^ ' The Shadows – Wonderful Land' (in German).

^ 'C-Funtastic Fifty Week of June 2, 1962'.

^ ' The Shadows – Wonderful Land' (in French).

^ ' The Shadows – Wonderful Land' (in Dutch).

Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. 'Instrumentation On Shadows Recordings II: The Primary Singles' (PDF). 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. The video is available on the Elements - The Best of Mike Oldfield video. The video for 'Wonderful Land' again shows Oldfield playing various instruments, including a violin, which he has claimed not to be able to play very well. The Shadows later covered one of Oldfield's songs, ' Moonlight Shadow'. Oldfield's version was also released as a single and as the B-side for his ' Sheba' single in some countries, 'Wonderful Land' was the A-side. Mike Oldfield version 'Wonderful Land'Įnglish musician Mike Oldfield covered 'Wonderful Land' on his 1980 Virgin Records album, QE2. Iommi's version appears on Twang!: A Tribute to Hank Marvin & the Shadows. 'Wonderful Land' has been covered by a number of artists including Mike Oldfield, Mark Knopfler and Tony Iommi. South Africa (Radio South Africa & Lourenço Marques)

Norrie Paramor Orchestra – French horns, strings.

The group was in a period of transition and whilst the song was at number one, Jet Harris left to be replaced by Brian Locking. By the time of the song's release, he had left the group and been replaced by Brian Bennett who co-wrote the B-side 'Stars Fell on Stockton' with the rest of the group.

It was the last single to be recorded by drummer Tony Meehan for the group. Hank Marvin came up with the title, 'Wonderful Land', referring to America, but Lordan did not like it and 'wish could have come up with something better'. Whilst the group were on tour, producer and musician Norrie Paramor added French horns and strings on 18 January 1962.

However, there was something missing with the song and the Shadows kept it unreleased. The basic track was recorded on, with tom-tom overdub and extra drumming recorded on 6 July.

I knew it had to have a second part and I couldn't think of anything'. On writing the song, Lordan said 'I got the first phrase and it took me six months to get to the middle. Lordan had previously written the hugely successful ' Apache', which the Shadows had recorded. 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. ' Wonderful Land' is an instrumental piece written by Jerry Lordan and first recorded and released as a single by The Shadows in February 1962.

Land of Tornadoes by Melanie S. Wolfe