From Covers to Classics: Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through Motown
Stevie Wonder is a legend whom most practising musicians encounter at some point—often leaving a life-changing impact.
His natural groove and effortless musical expression remain unparalleled. As a songwriter, keyboardist, harmonica player, and vocalist, his skills are second to none.
Originally known as Little Stevie Wonder, he was discovered on the streets of Detroit, where he played the harmonica as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
Signed by Berry Gordy’s Motown, he released his first two albums in 1962: The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie and Tribute to Uncle Ray—a nod to his idol, Ray Charles.
By the time he recorded his third album, The 12 Year Old Genius, Stevie was—just as the title suggests—only 12 years old.
These early albums featured songs such as Fingertips, Hallelujah I Love Her So, and Drown in My Own Tears, all of which were covers.
Stevie’s next albums continued the trend of covers. He recorded Smile, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Get Happy, When You Wish Upon a Star, and Blowin’ in the Wind before his first major self-penned hit arrived in 1965 with Uptight (Everything’s Alright).
The following year, Uptight appeared on the album Down to Earth, which also featured the stunning A Place in the Sun, written specifically for Stevie by Ronald Miller and Bryan Wells.
By 1967, at just 17 years old, Stevie had already released his seventh studio album, I Was Made to Love Her. Alongside the title track, it included Respect, My Girl, and Can I Get a Witness. Seven albums in, and his catalogue still largely consisted of covers and co-writes!
The next two releases were a Christmas album and an instrumental album, setting the stage for his 1968 record For Once in My Life—another Ronald Miller composition. Originally a slow ballad released in 1965, Stevie’s version became the definitive take. The album also featured Sunny and God Bless the Child (popularised by Billie Holiday).
In 1969, the hits kept coming with Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday and My Cherie Amour. The album also included covers of At Last and Light My Fire.
Songs in the Key of Genius: Stevie Wonder’s Golden Run
By 1970, Stevie had released two live albums—essentially a greatest hits collection of everything mentioned so far—along with covers of Everybody’s Talkin’ (Fred Neil) and Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel).
As the final track, we also get one of his biggest hits, Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours), which became the title of his next album. This record also features his incredible Beatles cover of We Can Work It Out.
I can’t emphasise this enough—almost a decade in, and after 15 albums, Stevie was still mainly releasing covers. There’s a lesson in perseverance here for all of us…
Then, in 1971, he released his first album made up entirely of original songs. Where I’m Coming From marked a shift, yet surprisingly, it contained no major hits.
In 1972, Stevie signed a new deal with Motown, gaining full artistic control. His first release under this contract was Music of My Mind—but still, no hits.
That same year, however, Talking Book changed everything. This album delivered his signature song Superstition, along with You Are the Sunshine of My Life and I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)—silencing any critics.
By 1973, things had reached another level with Innervisions. This album was packed with Too High, Living for the City, Golden Lady, Higher Ground, All in Love Is Fair, Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing, and He’s Misstra Know-It-All.
Stevie’s next release in 1974 didn’t quite hit the same heights—only Boogie On Reggae Woman stands out as a true classic. But that’s fine, because what came next was one of the greatest albums ever recorded.
In 1976, Songs in the Key of Life arrived, featuring I Wish, Isn’t She Lovely, Sir Duke, and As—four of the finest songs you’ll ever hear.
This was followed by a six-sided (!) greatest hits collection, Looking Back, and the film soundtrack Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants.
Then, in 1980, another classic Stevie Wonder album landed—Hotter Than July. This one treated us to Master Blaster (Jammin’), Happy Birthday, and Lately.
After another greatest hits album and the soundtrack for The Woman in Red, which featured his best-selling single of all time, I Just Called to Say I Love You, Stevie released his last album to contain a true classic.
In 1985, In Square Circle arrived, featuring Part-Time Lover. Perhaps not his best production, but still a great tune.
While Stevie continued releasing albums after this, the golden era of his hits had passed. That said, what an incredible run he had!
If you haven’t already, you should dive into his entire back catalogue—it’s filled with some of the finest music ever written and performed.
Stevie Wonder has changed the lives of countless musicians. Will he change yours too?
Stevie Wonder Tunes | Related Pages
All In Love Is Fair | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play All In Love Is Fair by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C#madd9 | C#madd9/B | A#m7add4 |
All is fair in love, love’s a crazy game…
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: All In Love Is Fair (Stevie Wonder) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
At Last | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play At Last by Etta James using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| F | Dm7 | Gm7 | C7 | F | Dm7 |
At last, my love has come along…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: At Last (Etta James) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Blowin’ In The Wind | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Blowin’ In The Wind by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| G C G/B | D/A D G | G C G/B | G |
How many years can a mountain exist, before it’s washed to the sea…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Blowin’ In The Wind – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Can I Get A Witness | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Can I Get A Witness by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, a backing track, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Eb Ab | Db Ab | Eb Ab | Db Ab |
Ah listen, everybody, especially you girls…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Can I Get A Witness – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Everybody’s Talkin’ | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Cmaj7 G6 | Cmaj7 G6 |
Everybody’s talkin’ at me…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Everybody’s Talkin’ (Harry Nilsson) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
For Once In My Life | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play For Once In My Life by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| F Faug | F6 D7b9/F# |
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me…
Higher Ground | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
||: Eb7 Gb6 Ab7 | Eb7 Gb6 Ab7 :||
People, keep on learnin’. Soldiers, keep on warnin’…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
I Wish | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play I Wish by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and a Spytunes video guitar lesson.
| Emb7 Ab | Ebm7 Ab |
Looking back on when I was a little nappy-headed boy…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: I Wish (Stevie Wonder) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Isn’t She Lovely | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C#m7 | F#9 | B11 | E6 |
Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she wonderful…
Master Blaster (Jammin’) | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Master Blaster by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, a backing track, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Cm | Cm Bb | Ab | Ab G |
Everyone’s feeling pretty, it’s hotter than July…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Master Blaster – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
My Girl | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play My Girl by The Temptations using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C | F | C | F |
I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: My Girl (The Temptations) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Respect | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Respect by Aretha Franklin using chords, lyrics, a backing track, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| G7 | F7 |
(Oh) What you want, (Oh) Baby, I got it…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Respect – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) | Chords + Lyrics
Learn to play Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| F | Dm |
Like a fool, I went and stayed too long…
Sir Duke | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| B | G#m | G | F#7 |
Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Sunny | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Sunny by Bobby Hebb using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Em7 | G9 | Cmaj7 | F#m7b5 B7 |
Sunny, yesterday my life was filled with rain…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Sunny (Bobby Hebb) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Superstition | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play Superstition by Stevie Wonder using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Ebm7 (Ab7/Eb Ebm7) | Ebm7 (Ab7/Eb Ebm7) |
Very superstitious…
Stevie Wonder on the web
