"Philosophy of the World" is the debut studio album by the American all-female rock band, The Shaggs, released in 1969 by Third World Recordings. Composed of sisters Dorothy, Betty, and Helen Wiggin, the band came from a household devoid of any musical influence. Their father, Austin Wiggin, motivated by a palm reader's prediction that his daughters will form a popular music outfit, made them form a band and record an album.
The album failed to attain commercial success upon its initial release but gained a cult following and rose to fame in the decades that followed. Largely panned by critics, the album received notable praise from iconic musician Frank Zappa, who proclaimed The Shaggs as "better than The Beatles."
"Philosophy of the World" is recognised for its discordant melodies, offbeat rhythms, and amateur musicianship, defying established musical norms of the time. The song lyrics, written by the Wiggin sisters, are simple, straightforward, and reflect their innocent worldview. The album's title track epitomizes this naive perspective, espousing that people have different desires and should be free to pursue them.
In contemporary times, the album is celebrated for its rawness and authenticity, and it's often cited as an early example of outsider music. It found its way into the collection of many avant-garde rock lovers, and its legacy grew over time as it influenced numerous garage, indie, and avant-garde artists.
