Stevland Hardaway Morris (né Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally a… Read Full Bio ↴Stevland Hardaway Morris (né Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz. A virtual one-man band, Wonder's use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments during the 1970s reshaped the conventions of R&B. He also helped drive such genres into the album era, crafting his LPs as cohesive and consistent, in addition to socially conscious statements with complex compositions. Blind since shortly after his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy who signed with Motown's Tamla label at the age of 11, where he was given the professional name Little Stevie Wonder.

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.

Without a Song
Stevie Wonder Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Without a song
The day would never end
Without a song
The road would never bend
When things go wrong
A man ain't got no friend
Without a song, mmh
Without a song

That field of corn
Would never see a plow
That field of corn
Would be deserted now
A man is born
But he ain't no good no how
Without a song, yeah yeah
Without a song

I got my troubles and woe
But, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
I'll get along as long as a song is strong in my soul

I'll never know
What makes the rain to fall
I'll never know
What makes that grass so tall
I only know that there ain't no love at all
Without a song, mmy yeah
Without a song, yeah

I've got my troubles and woe
But sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
In my soul

I'll never know
What makes the rain to fall
I'll never know
What makes the grass grow tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song, yeah yeah
Without a song, mmh

Without a song, yeah
Without a song

Overall Meaning

The song “Without A Song,” performed by Stevie Wonder, is a wistful tune that speaks to the power of music in our lives. The song begins with the line “Without a song, the day would never end,” which sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. Wonder goes on to describe how music is essential to his emotional well-being and gives hope in moments of adversity. He uses several metaphors throughout the song to describe the importance of music, such as “the road would never bend” without a song. This line suggests that music provides a sense of direction and helps us navigate life’s twists and turns. Additionally, Wonder notes that “a man ain’t got no friend” when things go wrong, showing how music serves as a reliable source of comfort when all else fails.

Wonder goes on to explain how music gives him a sense of purpose. He references a field of corn, stating that “without a song, that field of corn would never see a plow.” This metaphor suggests that music helps us cultivate the potential within ourselves, much like a farmer plows a field in preparation for a harvest. The final stanza of the song brings the message home by saying “I’ll never know what makes the rain to fall…I only know there ain’t no love at all without a song.” This line emphasizes how important music is to our emotional and spiritual lives, providing an outlet for joy, pain, and everything in between.

Overall, “Without A Song” is a poignant tribute to the power of music. It highlights the value of having a source of inspiration and purpose in our lives, something that keeps us going when everything else seems bleak. Through his beautiful lyrics and soulful delivery, Stevie Wonder reminds us of the importance of music in our daily lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Without a song
The absence of music would make life unbearable

The day would never end
Life would be constantly dreary and monotonous without the pleasure of music

The road would never bend
Music inspires creativity and provides a sense of direction and purpose

When things go wrong
During tough times, people have a strong tendency to become isolated and lonely

A man ain't got no friend
People's social support system tends to weaken during difficult times

That field of corn
Life can be unproductive and barren without the beauty of music

Would never see a plow
A life without music would lack the means to create and nurture growth

Would be deserted now
A world without music would lack the vibrant energy that draws people together

A man is born
Every person is born with the capacity to create and appreciate music

But he ain't no good no how
Without music, people's innate talents and abilities may go untapped

I got my troubles and woe
Life is always filled with challenges and difficulties

But, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
Despite hardships, life will continue and new opportunities will arise

I'll get along as long as a song is strong in my soul
Music provides a sense of resilience and hope in times of adversity

I'll never know
There are mysteries about life that will always elude human understanding

What makes the rain to fall
There are elements of nature and existence that are beyond our comprehension

What makes that grass so tall
Nature is full of inexplicable phenomena that inspire awe and wonder

I only know that there ain't no love at all
Love is a fundamental human need that music helps fulfill

Without a song
Music is an essential component of human existence

Without a song, yeah yeah
The importance of music cannot be overstated

Without a song, mmh
Music is a profound source of emotional and spiritual nourishment

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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