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.
Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her dreams are tumblin', her world is crumblin' because of you, uh-uh
One day you'll hurt her just once too much
And when you finally lose your tender touch, hey,hey
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-day
Her feet may wander, her heart may stray, oh yeah
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-dee
I'm gonna give her all the lovin' within my heart, oh yeah
I'm gonna patch up every single little dream you tore apart, understand me?
And when she tells you she's cried her last tear
Heaven knows I'm gonna be somewhere near, oh yeah
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-day
Her feet may wander, her heart may stray, baby
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-dee
Love's gon' lead your baby straight to me
Yeah
Mm, yeah
You'd better listen to me, yeah, yeah-yeah
Heartaches are callin' tears are fallin' because of you, hey, yeah
And when you're gone, you know I'm the one to call to a rescue
Maybe you didn't know that day
You're gonna leave her once too many times
And when you come back that girl's gonna be mine, all mine, hey, hey
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-day
Her feet may wander, her heart may stray, yeah-yeah
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-dee
Love's gon' send your baby straight to me, hey, hey, yeah, oh, yeah, baby
(Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-da-day)
The lyrics to Stevie Wonder's song Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day are a direct message to a man who has taken his woman for granted. Wonder warns this man that his faithful, loyal sweetheart's dreams are tumbling and her world is crumbling because of him. He predicts that there will be a breaking point when the man will hurt her just once too much, and it will be too late for him to regain her trust. The lyrics come from the perspective of a man who is confident that he will be the one to pick up the pieces and give this woman the love and respect she deserves. The song is an upbeat and catchy warning to a man who does not appreciate the woman who loves him.
The context of this song is important in understanding its message. The 1960s were a time of great social change in America, and Wonder was a leading voice in the civil rights movement. He frequently used his music to call attention to the struggles of black Americans, and this song can be seen as a commentary on the mistreatment of black women by black men. The lyrics are a reminder that even in the midst of societal change, men need to treat women with respect and kindness.
Line by Line Meaning
Your precious sweetheart, she's so faithful, she's so true, oh yeah,
Your significant other is devoted and genuine in their actions and feelings towards you.
Her dreams are tumblin', her world is crumblin' because of you, uhh uh.
Your actions are negatively impacting your partner's aspirations and sense of well-being.
One day you'll hurt her just once too much,
There will come a time where you will cause too much pain and harm to your partner.
And when you finally lose your tender touch, hey, hey,
When you lose your caring and gentle approach towards your partner.
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo- be-doo-da-day
A phrase used to transition to the chorus and emphasize the upcoming message.
Her feet may wander, her heart may stray, oh yeah,
Your partner may become unfaithful or lose interest in the relationship due to your actions.
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo- be-doo-da-dee.
Another phrase used to transition to the next message in the chorus.
You gonna send your baby straight to me,
Your partner will eventually seek comfort and affection from someone else, possibly the singer.
I'm gonna give her all the lovin' within my heart, oh yeah,
The singer will provide love and support to your partner when you fail to do so.
I'm gonna patch up every single little dream you tore apart, understand me?
The singer will help repair the damage you have caused to your partner's hopes and aspirations.
And when she tells you she's cried her last tear,
When your partner reaches a breaking point and can no longer handle the pain you have caused.
Heaven knows I'm gonna be somewhere near, oh yeah,
The singer will be there to offer emotional support and comfort to your partner in their time of need.
Love's gon' send your baby straight to me, yeah, hum, yeah,
Your partner will come to the singer seeking love and affection due to your failure to provide it.
You'd better listen to me, yeah, yeah.
The singer is emphasizing the importance of his message and urging the listener to take it seriously.
Heartaches are callin' tears are fallin' because of you, hey, yeah,
You are the cause of your partner's pain and sorrow.
And when you're gone she'll know I'm the one to go to her rescue
Your partner will turn to the singer for comfort and support when you are no longer in the picture.
Baby you didn't know that thing.
You were not aware of the consequences your actions would have on your partner and your relationship.
You're gonna leave her once too many times and when you come back
Your repeated abandonment will eventually push your partner away from you.
That girl's gonna be mine, all mine, hey, hey.
The singer will take on the role of your partner's caretaker and love interest, as you have failed in that regard.
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo- be-doo-da-day
Reiterating the message of the chorus and emphasizing the inevitability of the situation.
Her feet may wander, her heart may stray, yeah, yeah
Your partner may seek love and affection from someone else due to your failure to provide it.
Shoo-be-doo-be-doo- be-doo-da-dee.
Another phrase used to transition to the next message in the chorus.
Love's gon' send your baby straight to me, hey, hey.
Reiterating the previous message and emphasizing the role the singer will play in your partner's life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, 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!