"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. 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), the repackaged double album released in the UK simply titled Want, and the 2005 compilation album Acoustic 05.
The song contains an interpolation of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, which premiered in 1928.
Track listing UK digital single "Oh What a World"
UK promotional CD "Oh What a World" (album version) "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
References