oh What a World" (radio edit)

Personnel

• 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

• The Frank Skinner Show - November 4, 2004

Live performances

• Nobel Banquet - December 10, 2022

Notes and References

1. Web site: Want One. Zac. Johnson. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. December 27, 2011.
2. Web site: November 12, 2008. 7digital – Oh What a World. 7digital.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090218180244/http://www.7digital.com/artists/rufus-wainwright/oh-what-a-world/. February 18, 2009. dead.
3. Web site: Want Two. December 27, 2011. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Matt. Collar.
4. Web site: Want. December 27, 2011. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation.
5. Web site: Acoustic, Vol. 5. December 27, 2011. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation.
6. Web site: Rufus Wainwright: Oh What A World. Universal Music. 3 January 2014.