Stevie Wonder – Single: For Once in My Life
When this track was released 50 years ago today, “Little Stevie Wonder” had turned 18 and his music was becoming more interesting. He was not the first artist to record this Ron Miller and Orlando Murden song; Barbara McNair, Jean DuShon, The Four Tops, Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, and the Temptations also took a stab at it.
Berry Gordy passed on Wonder’s version when it was recorded in 1967, but relented in 1968 with great results: The song reached #2 on both the Billboard Pop Singles chart and the Billboard R&B Singles chart. It was held out of the #1 spot on both charts by another Motown track originally vetoed by Gordy which I’ll feature soon.
Side A: For Once in My Life
Side B: Angie Girl
-Stephen
50th Music Anniversaries and Other Musings 