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.
Ribbon In The Sky
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That a star would guide you my way
To share with me this special day
Where a ribbons in the sky for our love
If allowed may, I touch your hand
And if please, may I once again?
So that you too will understand
Do-ooh, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
Hmm-hmm
Do, do, hmm
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do
This is not a coincidence
And far more than a lucky chance
But what is that was always meant
Is our ribbon in the sky for our love, love
We can't lose with God on our side
We'll find strength in each tear we cry
From now on it will be you and I
And our ribbon in the sky
Ribbon in the sky
A ribbon in the sky for our love
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do, do
Hmm
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do
There's a ribbon in the sky for our love
The lyrics to Stevie Wonder's song "Ribbon In The Sky" speak of a deep longing for a love that is meant to be. The opening lines express this longing as the singer prays for a star to guide their love to him on this special day. The ribbon in the sky becomes a symbol of their love, something that transcends time and space.
The second verse seeks permission to touch the hand of the one he loves, as if a physical connection would make the ribbon in the sky more tangible. The singer goes on to reflect on their love not being a coincidence but something that was meant to be all along. The ribbon in the sky becomes a symbol of fate bringing them together.
The final verse speaks to the strength that comes from their love, that they can overcome any obstacle with God on their side. The ribbon in the sky remains a hopeful and constant reminder of their love. The melody of the song is simple and heartfelt, with the chords being primarily in the key of F major. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the promise of a ribbon in the sky for their love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh so long for this night I prayed
I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time and I have prayed for it to happen.
That a star would guide you my way
I hoped that a star would lead you to me, so we can be together on this special day.
To share with me this special day
I want to share this special day with you and make it an unforgettable memory.
Where a ribbons in the sky for our love
The ribbon in the sky is a symbol of our love and is a sign of the love that we share.
If allowed may I touch your hand
If it's okay with you, could I hold your hand as a sign of our affection?
And if please, may I once again?
And if you don't mind, could we do it again and feel the magic of our connection?
So that you too will understand
I want you to feel the same way I do, so you truly understand the depth of my love for you.
There's a ribbon in the sky for our love
There is a beautiful and unbreakable connection between us that will last forever, symbolized by the ribbon in the sky.
This is not a coincidence
Us coming together is not just a matter of chance, it's something that was meant to be.
And far more than a lucky chance
This is not just mere luck, but something that is far more meaningful and powerful.
But what is that was always meant
We were always meant to be together and our love was destined to happen.
Is our ribbon in the sky for our love, love
Our love is the beautiful ribbon in the sky, representing the strength and endurance of our love for each other.
We can't lose with God on our side
With God's help and guidance, we will overcome any obstacles and challenges that come our way.
We'll find strength in each tear we cry
Even when things get difficult, we will find strength in each other and our love for one another, even in our tears.
From now on it will be you and I
From this moment on, we will be together, sharing our lives and our love forever.
And our ribbon in the sky
Our love is a beautiful and constant presence, like the ribbon in the sky, and we will cherish it forever.
Ribbon in the sky
Our love is symbolized by the ribbon in the sky, which will always remind us of the unbreakable bond we share.
A ribbon in the sky for our love
The ribbon in the sky is an eternal symbol of our love and our commitment to each other.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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!