Wonder (Natalie Merchant song) explained

Wonder
Cover:	Natalie Merchant - Wonder.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Natalie Merchant
Album:	Tigerlily
Released:	1995
Label:	Elektra Warner
Producer:	Natalie Merchant
Prev Title:	Carnival
Prev Year:	1995
Next Title:	Jealousy
Next Year:	1996

"Wonder" is a song by Natalie Merchant, released in 1995 as the second single from her solo album Tigerlily. The single reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, outperforming her previous single "Carnival" in Canada. The covers for the U.S. and European singles were different. The single also includes live cuts from Merchant's tour.

Inspiration

In a BBC Mastertapes interview, Merchant said the song "... was about a child born with a congenital disease," twins she had known personally. It was later found out that the twins had epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare genetic condition that results in easy blistering of the skin and mucous membranes.^[1]

Track listings

US CD single^[2]

1. "Wonder" (remix) – 4:24
2. "Baby I Love You" – 3:44

UK cassette single^[3]

1. "Wonder" (remix edit) – 4:08
2. "Sympathy for the Devil" (live) – 5:17

European CD1^[4]

1. "Wonder" (LP version) – 4:26
2. "Baby I Love You"/"Son of a Preacher Man" (live medley) – 5:55
3. "All I Want" – 3:17

European CD2^[5]

1. "Wonder" (remix edit) – 4:08
2. "Sympathy for the Devil" (live) – 5:17
3. "Take a Look" (live) – 3:14
4. "The Work Song" (live) – 3:52

European and Australian maxi-CD single^[6]

1. "Wonder" (remix edit) – 4:08
2. "Baby I Love You" – 3:44
3. "All I Want" – 3:17

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[7]	71
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[8]	30

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[9]	69
US Billboard Hot 100^[10]	31
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[11]	36
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[12]	3
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[13]	80
US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)^[14]	23

Legacy

The song was credited as inspiration for R. J. Palacio's 2012 novel Wonder and was also played during the end credits of the 2017 film of the same name.^{[15] [16]}

Notes and References

1. Mastertapes, Series 3, Natalie Merchant (The A-Side). BBC Radio 4. John Wilson. 24:00. website. May 31, 2015.
2. Wonder. Natalie Merchant. 1995. US CD single disc notes. Elektra Records. 64376-2.
3. Wonder. Natalie Merchant. 1995. UK cassette single sleeve. Elektra Records. EKR217C.
4. Wonder. Natalie Merchant. 1996. European CD1 liner notes. Elektra Records, Warner Records. EKR217CD1, 7559-64329-2.
5. Wonder. Natalie Merchant. 1996. European CD2 liner notes. Elektra Records. EK217CD2, 7559-66040-2.
6. Wonder. Natalie Merchant. 1995. European & Australian maxi-CD single liner notes. Elektra Records. 7559 64358-2.
7. Web site: The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 21 Apr 1996. The Australian Record Industry Association Ltd.. Imgur. February 4, 2016.
8. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (13.1. '96 – 19.1. '96). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 28. January 13, 1996. October 2, 2019.
9. RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 26, 2018.
10. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 1996. Billboardtop100of.com. December 22, 2020.
11. Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks. Airplay Monitor. 4. 53. 33. December 27, 1996.
12. The Year in Music: Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks. Billboard. 108. 52. YE-86. December 28, 1996.
13. Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Modern Rock Tracks. Airplay Monitor. 4. 53. 24. December 27, 1996.
14. Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles. Airplay Monitor. 4. 53. 30. December 27, 1996.
15. Web site: Natalie Merchant's "Wonder: Introducing Natalie Merchant" Released Ahead of New Film Inspired by Her Song . www.nonesuch.com.
16. Web site: Wonder the Film. Natalie Merchant. 6 November 2017. 2017-06-12.