Happy Birthday
Stevie Wonder
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You know it doesn't make much sense There ought to be a law against Anyone who takes offense At a day in your celebration 'Cause we all know in our minds That there ought to be a time That we can set aside To show just how much we love you And I'm sure you would agree It couldn't fit more perfectly Than to have a world party on the day you came to be Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday I just never understood How a man who died for good Could not have a day that would Be set aside for his recognition Because it should never be Just because some cannot see The dream as clear as he That they should make it become an illusion And we all know everything That he stood for time will bring For in peace our hearts will sing Thanks to Martin Luther King Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Why has there never been a holiday Where peace is celebrated All throughout the world The time is overdue For people like me and you Who know the way to truth Is love and unity to all God's children It should never be a great event And the whole day should be spent In full remembrance Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people So let us all begin We know that love can win Let it out don't hold it in Sing it loud as you can Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Ooh yeah Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday We know the key to unity all people Is in the dream that you had so long ago (happy birthday) That lives in all of the hearts of people (happy birthday) That believe in unity (happy birthday) We'll make the dream become a reality (happy birthday) I know we will (happy birthday) Because our hearts tell us so (happy birthday) Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday
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14 fans
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Historical Significance"Happy Birthday" by Stevie Wonder was part of his album "Hotter Than July" (1980) and it played a big role in the campaign towards making Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday a national holiday in the U.S.
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MotivationThe song was written as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and was used by Stevie Wonder as part of his campaign seeking to have King's birthday recognized as a national holiday in the United States.
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Song StructureThe song consists of a soulful melody with powerful gospel influences. It also has a memorable chorus and a heartfelt vocal performance by Stevie Wonder.
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Popular culture impactThe song is often recirculated and gets a great deal of airplay around Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year.
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Lyrics ContentThe lyrics of the song make direct reference to the struggle for racial equality, expressing the idea that there can't be a celebration of freedom until King's birthday becomes a national holiday.
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Charting InfoThe song reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1981, but did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 as it was not released as a single there.
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Public EffectThe single's success played a major role in popularizing the campaign for an MLK holiday, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and first observed in 1986.
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Musical InfluenceThe song remains one of the most notable examples of politically conscious music in Wonder's discography, demonstrating his commitment to using his platform as an artist to bring about positive change.
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LegacyThe song — and the campaign it contributed to — helped bring about a significant change in American recognition of civil rights history, and remains an important piece of Stevie Wonder's social and political legacy.
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Live PerformancesWonder has performed "Happy Birthday" at many milestone events, including the opening ceremony for President Barack Obama's monument in 2011.
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Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
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"Happy Birthday Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3534425/Stevie+Wonder/Happy+Birthday>.
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