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.
Silver Bells
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
Silver bells (silver bells)
Silver bells (silver bells)
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day
Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle you'll hear
Silver bells (silver bells)
Silver bells (silver bells)
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day
Silver bells (silver bells)
I hear silver bells (silver bells)
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day
The song "Silver Bells" by Stevie Wonder depicts the hustle and bustle of Christmas time in the city, with people wandering through the streets, carrying shopping bags, and preparing for the holiday. The first verse portrays the city sidewalks and alleys buzzing with activity and decked out in festive decorations, and there's an unshakeable sense of joy in the air. The chorus emphasizes this feeling of holiday cheer with its repeated refrain of "Silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city."
As the song progresses, we see the sights and sounds of Christmas all around us: children laughing and playing, people greeting each other with smiles, and strings of lights and stoplights blinking red and green. The bridge of the song takes us to Santa's "big scene," where the snow is crunching beneath our feet and the kids are gathered together, excited for the holiday. And through it all, the bells ring out their joyous sound, highlighting the festive atmosphere of the city.
Overall, the song provides a vivid picture of life in the city during the holiday season, with everyone coming together to celebrate and revel in the joy of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
City sidewalks
The bustling sidewalks of the city where the song's narrator walks and observes the sights and sounds of Christmas.
Busy sidewalks
The sidewalks are filled with people rushing to do their holiday shopping and errands before Christmas day.
Dressed in holiday style
The city is decorated with holiday lights, ornaments, and other festive decorations that make the season feel special.
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
The atmosphere in the city is filled with the joy and excitement of the holiday season, and everyone can feel it in the air.
Children laughing
The sounds of laughter from children enjoying the holiday season can be heard throughout the city.
People passing
People are constantly moving throughout the city, whether it's to shop, visit family, or attend holiday events.
Meeting smile after smile
People are friendly and cheerful during the holiday season, and the singer observes many people exchanging smiles and greetings as they pass by each other.
And on every street corner you hear
No matter where you go in the city during the holiday season, you can hear the sound of silver bells ringing out from the street corners.
Silver bells (silver bells)
The sound of silver bells ringing out throughout the city during the holiday season.
It's Christmas time in the city
The festive holiday season is in full swing in the city, with decorations, music, and cheerful people everywhere.
Ring-a-ling (ring-a-ling)
The sound of the silver bells ringing is like a cheerful call to celebrate the holiday season with joy and good cheer.
Hear them ring (hear them ring)
The artist can't help but smile and feel the holiday spirit when they hear the sound of the silver bells ringing.
Soon it will be Christmas day
The holiday season is quickly coming to a close, with Christmas day just around the corner, making everyone feel excited and joyful.
Strings of street lights
The city is lined with strings of colorful lights to help brighten the dark winter nights and create a festive atmosphere.
Even stop lights
Even the regular stoplights at intersections are decorated with festive red and green colors, adding to the holiday decorations and ambiance of the city.
Blink a bright red and green
The lights on the street and stoplights are blinking in bright red and green colors, making the city feel even more festive and alive with the holiday spirit.
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
The store-filled streets are crowded with shoppers carrying bags and packages filled with holiday gifts and treats, rushing home to wrap and share them with their loved ones.
Hear the snow crunch
The cold winter air is filled with the sound of snow crunching underfoot, making it feel like a magical winter wonderland.
See the kids bunch
Children are playing in the fresh snow, building snowmen and having snowball fights, enjoying the winter wonderland the season provides.
This is Santa's big scene
The festive holiday season, full of bright lights, joyful people, and happy gatherings, is the perfect scene to welcome Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
And above all this bustle you'll hear
Amidst the bustling city streets, you can still hear the sound of the joyful silver bells ringing out and filling the air with holiday cheer.
I hear silver bells (silver bells)
The artist is filled with joy and excitement at the sound of the silver bells and can't help but feel the magic of the holiday season.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Felix Ortiz
Thanks Stevie for this version. This song is my favorite song of the Christmas and Stevie sings as a universe Star.
Baroque Obama
One of the best Christmas songs ever sang!🎄🎁🎅🏻🤶🏻🧑🏻🎄⛄️❄️ 🎶
ArgyleGroove
Love this bassline.
lori burke
I don't know what I'd do without Stevie....than you so much for your beautiful music! ❤
Joey Gagliardi
Great Job as usual,, how I wish things were the way that the words are sang in this awesome song,, now on every street corner you could hear cussing, fighting, hatred,, where has all the meaning of ?Christmas gone? I give great thanks to all who gives people that peace of mind,, and have this dynamic place to go and listen to this Music from a much better time,, Am so grateful to all who make these video's possible,, I feel as though I am in a safe and peaceful place with all these great sights to revert back to. Merry Christmas to all,,, and with any hope,,, all the Very best in 2019. God Bless Us All!
Joey Gagliardi
@virgil bassil As well to you and all here in 2021.
virgil bassil
All the very best in 2021
The Rabid Scorpion
Most people don't value the real meaning of it sadly.
Noel Parker
I have the original album and it gets player every year on Christmas eve, puts everyone in the Christmas mood.
AJ
This song is beautiful 🤍 I’ve never heard it before or that I can remember hearing it. First time hearing it was at Walmart 2021 this year. It definitely makes me think of my childhood days with my family.❤️❤️