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.
Frankie & Johnny
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At least, that's the way the story goes
Frankie bought everything for Johnny
From his sports-car to his Ivy League clothes
Oh, he was a man allright,
Oh, but he was doing a-wrong
Just to show you what came happen
Said you know I wouldn't tell you no lie
I saw your man riding in his Jaguar
With a chick named Mary Bley
Oh if he was your man honey
Let me tell you he was doing you wrong
Let me tell the story
Frankie ran around the corner
And peeked in a swinging place
And there she saw Johnny with a woman
He had his arm around her waist
Oh he was a man alright
But Frankie could see that he was doing a-wrong
Oh let me tell you
Frankie reached down in her pocketbook
And up with a long 44
She shot once, twice, three times
And Johnny fell on the hardwood floor
Oh he was a man alright
But she shot him because he was doing a-wrong
But the last thing he told her was
Frankie, you know I love you
Why, honey why did you do that
Frankie, I was telling her about you
Frankie, you know I love you
Frankie, you know that I love you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Frankie you know good well that I love you
Frankie I'll always love you baby
Frankie, you know I can't do without you
Frankie, you know I love you
I'm your man and I know I was doing a-wrong
The song “Frankie & Johnny” is about a tragic love story between two sweethearts, Frankie and Johnny. According to the story, they were in love, and Frankie even bought Johnny everything from his sports car to his Ivy League clothes. However, Johnny was not faithful to her and was caught by a friend with another woman named Mary Bley in his Jaguar. Frankie decided to go and see for herself if this was true, and she saw Johnny with Mary in a swinging place, with his arm around her waist.
Frankie knows that he was doing wrong and immediately decides to take action. She pulls out a .44 Magnum from her pocketbook and shoots Johnny three times, killing him. Although she loved him deeply, she could not take the pain that he was putting her through. The final lines of the song show that Johnny was remorseful and trying to tell Frankie that he loved her, but it was too late.
Overall, the song tells a heartbreaking story of love, betrayal, and revenge. It depicts a situation where overwhelming emotion causes irreversible and devastating consequences. Stevie Wonder's rendition of the song is emotive and soulful, adding a unique flavor to the classic tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Frankie & Johnny were sweethearts
Frankie and Johnny were in a romantic relationship.
At least, that's the way the story goes
This may only be the popular perception of their relationship.
Frankie bought everything for Johnny
Frankie financially supported Johnny and provided him with material possessions.
From his sports-car to his Ivy League clothes
Frankie bought Johnny expensive items, such as a luxury car and prestigious university attire.
Oh, he was a man allright,
Johnny was a grown adult who was responsible for his actions.
Oh, but he was doing a-wrong
Despite Frankie's generosity and support, Johnny was unfaithful.
A friend came running to Frankie
Frankie's close acquaintance informed her of Johnny's infidelity.
Said you know I wouldn't tell you no lie
Frankie's friend assured her that the information was truthful.
I saw your man riding in his Jaguar
Frankie's friend witnessed Johnny driving his luxury car.
With a chick named Mary Bley
Johnny had another woman with him, identified as Mary Bley.
Oh if he was your man honey
Frankie's friend questioned whether Johnny was truly committed to her.
Let me tell you he was doing you wrong
Frankie's friend confirmed that Johnny was being unfaithful.
Frankie ran around the corner
Frankie hastily went to investigate the situation.
And peeked in a swinging place
Frankie discreetly looked into the venue where Johnny and Mary Bley were located.
And there she saw Johnny with a woman
Frankie observed Johnny in close proximity to another woman.
He had his arm around her waist
Johnny was physically intimate with this other woman.
But Frankie could see that he was doing a-wrong
Frankie was able to confirm Johnny's infidelity herself.
Frankie reached down in her pocketbook
Frankie retrieved a weapon from her purse.
And up with a long 44
Frankie pulled out a .44 caliber revolver.
She shot once, twice, three times
Frankie fired multiple rounds at Johnny.
And Johnny fell on the hardwood floor
Johnny was fatally wounded and collapsed onto the wooden surface.
But the last thing he told her was
Despite his infidelity and being shot, Johnny expressed his love for Frankie.
Frankie, you know I love you
Johnny professed his love for Frankie.
Why, honey why did you do that
Johnny questioned why Frankie had to resort to violence.
Frankie, I was telling her about you
Johnny claimed that he was discussing Frankie with Mary Bley.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Johnny reiterated his love for Frankie.
Frankie you know good well that I love you
Johnny reconfirmed his love for Frankie.
Frankie I'll always love you baby
Johnny stated that his love for Frankie would endure.
Frankie, you know I can't do without you
Johnny claimed that he was emotionally dependent on Frankie.
Frankie, you know I love you
Johnny once again professed his love for Frankie.
I'm your man and I know I was doing a-wrong
Johnny acknowledged his responsibility for being unfaithful to Frankie.
Lyrics © PAUL RODRIGUEZ MUSIC LTD.
Written by: TRAD (DP), ACKER BILK, STAN GREIG
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!