Spent too much time on Uncommon Oldies this afternoon - (I mean even the Fireballs were there and I have every single and every LP released by the Fireballs, so it is like going to heaven - or something like that anyway.)

Perhaps I should get out more often?

Anyway, great site - great research - great knowledge.

Now, a query - not a test, because I do not know the answer - but somebody has to and you just might have something in your collection to answer this, because by now, not even the principals can seemingly explain it!

Sam Cooke wrote "Wonderful World" along with Herb Alpert & Lou Adler. and after Sam's version, there were a number of covers, and lots of revivals. I have checked out at least ten to date, none of which have solved the conundrum.

Anyway, in 1977, Art Garfunkel recorded it, making it the umpteenth cover version.

But this time, there were four lines added, which went something like this...

"Don't know much about the Middle Ages
Looked at the pictures and turned the pages:
Don't know nothing 'bout no Rise & Fall
Don't know nothing 'bout nothing at all"

and then went on as usual

"But I do know that I love you" etc.

Now, the question is - who wrote those extra four lines, which are not in the original versions, nor in the original sheet music?

I had presumed (wrongly it seems) that they were written by Art Garfunkel, or failing that by James Taylor or Paul Simon who featured on the Garfunkel recording, but it seems I was wrong on all points.

So, is there any version prior to the Art Garfunkel one, which has those four lines in it?

They are good lines - they have the tongue in cheek humour of Sam Cooke - but who added them?

And when?

And why?

Re Bobby Vee - I love all the tracks you and Bob mentioned, and also his "Bobby Vee Meets The Crickets" album, which I can still play 40 years later (no - 45 years later), and enjoy today as much as I did then. (And that's saying something).

• RE: Bobby Vee Special - John 08/08/2007 23:59:42 EDT (1)