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.
Ain
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(When you sigh)
I wanna sigh with you
When you cry
(When you cry)
I wanna cry some, too
Now, ain't that love
Oh, ain't that love
That I feel
(That I feel)
In my heart for you
When your friends
(When your friends)
Turn their back on you
I'll be there
(I'll be there)
Just to see you through
Now, ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Ain't that love
Ain't that love
Baby, that I feel in my heart for you
Now when you walk
(When you walk)
I wanna walk with you
When you talk
(When you talk)
I wanna talk some, too
Now, ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Oh, ain't that love
That I feel
(That I feel)
In my heart for you
If you ever
(If you ever)
Ever need a friend
I'll be there
(Be with you)
Until the end
Now, ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Don't you know
Baby, don't you know
Ain't that love, baby
That I feel in my heart for you
Baby, won't you let me hold your hand
Let me squeeze you just as tight as I can
Baby, don't you need me by your side
To protect you and be your guide
Baby, I'm so in love with you
Do anything you tell me to
Now, ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Ain't that love
Ain't that love, baby
That I feel in my heart for you
Oh, that I feel in my heart for you
Hey, that I feel in my heart for you
Oh, that I feel in my heart for you
Hey, that I feel in my heart for you
Hey, that I feel in my heart for you
In "Ain't That Love," Stevie Wonder expresses his love and devotion to his partner. He promises to share her joys and sorrows, to be there for her when her friends turn their backs on her, and to always hold her hand and protect her. Stevie Wonder is willing to do anything for his lover, which he believes is a true sign of love. Throughout the song, he repeats the phrase "ain't that love" to emphasize his unwavering affection and commitment to his partner.
The song is filled with emotions that are communicated not only through the lyrics but also through the music. The upbeat tempo and the use of horns and percussion convey the joy and energy of the love Stevie Wonder feels. The song also includes call-and-response segments, highlighting the singer's improvisation skills and his ability to connect with his audience.
Overall, "Ain't That Love" is a simple yet powerful love song that showcases Stevie Wonder's talent as a songwriter, musician, and vocalist.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, baby when you sigh
(When you sigh)
I wanna sigh with you
I want to share in your emotional experiences, including when you sigh
When you cry
(When you cry)
I wanna cry some, too
I want to empathize with you and cry with you when you are sad
Now, ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Oh, ain't that love
That I feel
(That I feel)
In my heart for you
This emotional connection we share is love, and I feel it deeply in my heart for you
When your friends
(When your friends)
Turn their back on you
I'll be there
(I'll be there)
Just to see you through
I will be there to support and help you through tough times, even when your friends abandon you
Now, ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Ain't that love
(Ain't that love)
Ain't that love
Ain't that love
Baby, that I feel in my heart for you
This unwavering support and care I have for you, even in difficult situations, is love
Now when you walk
(When you walk)
I wanna walk with you
When you talk
(When you talk)
I wanna talk some, too
I want to be by your side and share in your everyday experiences, including walking and talking
If you ever
(If you ever)
Ever need a friend
I'll be there
(Be with you)
Until the end
I will always be here for you as a faithful friend, no matter what happens
Don't you know
Baby, don't you know
Ain't that love, baby
That I feel in my heart for you
I hope you realize that the strong emotions I have for you are love
Baby, won't you let me hold your hand
Let me squeeze you just as tight as I can
Baby, don't you need me by your side
To protect you and be your guide
Baby, I'm so in love with you
Do anything you tell me to
I want to show you my love by being close to you and protecting you, and I am devoted to following your lead
Oh, that I feel in my heart for you
Hey, that I feel in my heart for you
Oh, that I feel in my heart for you
Hey, that I feel in my heart for you
Hey, that I feel in my heart for you
The repeating chorus emphasizes the depth of the love felt in the heart for the listener
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colette Soderburg
The smile on Bill Withers' face says it all. The pure love of music and hearing one of his classics sung by someone he admires. Beautiful...
Alfonso Roberto Rodriguez Moron
Really
Stacy Harris
That look on his face says it all...Bill wrote & made the song famous but here he is helpless as Stevie rips it in front of him...damn!!!
Alan Canham
Truly.
Radio K Bear
My english is very bad, but I share the same impression. It's a beautiful moment. Greetings from Spain.
Carlene Roberts
@Radio K Bear ❤😎❤😎❤
thomdotexe
Stevie's sense of rhythm and singing ability has not diminished at all with age, only matured.
Julian Papin
Very true
Potluck Stew
I can tell Bill Whithers had to hold back tears as the legendary Stevie Wonder beautifully sang his song.
bsyt2011
Nope! I disagree (respectfully)... Bill was transfixed. In the moment. Loved it. Was in awe. Was honoured.
(.... but most possibly welled up afterwards. 😍)