My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder

Album: My Cherie Amour (1969)

Charted: 4 4

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Songfacts®:

The title is French for "My Dearest Love."
Wonder wrote this song in 1967 when he was a student at Michigan School for the Blind, recording a rough version and putting into his trusty "tape box," where he kept his song ideas. He wrote the song for his girlfriend at the time, Marcia, and the song was originally titled "Oh My Marcia."

By the time he recorded the song, Marcia was out of the picture, so Wonder changed the title to "My Cherie Amour."
Motown songwriter/producers Henry Cosby and Sylvia Moy wrote this with Wonder, who was 19 at the time. Wonder was recording at age 12, and was writing songs in his teenage years. On his later hits, Wonder did almost all of the writing and production himself, but early on, he had a lot of help from the Motown staff.
This was first released as the B-side of Wonder's single "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)" in January 1969. Many disc jockeys flipped the single and played "My Cherie Amour," so Motown reissued the single with the sides reversed. In July 1969, "My Cherie Amour," reached its US peak of #4 on the Hot 100, and in August, the song was used as the title track to Wonder's album.
Stevie Wonder left quite an impression on Saturday Night Live when he was the host and musical guest on the May 7, 1983 episode. Eddie Murphy had perfected a Stevie Wonder impersonation that he often did on the show, so he and Wonder teamed up for a bit where Murphy is auditioning Stevie Wonder impersonators, and Stevie applies. Wonder makes a mess of his audition, singing way off key and out of time, so Murphy shows him how to do it, singing a few lines of "My Cherie Amour" quite competently. After a few tries in his fake voice, Wonder does it for real and the audience goes crazy. After a pause, Murphy says, "It still sucks, man."

Two years later, Murphy branched out into singing and had a big hit with "Party All The Time."
This song plays a part in the 2012 movie Silver Linings Playbook. Bradley Cooper's character, Pat, goes off the rails when he comes home to find his wife cheating on him while this song - their wedding song - is playing. From that point on, the song becomes a trigger for Pat, who loses his mind when he hears it.

In the book the film was adapted from, it's a different song that makes Pat go crazy: "Songbird" by Kenny G.

Comments: 19

M. Turboffy from Alma Co.An elegant, classy ode to unrequitted love. Compareable to "The Girl From Ipanema". Bittersweet longing...
Quasisp from IndianaI can remember an instrumental version of this song was used as background music in 1979 for a Terre Haute, Indiana news segment on WTWO-2 called "Today In Illiana". So, every time I hear this song, it reminds me of this instrumental version that was used as background music for a news segment. ;-)
Jules from OregonThis song will always remind me of my eldest sister, being her favorite. She exposed me to the great soul and funk of the 70s. I will always be grateful.
Dennis from Huntington Beach, CaThis song was to be released as the 'B' side, but I gave Henry my strong opinion, who was in Billie Jean's office when I delivered the pre-release vinyls, this should be the 'A' side. Seems that was the overall opinion at Motown HQ, and the vinyl was released as a dual 'A'. Stevie was a good friend and wonderful human being.
Steve from Princeton, NjWhat did Stevie Wonder sing after pulling a woman named Mary out of the ocean?
"My Mary Ashore."
Anne from Kerrville, Italythis song was perfect for the scene in almost famous
Maranda from Philadelphia, PaMichael...you've said it so eloquently. I get the feeling that Stevie is a messenger of The Ultimate Most High. The voice of an angel can't even compare...
Krista from Carbondale, PaOne of the most innocent, sweet songs out there probably. Stevie Wonder is a musical genius.
Michael from Harvey, NdCan't help listening to Stevie as singing God's part. It's the Lord reaching out in song to touch the human heart. God is madly in love with His creatures. Yet, as Wonder expresses, we, the beloved, are more often than not oblivious to His advances.
Ken from Louisville, KyAn instumental snippet of this song was used in a scene in an elevator during the final season of "The West Wing".
Kenny from Clydebank, ScotlandWonderful, stevie sings 'my cherie amour' and paul McCartney, Michelle, ma belle. Both songs are beautiful ballads.
Annabelle from Eugene, OrI'm confused. In the songfacts, it says that "My Cherie Amour" is French for "My Dearest Love". However, from what I've learned from a foreign exchange student, a Native of France named Stephanie, "My Cherie Amour" literally translates to, "My Darling Love". So which one is right? Is it the source on Songfacts? Or is it the foreign exchange student from France?
Andy from Arlington, VaOn Saturday Night Live in the early '80s, Wonder appeared in a skit with Eddie Murphy, who was known for his Wonder impression. In the skit, Murphy played a record executive and Wonder played a bad Wonder impersonator. Murphy "teaches" Wonder how to act and sing like Wonder. Murphy starts to sing My Cherie Amour, then Wonder finishes it in his normal singing voice. Murphy pauses, then says "No, it still sucks."
Howard from St. Louis Park, MnThis song will always be remembered for the line "La la la la la la la la la la la la."
Garfield from Brooklyn, Nystevie wonder i love you this song is so touching. keep writing great songs because it can touch peoples lives alot. You just dont know.
Garfield from Brooklyn, NyI love this song so much it reminds me of a boy i loved and still love named joseph gonzalez . This is how i feel about him. I know he feels the same way. Im crazy over him. Joseph anthony gonzalez that went to Isaac bildersee in brooklyn if you ever see this message i just want you to know that ilove you and you will always have a piece of my heart!!! (68) p.s. we went to school together.
Scott from Chicago, Ilmccartney and wonder had a very similar affinity for a perfectly written love ballad with uplift...not just a coincidence that they recorded together years later.....
Joseph from Manteca, CaThis song is played in the movie "Almost Famous" in a scene in which Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) is having her stomach pumped after taking a bunch of 'ludes...rock and roll...
Maddie from Yakima, WaSuch a pretty song!

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