About the song
**”I Just Called to Say I Love You”** is a quintessential ballad by American R&B icon Stevie Wonder, known for its heartfelt simplicity and emotional resonance. Released as the lead single from the 1984 soundtrack album *The Woman in Red*, this track has achieved remarkable success and remains Wonder’s best-selling single to date, topping a record 19 charts globally.
The song was a major international hit, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks from October 13 to 27, 1984. It also enjoyed a significant presence on other charts, securing the top position for three weeks on both the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts during the same period. In the UK, the song made a profound impact, becoming Wonder’s only solo number-one single there and reigning at the top for an impressive six weeks. Its success in the UK also earned it the distinction of being Motown Records’ biggest-selling single in the region, a title it held as of 2018.
“I Just Called to Say I Love You” was not only a commercial success but also a critical one. The song won both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song, underscoring its widespread acclaim. Additionally, it received three nominations at the 27th Grammy Awards, including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
The composition of the song is as charming as its accolades suggest. The lyrics convey a simple yet profound message—Wonder calls a loved one not to mark a special occasion but simply to express his love. The song’s narrative is framed around various annual events that might typically prompt such a call, but Wonder’s message transcends these events, emphasizing a spontaneous and genuine expression of affection. Cash Box aptly described it as “a tender and romantic love letter which captures the ever-present and Wonderous feeling of love and optimism.”
Despite its success, there was some controversy surrounding its authorship. A legal dispute arose involving Wonder, his former writing partner Lee Garrett, and Lloyd Chiate, who claimed to have co-written the song. Ultimately, a jury sided with Wonder, affirming his role as the song’s principal writer.
In addition to its success on the charts and in awards, the song’s music video captures the essence of Wonder’s performance. Filmed during a concert in Rotterdam Ahoy, Netherlands, the video features Wonder singing into a telephone receiver while seated at a piano, creating a visual representation of the song’s intimate and personal nature. The video concludes with Wonder and the audience standing and swaying to the music, reflecting the song’s universal appeal and emotional depth.
Overall, “I Just Called to Say I Love You” stands as a timeless testament to Stevie Wonder’s songwriting brilliance and his ability to touch hearts with his music.
Video
Lyrics
No New Year’s Day to celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact here’s just another ordinary dayNo April rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
But what it is, is something true
Made up of these three words that I must say to youI just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heartNo summer’s high
No warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skiesNo Libra sun
No Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever doI just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heartI just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart,
of my heartI just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart,
baby of my heart