Stevie Wonder’s Biggest Chart Hits: A Fan’s Guide to His Legendary Singles

We still remember the first time we heard ‘My Cherie Amour’ drifting out of a car radio on a warm summer evening — that gentle, chiming melody and Stevie’s impossibly smooth vocal wrapped around it. Something clicked, and we’ve been chasing that feeling through his entire catalogue ever since. That one song sparked a lifelong love for Stevie Wonder’s chart-topping genius, and in this guide we want to share that journey with you, single by single, from the Motown prodigy years to his global smashes and beyond.

The 1960s: A Prodigy Emerges on the Charts

Before the masterpieces, there was a kid from Saginaw, Michigan, who could do things with a harmonica and a piano that grown musicians couldn’t touch. Stevie signed with Motown’s Tamla label at just 11 years old, and by his early teens he was already denting the Billboard Hot 100. For Canadian listeners tuning into AM radio in the early 1960s, his voice sounded both impossibly young and impossibly seasoned. Those first singles laid the groundwork for everything that followed.

Little Stevie Wonder’s First No. 1: ‘Fingertips Pt. 2’

Recorded live at the Regal Theater in Chicago in 1963, ‘Fingertips Pt. 2’ was a raw, joyful explosion of harmonica, bongos and crowd noise — and it became a genuine phenomenon. The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making a 13-year-old Stevie the youngest artist ever to top that chart at the time. Canadian stations picked up on the energy too, and the live recording introduced audiences north of the border to a performer who seemed to carry an entire band’s worth of charisma in his small frame.

Motown Momentum: ‘Uptight’ and ‘I Was Made to Love Her’

As the decade rolled on, Stevie’s sound tightened into the classic Motown groove. ‘Uptight (Everything’s Alright)’ arrived in 1965 and became his first Top 10 hit since ‘Fingertips’, a stomping, joyful track that showed off his maturing voice. ‘I Was Made to Love Her’ followed in 1967 and reached No. 2 on the Hot 100. And then came ‘My Cherie Amour’ — a tender ballad that RPM magazine, Canada’s music chart authority, ranked in its Top 10 in 1969. For many Canadian fans, that song remains the gateway into his catalogue.

The 1970s: Classic Era and Chart Domination

The 1970s are where Stevie stopped being a Motown hitmaker and became a singular creative force. He negotiated unprecedented artistic control, wrote and produced his own material, and played most of the instruments himself. The result was a run of albums — ‘Music of My Mind’, ‘Talking Book’, ‘Innervisions’, ‘Fulfillingness’ First Finale’ and ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ — that critics and fans still treat as a gold standard for popular music.

Breakthrough Singles: ‘Superstition’ and ‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life’

‘Superstition’ topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973 and remains a staple on Canadian classic hits radio to this day — that clavinet riff is instantly recognizable whether you’re in Toronto traffic or a Halifax diner. The same year, ‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life’ became another chart-topper, a warm, generous ballad that proved he could conquer the pop and adult contemporary charts simultaneously.

The ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ Phenomenon: ‘I Wish’ and ‘Sir Duke’

When ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ landed in 1976, it wasn’t just an album release — it was an event. The double LP spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced the hit ‘Sir Duke’, a joyful tribute to Duke Ellington that also hit No. 1 on the Hot 100. ‘I Wish’ followed it up with a funk-driven groove that gave the record yet another massive single. Canadian record stores struggled to keep the album in stock, and the songs became fixtures of radio playlists from Vancouver to St. John’s.

The 1980s: Reinvention and Global Smashes

By the 1980s, Stevie had nothing left to prove — which is exactly why he felt free to experiment. He leaned into synthesizers, embraced pop production, and ended up with some of the biggest international hits of his career. It was also a decade that brought him serious awards recognition, including an Academy Award.

The Ballad That Conquered the World: ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’

Released in 1984 as part of the soundtrack to ‘The Woman in Red’, this deceptively simple love song became an unstoppable global smash. ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1985 and reached No. 1 in Canada, sitting atop the charts for multiple weeks. Whether you loved it or found it inescapable, there was no avoiding that melody in the mid-80s — and it introduced Stevie to a whole new generation of listeners.

Dancefloor Grooves: ‘Part-Time Lover’ and ‘Overjoyed’

‘Part-Time Lover’ arrived in 1985 and proved Stevie could still dominate the dance charts, hitting No. 1 on the Hot 100 with a sleek, synth-driven groove. ‘Overjoyed’, from the same era, showed his softer side and became a staple of adult contemporary radio. The decade capped off with Grammy wins and sold-out arena tours, cementing his status as a living legend rather than a nostalgia act.

Later Hits and Enduring Chart Presence

Stevie’s output slowed in the 1990s and 2000s, but he never disappeared from the charts or from the cultural conversation. He became a collaborator of choice for younger artists, lending his unmistakable voice and harmonica to songs that introduced him to yet another generation.

1990s Highlights: ‘For Your Love’ and ‘These Three Words’

‘For Your Love’, from the 1995 album ‘Conversation Peace’, returned Stevie to the pop charts with a smooth, romantic single that Canadian radio embraced warmly. ‘These Three Words’ followed, a heartfelt track that reminded listeners of his gift for pairing simple sentiments with rich arrangements. The decade also saw him honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a fitting recognition of a career that kept evolving.

Collaborations and Legacy: Charting with Younger Artists

From his work with artists like Babyface to his appearances on records by younger stars, Stevie has remained a fixture on charts well into the 21st century. His influence echoes through Canadian artists across genres — R&B singers, pop songwriters and even indie musicians cite him as a touchstone. When a new single features a Stevie Wonder harmonica solo, it still makes headlines.

• ‘Superstition’ — No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973, still a Canadian classic hits radio staple.
• ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ — Academy Award winner in 1985 and a No. 1 single in Canada.
• ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ — 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, home to ‘Sir Duke’.
• ‘My Cherie Amour’ — ranked in RPM’s Top 10 in 1969, a Canadian fan favourite ever since.

Stevie Wonder’s Canadian Chart Impact

Canadian audiences have had a special relationship with Stevie Wonder’s music for over six decades. From the early RPM chart days to modern streaming playlists, his songs have consistently found a home here. We’ve pored over the chart archives and the concert memories, and the story is clear: Canada loves Stevie.

RPM Chart Success: Stevie’s Canadian No. 1s

RPM magazine, Canada’s music chart authority, tracked Stevie’s singles throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s. ‘My Cherie Amour’ ranked in its Top 10 in 1969, and later singles like ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ and ‘Part-Time Lover’ climbed all the way to No. 1 on Canadian charts. Those rankings confirm what fans already knew — his hits weren’t just American successes; they were Canadian ones too.

Live in Canada: Memorable Concerts and Fan Reactions

Stevie Wonder performed at Toronto’s Massey Hall in 1973, a legendary show often cited by Canadian fans as a career-defining live moment. The intimate venue and the era’s incredible setlist made it the stuff of concert folklore. In later decades, he filled arenas including Montreal’s Bell Centre, where audiences sang along to every word of ‘My Cherie Amour’ and ‘Overjoyed’. Ask any longtime Canadian fan about their first Stevie concert, and you’ll get a story.

FAQ

What was Stevie Wonder’s first No. 1 hit?

‘Fingertips Pt. 2’ hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, when Stevie was just 13 years old. It made him the youngest artist to top that chart at the time and introduced him to audiences across North America, including Canada.

Which Stevie Wonder song won an Academy Award?

‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1985. The ballad also reached No. 1 in Canada, making it one of his most successful singles both critically and commercially.

How long did ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ stay at No. 1?

The album spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced the hit ‘Sir Duke’, which topped the Hot 100. It remains one of the most celebrated albums in popular music history.

Did Stevie Wonder chart well in Canada?

Yes — RPM magazine, Canada’s music chart authority, ranked ‘My Cherie Amour’ in its Top 10 in 1969, and later singles like ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ and ‘Part-Time Lover’ reached No. 1 on Canadian charts.

What is a must-know Stevie Wonder live performance in Canada?

His 1973 show at Toronto’s Massey Hall is legendary among Canadian fans, often cited as one of the great live moments of his career. Later arena shows at Montreal’s Bell Centre also rank among fan favourites.

Stevie Wonder’s chart hits are far more than numbers on a list — they’re the soundtrack to birthday parties, first dances, road trips and quiet evenings across Canada. From ‘Fingertips Pt. 2’ to ‘Part-Time Lover’ and beyond, each single tells a story of reinvention and generosity. We hope this guide helps you rediscover a favourite or find a new one, and that the music keeps uniting generations of Canadian fans for decades to come.