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.
Master Blaster
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's hotter than July
Though the world's full of problems
They couldn't touch us even if they tried
From the park I hear rhythms
Marley's hot on the box
Tonight there will be a party
On the corner at the end of the block
Didn't know you would be jammin' until the break of dawn
See, nobody ever told you
That you would be jammin' until the break of dawn
You would be jammin' and jammin' and jammin' jam oh
They want us to join their fighting
But our answer today
Is to let all our worries
Like the breeze through our fingers slip away
Peace has come to Zimbabwe
Third World's right on the one
Now's the time for celebration
'Cause we've only just begun
Didn't know you would be jammin' until the break of dawn
See, nobody ever told you
That you would be jammin' until the break of dawn
Bet you nobody ever told you that you
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
I know nobody told you that you
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn (we're in the middle of the makin's)
(Of the master blaster jammin')
But gonna jammin', jammin', jammin', jam on
You ask me am I happy
Well as matter of fact
I can say that I'm ecstatic
'Cause we all just made a pact
We've agreed to get together
Joined as children in Jah
When you're moving in the positive
Your destination is the brightest star
You didn't know you
(We're in the middle of the makin's)
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn (of the master blaster jammin')
Bet you nobody ever told you that you (We're in the middle of the makin's)
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
Oh, you would be jammin' until the break of dawn
Don't you stop the music, no no
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
I bet you if someone approaches you
Yesterday to tell you that you would be jammin' you would not believe it
Because you never thought that you would be jammin' oh, oh, oh, oh
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Oh, oh, oh, you may as well believe what you are feeling
Because you feel your body jammin'
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
In Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster," the artist radiates positivity, even amidst the world's numerous problems. The song communicates a sense of joy and celebration, particularly with its references to music, rhythm, and the idea of "jamming." The opening lyrics convey the sense that everyone is feeling good, and the heat of summer only adds to the celebratory vibe. The references to Bob Marley and a party at the corner of the block emphasize the importance of music in bringing people together and creating a sense of community.
The second half of the song offers a more political message. While acknowledging the existence of "problems," the song offers a solution that centers around the idea of "joining together" and finding "peace." Zimbabwe is referenced as a place where "peace has come," echoing the political struggles of the time. The repeated refrain of "jamming until the break of dawn" by the end of the song emphasizes the idea of celebration in the face of difficulties.
Overall, "Master Blaster" is a hopeful and optimistic song that centers around the power of music to unite and uplift people. Its references to Bob Marley, Zimbabwe, and celebrating in the face of difficulty make it a distinctly political song, as well.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone's feeling pretty
Everyone is in a good mood
It's hotter than July
It's very hot outside
Though the world's full of problems
Despite the problems in the world
They couldn't touch us even if they tried
Nothing can bring us down
From the park I hear rhythms
I hear music from the park
Marley's hot on the box
Bob Marley's music is playing loudly
Tonight there will be a party
There's a party happening tonight
On the corner at the end of the block
The party is on the street corner
Didn't know you would be jammin' until the break of dawn
You didn't expect to be dancing all night
See, nobody ever told you
You were not informed
That you would be jammin' until the break of dawn
That you would be dancing all night
You would be jammin' and jammin' and jammin' jam oh
You would be dancing non-stop
They want us to join their fighting
They want us to participate in their conflict
But our answer today
But our response is
Is to let all our worries
Is to ignore our concerns
Like the breeze through our fingers slip away
Let them go easily
Peace has come to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has found peace
Third World's right on the one
The Third World is on the right track
Now's the time for celebration
It's time to celebrate
'Cause we've only just begun
We're just getting started
You ask me am I happy
You ask if I'm happy
Well as matter of fact
Actually
I can say that I'm ecstatic
I'm extremely happy
'Cause we all just made a pact
We all made an agreement
We've agreed to get together
We agreed to come together
Joined as children in Jah
United through our faith in God
When you're moving in the positive
When you have a positive attitude
Your destination is the brightest star
You will reach great heights
Don't you stop the music, no no
Keep the music playing
I bet you if someone approaches you
I'm sure if someone came up to you
Yesterday to tell you that you would be jammin' you would not believe it
If someone told you yesterday that you'd be dancing all night, you wouldn't believe it
Because you never thought that you would be jammin' oh, oh, oh, oh
You never expected to be dancing non-stop
Oh, oh, oh, you may as well believe what you are feeling
You should believe what you're experiencing
Because you feel your body jammin'
Because you're dancing so much
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder
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!