Stevie Wonder reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts from two different years on this day – 1974 and 1985.
November 2, 1974
You Haven’t Done Nothin‘ became Wonder’s fourth chart-topper, following Fingertips-Pt. 2 (1963), Superstition (1972) and You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (1973).
Having replaced Then Came You by Dionne Warwicke & The Spinners, the ride at the summit would be short-lived, with Canadian rockers Bachman-Turner Overdrive shifting into the top spot over Stevie the following week with You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.
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[Note] Some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
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YOU HAVEN’T DONE NOTHIN’
Stevie Wonder
[1974]
The Jackson 5 made a guest appearance on the record, backing Stevie’s “Doo Doo Wop” vocal parts.
https://youtu.be/mLGtNGtmVaQ
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‘You Haven’t Done Nothin” was the first of two singles from Stevie Wonder’s seventeenth studio album Fulfillingness’ First Finale, released on July 22,1974.Boogie On Reggae Woman followed it in November, reaching #3 in early 1975.
The album received three Grammy Awards, including “Album of the Year” in 1974.
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During the next 10 years (1975-1984), Stevie Wonder’s magic continued with four more #1 singles – I Wish (1976), Sir Duke (1977) a duet recording with Paul McCartney titled Ebony And Ivory (1982) and 1984’s I Just Called To Say I Love You (an Oscar winner from the movie The Woman In Red, starring Gene Wilder and Kelly LeBrock).
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November 2, 1985
On September 13th of ’85, Motown Records issued Stevie Wonder’s twentieth album on their label, In Square Circle, and it produced another Grammy Award for “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.”
The album was one of the first to forego traditional analog technology and was recorded using all-digital equipment.
And 11 years to the day after ‘You Haven’t Done Nothin” reached number one on Billboard, the first single from the LP, called Part-Time Lover, matched that achievement.
PART-TIME LOVER
Stevie Wonder
(Single Version)
[1985]
‘Part-Time Lover’ was a chart record-setter for Stevie, reaching #1 not only on the Billboard Hot 100, but their R&B, Dance, and Adult Contemporary listings. That simultaneous success made him the first artist to score a number-one hit on four different Billboard charts.
Released on August 24th, 1985, PTL included backup vocals by the late Luther Vandross.
https://youtu.be/V9_pQhQRFYA
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Thus far, ‘Part-Time Lover’ is Stevie Wonder’s last #1 hit record, with the exception of his appearance on That’s What Friends Are For – listed as by Dionne & Friends – which also featured Dionne Warwick, Elton John and Gladys Knight.
That song was number one for 4 weeks in January-February, 1986.
Two more singles from ‘In Square Circle ‘ would follow ‘Part-Time Lover’ – Go Home (1985 • #10) and Overjoyed (1986 • #24).
[Note] During a 7-week stretch between October 5 and November 15, 1985 the top spot on the Hot 100 changed hands seven times – Money For Nothing (Dire Straits), Oh Sheila (Ready For The World), Take On Me (a-ha), Saving All My Love For You (Whitney Houston), Part-Time Lover (Stevie Wonder), Miami Vice Theme (Jan Hammer) and We Built This City (Starship), in that order, could only hold on to #1 for one week.
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DEEP TRAK!
PART-TIME LOVER
Stevie Wonder
(Instrumental Version)
[1985]
The B-side of the ‘Part-Time Lover’ single is a rarely heard Stevie song which isn’t included on ‘In Square Circle’ (or any album) – an instrumental version of the song.
https://youtu.be/ocjtVR1AEZ0
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Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
