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.
Edge Of Eternity
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
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Well that goes to show what you need to know
'Cause I ain't yackin' nothin' I ain't packin'
My love can get with your love toe to toe
So when you're ready
Really, truly ready
Holding strong and steady
'Cause if you start it
I am gonna finish it
I am gonna knock it
Like it ain't been knocked before
Getting with this
Know you're gonna be
Stepping off the edge of eternity
Just one kiss
Know it's you and me
Stepping off to the edge of eternity
Woo, yeah
Ooh, no, no, no, nah, nah, nah, baby
Dead air time is all you say you're hearing
Well that shows how much you don't comprehend
'Cause it's not in the loud but in the quiet
Where lies the thing that will make your head spin
So when you're willin'
Really, truly willin'
Not just simply illin'
You just let me know
'Cause when you get it
I ain't gonna quit it
Girl, I'm gonna hit it
Like it ain't been hit before
Getting with this (getting with this)
Know you're gonna be (know you're gonna be)
Stepping off to the edge of eternity (stepping off, to the edge of eternity)
Just one kiss (just one kiss)
Know it's you and me (know it's you and me)
Stepping off to the edge of eternity (stepping off, to the edge of eternity)
Woo, yeah
Ooh, no, no, no, nah, nah, nah, baby
Pie in the sky is all you say I can deliver
Well wait 'til you feel what I've got in store
One hundred and eighty pounds of good and plenty
And when you've got the need I've got some more
So when you mean it
Really, truly mean it
Not just scheming to get to it
We can get it on
'Cause if you woo it
I'm going to get to it
Girl, we're gonna do it
'Til every ounce is gone
Getting with this (getting with this)
Know you're gonna be (know you're gonna be)
Stepping off to the edge of eternity (stepping off, to the edge of eternity)
Just one kiss (just one kiss)
Know it's you and me (know it's you and me)
Stepping off to the edge of eternity (stepping off, to the edge of eternity)
Woo, yeah
Ooh, no, no, no, nah, nah, nah, baby
Are you ready to step off the edge into eternity?
Really, really ready to step off the edge into eternity?
'Cause if you're ready to step off the edge into eternity
We can step right off the edge into eternity
Are you ready to step off the edge into eternity?
Really, really ready to step off the edge into eternity?
'Cause if you're ready to step off the edge into eternity
We can step right off the edge into eternity, ooh
The first verse of Stevie Wonder's "Edge Of Eternity" seems to be addressing someone who questions the authenticity of Stevie's intentions, accusing him of trying to sell “Wolf Tickets” or lies to gain love. Stevie acknowledges this and tells the person that he is not hiding anything and that his love can match theirs. He then challenges the person to step up and meet him “toe to toe”. The chorus portrays the idea that by connecting with Stevie and getting with him, they will both be able to step off the edge of eternity. This could be interpreted as them taking a leap of faith and giving themselves fully to each other.
The second verse challenges someone who doesn't understand the importance of silence in a relationship. Stevie believes that communication is not all about loudness, but rather the quiet moments where they can truly connect. He tells the person that when they are truly willing to be with him and not just pretending to be interested, then he is ready to love them like never before. The final verse is Stevie's response to someone who doubts he can deliver on his promises. He tells them to wait and see what he has in store because he is full of both love and passion. He wants the person to commit fully to him and he promises to give them everything they need until they have no more left to give.
Line by Line Meaning
Wolf tickets are all you say I'm selling
You accuse me of lying and selling false promises
Well that goes to show what you need to know
Your opinion reveals your own lack of knowledge
'Cause I ain't yackin' nothin' I ain't packin'
I am not talking about anything I cannot deliver
My love can get with your love toe to toe
Our love can compete with each other and match evenly
Dead air time is all you say you're hearing
You claim I am not saying anything worthwhile
Well that shows how much you don't comprehend
Your response demonstrates a lack of understanding
'Cause it's not in the loud but in the quiet
The truth is not found in loud noise, but in the silence
Where lies the thing that will make your head spin
The thing that will surprise and excite you is hidden in the quiet
Pie in the sky is all you say I can deliver
You think I am promising something impossible or unrealistic
Well wait 'til you feel what I've got in store
Just wait until you experience what I have to offer
One hundred and eighty pounds of good and plenty
I have an abundance of good things to share with you
And when you've got the need I've got some more
I have more to give when you need it
Getting with this (getting with this)
Joining me in this endeavor
Know you're gonna be (know you're gonna be)
You will be sure to experience
Stepping off to the edge of eternity (stepping off, to the edge of eternity)
Venturing into something new and exciting
Just one kiss (just one kiss)
A single moment of intimacy
Know it's you and me (know it's you and me)
We are in this together
Are you ready to step off the edge into eternity?
Are you willing to take a risk and embark on a journey with me?
Really, really ready to step off the edge into eternity?
Are you truly prepared to take the leap with me?
'Cause if you're ready to step off the edge into eternity
If you are willing to take the risk with me
We can step right off the edge into eternity
We can embark on this exciting adventure together
Woo, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement
Ooh, no, no, no, nah, nah, nah, baby
A vocalization expressing contentment or satisfaction
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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!