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.
Venus
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boy, do you look juicy
And you know just what Im coming to get, right?
Dont eat me
Please dont eat me
I'm trapped in your love
Save me, dont hurt me
The lyrics to Stevie Wonder's song Venus are a poetic and descriptive portrayal of the battle between the powerful attraction of love and the fear of being consumed by it. The opening lines "Hello flower, boy do you look juicy" can be read as a metaphor for the captivating allure of love, which can be both beautiful and enticing. The singer then begs the object of his affection not to consume him, as he feels trapped in the grip of their love. The repeated plea "don't eat me, please don't eat me" conveys a sense of vulnerability, as if the singer is at the mercy of this powerful force.
Despite the fearful tone of the lyrics, there is also a sense of playfulness and whimsy. The use of the word "juicy" and the reference to Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, are both lighthearted and suggestive. The imagery of a flower, with its delicate petals and sweet scent, is also evocative of the fragile beauty of love. Ultimately, the lyrics to Venus capture the complex and sometimes conflicting emotions that come with falling deeply in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello flower
Stevie Wonder greets the subject of the song, which is a metaphorical flower.
Boy, do you look juicy
He expresses admiration for the flower and its attractiveness.
And you know just what Im coming to get, right?
He hints at his intention to obtain something from the flower, perhaps its love or affection.
Dont eat me
The flower pleads with Stevie not to consume or destroy it.
Please dont eat me
The flower reiterates its plea for preservation.
Im trapped in your love
The flower confesses to being caught in Stevie's feelings for it.
Save me, dont hurt me
The flower implores Stevie to spare it any pain or suffering.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
zaodizao
Most underrated album of Stevie, a true gem
Calla Kuhl
More than true! Loved it most.
chucku00
Stevie's mastering of the vocoder is otherworldly.
chapmancalvin
Steveland is an awesome inspiration for me. This man conceived, wrote, performed and produced this entire album(albeit with some help), and he cannot physically see. I strive and pray for the spiritual vision that he apparently has.
DAIL MCDAVID
This is going to sound strange but this is my favorite CUT off the album because I LOVE his talking voice at the end ! it is soothing.
17a7 Soulfully Groovy
One of the song I would sing over and over doing all the notes and sounds ! Thanks for posting !
rainstormwind
The very subtle buzz of the bug at the beginning of the track was genius.
dfladd
Such a weird yet awesome song. This is why Stevie is the GOAT
T.L. Davis
I used to be into botany when I was a kid.....to this day, I was fascinated with the Venus Flytrap since hearing this!!!!
Ed Collins
i've been fascinated with venus flytraps since I was a kid in the 60's but never heard this song until today.