All the songs in 'A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical' on Broadway

The show about the music legend's life features a score of jazz standards, blues and pop songs, and even showtunes Armstrong popularized throughout his career.

A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical traces the legendary life and career of the famous jazz vocalist and trumpeter through the eyes of his four wives across as many cities: New Orleans, Chicago, Hollywood, and New York.

Now at Studio 54, the jukebox musical stars Aladdin Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart in the title role. The score, arranged by Branford Marsalis, features around 30 jazz standards and other tunes Armstrong performed.

A Wonderful World follows Armstrong’s journey from his early career in the 1910s to his rise to legend status by his death in 1971. Learn more about the Armstrong songs that underscore his life on stage, then get tickets to the show to hear them live.

Get A Wonderful World tickets now.

“Basin Street Blues” / “Bourbon Street Parade”

Armstrong popularized both of these jazzy musical celebrations of the soulful spirit of New Orleans, where he grew up and kickstarted his career. Basin Street was once the center of the city’s red-light district.

“Kiss of Fire”

“I touch your lips and all at once the sparks go flying.” So begins this hot tune shared by Armstrong and his fiery first wife, Daisy Parker, a prostitute. She sings a reprise of the song later in the show, when Armstrong is about to leave her.

“It’s Tight Like That”

“I went to see my gal over across the hall; found another mule kicking in my stall.” The risque number could be a commentary on Armstrong’s womanizing ways.

“Up a Lazy River”

Armstrong was a man on the move as he pursued his career. This easygoing number famously summons images of “blue skies up above, everyone’s in love” and plays out on a riverboat.

“Avalon”

This romantic tune revolves around yearning for the beauty of Avalon, a coastal paradise. In A Wonderful World, the song’s serenity is upended by a harrowing scene of racial violence.

“Black and Blue”

“Ain’t got a friend, my only sin is my skin.” The powerful ballad, originally from the Broadway musical Hot Chocolates, conveys the struggles of those who’ve suffered prejudice and social injustice.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing”

As the musical's setting shifts to Chicago, this upbeat jazz standard celebrates the energizing essence of swing music. “Doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah.”

“Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?”

Music is a famous place to get nostalgic. This soulful, heart-on-sleeve ballad expresses a deep yearning for the Big Easy. It gets reprised later in the show, when Armstrong is in Hollywood instead of Chicago — but still missing New Orleans.

“Got a Bran’ New Suit”

“Got a bran’ new suit, got a bran’ new tie, got a bran’ new twinkle in my eye.” What has Armstrong walking on air isn’t actually a fresh wardrobe, but the prospect of a new woman in his life: Lil Hardin, a pianist and composer.

“A Kiss to Build a Dream On”

As romance blooms between Armstrong and Lil, who becomes wife No. 2, this song comes right on cue. It’s a plainspoken romantic ballad expressing longing and hope.

“Heebie Jeebies”

Legend has it that Armstrong dropped his lyric sheet and winged it while recording “Heebie Jeebies.” His improvisational style on this track is said to be the first recorded scat singing in jazz music.

“Dinah”

This upbeat jazz song celebrates the charms and beauty of a woman named Dinah from “the state of Carolina.” A woman named Alpha Smith, meanwhile, has entered the picture as Armstrong tours.

Iglehart told New York Theatre Guide that "Dinah" has been his favorite Louis Armstrong song ever since he saw a clip of him playing it live in Copenhagen. "It was Louis at his young, hot moment where he knew he was bad and nobody could tell him nothing," Iglehart said. "It embodies all of his virtuosity vocally, and all the trumpet."

“Tiger Rag”

This fast-paced jazz standard is known for its energetic, intricate melodies. The lyrics declare, “Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger!” Can Armstrong ever change his stripes?

“You Rascal You”

This playful and cheeky song humorously calls out a mischievous lover. Romantic antics and intrigue were a part of Armstrong’s life (as evidenced by the four wives).

“Some of These Days” / “After You’ve Gone”

Both of these jazz standards are about the heartbreak and the inevitable sadness after a relationship ends. Daisy and Lil double up on this number.

“Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In”

This gospel tune, which Armstrong made into a jazz anthem, is associated with the city of New Orleans. That place remains on his mind as the story moves to Hollywood.

“Big Butter and Egg Man”

With Daisy and Lil in the rearview, Armstrong is now with Alpha, wife No. 3. She serves up this saucy number about a man who spoils a woman with gifts. Composer Percy Venable wrote this song specifically for Armstrong.

“When You’re Smiling”

The uplifting jazz standard spins around the joy and positivity a smile brings. The song’s message assumes a complex, cynical edge in A Wonderful World, in which it appears while Armstrong struggles with racism.

That's an apt way to approach the song, as Armstrong himself said in his 1956 oral memoir/album, Satchmo: A Musical Autobiography, that he tried to adopt white musician Guy Lombardo's style in his recording of the song.

“Ain’t No Sweet Man That’s Worth the Salt of My Tears”

The title of this bluesy tune about a woman’s emotional resilience speaks for itself. Alpha belts it as things come to an end with Armstrong.

“I Double Dare You”

In New York’s famed Cotton Club, Lucille, whose stage name is Brown Sugar, sings this upbeat number. It’s a playful song that’s all about bold romantic flirtation.

“Cheek to Cheek”

“Heaven … I’m in heaven.” Intimacy never felt so good. As romance grows between Armstrong and Lucille, who becomes wife No. 4, sing this sensual song about the blissful feeling of a close connection.

“Cheek to Cheek” was written for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, but Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald popularized the song as a jazz standard.

“That’s My Home”

This sentimental jazz song honors the deep bond and love for one’s home. Armstrong’s actions make Lucille question that connection.

“Back O’Town Blues”

Armstrong co-wrote this achey song, whose lyrics speak to his life: “She treated me right, never let me down. But I wasn't satisfied, I had to run around.”

“Star Spangled Banner”

Amid civil unrest in the U.S., racial and social injustices compelled Armstrong to rewrite the words to the national anthem. “O’er the ramparts they beat, tortured, whipped us into the grave.”

“Hello, Dolly!”

The signature gravelly growl in Armstrong’s vocals worked like a charm when he recorded the beloved 1964 Broadway movie musical's title track. Hello, Grammy! Armstrong won the coveted music award for his performance.

“St. James Infirmary”

The ache of losing a loved one beats at the heart of this bluesy traditional. Lucille, Daisy, Lil, and Alpha all sing on this heart-stirrer.

“What a Wonderful World”

Armstrong is indelibly linked to this song. The lyrics celebrate the wonders of nature, love, and human connection, emphasizing the beauty in everyday moments. The audience even gets to join in singing this track to close out the show.

Get A Wonderful World tickets now.

Photo credit: A Wonderful World on Broadway. (Photos by Jeremy Daniel)