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.
Fingertips
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say yeah (yeah)
Say yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Just a little bit of soul
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Clap your hands just a little bit louder
I know, that-a, yeah
Everybody had a good time
So if you want me to
If you want me to
I'm gonna swing the song, yeah
Just one more time when I come by
Just one more time when I come by
So be advised
Come on, goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
I'm gonna go, yeah
Gonna go, yeah, dance, you swingin' mama, yeah
The lyrics to Stevie Wonder's song "Fingertips" describe a scene of pure joy and exuberance as the singer encourages everyone around him to partake in a little bit of soul. The repeated refrain of "yeah, yeah, yeah" sets the tone for a raucous party atmosphere, with the call-and-response style of the verses creating a sense of collective celebration. As the audience claps along to the beat, the singer implores them to keep the energy going by clapping a little bit louder. The song reaches its peak as the singer promises to swing the song one more time when he comes back, and bids farewell to the audience with a cry of "goodbye, goodbye."
Interpreting the lyrics of "Fingertips" reveals a deeper meaning than just a simple party song. The repeated phrase "just a little bit" suggests a sense of restraint and hesitation that the singer is urging the audience to let go of. By encouraging everyone to clap a little bit louder and dance a little bit more fervently, he is asking them to break free from their inhibitions and lose themselves in the music. The final plea to "dance, you swingin' mama" creates an image of carefree abandon and liberation, encouraging listeners to let go of societal norms and simply enjoy themselves.
Overall, "Fingertips" is a song about letting loose and celebrating life. Its infectious beat and catchy chorus have made it an enduring classic, beloved by generations of fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody say yeah (yeah)
Encouraging audience participation and engagement with the music
Say yeah (yeah)
Continuing to prompt audience participation
Say yeah (yeah)
Continuing to prompt audience participation
Yeah (yeah)
A celebratory affirmation
Yeah, yeah, yeah
A joyful exclamation
Just a little bit of soul
Acknowledging the power of soul music
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
A joyful exclamation
Clap your hands just a little bit louder
Encouraging the audience to become more physically involved with the music
Clap your hands just a little bit louder
Reiterating the call for audience engagement
I know, that-a, yeah
Expressing confidence in the musical performance thus far
Everybody had a good time
Asserting that everyone present is enjoying the music
So if you want me to
Offering to take song requests from the audience
If you want me to
Reiterating the offer to take song requests
I'm gonna swing the song, yeah
Promising to perform another song to keep the audience energized
Just one more time when I come by
Promising to perform the song again during a future performance
Just one more time when I come by
Reiterating the promise to perform the song again
So be advised
Encouraging the audience to take note of this promise
Come on, goodbye, goodbye
Indicating that the performance is coming to an end
Goodbye, goodbye
Wishing the audience farewell
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Repeating the farewell sentiment
I'm gonna go, yeah
Announcing the performer's imminent departure
Gonna go, yeah, dance, you swingin' mama, yeah
Encouraging a particular audience member to continue enjoying and dancing to the music
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Cosby, Clarence O. Paul
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
eammae
Jordan Peele definitely has a way of taking specific music for his movies and transforming them.
apple flowers
!!!
BK
I wonder if the aliens are using their “finger tips” to get a feel for us
Albert Smith III
This Nope trailer brought me here
MultiCreativeArtist
How do these film industries come up with songs for their trailers?
Three-Dimensional Glitch
This is also a nice addition considering the fact that the 60's was a trending topic for Aliens.
Al Mailhes, Jr.
This came out when I was 17. I played it thousands of times, and still love it now that I am 76 years old!! 2020
BlindFocus1
Wow—to have been 17 in 1963; what a time! Thank you for your comment, and as a 20-something, I am certainly glad you are still with us. Have a good day!
Al Mailhes, Jr.
Thanks alot! Very kind.@BlindFocus1
Nancy Barry
I was 15 and it was the first 45 I ever bought. I’m 73 now, still loving Stevie Wonder.