Wonderful Land

"Wonderful Land" is an instrumental piece written by Jerry Lordan and first recorded and released as a single by The Shadows in February 1962.

It stayed at number one for eight weeks on the UK Singles Chart, a feat only Elvis Presley (in 1960), the Shadows and the Archies (in 1969) managed in the whole of the 1960s.

Whilst the group were on tour, producer and musician Norrie Paramor added French horns and strings on 18 January 1962.

[2] 7": Columbia / DB 4790 "Wonderful Land" has been covered by a number of artists including Mike Oldfield, Mark Knopfler and Tony Iommi.

Two guitarists, Hank Marvin (of The Shadows) and Mark Knopfler (of Dire Straits) recorded a version of "Wonderful Land" on the 1993 album Heartbeat, produced by Jeff Lynne.