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.
As
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
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And the rosebuds know to bloom in early may
Just as hate knows love's the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I'll be loving you always
As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing will grow older every day
You know what I say is true
That I'll be loving you always
(Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky)
Always
(Until the ocean covers every mountain high)
Always
(Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea)
Always
(Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream)
Did you know that true love asks for nothing
No no her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I'll be loving you always
As today I know I'm living
But tomorrow could make me the past
But that I mustn't fear
For I'll know deep in my mind
The love of me I've left behind
'Cause I'll be loving you always
(Until the day is night and night becomes the day)
Always
(Until the trees and seas just up and fly away)
Always
(Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four)
Always
(Until the day that is the day that are no more)
Did you know you're loved by somebody
(Until the day the earth starts turnin' right to left)
Always
(Until the earth just for the sun denies itself)
I'll be lovin' you forever
(Until dear mother nature says her work is through)
Always
(Until the day that you are me and I am you)
Always
(Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Until the ocean severs every mountain high)
Always mm mm
We all know sometimes life hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet your lifetimes that and twice it's double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
So make sure when you say you're in it, but not of it
You're not helpin' to make this earth
A place sometimes called hell
Change your words into truths
And then change that truth into love
And maybe our children's grandchildren
And their great grandchildren will tell
I'll be loving you until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
The song “As” by Stevie Wonder is a beautiful ode to love that will last an eternity. The opening lyrics “As around the sun the earth knows she’s revolving / And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May” are a reference to the natural cycles of life, and how all living things have an innate sense of when to start blooming or rotating. The singer is saying that just as these things will continue to happen, he will likewise always love the person he is addressing. The line “Just as hate knows love’s the cure,” is a deep observation about the nature of love, and how it can triumph over any negative emotions that may arise.
The second verse speaks more about the nature of time, and how everything in life has a natural progression that cannot be stopped. The singer reaffirms his love, saying “You know what I say is true / That I'll be loving you always.” The bridge, “Did you know that true love asks for nothing / No no her acceptance is the way we pay / Did you know that life has given love a guarantee / To last through forever and another day,” is a beautiful affirmation of the power of love, and the fact that it is all-encompassing and eternal. The final verse speaks to the idea that life can be unpredictable, and how no one knows what the future holds. However, the singer says that even in death, he will still love the person he is addressing, proving that love truly can conquer all.
Line by Line Meaning
As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving
Just as the Earth knows its place around the sun, I know my place is with you
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early may
Just as the flowers know when it's time to bloom, I know it's time to love you
Just as hate knows love's the cure
Just as hate can be cured with love, I know my love for you can cure anything
You can rest your mind assure
You can rest assured that my love for you is unchanging
That I'll be loving you always
I will love you unconditionally and forever
As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow
Just as we can't predict the future, I can't predict my love for you
But in passing will grow older every day
As time goes by, my love for you will only grow stronger
Just as all that's born is new
Just as every new life is a fresh start, my love for you is a new beginning every day
You know what I say is true
I am certain that my love for you is true
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
I will continue to love you forever, even if the impossible happens
Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Real love does not expect anything in return, it is unconditional
No no her acceptance is the way we pay
The reward for loving without expecting anything in return is the acceptance of that love
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
Life guarantees that true love will last forever
To last through forever and another day
My love for you will continue until the end of time and beyond
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
Just as time knows to keep moving forward, my love for you will keep growing
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as the seasons change naturally, my love for you is a natural and unchanging force
Just as kindness knows no shame
Just as kindness should be given without shame, my love for you should be given without hesitation or embarrassment
Know through all your joy and pain
No matter what you go through in life, my love for you will remain constant
That I'll be loving you always
My love for you will endure forever
As today I know I'm living
Just as I am alive in the present moment, my love for you is alive and thriving
But tomorrow could make me the past
The future is uncertain and I don't know what it holds, but my love for you is certain
But that I mustn't fear
I will not be afraid of the future because I have faith in my love for you
For I'll know dear in my mind
I have complete confidence in my love for you
The love of me I've left behind
If anything happens to me, I want you to know that my love for you will always be present
Always
My love for you is eternal
We all know sometimes life hates and troubles
Life can be difficult and challenging for everyone
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
Sometimes we wish we could escape our problems and start anew
But you can bet your lifetimes that and twice it's double
I am absolutely certain that you are meant to be in my life
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
I believe that you were put into my life for a reason
So make sure when you say you're in it, but not of it
Be present in the moment, but don't get too caught up in the difficulties of life
You're not helpin' to make this earth
If you dwell on the negative, you will only contribute to a negative world
A place sometimes called hell
Focusing on the negative can make life feel like a living hell
Change your words into truths
Use positive language to create a positive reality
And then change that truth into love
Transform your positivity into love for yourself and those around you
And maybe our children's grandchildren
Perhaps even our distant descendants will feel the positive impact of our love
And their great grandchildren will tell
The legacy of our love will be passed down through the generations
I'll be loving you until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
My love for you is limitless and eternal
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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!