By Paul Goldfinger, music editor @Blogfinger
“Something Wonderful” is from The King and I. Carly Simon has a YouTube video where she addresses the women in the audience and asks them to think of these lyrics when they are upset with their man. Carly says this song is one of the most beautiful ever written. It was composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
The version here is performed by Peggy Lee. It was probably recorded in the 1950’s. She was a popular singer who was not particularly known for this song. Listen for the strong bass parts towards the end which add drama and are probably by the trombone section . Also there is a soft oriental gong at the very end–a tip of the hat to The King and I.
A 2 CD collection of Peggy’s music, 40 songs, called “Something Wonderful: Peggy Lee sings the Great American Songbook” was published in 2021 to coincide with a documentary about her.
Peggy Lee also was a lyricist for many hit songs, and, as a doctor, I always enjoyed her rendition of “Fever.” And as a man, I always enjoyed her rendition of “Fever.”