The song was originally recorded in 1966, but not released (it was subsequently remixed for release in 1969). Co-written by Stevie Wonder and the songwriters-producers Henry Cosby and Sylvia Moy, the song was an autobiographical account by Stevie Wonder about a woman he was fascinated with while in school at the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, Michigan.
The song was originally written as "Oh My Marcia" but Moy told Stevie to change the name from Marcia to cherie amour. The song became a #4 hit on both the Billboard pop and R&B singles charts in 1969. The song has been covered by fellow Motown act The Jackson 5, as well as by vocalists Andy Williams for his 1969 RIAA-certified gold album Get Together with Andy Williams and Billy Eckstine for his 1971 album Feel the Warm. Its familiar bass line has also been used in several other songs, most notably Until You Come Back to Me by Aretha Franklin and Soul Inspiration by Anita Baker.
My Cherie Amour is played on the Miss Dior Cherie commercial starring Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough.
Stevie Wonder's song in DTV was set to Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film).
My Cherie Amour
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La-la-la-la-la-la
My cherie amour, lovely as a summer day
My cherie amour, distant as the Milky Way
My cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore
You're the only girl my heart beats for
How I wish that you were mine
In a café or sometimes on a crowded street
I've been near you, but you never noticed me
My cherie amour, won't you tell me how could you ignore
That behind that little smile I wore
How I wish that you were mine
La-la-la-la-la-la
La la la la la la
La-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la
Maybe someday, you'll see my face among the crowd
Maybe someday, I'll share your little distant cloud
Oh, cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore
You're the only girl my heart beats for
How I wish that you were mine
La-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la
Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" is a sweet and tender love song that expresses a yearning for a special someone. The lyrics paint a picture of an unrequited love, as Wonder sings about his affection for a woman whom he admires from afar. His cherie amour is described as having qualities that are both lovely and distant, making her all the more desirable. Despite being close to her physically, Wonder laments that she never seems to notice him. He longs for her to reciprocate his feelings, to acknowledge the smile he wears despite her obliviousness to his presence. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the possibility that the object of his affection may someday see him and they will share a little cloud together.
The lyrics to "My Cherie Amour" are a testament to Stevie Wonder's ability to craft a love song that is both simple and profound. His use of comparisons to celestial objects such as a summer day and the Milky Way highlight the unique beauty of his cherie amour. At the same time, the lyrics are relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain and longing of an unrequited love. Wonder's vocals, backed by a catchy melody and lush instrumentation, make this song a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
My cherie amour, lovely as a summer day
My beloved, you are as wonderful and beautiful as a warm, sunny day in the summer.
My cherie amour, distant as the Milky Way
Even though you are my cherished love, you seem far away and unreachable, like the stars in the Milky Way galaxy.
My cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore
My beloved, you are so pretty and small, and I admire and love you so much.
You're the only girl my heart beats for
Out of all the girls I've met, you are the only one who makes my heart skip a beat and fills me with love.
How I wish that you were mine
I long for you to be mine and for us to be together in a romantic relationship.
In a café or sometimes on a crowded street
I've seen you in various public places like cafes and busy streets.
I've been near you, but you never noticed me
Despite being close to you sometimes, it seems like you have never noticed me.
My cherie amour, won't you tell me how could you ignore
My beloved, can you explain why you seem to be ignoring me even though I am always there around you?
That behind that little smile I wore
Despite putting on a small smile when I see you, deep down it pains me that you don't seem to notice or acknowledge me.
Maybe someday, you'll see my face among the crowd
Hopefully one day you will recognize me out of the many people in a crowd and we can finally connect.
Maybe someday, I'll share your little distant cloud
Perhaps in the future, I will be able to join you in your faraway world of thoughts and feelings.
Oh, cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore
My beloved, you are still so lovely and dear to me despite the distance and lack of attention.
La-la-la-la-la-la
An interlude of joyful sounds in response to the overwhelming emotion expressed in the song.
La la la la la la
Continuation of the joyful sounds.
La-la-la-la-la-la
Concluding the joyful interlude.
La-la-la-la-la-la
Final repetition of the interlude sounds.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy
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!