Wonder's single "Fingertips" was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, at the age of 13, making him the youngest artist ever to top the chart. Wonder's critical success was at its peak in the 1970s. His "classic period" began in 1972 with the releases of Music of My Mind and Talking Book, the latter featuring "Superstition", which is one of the most distinctive and famous examples of the sound of the Hohner Clavinet keyboard. His works Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976) all won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making him the tied-record holder for the most Album of the Year wins, with three. He is also the only artist to have won the award with three consecutive album releases. Wonder began his "commercial period" in the 1980s; he achieved his biggest hits and highest level of fame, had increased album sales, charity participation, high-profile collaborations (including Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson), political impact, and television appearances. Wonder has continued to remain active in music and political causes.
Wonder is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 100 million records worldwide. He has won 25 Grammy Awards (the most by a solo artist) and one Academy Award (Best Original Song, for the 1984 film The Woman in Red). Wonder has been inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is also noted for his work as an activist for political causes, including his 1980 campaign to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a federal holiday in the U.S. In 2009, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and in 2014, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, Michigan, on May 13, 1950, the third of five children born to Lula Mae Hardaway, and the second of Hardaway's two children with Calvin Judkins. He was born six weeks premature which, along with the oxygen-rich atmosphere in the hospital incubator, resulted in retinopathy of prematurity, a condition in which the growth of the eyes is aborted and causes the retinas to detach, so he became blind.
4 once in my life
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone I've needed so long
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know I'll be strong
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Oh, someone warm like you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before (not like it's hurt before)
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore (I'm not alone anymore)
For once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me
(Someone who needs me)
Ayy, ha-ha, ayy, yeah
(Someone who needs me)
Oh, baby, oh, baby
(For once in my life)
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me (for once in my life)
Not like it's hurt me before
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore (I'm not alone anymore)
For once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who need me (someone who needs me)
Oh, for once in my life
(Somebody that needs me)
Yeah, somebody that needs me
(Somebody that needs me)
Ooh, baby
For once in my life
The meaning behind Stevie Wonder’s “For Once in My Life” is all about finding love and happiness, after a long history of loneliness and pain. The singer reveals that he has finally found someone who truly needs him, and who he has been searching for for a long time. He expresses his newfound confidence and independence, saying that he is now unafraid to go where life may take him, and that he knows he will be strong enough to overcome any obstacles because he finally has someone to lean on.
The lyrics also touch on themes of resilience and perseverance, as the singer describes how he won’t let sorrow hurt him anymore because he finally has something that won’t desert him. He feels a sense of pride and ownership over his new-found love and happiness, declaring that it is his and no one can take it away from him. The overall message of the song is one of hope and joy, as the singer celebrates the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Finally, I have found someone who truly needs me and who I can rely on.
Someone I've needed so long
I have been longing for someone like you for a very long time.
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
I am no longer afraid to take risks and explore new paths in life because I have you by my side.
And somehow I know I'll be strong
Because of your presence in my life, I feel empowered and capable of overcoming any challenges that come my way.
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
I have finally achieved the desires and dreams that were close to my heart for so long.
Long before I knew, oh, someone warm like you would make my dreams come true
Before I even realized it, I knew that someone as kind and loving as you would make my dreams a reality.
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
I have decided to not let sadness and pain affect me like it has in the past.
Not like it's hurt me before (not like it's hurt before)
I know that with you in my life, I won't experience the same heartbreak and disappointment as I have in the past.
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I have found something (or someone) that I can rely on and who will never abandon me.
I'm not alone anymore (I'm not alone anymore)
Because of your presence, I feel less lonely and more supported.
For once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
I have finally found something that belongs to me and cannot be taken away from me.
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
With your love, I know that I can overcome any obstacle or challenge that comes my way.
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me
Overall, I am grateful to have found someone who truly needs and loves me for who I am.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald N. Miller, Orlando Murden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
S Moura
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know I'll be strongFor once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Would make my dreams come trueFor once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it hurt me before
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymoreFor once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me
Cat Martin
This was the song that my husband chose as 'our song'. He died two years ago and although I know that he's not coming back I still listen to it often and dream that he'll ask me to dance with him again in the afterlife. If only he knew how much I miss him.
THE SLOTH
Aww ❤😥
Aram
I think he's wanting for that dance there
Mr.Crunchee!
He's definitely still wants to dance with you
João Pedro da Costa
Oh he knows, I’m certain.
Clive
Becky, You listen, dream and want to dance with him. He knows, really.
The Coatesie Show
In November 2014, I was feeling really depressed about life, and didn't want to live anymore. Then my dad was playing Stevie Wonder albums, and this song came on. And although I still felt down for a while after that, hearing this song was the first sign from that everything would be ok. Now, overtime I listen to this song, I feel thankful. Thanks Stevie
DIfreighter watcher
D Coatesie if you feel alone there are those of us on YouTube who want you to be a part of this lonely community. We are alone in the darkness seeking friendship, the internet vapor united us!
Weltensittich
A lonely community, oh yes, that's what i feel almost all the time.
NOTTHASAME
D Coatesie
thanks for keeping the faith , it takes strength to ssy what you shared !
Stay strong -you're worthy to be loved !