Was Stevie Wonder’s 1972 undying love song written in a time of heartache?
Stevie Wonder recorded ‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life’, a song promising lasting devotion, while his marriage to fellow musician Syreeta Wright was breaking down. The timing gives the love song an added poignancy, though there is no clear evidence that Wonder wrote it about Wright or as an attempt to save their marriage.
The couple married in 1970 and had a close creative partnership, but Wright later said she felt she was living in Wonder’s shadow. The song took shape during a spontaneous studio session at Electric Lady Studios; by the time it appeared on *Talking Book* in October 1972, they had divorced. It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1973, and Wonder continued producing Wright’s records after their separation.
- Wonder recorded the love song as his marriage was faltering.
- There is no proof Wright inspired its lyrics.
- The song topped the US chart in 1973.
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Stevie Wonder is an American singer, songwriter and musician whose early 1970s albums included Talking Book. Syreeta Wright was a singer and songwriter who worked closely with him; they married in 1970 and also made music together.
Their marriage ended as Wonder’s career was flourishing. Wright later said she felt overshadowed by him, while Wonder continued to produce her records after they separated. The song became a major hit in the United States, but there is no clear evidence that he wrote it about Wright or to repair their marriage.