I’m a genius. And so is Stevie Wonder.

I love headphones.

I love to put them on and go into my own little world.  I love to hear parts of the music that get missed or engulfed when you listen to a song through speakers.  I love to hear the lyrics more clearly.  Some songs are absolutely transformed when heard through headphones.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved to fall asleep listening to music through headphones.  Of course, when I was a kid, they were those huge, padded headphones…with a REALLY long, curly telephone-like cord that stretched from my bed across my room to my stereo, where a Peter Frampton or Styx  album was on the turntable.  (Yes, I used the words “album” and “turntable”.  We’re talking late ’70s here, people.  I’m old.)

The other night, for the first time in a long time, I put my iPod on shuffle and donned my headphones.  I snuggled up in bed and allowed myself to be pleasantly surprised by whatever came up.

That’s when I realized that Stevie Wonder had written the perfect love song.

Truly.  I’m not even kidding!  It’s appropriate for adults in love, for a parent to a child, and if you’re the religious type…even fits as a reminder of how we’re loved by God.  It’s not sugary or sappy, nor suggestive and explicit – it’s joyous and uplifting.  It’s friggin’ perfect, and I can’t believe I never paid more attention to it before.  THAT’s the power of headphones, folks.

I almost got out of bed to write a post about it right then, but my hubs thought I was out of my gourd, so I deferred until today.  But, I’m every bit as jazzed about it now as I was the other night…matter of fact, I’m on a complete Stevie Wonder kick all of the sudden.  That man is flat out amazing.

"Always" starts...

I put this song on a CD for the car (which is where Liam and I jam and talk music whilst bopping from Summer Camp to Playdates to Soccer) and explained that they lyrics would tell him how much Mama loves him.  I sang along and enunciated clearly (because some of the clarity gets lost in the exuberance).  Since so many references are to natural things on the Earth that he can understand and sort of put into a 4 year old perspective…he got it.  And, of course, he LOVES it.  He gets his groovy funk on in the carseat, with whoops and thunderous handclaps.  And he tells me that’s how much he loves me, too.

See?  PERFECT love song.

So, I invite you to grab some headphones, click “play” and think about someone you love (or who loves you) beyond measure.  See if this doesn’t make you feel all warm, fuzzy and joyful.  See if you don’t move in your seat – or around the room.  And see if you don’t agree that Mr. Stevie Wonder and I are both geniuses.

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(doo doo doo doo)

As around the sun the Earth knows she’s revolving
and the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love’s the cure,
you can rest your mind assured
that I’ll be loving you always.

As love can’t reveal the mystery of tomorrow
but in passing will grow older everyday
Just as all that’s born is new
you know what I say is true -
that I’ll be loving you always.

Chorus
(until the rainbow burns the starlight in the sky)
Always!
(until the ocean covers every mountain high)
Always!
(until the dolphin flies and parrots swim at sea)
Always!
(until we dream of life and life becomes a dream)

Did you know that true love asks for nothing?
Her acceptance is the way we pay.
Did you know that life is giving love a guarantee
to last through forever and another day?

Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
and the seasons know exactly when to change
just as kindness knows no shame,
know through all your joy and pain
I’ll be loving you always

As today I know I’m living, but tomorrow
could make me the past, but that I mustn’t fear.
For I’ll know deep in my mind
the love of me I’ve left behind
’cause I’ll be loving you always

Chorus
(until the day is night and night becomes the day)
Always!
(until the trees and seas just up and fly away)
Always!
(until that day the eight times eight times eight is four)
Always!
(until the day is the day that I’m no more)
Did you know you’re loved by somebody!
(until the day the Earth starts turning right to left)
Always!
(until the Earth just for the Sun denies herself )
I’ll be loving you forever!
(until your Mother Nature says her work is through)
Always!
(until the day you are me and I am you)
Always!
(until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky)
Yeh!
(until the ocean covers every mountain high)
Always!

(Instrumental)

We all know sometimes life’s hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet your life, times that and twice its double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
so make sure when you say “you’re in it but not of it”
You’re not helping to make this Earth a place sometimes called Hell
Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love
And maybe your children’s grandchildren
And their great-great grandchildren will tell
I’ll be loving you

I’ll be loving you
(until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky)
loving you!
(until the ocean covers every mountain high)
loving you
(until the day is night and night becomes the day)
I’m loving you
(until the the dolphins fly and parrots live at sea)
loving you…

…um…by now I was up and dancing, so I stopped typing.