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.
Dark'n Lovely
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On earth's motherland
Where a people
Die in bantu stands
Manchild at eight
Will face guns of hate
Womanchild's fate
Is life second rate
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely
They do a dance
Called Mbaqana jive
Rainbow people
Dancin' to stay alive
After hours
Party hand in hand
After Shebeen
Terror strikes again
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely
Dark 'n' lovely Dark 'n' lovely
Dark 'n' lovely
The whole planet's watchin'
And the Sun God is watchin', too
Hey there Botha
Yes, we are watchin' you
Spirits can do
Jah will stop this reign
Watch our world turn
To help those in pain
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely
Dark 'n' lovely
Dark 'n' lovely
Dark 'n' lovely
Dark 'n' lovely
The lyrics to Stevie Wonder's song Dark'n Lovely describe the struggles and injustices faced by black people in South Africa during apartheid. The opening lines set the stage for the song, speaking of a place on Earth's motherland where black people face discrimination and violence. The song then goes on to describe the experiences of both children and adults, with manchildren facing guns of hate and womanchild's fate being one of life second rate. The lyrics "just because they're dark 'n' lovely" point to the notion that skin color should not dictate treatment or opportunities given to people.
The second half of the song introduces a more positive narrative, highlighting the resilience and pride of black South Africans. The dance called Mbaqana jive and the imagery of rainbow people dancing to stay alive show the perseverance and joy found amidst hardship. However, the song takes a turn again with the mention of terror striking after the party and Shebeen. This continues to highlight the danger and discrimination still faced by black people in South Africa.
The last verse of the song calls on those in power to take action against the injustice and violence experienced by black South Africans. The lyrics mention the whole planet watching and the Sun God watching, putting pressure on apartheid leader Botha to make changes. The reference to spirits and Jah stopping the reign show a belief in a higher power intervening to make things right. The song ends with a call to action to help those in pain.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a place
In the Motherland, there exists a place,
On earth's motherland
On the African continent,
Where a people
Where a specific ethnic group of people,
Die in bantu stands
Face violence and death due to their Bantu heritage.
Manchild at eight
Even young boys at the age of eight,
Will face guns of hate
Are not exempt from experiencing hatred and violence.
Womanchild's fate
The destiny of young girls,
Is life second rate
Is viewed as less valuable and deserving of fewer opportunities.
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely
Simply because of their complexion which is both dark and beautiful,
They do a dance
They have created a dance form,
Called Mbaqana jive
Known as the Mbaqana jive.
Rainbow people
A diverse range of people,
Dancin' to stay alive
Using dance as a way of coping and survival.
After hours
Late at night,
Party hand in hand
People come together to celebrate,
After Shebeen
After a gathering in a rural tavern,
Terror strikes again
Acts of terror and violence continue to happen.
Dark 'n' lovely Dark 'n' lovely
The phrase 'dark 'n' lovely' is repeated to emphasize the importance of this characteristic.
The whole planet's watchin'
Everyone in the world is aware of this suffering.
And the Sun God is watchin', too
Even a higher power is aware of what is happening.
Hey there Botha
A direct address to South African president at the time, P.W. Botha.
Yes, we are watchin' you
The people are holding those in charge accountable for the continued suffering.
Spirits can do
Higher powers have the ability to intervene,
Jah will stop this reign
And will eventually end this oppressive regime.
Watch our world turn
Everyone is aware of the movement and change happening around them.
To help those in pain
With the hope of aiding those who are experiencing suffering.
Dark 'n' lovely
The phrase 'dark 'n' lovely' is repeated as a reminder of what is at stake.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Wolfhoundersful
There is a place
On earth's motherland
Where a people
Die in bantu stands
Manchild at eight
Will face guns of hate
Womanchild's fate
Is life second rate
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely [2x]
They do a dance
Called mbaqana jive
Rainbow people
Dancin' to stay alive
After hours
Party hand in hand
After shebeen
Terror strikes again
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely [2x]
Dark 'n' lovely [3x]
The whole planet's watchin'
And the Sun God is watchin', too
Hey there Botha
Yes, we are watchin' you
Spirits can do
Jah will stop this reign
Watch our world turn
To help those in pain
Just because they're dark 'n' lovely [4x]
Dark 'n' lovely [2x]
@alphonsejohn8728
Stevie is sure a genius the bass line is out of sight wow
@Jaburu
underated album
@OldeSkool1
I know. It seems whenever they mention Stevie's eighties albums HOTTER THAN JULY and IN FULL CIRCLE always gets mentioned. This album doesn't get the propos it deserves.
@MuzikIzMyLyfe
I agree!!! This brings back some great memories!!!
@tombarzey7964
So true! This classic tune was played on Soul Train alot back in the day.
@user-dq1kr6zc2t
Great production.
@jewelofaries
My all time favorite artist. One of my favorites from him and one of his most underrated jams.
@Carriekickass
Dark & Lovely...The songs is actually sad, but Stevie will have your ass rockin' out! Don't be on the dance floor and actually listen to the lyrics; you just might stop mid slide! 😂
@callmemrgg4028
That's right you get lost in the rhythm and you don't hear the anguish
@KOMET2006
A throwback to when R&B music was still worth listening to. Have loved this song from the moment I first heard it in 1987.