Stevie Wonder’s birthday celebrated with Motown duet partner Charlene

Stevie Wonder’s 76th birthday is a celebration of his remarkable career and his collaborations with fellow vocalists like Charlene. Charlene, known for her hit Motown song “I’ve Never Been to Me,” had a chance to work with Wonder in the early ’80s, recording the duet single “Used to Be” and covering one of his flip sides, “I Love Everything About You,” back in the mid-’70s when she was a Motown artist. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of her debut album, she shared her experiences with Goldmine about working with Wonder, Berry Gordy, and Ron Miller, who wrote several hits for Wonder, including “A Place in the Sun,” “For Once in My Life,” “Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday,” and “Heaven Help Us All,” as well as “Some Day at Christmas.”

In a candid conversation with Goldmine, Charlene reminisced about how she found her way to Motown through a chance encounter at a party. She recalled meeting Berry Gordy, who was intrigued by her voice and wanted her to sing for him. Despite being initially signed as Charlene Duncan and releasing singles like “All That Love Went to Waste” in 1974, Charlene felt that Motown was unsure about how to promote her as a white female artist on their label. However, with Motown acquiring Prodigal records, Charlene found a new home at the iconic label alongside other notable artists like Rare Earth and Meat Loaf.

Charlene’s debut album on Prodigal featured the catchy track “Shake a Hand,” produced by Bob Gaudio, known for his work with The Four Seasons during the mid-’70s. Her first charting single, “It Ain’t Easy Coming Down,” written by Ron Miller and Ken Hirsch, resonated with listeners and showcased Charlene’s talent. Another significant song on her album was “Freddie,” a moving tribute to comedian Freddie Prinze of Chico and the Man, who passed away in 1977.

A standout track on Charlene’s debut album was her version of Stevie Wonder’s lesser-known hit “I Love Every Little Thing About You,” showcasing her talent for infusing Wonder’s music with her unique style. However, it was the iconic track “I’ve Never Been to Me” that truly propelled Charlene into the limelight and solidified her place at Motown. The heartwarming ballad, devoid of the narration that featured on the original album release but became a radio hit in 1977, struck a chord with audiences and remains one of Charlene’s most beloved songs.

Charlene’s journey at Motown was marked by collaborations with legends like Stevie Wonder, whose influence is evident in her music. Her incredible voice, coupled with her ability to interpret songs with depth and emotion, has made Charlene a cherished artist among Motown fans. As we honor Stevie Wonder on his birthday, let us also acknowledge the lasting impact of artists like Charlene, who continue to inspire us with their timeless music.