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.
God Bless the Child
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, yeah
Them that's got shall get
Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible says
And it still is news
But God bless the child that's got his own, yeah
That's got his own
Oh, yeah
Yes, the strong gets more
While the weak ones fade
Empty pockets don't
Ever make the grade, no, no, no, no
Mama may have, papa may have
But God bless the child who's got his own, yeah
That's got his own
Oh, yeah
Money, you've got lots of friends
Crowding 'round your door, oh yeah
But when you're gone and spending ends
Oh, they don't come around anymore, oh yeah
Rich relations give
Crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
Please don't take too much, no, no, no
Mama may have, papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own, yeah
That's got his own
Oh, rich relations give
Crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But oh, don't take too much, no, no, no
Mama may have, papa may have
God bless the child that's got his own, hoo
That's got his own, oh, hmm
That's got his own, yeah, hmm
I've got my own, hmm
That's got his own, la, la-la-la, la
Stevie Wonder's song God Bless The Child is a powerful commentary on the social and economic inequalities that exist in society. The lyrics say that those who have wealth and privilege are more likely to gain even more through their inherent advantages, while the less fortunate will continue to struggle and face obstacles. The line "Them that's got shall get / Them that's not shall lose / So the Bible says / And it still is news" highlights this message, acknowledging that this has been a known issue for centuries, and unfortunately, still exists today.
The song goes on to say that while having supportive parents or family members can be helpful, the truly blessed ones are the ones who have achieved success on their own merit. "God bless the child that's got his own" is a repeated refrain, emphasizing this idea that self-sufficiency and hard work are admirable qualities that should be celebrated.
The last verse shifts the focus towards the nature of relationships and how money can play a role in them. While having wealth can attract people, once the money is gone, so is the support of the "friends" who were only there for the wealth. The final refrain emphasizes the message that achieving independence and self-sufficiency is a worthwhile goal in itself.
Overall, Stevie Wonder's God Bless The Child is a commentary on the realities of societal inequality and the value of hard work and self-sufficiency.
Line by Line Meaning
Them that's got shall get
According to the Bible, those who already have will continue to receive more.
Them that's not shall lose
In contrast, those who do not have will lose even what they do have.
So the Bible says
This is a statement of something that the Bible teaches.
And it still is news
Even though this teaching is very old, it remains relevant and important today.
Mama may have, papa may have
Even if your parents are wealthy,
But God bless the child that's got his own, yeah
it is a great blessing to have financial independence and possessions that are truly your own.
Yes, the strong gets more
Those who are already successful continue to become even more so.
While the weak ones fade
Conversely, those who are not successful continue to struggle and lose ground.
Empty pockets don't
Being poor
Ever make the grade, no, no, no, no
is not considered success in our society.
Money, you've got lots of friends
When you have money, people are often very eager to be around you.
Crowding 'round your door, oh yeah
They come to you and try to get close to you in various ways.
But when you're gone and spending ends
However, when you no longer have money to spend,
Oh, they don't come around anymore, oh yeah
these people may quickly disappear and lose interest in you.
Rich relations give
Even wealthy family members
Crust of bread and such
might only give a small amount of help to those in need.
You can help yourself
But if you do have wealth and possessions,
Please don't take too much, no, no, no
you need to be careful not to take advantage of others or hoard your resources selfishly.
God bless the child that's got his own, hoo
Once again, it is a great blessing and privilege to have your own resources and financial independence.
That's got his own, oh, hmm
This is a repeated phrase emphasizing the importance of having one's own belongings and being self-sufficient.
I've got my own, hmm
The singer affirms that he himself has his own resources and is grateful for this.
That's got his own, la, la-la-la, la
This is another repetition of the phrase emphasizing the song's central message.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Herzog, Billie Holiday
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krompus
Stevie was only eighteen when he did this soulful rendition of the jazz standard. He has my respect.
Ian Goodridge
That voice doesn’t even sound close to eighteen….Genius 🔥🔥
Donnymac
I love this. A Billie Holiday song with Stevie's twist on it.
Sandra Bell
His voice is gorgeous
Radio Station Laptops
Published on Feb 3, 2008
Ian Goodridge
Another Stevie classic!!!!!!!!!!
tropicalpancake56
Love the way Steve and Motown produced this....very well done.
Banthum Bailey
Is this guy the greatest musician ever? It's like, I don't hear anything that can compare to this guy.
Usurped
Classic! Superb!
David Solis Jr.
I think this is the best version... When it started, I just stopped what I was doing, and looked at the screen just like, "Woah..."