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.
One Little Christmas Tree
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for someone to come by
One little Christmas tree that never had grown
Cried as he looked up to the sky
"Oh please Mr. Father Tree, the tallest of all
I'm so afraid and so alone
Could one little Christmas tree
'Cause one little Christmas tree can light up a home
So one little child can find a toy
One little Christmas tree can light up a home
So one little heart can find some joy
One little angel who was riding a star
Cried as she looked down at the tree
"Oh please Mr. Father Tree, wherever you are
May I give him the star you gave to me?"
Then in the Heavens came a voice from afar
A voice that was heard throughout the world
"Go down little angel girl and give him your star
Tonight he'll light the world"
'Cause one little Christmas tree
Can light up the world
So those who are lost may find their way
One little Christmas tree can light up the world
So all men may see on Christmas day
One little Christmas tree
Can light up the world
So those who are lost may find their way
One little Christmas tree can light up the world
So all men may see on Christmas day
One little Christmas tree
Can light up the world
The lyrics to Stevie Wonder's song "One Little Christmas Tree" tell the story of a small, lonely Christmas tree who is waiting for someone to come by and take it home. The tree looks up to the sky and asks the Father Tree, the tallest tree of all, if it could light up someone's home so it won't be alone anymore.
The song then introduces an angel who is crying while looking down at the tree, asking the Father Tree if she could give the little Christmas tree the star he gave to her. Finally, a voice from afar instructs the angel to give the star to the little Christmas tree, and it lights up the world, bringing joy to all men on Christmas day.
The lyrics of "One Little Christmas Tree" reveal the importance and symbolism of Christmas trees during the holiday season. The song suggests that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things can bring light and joy to others during the festive period. The story of the little Christmas tree also represents the idea of hope and the power of kindness during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
One little Christmas tree was standing alone
There was a small and lonely Christmas tree standing by itself.
Waiting for someone to come by
The tree was waiting for someone to notice it and pay it some attention.
One little Christmas tree that never had grown
This tree hadn't grown as much as the others around it.
Cried as he looked up to the sky,
The tree started to cry, as it looked up at the sky.
"Oh please Mr. Father Tree, the tallest of all,
I'm so afraid and so alone
The small tree was pleading with the taller father tree for some help, as it felt very scared and alone.
Could one little Christmas tree
So tiny and small light up someone's home?"
The small tree wondered if it was capable of lighting up someone's home, despite being so tiny and small.
'Cause one little Christmas tree can light up a home
So one little child can find a toy
Even a small Christmas tree can light up a home, bringing joy to children who find toys under it.
One little Christmas tree can light up a home
So one little heart can find some joy
A lonely heart can find some happiness from a small Christmas tree that lights up their home.
One little angel who was riding a star
Cried as she looked down at the tree,
An angel on a star noticed the small and lonely tree, and started crying as she looked down at it.
"Oh please Mr. Father Tree, wherever you are
May I give him the star you gave to me?"
The angel asked the father tree if she could give the star he had given to her, to the small and lonely tree.
Then in the heavens came a voice from afar
A voice that was heard throughout the world,
A voice came from the heavens, and it was heard all around the world.
"Go down little angel girl and give him your star,
Tonight he'll light the world"
The voice told the angel to give her star to the small tree, and tonight it would light up the world.
'Cause one little Christmas tree
Can light up the world
So those who are lost may find their way
A small tree has the power to light up the world, and it can help people who are lost find their way.
One little Christmas tree can light up the world
So all men may see on Christmas day
One small Christmas tree can have a big impact on Christmas day, and everyone can see its light.
One little Christmas tree
Can light up the world
So those who are lost may find their way
A small and insignificant Christmas tree can bring light to the world and help those who are lost.
One little Christmas tree can light up the world
So all men may see on Christmas day
On Christmas day, a small Christmas tree can shine its light for all to see and bring hope and joy to people.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald N. Miller, Bryan Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
2bdefacto
Stevie Wonder has always been a class act. The emotion he puts in his music, the meaningful words and beautiful melodies. Stevie we need you now.
Aslan28
Always made me cry as a child. Im 43 now, still gets me in the heart. Lovely song.
saintsfan342000
Stevie's vocal on this song is absolutely incredible. So much soul and passion in his vioce.
Brian Gualta
Such a beautiful song by the great Stevie. The words touch my heart every year and I always end up shedding a tear...no you’re crying...lol
jehvene brown
The best Christmas song every done,in my opinion very emotional you can feel the soul in the song
Taciturn Miss
Most beautiful song ever written! I listen to this song all year and it always makes me cry with happiness. Why? Because sometimes I'm the tree, and sometimes I'm the angel, but it's always personal.
Mineismine
Yesssss! Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Franka Baly
I remember playing this every Christmas on the Motown Christmas album. I still know all the words. Brings back wonderful memories!
Suzanne Price
I only found this song last Christmas and now listen to it often. I think we've all been this little tree at some stage in our life. Beautiful song. ❤️
Louise Murray
Always loved Stevie Wonder!!!! ❤