I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder (1984) 2/14/24

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today's Great Song comes from the soundtrack of "The Woman in Red," the 1984 film starring Gene Wilder (who also directed), Charles Grodin, Gilda Radner and Kelly LeBrock--but most people don't remember that.

What they DO remember is that Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" was a mega-hit all over the world.

The song's premise is simple--and it's right there in the title. Basically, it's the perfect Valentine's Day song. In fact, it's the perfect ANY DAY song when you're in love.

Cashbox Magazine described it perfectly: "I Just Called to Day I Love You' is "a tender and romantic love letter which captures the ever-present and Wonderous feeling of love and optimism."

It was a tour de force for Stevie. Not only did he write the song, he played all the instruments, and sang all the vocals.

People all over the world loved the song...so much so...it charted on every continent except Antarctica. In fact, it topped the charts in a record 19 countries, while reaching #2 in Iceland and Israel.

In the US alone, it topped Billboard's Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and R&B Charts.

 But that was only the beginning! Thanks to its use in "The Woman in Red," "I Just Called to Say I Love You" won both the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and was later nominated for 3 Grammy Awards: Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Instrumental Performance!

(Note: The only negative in all this was an accusation that Stevie didn't write it, but the dispute was resolved in his favor, and that was the end of it.)

It's really a no brainer: "I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder is not just a Great Song of 1984...but the '70s as a whole--not to mention one of the all time Great Valentine songs! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58RgLQ_0Ars

Tomorrow: Deja Vu.