I Just Called to Say I Love You

"I Just Called to Say I Love You"
French release sleeve
Single by Stevie Wonder
from the album The Woman in Red
B-side"I Just Called to Say I Love You (Instrumental)"
ReleasedAugust 1, 1984[1]
StudioFrank Farian's FAR STUDIOS (Rosbach vor der Höhe, Germany)[2]
GenreR&B[3]
Length6:17 (album version)
4:25 (single version)
6:44 (12" version)
LabelMotown – MOT-684
Songwriter(s)Stevie Wonder[4]
Producer(s)Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder singles chronology
"Front Line"
(1983) 		"I Just Called to Say I Love You"
(1984) 		"Love Light in Flight"
(1984)
Official audio
"I Just Called To Say I Love You" on YouTube

"I Just Called to Say I Love You" is a ballad written, produced, and performed by American R&B singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder.[4] It was a major international hit, and remains Wonder's best-selling single to date, reaching number one in 28 countries worldwide.

The song was the lead single from the 1984 soundtrack album The Woman in Red,[4] along with two other songs by Wonder, and scored number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks from October 13 to 27, 1984. It also became his tenth number-one on the R&B chart, and his fourth on the adult contemporary chart; it spent three weeks at the top of both charts, and for the same weeks as on the Hot 100.[5] The song also became Wonder's only solo UK number-one success, staying at the top for six weeks, in the process also becoming Motown Records' biggest-selling single in the UK, a distinction it still held as of 2018.[4] In addition, the song won both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.[4] The song also received three nominations at the 27th Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

Composition

The song's lyrics have Wonder surprising someone in his life with an unexpected telephone call. Throughout the song, Wonder lists various events in a yearly calendar that might prompt someone to call a loved one. Yet he explains no special annual event such as New Year's Day or Halloween spurred the call. He simply wants to say that he loves them from the bottom of his heart. Cash Box described the song as "a tender and romantic love letter which captures the ever-present and Wonderous feeling of love and optimism."[6]

There was a dispute among Wonder, his former writing partner Lee Garrett, and Lloyd Chiate as to who actually wrote the song. Chiate claimed in a lawsuit that he and Garrett wrote the song years before its 1984 release. However, a jury ultimately sided with Wonder.[7]

Personnel

Mixing at Frank Farian's FAR STUDIOS in Germany, 1984

Music video

A music video of the song has Wonder, during a concert, singing into a telephone receiver while seated at a piano.[8] By the end of the song, he and the audience are standing and swaying to the music. The video features concert footage recorded in Rotterdam Ahoy, in the Netherlands, on August 10, 1984.[9]

Charts

Sales and certifications

Certifications and sales for "I Just Called to Say I Love You"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[69] 3× Platinum 408,000[68]
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[70] Gold 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[72] Gold 800,000[71]
Germany (BVMI)[73] Gold 500,000^
Italy (FIMI)[74] Gold 50,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[75] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[76] Platinum 30,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[77] Platinum 170,000[77]
Russia (NFPF)[78]
Ringtone 		Gold 100,000*
South Korea — 27,942[A]
United Kingdom (BPI)[82] Platinum 1,874,225[81]
United States (RIAA)[83] Gold 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Cumulative sales of "I Just Called to Say I Love You" in South Korea:
    • 2016 (Month 1): 18,009[79]
    • 2016 (Month 2): 9,933[80]

References

  1. ^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Database". Riaa.org. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  2. ^ Kaufman, Gil (January 23, 2024). "Frank Farian, Milli Vanilli/Boney M Producer Dies at 82". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  3. ^ Wiebe, David Andrew (March 30, 2022). "Music Genres List - 67 Top Music Styles With Examples". Music Industry How To. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 136. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ "I Just Called to Say I Love You" topped the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and R&B charts simultaneously from October 13 to 27, 1984:
  6. ^ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. August 11, 1984. p. 7. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  7. ^ Weinstein, Henry (February 23, 1990). "Wonder Wins Suit Over Song". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  8. ^ "Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You". YouTube. 30 December 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  9. ^ NPO Radio 5: Clip van 'I Just Called To Say I Love You'
  10. ^ "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). April 29, 1985. p. 10. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  11. ^ Grant. "Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1984". Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  12. ^ "Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  13. ^ "Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  14. ^ "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). October 1, 1984. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  15. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8968." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  16. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8937." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). November 19, 1984. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  18. ^ "Danish Chart Archive - Singles 1979 - ____ (B.T./IFPI DK)". www.ukmix.org. November 30, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  19. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. No. 27. October 1, 1984. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  20. ^ Timo (August 13, 2015). "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit WIL - WOY". Sisältää hitin. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  21. ^ "InfoDisc : Les Tubes de chaque artiste commençant par W". Infodisc.fr. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  22. ^ "Greece Single Charts - Number Ones". UKMIX Forums. June 29, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  23. ^ "Topp 10 vinsælustu lögin". DV (in Icelandic). August 31, 1984. p. 37. ISSN 1021-8254. Retrieved July 25, 2020 – via Timarit.is.
  24. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Just Called to Say I Love You". Irish Singles Chart.
  25. ^ "Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995". www.ukmix.org. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  26. ^ "Italy End Of Year Singles Charts 1984". www.hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  27. ^ Chartsventes (September 8, 2015). "World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries: Stevie WONDER". World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  28. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Stevie Wonder" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  29. ^ "Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  30. ^ "Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You". Top 40 Singles.
  31. ^ "Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You". VG-lista.
  32. ^ "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). October 29, 1984. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  33. ^ "TOP 20 TMP Portugal - number one in the 80's airplay charts". www.laurentpons.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  34. ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  35. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  36. ^ "Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You". Singles Top 100.
  37. ^ "Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You". Swiss Singles Chart.
  38. ^ "Stevie Wonder: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  39. ^ "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). February 4, 1985. p. 12. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  40. ^ "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  41. ^ "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  42. ^ "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  43. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending October 13, 1984". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  44. ^ "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). November 12, 1984. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  45. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  46. ^ "Number one hits in Zimbabwe". UKMIX Forums. October 29, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  47. ^ "Digital Chart: 2016 Weeks 03". Circle. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  48. ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  49. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  50. ^ "Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Imgur.com.
  51. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1984". Ö3 Austria Top 40 (in German). Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  52. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1984: Singles". Ultratop (in Dutch). Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  53. ^ "Top 100 Músicas Mais Tocadas em 1984" [Top 100 Most Played Songs of 1984]. March 24, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  54. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9638." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  55. ^ "Top Annuale Singoli 1984". Hitparadeitalia.it (in Italian). Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  56. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1984". MegaCharts (in Dutch). Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  58. ^ "End of Year Charts 1984". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  59. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1984: Singles". Swiss Charts Portal (in German). Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  60. ^ "Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Music Week. London, England: Morgan-Grampian plc. January 26, 1985. p. 37. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  61. ^ "Talent Almanac 1985: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 96, no. 51. December 22, 1984. p. TA-19.
  62. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1984". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  63. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1984". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  64. ^ "Kent Music Report No 599 – 30 December 1985 > National Top 100 Singles for 1985". Kent Music Report. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Imgur.
  65. ^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Annual Chart: 2024". TopHit. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  66. ^ "The UK's biggest selling singles of all time". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  67. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  68. ^ "Maple Briefs". Billboard. April 20, 1985. p. 66. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 14, 2022 – via Google Books.
  69. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You". Music Canada.
  70. ^ "Danish single certifications – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  71. ^ Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment (ed.). "TOP – 1984". 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles (in French). OCLC 469523661. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022 – via Top-France.fr.
  72. ^ "French single certifications – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You" (in French). InfoDisc. Select STEVIE WONDER and click OK. 
  73. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Stevie Wonder; 'I Just Called to Say I Love You')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  74. ^ "Italian single certifications – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  75. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called To Say I Love You" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved February 16, 2020. Enter I Just Called To Say I Love You in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1984 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  76. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called To Say I Love You". Radioscope. Retrieved April 25, 2025. Type I Just Called To Say I Love You in the "Search:" field.
  77. ^ a b Tenente, Fernando (March 2, 1985). "Fourth-Quarter Upturn in Portugal" (PDF). Billboard. p. 71. Retrieved January 3, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  78. ^ "Российская индустрия звукозаписи 2011" (PDF) (in Russian). Lenta. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  79. ^ "Download Chart: 2016.01 Month". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  80. ^ "Download Chart: 2016.02 Month". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  81. ^ Copsey, Rob (September 19, 2017). "The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  82. ^ "British certifications – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  83. ^ "American single certifications – Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.