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.
Don't You Worry ' Bout A Thing
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But some don't know how to handle it
Always reachin' out in vain
Just taking the things not worth having but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
They say your style of life's a drag
And that you must go other places
But just don't you feel too bad
When you get fooled by smiling faces but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
When you get it off your trip
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
When you get it off your trip
Everybody needs a change
A chance to check out the new
But you're the only one to see
The changes you take yourself through but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, pretty mama
'Cause I'll be standing in the wings
When you check it out
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Yeah
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
The opening lines of the song suggest that everyone has their own individual problems or "thing", but not everyone knows how to deal with them. The song emphasizes the importance of not being too concerned about these things and to focus on the positive aspects of life. Stevie Wonder sings about standing by the side of the person he is addressing, assuring them that everything will be okay.
The verse "They say your style of life's a drag" may be interpreted as criticism from others towards the person Stevie is addressing, suggesting that they should change their lifestyle. However, the person should not feel too bad about this because even though there may be people who try to put them down, they will always have someone who will support them.
The chorus repeats the message of not worrying about things, and the repeated rhythm of "Bam bambam bambam bambam" adds a sense of energy and positivity to the song. The final verse acknowledges the importance of change, but emphasizes that the only person who can make meaningful changes is the individual.
Overall, Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" is a song that encourages listeners to not get weighed down by worries and negative opinions from others. The uplifting message of the song is conveyed through a catchy melody and energetic rhythm, making it an enduring hit.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's got a thing
Everyone has their own unique character or talent
But some don't know how to handle it
But not everyone knows how to use or express their unique character or talent
Always reachin' out in vain
Often seeking things that are not worth having or unattainable
Just taking the things not worth having but
They settle for things that are not worth having
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't stress or fret about anything
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
Don't stress or fret about anything, Mom
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
Because I'll be there to support or assist you
When you check it out
When you investigate or explore something
They say your style of life's a drag
People criticize the way you live your life
And that you must go other places
People suggest that you should go somewhere else
But just don't you feel too bad
But don't feel too upset or discouraged
When you get fooled by smiling faces but
When you are deceived by insincere or fake people who appear friendly
When you get it off your trip
When you return from your journey or adventure
Everybody needs a change
Everyone needs to make a change or experience something new
A chance to check out the new
An opportunity to try or experience something new
But you're the only one to see
But only you can realize or understand
The changes you take yourself through but
The personal changes or growth that you experience
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, pretty mama
Don't stress or fret about anything, beautiful mother
'Cause I'll be standing in the wings
Because I'll be there to support or assist you, from the sidelines
Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Don't be anxious or troubled, no need to fret or fear
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't stress or fret about anything, dear
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OldSusannah1
Is this not the most positive, magical song ever? I remember being a little girl and hearing it through the radio - and was enchanted. Still totally am. It's sooooo beautiful and uplifting. Kind of like the man himself.
@wickedshadesproductions5254
there’s also Don’t Worry Be Happy and all of James Brown
@jefffirnhaber6250
I love you
@t.j.7789
Just what I need today!!!
@0921AV
Agree, agree, agree!!! It lifts my spirit every time.
@aquariuscheers9191
Absolutely.❤️
@glenncsombok3377
I'm 63 year old. I've been listening to this song since it came out. It's still one of my all time favorite songs! What a voice and talent. Thank you Steveland Hardaway Junkins!
@PaulPattiPhD
Me too, well just a bit younger at 61. But I remember the summer of ‘74 well and always will. Thank you, Stevie!!❤️⭐️👍🏆
@cathywulschner3646
Stevie Wonder is a blessing to the whole world
@irw4350
He's Mistra know it all............ Tha knows 😆😆😆