25 Greatest Songs of Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is one of the world's greatest and most popular musicians of all-time.

Wonder has sold more than 100 million units worldwide. He has won an amazing 25 Grammy Awards, making him one of the Top Five in most Grammy wins. He has reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart ten times and 11 of his albums have peaked within the Top 5 in the U.S.

One of Wonder's biggest accomplishments was his success on a global level. He was one of the first black musicians to gain popularity and chart success outside of the United States. His 1969 single "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" broke the door wide open and charted all across Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and of course the U.S. But it wasn't until 1972 that his albums began charting all over the world. Finally in 1976 he went way above and beyond with "Songs in the Key of Life" which charted pretty much in every country around the world.

25. You Haven't Done Nothing (1974)

Parent Album: Fulfillingness' First Finale

Was the first single release from the album Fulfillingness' First Finale and was his fourth song (out of ten) to reach #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart in the US. The song was his first single to reach #1 in Canada and also made it to #28 Netherlands, #30 UK, #49 Germany and #86 Australia. It also topped the US R&B chart.

"You Haven't Done Nothing, a great funk number with a strong bass line, great horn section, and Wonder's thick and chunky clavinet has been noted for being one of his angriest political statements. The song was directly aimed at then-president Richard Nixon, who coincidentally resigned from his presidency, in disgrace, two days after the single was released. Wonder's criticism was sharp as noted in the lyrics; "And we are sick and tired of hearing your song. Telling how you are gonna change right from wrong. 'Cause if you really want to hear our views; you haven't done nothing".

The Jackson Five made a cameo vocal appearance in the refrain they repeatedly sing "Doo Da Wop," after Wonder sings, "Jackson 5, join along with me, say." Then they come back again for the Outro again singing "Doo Da Wop," after Wonder's call, "Jackson 5, say it one more 'gain, say."

At this point in time the Jackson Five was experiencing a comeback with their album and single both titled, "Dancing Machine."

24. Part-Time Lover (1985)

Parent Album: In Square Circle

By the time this song was released as a single Stevie Wonder was a solid hit maker of the 1980s. It was his eighth Top 20 hit of the decade and became his third #1 hit out of four in the 1980s.

The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, dance, and adult contemporary charts. The song's simultaneous chart successes made Wonder the first artist to score a number-one hit on four different Billboard charts.

Wonder has stated the song is influenced by "You Can't Hurry Love" and "My World Is Empty Without You", both by the Supremes, former Motown labelmates of Wonder.

Syreeta Wright, who was Wonder's wife from 1970 to 1972, sang backing vocals. She co-wrote Wonder's 1970 hit "If You Really Love Me" and had her own Top 10 hit with the duet with Billy Preston, "With You I'm Born Again."

Philip Bailey from Earth, Wind, and Fire also provided backing vocals.

Also featured on this track is Luther Vandross, who can be heard humming at the end of the verses.

23. I Wish (1976)

Parent Album: Songs in the Key of Life

With "I Wish" Stevie Wonder once again proves that he was a funk-master of the highest degree. He could groove with best... He was among the best of the best.

"I Wish" was the first single released from Wonder's masterpiece and phenomenally successful album Songs in the Key of Life. The single was #1 in the US as well as #1 on the US R&B chart. It was also #1 in Canada, #4 in the Netherlands, #5 in Ireland and UK and charted in several other countries around the world.

Wonder wrote the song after attending a Motown company picnic in 1976 where he participated in contests and games; an afternoon in which he felt that rekindled his childhood. Wonder said, "I had such a good time at the picnic that I went to Crystal Recording Studio right after and the vibe came right to my mind."

I Wish” tells the story of Stevie Wonder's childhood and the mischief he got into up through his teenage years.

After Wonder sings the line: "Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall," you can hear his sister, Renee Hardaway say, "You nasty boy!"

22. Where is Our Love Song (featuring Gary Clark, Jr.) (2020)

Parent Album: Non-Album Single

Stevie Wonder began writing this song in 1968 when he was 18 years old and just recently finished writing the lyrics.

Wonder produced and arranged the song and plays piano, bass, and harmonica. He employed blues rock singer, songwriter, guitarist to play guitar. Clark's quickly recognizable guitar style meshes well with Wonder's unique rock-soul sound.

The proceeds from the sales of this song will go towards the organization Feeding America. Feeding America is a nonprofit organization that is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies.

21. Ribbon In The Sky (1982)

Parent Album: Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I

As great as Stevie Wonder is with his bass heavy funk songs, he is equally at home with slow jam ballad.

This ballad was one of four new previously unreleased tracks featured on the 1982 hits compilation Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I. There never was a Musiquarium II released but Musiquarium I was a hot ticket in its day and sold very well in the US and throughout the world.

Wonder wrote and produced the song. He also played the drums, piano, and synthesizer.

20. Black Orchid (1979)

Parent Album: Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants"

"Black Orchid" is one of Stevie Wonder's most underrated songs - often overlooked when considering Wonder's greatest songs.

The song is a sensitive melody with a delicate coming from the inner genius of Stevie Wonder. For this song Stevie Wonder employeed his then-sister-in-law, Yvonne Wright, to write the lyrics. Stevie Wondet composed the subtle tones that beautify the words.

Wright identifies the distinctively beautiful orchid as a female, "She gives love with purity," "She expresses life anew," "She is a flower that grows," "She's femininity." She also assigned the orchid a racial identity. But she maintained it's status as a flower, "Draped in sparkling morning dew," "Before your cycle ends," all flowers have a cycle of life. An orchid plant can live a long life - up to a hundred years. But it's bloom lasts two to four months.

"Black Orchid" was released, in Europe, as the second single from "The Secret Life of Plants." unfortunately it only charted in the UK at a low #63.

19. "I Was Made To Love Her" (1967)

Parent Album: I Was Made To Love Her

"I Was Made To Love Her" gave us a hint of what was to come from Stevie in the 1970s. His voice matured, the music showed elements of funk, and the lyrics were more mature.

Stevie Wonder co-wrote this song with three other people; his mother Lula Mae Hardaway, Sylvia Moy, and the song's producer Henry Cosby. His mother also co-wrote Wonder's 1970 hit "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," which received a Grammy award nomination.

The song reached #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart in the US and #1 on the US R&B chart. Elsewhere the single peaked at #5 (UK, Canada), #16 (New Zealand), #40 (Australia).

One of the highlights on this song is Stevie wonder's masterful harmonica work.

18. Did I Hear Say You Love Me (1980)

Parent Album: Hotter Than July

The song with its strong guitar chords and syncopated drum rhythms was a robust opening track. Right from this first track diehard fans knew Wonder was up to his old brilliance again.

The song was the fifth single from the album and failed to chart anywhere except for making it to the low position of #74 on the US R&B charts.

17. Have A Talk With God (1976)

Parent Album: Songs in the Key of Life

This is track number two on Side One of Stevie's iconic album Songs in the Key of Life.

The song displays Wonder's spiritual side of which he began exploring more often in the 1970's with songs like "Higher Ground."

Wonder's brother Calvin Hardaway co-wrote the song with Stevie. Despite his excellent work on this song Hardaway did not do much with Stevie. The only other Wonder song he appeared on was 1973's "Living For the City," Hardaway was one of the voices on the street that mixed in with the music.

The synth-funk tune was was a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Inspirational Performance’ despite having not been released as a single.

16. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours (1970)

Parent Album: Signed, Sealed & Delivered

This particular song was co-written by Stevie Wonder and his mom Lula Mae Hardaway. Stevie, along with his mom, Syreeta Wright, and Lee, received a Grammy award nomination for Best R&B Song.

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," was a huge hit in the United States. It made it to #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and spent six weeks at #1 on the U.S. R&B chart. Other than the US the song charted at #15 in the UK and #19 in Canada.

The song became President Barack Obama's signature song as he used it during both his 2008 and 2016 campaigns and also during the Democratic Nation Conventions.

In 1977 Peter Frampton recorded a fairly decent rendition of the song complete with Frampton signature guitar licks and his recognizable vocal style. Frampton took the song to #13 in both the US and Canada and #24 in New Zealand.

15. Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing (1973)

Parent Album: Innervisions

This opens with a playful Latin piano and the street jive sounds of Hispanic rhythms and Mexican voices speaking. It sounds like party-time in anytown ghetto USA. The ghetto where there is crime, violence, depression, and drugs. Stevie Wonder comes in as the guy who's going to protect his girl from a life of uncertainty. He's going to always be standing by her side. Especially when she's ready to get off her trip.

The Spanish lyric was inspired by a Puerto Rican woman that Wonder met in a record store. He recalled: "I remember the night I was going to do this song. And I just so happened to meet this girl named Rain. And she was beautiful. And she worked at this record shop - this record store. And I'm like saying to her, hey, you know, it's amazing. You know, she sings. You know, she's Puerto Rican. I say, yeah, OK, well, you know, I'm doing a little thing and like a little something called 'Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing.' What can I - I mean, give me something, something. I'll let you come to the studio if you have anything to say. I'll say some things, and it will be a wonderful day. And she said, 'todo esta bien chevere.' And that's how I got that in a song. And, you know, we fell in love, and it was a beautiful thing."

The song was the third single release from Innervisions and managed to chart fairly high reaching US #16 and #2 on the US R&B charts. The song also made it to #13 in Canada and #19 in the Netherlands.

14. Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away (1974)

Parent Album: Fulfillingness' First Finale

This sing was not released as a single, not even as a b-side. Still the song has made a strong impact with fans. Mostly due to it's introspective lyric; "Why can't they say that hate is 10 zillion light years away?" Wonder not only touches on spirituality but also racial tensions; "Why must my color black make me a lesser man? I thought this world was made for every man."

13. Send One Your Love (1979)

Parent Album: Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants"

This song continued Stevie Wonder's consistent line of big hits. The song reached #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and was #5 on the US R&B chart. The songs biggest success was on the US Adult Contemporary chart where it reached #1 and stayed there for four weeks, making it an adult contemporary classic.

"Send One Your Love" is one of Stevie's most romantic songs with lyrics such as: "Send her your love / With a dozen roses / Make sure that she knows it / With a flower from your heart." This song sits alongside other romantic favorites; "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" and "I Just Called To Say I Love You."

12. I Ain't Gonna Stand For It (1980)

Parent Album: Hotter Than July

Many people viewed the album Hotter Than July as a back to form record after (as some critics call it) the overambitious and pointless Secret Life of Plants. (Just to keep the record straight I personally feel The Secret Life of Plants is a masterpiece).

"I Ain't Gonna Stand For It" was the second single from Hotter Than July. While it wasn't as big a hit as "Master Blaster (Jammin')", it was still a hit. The song made it to #11 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart in the US, #4 on the US R&B chart and # 20 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. Elsewhere it charted at New Zealand #2, Ireland #6, Canada #9, UK #10, #29 Netherlands, #50 Germany, #61 Australia.

11. For Once In My Life (1968)

Parent Album: For Once In My Life

With this song Stevie Wonder displayed a marked growth in vocal style and ability. He sang this song with a verve and enthusiasm like we hadn't heard from Stevie previously. Stevie belts this upbeat R&B tune with total confidence and completes complex and quick vocal runs with ease.

Bassist James Jamerson, who is best known for his session work with Motown gives a great bass line which is both unpredictable and at times spontaneous. Wonder comes in with one of his best harmonica solos of his entire career.

"For Once In My Life" is regarded as a Stevie Wonder classic and rose to #2 on both the US Pop chart and R&B chart. It also made it to #3 UK, #5 Canada, #11 Ireland, #20 Australia.

10. "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" (1972)

Parent Album: Talking Book

There's a little something interesting going on at the beginning of this song. It's not Stevie Wonder singing. The male vocalist who first sings on the track is Jim Gilstrap, and the female singer who follows is Lani Groves - both were backup singers in his band. Stevie is the third singer heard on the track.

"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" was Stevie's first of eight songs to top the US Adult Contemporary chart. The song topped the AC chart for two weeks and received major airplay on Ac radio stations for several years to come. The song also made it to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. It was also made to #3 on the R&B chart. In other parts of the world it charted at #5 Canada, #7 UK, #8 New Zealand, #10 Australia, #23 Ireland and #42 Germany.

This song won the 1973 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

9. Superstition (1972)

Parent Album: Talking Book

This song, as with "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" is also a mega-hit from the album Talking Book. The song also won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Plus it was a #1 hit on both the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and R&B chart. In short order Talking Book produced two Grammy winning #1 hits. It also charted high throughout the world peaking at #6 Canada, #10 New Zealand, #11 UK, #16 Belgium, #18 Spain, and #21 Germany.

The song was originally written for Jeff Beck, who was brought in to play some guitar parts on the album in exchange for a song. At one of the sessions, Stevie came up with the riff and wrote some lyrics, and they recorded a rough version of the song that day for Beck. It took Beck a while to record the song, and by the time he released it, Wonder's version had been out for a month and was a big hit.

Stevie played Hohner clavinet, drums, and Moog bass. Some fans have commented that his drumwork is top of the line. Wonder creates a great funky sounding guitar with his Hohner Clavinet D6 keyboard.

8. "Isn't She Lovely" (1976)

Parent Album: Songs in the Key of Life

"Isn't She Lovely" received a good amount of airplay across the US. At this point in time Wonder had complete artistic control of his music and would not let the song be edited down therefore despite its popularity the song was never released as a single in the United States. Had Wonder allowed this to be released as a single in the states it would have been a monster hit. Based on radio airplay alone the song made it to #23 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.

The song opens with the crying of a new-born baby. Although the song was written to celebrate the birth of his daughter - the opening was not his daughter, Aisha. At the end of the song when Stevie says, "Come on, Aisha. Get out of the water, baby," the splashing and protests are his daughter.

7. Boogie On Reggae Woman (1974)

Parent Album: Fulfillingness' First Finale

Stevland definitely turned the funk up a notch for this one. Heavy funked up bass lines matched with catchy pop hooks made "Boogie On Reggae Woman" an irresistible entry.

The song was the second single from the album; Fulfillingness' First Finale, I truly believe had it been the album's lead single it would have easily made it to #1. As it is the song made it to a very respectable #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart in the US. It also made it to #1 (US R&B), #8 (Canada), #12 (UK), #71 (Australia).

Wonder won the Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male Grammy Award for this song. The album Fulfillingness' First Finale also won the Album of the Year Grammy. This was the second of three of his album to win this prestigious Grammy Award.

Stevie's harmonica solo sets the above the rest as he goes up and down the musical scale with a cheerful ease.

Stevie wrote the song, sang lead vocals, and played the Fender Rhodes electric piano, piano, harmonica, drums, and moog bass. Rocky Dzidzornu played the congas.

6. "Living For The City" (1973)

Parent Album: Innervisions

Let's start with the chart stats: #8 US Billboard Hot 100 Singles, #1 US R&B, #15 UK, #17 Canada, #18 New Zealand, #20 Germany.

This is one of Stevie's more aggressive songs. He uses language that some would deem offensive. The lyrics are hard edged depicting the hardships of facing racism in the 1960s and '70s. Wonder uses the word nig@#r to convey his message.

Wonder tells the story of a black man living in "hard time" Mississippi during the Civil Rights era.

The man has seen the hardships faced by his family. He experiences discrimination in looking for work and eventually seeks to escape for opportunity in the promised land of New York City.

In NYC he gets caught up in a different system of inequality. He is framed for a crime, arrested, convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison. He ends up homeless, jobless, and sick. He is left disillusioned.

The story is almost stronger than the music. But this being Stevie Wonder the music is always going to be first class and best of the best.

5. Love's In Need of Love Today (1976)

Parent Album: Songs in the Key of Life

This is one of Stevie Wonder's most beautiful protest songs. Yes, I called it a protest song. This song is every bit as powerful a message as "Living For The City" or "You Haven't Done Nothing." It's a gentle protest song against hate, as noted in the lyrics Stevie so gently sings, "Hate's goin' 'round breaking many hearts, Stop it please before it's gone too far."

This is the opening track to one the world’s most critically acclaimed albums of all time, Songs in the Key of Life. That says a lot for this song, that Stevie thought so much to make it the song that sets the mood for the album.

In an interview Stevie said, "The concept I had in mind was that for love to be effective, it has to be fed. Love by itself is hollow."

Superstar recording artist Engelbert Humperdinck, remembered for his hits "Release Me" (1967) and 'After The Lovin'" (1976), recorded "Love's In Need..." In 1978 and made it to #44 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.

4. Master Blaster (Jammin')(1980)

Parent Album: Hotter Than July

Many fans regard "Master Blaster" as one of Stevie Wonder's greatest songs. It fuses funk and reggae into a tuneful masterpiece.

Stevie melds “Jamming,” by Bob Marley and the Wailers, into the song.

This is a tribute to the sound and spirit of Bob Marley. In the song Wonder sings, "From the park I hear rhythms. Marley's hot on the box," Wonder met Marley in October 1975 when he played a concert in Kingston, Jamaica to support the Jamaican Institute for the Blind. Bob Marley and The Wailers joined Wonder on the bill.

Later in the song Wonder sings, "We've agreed to get together. Joined as children in Jah," another nod to Bob Marley, as Marley often used the term, "Jah," in his songs. "Jah" is the Rastafarian name for God.

The song was the first single from Hotter Than July and was a huge hit. It made it to #5 on the US Hot 100 Singles chart (it should have been #1). However it did reach #1 on the US R&B chart. The song reached #1 in Austria, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland. It was also in the Top 3 in Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, and UK and was in the Top 10 in several other countries.

3. "Higher Ground" (1973)

Parent Album: Innervisions

"Higher Ground" is one of Stevie Wonder's most iconic songs. It crosses the borders of music, it is not just an R&B classic and a funk classic but it's also a classic rock classic as recorded by Stevie Wonder.

The heavy bass line is probably the one best funk line in all of music. Through the magic of overdubs Stevie provides the bass line using a Moog synthesizer.

"'Higher Ground' was recorded three months before Wonder was involved in a near-fatal car accident in August 1973 that left him in a coma for four day. Early in Wonder's recovery, his road manager, Ira Tucker Jr. sang the song's melody into Wonder's ear; Wonder responded by moving his fingers in time with the music.

"Higher Ground" is steeped in spirituality. It's about getting a second (a new lease on life) to live life for the sake of what is good. "I'm so darn glad he let me try it again. Because my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin."

In the US, "Higher Ground" made it to #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart and like "Master Blaster," is a song I personally believe should have made it to #1. It was, though, #1 on the US R&B chart. It was also #9 in Canada, #16 in France, #28 Netherlands, #29 UK, and #62 Australia.

In 1989 Red Hot Chili Peppers released a funk metal version of the song which received rotation on MTV and VH1. The used in several films, TV shows and video games.

2. I Just Called To Say I Love You (1984)

Parent Album: The Woman In Red (Soundtrack)

One of Stevie's most meaningful songs. It's just a typical love song. No protest, no angst, no social commentary, just a love song, but it hits right where it counts.

It's a love song that can be a romantic love or a platonic love of friendship, a love of mother and son, a universal sort of love. As a matter of fact in the early 1990s my mom would sing the main chorus on my answering machine whenever she would call me, "I just called to say I Love You." Back then I thought it was corny, but now I cherish the memory.

The song was Stevie's biggest hit worldwide. It made it to #1 in practically every country around the world except Japan, where it reached #35. This song charted in countries where Stevie hadn't charted before.

In the US the song reached #1 for three weeks on the Hot 100 Singles chart, R&B chart and Adult Contemporary chart. It also won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song also received three nominations at the 27th Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Instrumental Performance. The song also became Wonder's only solo UK number-one success, staying at the top for six weeks, in the process also becoming Motown Records' biggest-selling single in the UK.

1. Sir Duke (1976)

Parent Album: Songs in the Key of Life

It's hard to list any one Stevie Wonder song as his most iconic. As evidenced from this list he has several that could foot the bill.

Given this, how did I end up giving the #1 spot to "Sir Duke"?

If I went strictly on overall sales "I Just Called To Say I Love You" would have topped this list. If I went strictly on message and vision then "Higher Ground" would have taken the #1 spot.

I took a few criteria into consideration.

Sales are a factor. " Sir Duke" was a #1 hit in both the US and Canada, #2 in the UK, #4 in Switzerland, #10 in Germany and charted in several other countries.

Another factor was cultural impact. How did the song impact culture. While several Stevie Wonder songs have made a cultural impact in various manners, "Sir Duke" is one that has imparted joy and festivity to millions of people from all walks of life, "Music is a world within itself. With a language we all understand."

Musicianship is a huge factor and Stevie was right on target with "Sir Duke," the trumpets and alto and tenor saxophones really give the song its groove. Wonder especially sings this one with an added verve and enthusiasm. I would argue that it's one of his best vocals.

"Sir Duke" began as a tribute to the late and great Duke Ellington, who passed away in May 1974. However Wonder wanted the song to be tribute to the musicians that were his influence. In the song Wonder mentions Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Louie Armstrong (Satchmo), Ella Fitzgerald, and the king of all Duke Ellington (Sir Duke).

This song is a special song in Stevie Wonder's catalog. It's a personal and important song to Stevie himself as well as to his fans.

Bonus:

The following is a list of Stevie Wonder's 25 Biggest Chart Hits.

This list was compiled not only from charts of the United States but also global charts from around the world.

I did not include "Ebony and Ivory" as that is a Paul McCartney song on which Stevie Wonder was simply a guest.

I also did not include "That's What Friends Are For," as that was a Dionne Warwick project of a song written by Burt Bacharach (of whom Dionne has a long history of collaboration with him) and Carole Bayer Sager. Wonder again was a guest on this song.

Had I included both songs, they would have both been in the Top 5 of the Biggest Hits list with "Ebony and Ivory" at #2.

25. Lately (1980)

24. Overjoyed (1985)

23. Love Light In Flight (1984)

22. Skeletons (1987)

21. Go Home (1985)

20. Living For The City (1973)

19. Boogie On Reggae Woman (1974)

18. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) (1970)

17. My Cherie Amour (1969)

16. Fingertips (1963)

15. Do I Do (1982)

14. For Once In My Life (1968)

13. I Was Made To Love Her (1967)

12. Send One Your Love (1979)

11. I Ain't Gonna Stand For It (1980)

10. That Girl (1982)

9. You Haven't Done Nothin' (1974)

8. Superstition (1972)

7. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (1973)

6. I Wish (1976)

5. Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday (1969)

4. Master Blaster (Jammin')(1980)

3. Sir Duke (1976)

2. Part Time Lover (1985)

1. I Just Called To Say I Love (1984)

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