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 Parts 1
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, say Yeah, (yeah), yeah, (yeah), yeah, yeah, yeah.
Just a little bit of sou-ou-ou-ou-oul
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Clap your hands just a little bit louder
Clap your hands just a little bit louder
Ev'rybody had a good time.
So, if you want me to, if you want me to;
I'm gonna swing this song, yeah,
just-a one more time until I come back,
just-a one more time until I come back.
The song "Fingertips" by Stevie Wonder is a classic soul and R&B track that captures the energy and excitement of live music performance. The lyrics start with an invitation for the audience to join in and sing along with the chorus, creating an interactive and participatory experience. The use of repetition in the "Yeah, yeah" and "Clap your hands just a little bit louder" creates an infectious and lively atmosphere that makes it impossible to resist joining in.
As the song progresses, we get a sense of Stevie Wonder's desire to please the audience and make sure everyone is having a good time. The line "I know that I never got to hey yeah" suggests that perhaps he didn't quite hit all the right notes or perform to his full potential, but he still wants to keep going and "swing this song" one more time.
Overall, "Fingertips" is a celebration of live music performance, audience participation, and the joy of sharing music with others. Through its high energy, catchy rhythm, and meaningful lyrics, the song captures the essence of soul and R&B music and showcases Stevie Wonder's incredible talent and charisma as a performer.
Line by Line Meaning
Ev'rybody sing Yeah, Yeah, say Yeah, Yeah, say Yeah, (yeah), yeah, (yeah), yeah, yeah, yeah.
Everyone join in and shout 'Yeah!' together repeatedly to express happiness and joy.
Just a little bit of sou-ou-ou-ou-oul Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
This song contains a small amount of soulful music, which makes it enjoyable and pleasurable to hear.
Clap your hands just a little bit louder Clap your hands just a little bit louder
Audience is asked to participate in the performance by clapping their hands and making a joyful noise to create excitement and increase the energy of the song.
I know that I never got to hey yeah. Everybody had a good time.
The singer is aware that he missed out on part of the fun and celebration but is happy that everyone else enjoyed it.
So, if you want me to, if you want me to; I'm gonna swing this song, yeah, just-a one more time until I come back, just-a one more time until I come back.
The singer offers to play the song one more time if the audience requests it, promising to return and play it again during a future performance.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLARENCE O. PAUL, CLARENCE O. PAULING, HENRY COSBY
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.