The Shadows - Wonderful Land (Stereo) 1962 HQ

“Wonderful Land“ is an instrumental piece written by Jerry Lordan recorded and released as a single by the Shadows in 1962. It stayed at No. 1 for eight weeks in the UK Singles Chart; Lordan had previously written the hugely successful “Apache“ for the Shadows in 1960, and “Wonderful Land“ was recorded in May 1961 by the Shadows’ original line up of Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Jet Harris and Tony Meehan. The strings were added later by producer Norrie Paramor. By the time of the song’s release, Tony Meehan had left the group to be replaced by Brian Bennett who co-wrote the B-side “Stars Fell on Stockton“. The group was in a period of transition and whilst the song was at No. 1 Jet Harris left to be replaced by Brian Locking.