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.
77_51_Stevie_Wonder_-_I_Wish
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
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Then my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing
We were happy with the joy the day would bring
Sneaking out the back door to hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
Greeted at the back door with, "Boy, thought I told you not to go outside!"
Tryin' your best to bring the water to your eyes
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days e-ver have to go?
I wish those days could, come back once more
Why did those days e-ver have to go?
'Cause I love them so
Brother says he's tellin' 'bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Just don't tell, an' I'll give you anythin' you want in this whole wide world
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
You trade yours for candy, after church is through
Smokin' cigarettes, writing something nasty on the wall (You nasty boy!)
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
But while you were doin' it it sure felt outta sight
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days e-ver have to go?
I wish those days could, come back once more
Why did those days e-ver have to go?
In "I Wish," Stevie Wonder reminisces about his childhood, specifically the carefree and innocent times he spent with his friends and family. He looks back on his youthful desires such as anticipating Christmas gifts and sharing candy with his peers. He also reflects on his rebellious moments, including sneaking out to "hang out with those hoodlum friends" and getting in trouble at school. Despite getting into mischief and experiencing disciplinary actions, he still yearns for the joyous memories of those times. Wonder longs for the days when life was simpler, and he didn't have to worry about the stresses of adult life.
Line by Line Meaning
Lookin' back on when I was a little nappy headed boy
Reflecting on my childhood when I was a young, carefree boy
Then my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy
My biggest concern at that time was what gifts I would receive for Christmas
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing
Even if we didn't always receive gifts, we still found joy in the day
We were happy with the joy the day would bring
The happiness we felt on Christmas day was enough to make up for any lack of material possessions
Sneaking out the back door to hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
Going out secretly to spend time with my mischievous friends
Greeted at the back door with, "Boy, thought I told you not to go outside!"
Getting caught by my mother at the back door and being reminded not to go outside
Tryin' your best to bring the water to your eyes
Pretending to cry to avoid getting punished
Thinkin' it might stop her from woopin' your behind
Hoping that the fake tears would prevent my mother from spanking me
I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire to relive the carefree days of childhood
Why did those days e-ver have to go?
Questioning why those happy days of childhood had to end
Brother says he's tellin' 'bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Having my brother threaten to expose my childhood romantic exploits
Just don't tell, an' I'll give you anythin' you want in this whole wide world
Bribing my brother to keep quiet about my secrets
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
My mother giving me money for church
You trade yours for candy, after church is through
Trading the money meant for church for candy after the service was over
Smokin' cigarettes, writing something nasty on the wall (You nasty boy!)
Engaging in rebellious activities such as smoking and defacing property
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall
Getting reprimanded by the teacher and being sent to the principal's office
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
Realizing as an adult that such behavior was not appropriate
But while you were doin' it it sure felt outta sight
However, at the time, those actions felt exciting and fun
I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire to go back to those fun and carefree days of childhood
Why did those days e-ver have to go?
Questioning the inevitability of growing up and leaving behind the joys of childhood
Contributed by Mila O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cheryl Rowland Hall
on Isn't She Lovely
Dedicated to my lovely daughter, Amy Kathleen Rawson, the lovely child who helped mom to grow up!