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.
High Heel Sneakers
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Put on your red dress baby 'cause we're going out tonight
Wear your boxing gloves in case some fool might wanna fight
Put on your high heeled sneakers and put your wig hat on your head
Put on your high heeled sneakers and put your wig hat on your head
May not win a prize, I'm pretty sure you're gonna knock them dead
Put on your red dress baby 'cause we're going out tonight
Wear your boxing gloves in case some fool might wanna
fight
In Stevie Wonder's song "High Heel Sneakers," the lyrics speak to a woman getting ready to go out on the town with her man. The repeated line "Put on your red dress baby 'cause we're going out tonight" sets the tone for a night of excitement and glamour. The use of the phrase "red dress" primes the listener to imagine a confident, sultry woman who is ready for anything.
The next few lines go into specific details of how the woman should dress for the night. The lyrics mention high heeled sneakers, which sounds like a contradiction, but it speaks to the idea of combining practicality with style. The woman is being encouraged to wear something that will allow her to walk comfortably while still looking fashionable. The lyrics also mention a wig hat which could be interpreted in a number of ways. It adds to the overall sense of glamour and also shows that the woman is willing to experiment with her look.
Finally, the lyrics suggest the woman bring her boxing gloves in case some fool might want to start a fight. This line can be taken as a tongue-in-cheek warning to any men who may try to approach this woman. It also speaks to the idea of not backing down from conflict and standing up for oneself.
Overall, "High Heel Sneakers" is a fun and upbeat song about a night out on the town. The lyrics paint a visual picture of a confident and fashionable woman who is ready to have a good time.
Contributed by Hailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@calvinguile1315
Jack Ashford is playing that tambourine like he’s in church ❤
@ComedyAlways
He was 15 when he did this.
@danielburns987
this song went to #30 on the R&B charts in 1965!!!
@gilbertcordero2761
Awesome blues!!
@leroycreasey
Stevie Wonder did the best rendition of hi heel sneakers!!
@Roystothecoolkid
This is good, but imo Jerry Lee Lewis has the best version
@rarerockk
JLLs version can't be beaten. Was gonna say the same like the commenter 3 years ago lol
@calvinguile1315
From "The Motor town Revue in Paris" album...Stevie took this show!
@d.a.elliottjr.367
I've heard many artists covering this song but I never knew Stevie Wonder covered it too.
@yukkaplays2566
This was released in 1965 or 66.