ON THIS DAY: A 13-YEAR-OLD STEVIE WONDER MADE HISTORY
On this very day in 1963, the music world witnessed a groundbreaking moment that forever changed the way we listen to live performances. A young prodigy, barely a teenager, stunned America when his live recording climbed to the very top of the U.S. charts. That prodigy was none other than Stevie Wonder, and the song was “Fingertips (Part 2).” 🌟
Before this release, the coveted No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 was reserved almost exclusively for polished, studio-recorded tracks. Live recordings were considered too raw, too unpredictable, and too risky to break into mainstream charts. But Stevie Wonder—only 13 years old at the time—defied every expectation. With his spirited harmonica solos, dynamic call-and-response with the audience, and infectious energy, “Fingertips (Part 2)” soared straight to the top, holding that position for three consecutive weeks.
Introduction
For context, Stevie Wonder was already signed to Motown’s Tamla label as a child prodigy, nicknamed “Little Stevie Wonder.” But “Fingertips” was the performance that transformed him from a rising star into a household name. Few people realize that this recording was captured during a Motown revue concert, where Stevie’s improvisation and the crowd’s wild enthusiasm turned a scheduled interlude into an unforgettable highlight. The track’s unpolished, live magic resonated with listeners nationwide, proving that soul and spontaneity could triumph over slick studio precision.
The significance of “Fingertips (Part 2)” goes far beyond its chart success. It was the first live recording ever to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking barriers for countless artists who would later release live albums and singles. More importantly, it marked the dawn of Stevie Wonder’s extraordinary career—a journey that would see him become one of the most innovative and beloved musicians of the 20th century. From that moment forward, audiences knew they weren’t just listening to a child star; they were witnessing the birth of a musical legend. 🎤✨
Even today, the song’s jubilant spirit brings back a wave of nostalgia for fans who remember hearing it for the first time on the radio. It reminds us of the raw, unfiltered joy of live music, and of the once-in-a-lifetime talent that Stevie Wonder shared with the world at such a young age. And just like that summer of 1963, “Fingertips (Part 2)” still stands as a testament to the power of music to surprise, uplift, and unite. 💖
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
HOST: Right about now, ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to continue with our show by introducing to you a young man that is only 12 years old and he is considered to be the genius of our time
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s you and I make him feel happy with a nice ovation as we meet and greet Little Stevie Wonder
How about it, huh?
(Cheers and applause)(Bongo drums playing)
Yeah! Yeah!
Ladies and gentlemen, now I’m going to do a song taken from my album “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie.”
The name of the song is called, uh, Fingertips
Now I want you to clap your hands, come on, come on
Yeah!
Stomp your feet, jump up and down
Do anything that you wanna do!
Yeah! Yeah!(Drums playing, harmonica solo)
(Horn section playing; harmonica solo continues)(Harmonica solo)
Yeah!
(Harmonica solo continues; horn section playing)
Everybody say yeah. (Yeah!)
Say yeah. (Yeah!)
Say yeah. (Yeah!)
Yeah. (Yeah!)
Yeah, yeah, yeah