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.
Bedtime For Toys
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mommy says that it's time for sleep
If my folks were wiser and older
They'd know kids and toys don't need sleep
Don't be bad, little cotton dolly
See how nice Mickey Mouse sleeps now?
Even my brass drummer boy has stopped all his noise
Ya know, every Christmas, Santa Claus goes all over the world with his reindeer
His sled, and a big bag of toys, and he'll come to your house this year too
But sometimes, just sometimes, he doesn't have enough time
To see every little boy and girl, because the world is so big
So maybe we should sing a song for all the children that Santa didn't visit
Bless the child who has no tin soldier
No brass drummer boy to put to bed
He will still grow wiser and older
Loving one small rag doll, instead
He won't have a cotton dolly
Mickey Mouse won't come to his house
Hold that rag doll to your heart, nothing can destroy
The beauty one shall find in one small toy
Stevie Wonder's song Bedtime For Toys is a nostalgic and charming lullaby that speaks about the importance of treasuring childhood toys. The song's lyrics remind us of the times we spent as young children, when we were told that it was time to sleep and put away our toys. The singer tells us that his parents don't understand that children and toys don't need to sleep because they are perfect playmates that keep us company in our dreams. The song portrays the innocence and playfulness of childhood, where even inanimate objects like tin soldiers and drummer boys are given personalities.
The second stanza in the song addresses Santa Claus, who travels the world delivering toys and presents to children. Still, sometimes not every child gets a visit from Santa, as the world is vast and time is limited. The singer suggests singing a song dedicated to the children that Santa couldn't visit. The song's final stanza is an ode to the less fortunate children who may not have fancy toys like tin soldiers, cotton dolls or Mickey Mouse, but still hold a deep love for their small Rag Dolls. It's a message to appreciate the beauty we can find in simplicity and to be thankful for the toys we have.
In summary, Stevie Wonder's Bedtime For Toys is a celebration of childhood, embracing the memories and toys that made it special. The song's lyrics are a reflection of a time where the world was happier and more carefree, imbued with the dreams and joys of childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
Close your eyes, beddy-bye, tin soldier
It's time for toys to go to bed too as just like us, they too need rest.
Mommy says that it's time for sleep
Parents know better when it's the right time for their children and toys to sleep.
If my folks were wiser and older
If parents were more understanding and experienced, they would know that toys don't need to sleep.
They'd know kids and toys don't need sleep
Children and their toys don't need sleep as there can be many moments of fun and imagination to be had while awake.
Don't be bad, little cotton dolly
Everyone needs to behave well before going to bed, even toys.
See how nice Mickey Mouse sleeps now?
Even the most active toys know when it's time to close their eyes and rest.
Even my brass drummer boy has stopped all his noise
The most energetic toys like drummer boys also know when it's past their bedtime.
'Cause he knows it's past bedtime for toys
Toys instinctively know when it's night time and time to rest.
Ya know, every Christmas, Santa Claus goes all over the world with his reindeer
Santa Claus, the legendary Christmas gift giver travels across the globe to bring joy to children everywhere.
His sled, and a big bag of toys, and he'll come to your house this year too
On Christmas, Santa comes with his bunch of toys to make children happy at their doorstep.
But sometimes, just sometimes, he doesn't have enough time
Santa is a busy guy and sometimes he can't reach every child due to time constraints.
To see every little boy and girl, because the world is so big
There are so many children in the world that Santa has to travel a great distance to see them all.
So maybe we should sing a song for all the children that Santa didn't visit
We should share Christmas joy with children who couldn't meet with Santa.
Bless the child who has no tin soldier
It's important for children to enjoy whatever toys they have and not be concerned with lacking something grander.
No brass drummer boy to put to bed
Even if one has a simple toy, it's still important to treat them with respect.
He will still grow wiser and older
Children and their toys can learn and grow together with time.
Loving one small rag doll, instead
Even the smallest, simplest toy can bring happiness and joy to a child.
He won't have a cotton dolly
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a toy to play with, but we should still appreciate what we have.
Mickey Mouse won't come to his house
Even if one can't afford fancy and stylish toys, it doesn't mean they are any less special.
Hold that rag doll to your heart, nothing can destroy
Even though a toy is simple or even worn out, it still holds special memories and sentimental value.
The beauty one shall find in one small toy
Toys hold a remarkable power to connect children with creativity and imagination.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald N. Miller, Orlando Murden
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!