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.
Uptight
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, ev'rything is all right, uptight, out of sight
I'm a poor man's son, from across the railroad tracks
The only shirt I own is hangin' on my back
But I'm the envy of ev'ry single guy
Since I'm the apple of my girl's eye
When we go out stepping on the town for a while
But it's all right if my clothes aren't new
Out of sight because my heart is true
She says baby ev'rything is alright, uptight, out of sight
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
She's a pearl of a girl, I guess that's what you might say
I guess her folks brought her up that way
The right side of the tracks, she was born and raised
In a great big old house, full of butlers and maids
She says no one is better than I, I know I'm just an average guy
No football hero or smooth Don Juan
Got empty pockets, you see I'm a poor man's son
Can't give her the things that money can buy
But I'll never, never, never make my baby cry
And it's all right, what I can't do
Out of sight because my heart is true
She says baby ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, ha ha ha ha, yeah
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, way out of sight
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
"Uptight" is a lively and meaningful song by Stevie Wonder, who was just 21 when he wrote it in 1965. The song expresses a message of hope and joy, even in the face of hardship and struggle. The lyrics describe the story of two young lovers from different worlds, with the male protagonist being a "poor man's son" from across the tracks, while the female lead comes from a wealthy family. Despite their differences in social status and financial means, they share a strong love and connection.
The song's catchy rhythm and upbeat melody reflect the optimistic spirit of the lyrics, emphasizing the idea that love and happiness can be found even in difficult circumstances. The chorus, which repeats the line "Baby, everything is alright, uptight, out of sight," is an uplifting mantra that reinforces the idea of positivity and perseverance.
One interpretation of the message of "Uptight" is that it represents the struggle and perseverance of the African American community during the Civil Rights Movement. The song's theme of overcoming obstacles and staying positive despite adversity resonated with many listeners at the time, and its pop sensibilities helped to bring the message of the movement to a wider audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, ev'rything is all right, uptight, out of sight
Everything is going well and I'm feeling confident and happy.
I'm a poor man's son, from across the railroad tracks
I come from a poor background and didn't grow up with the same privileges as others.
The only shirt I own is hangin' on my back
I have very few possessions and can't afford to buy new clothes.
But I'm the envy of ev'ry single guy
Despite my limited resources, I have something that other men wish they had.
Since I'm the apple of my girl's eye
My girlfriend loves me for who I am, not for what I have or don't have.
When we go out stepping on the town for a while
We enjoy going out together and having a good time wherever we are.
My money's low and my suit's out of style
I don't have much money and my clothes are old, but it doesn't matter to us.
But it's all right if my clothes aren't new
I'm okay with not having the latest fashion because I have more important things in life.
Out of sight because my heart is true
My sincere love and devotion for my girlfriend is what truly matters and makes me special.
She says baby ev'rything is alright, uptight, out of sight
My girlfriend reassures me that everything is okay, we are happy together, and no one can come between us.
She's a pearl of a girl, I guess that's what you might say
My girlfriend is very special to me, worthy of admiration, and unique in her own way.
I guess her folks brought her up that way
Her upbringing and background have influenced her values and character.
The right side of the tracks, she was born and raised
She comes from a privileged background, unlike me.
In a great big old house, full of butlers and maids
She grew up in a luxurious and wealthy household with many servants.
She says no one is better than I, I know I'm just an average guy
My girlfriend loves me for who I am, regardless of my social status, and sees me as special and unique in my own way.
No football hero or smooth Don Juan
I don't have any special abilities or talents that make me stand out from others.
Got empty pockets, you see I'm a poor man's son
I don't have much money, but that doesn't define who I am or my worth as a person.
Can't give her the things that money can buy
I can't afford expensive gifts or luxuries for my girlfriend, but that doesn't affect our relationship.
But I'll never, never, never make my baby cry
I will always do my best to make my girlfriend happy and never do anything to hurt her.
And it's all right, what I can't do
I accept my limitations and what I can't do, but I focus on what I can and do it to the best of my ability.
She says baby ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
My girlfriend reassures me that everything is perfect between us, we are happy and in love, and no one can surpass our relationship.
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
Everything is going well, and my girlfriend and I are both happy and content with our relationship.
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, ha ha ha ha, yeah
I am in good spirits and feel confident in my relationship with my girlfriend.
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, way out of sight
Everything is going great, and we are both happy with each other, surpassing anyone's expectation of our relationship.
Baby, ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
Everything is perfect, and my girlfriend and I are very happy with each other.
Lyrics © 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!