Portrait of Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder

Musician, songwriter

Contemporary influential 52 sayings

Sayings by Stevie Wonder

I've flown a plane before.

Unknown — Interview
General Unverifiable

I got a call from Smokey [Robinson] and he said, ʻI didn't like your choice of material. I think it's really ridiculous.' I said, ʻI don't give a uh what you think, or what anyone thinks!”

Unknown, but likely early in his career — Interview discussing his early career decisions.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

When I was a child, kids used to make fun of me because I was blind. But I just became more curious, 'How can I climb this tree and get an apple for this girl?' That's what mattered to me.

Unknown — Interview, reflecting on his childhood.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

If you drink too much I'll have to say! You're gonna have to be driven home by me or Ray!

1985 — During the recording of 'We Are The World', joking about himself and Ray Charles driving people home…
Food & Drink Unverifiable

You can't read it/ You can't read Braille/ Nya nya nya nya nya nya.

2016 — At the 2016 Grammy Awards, playfully teasing the audience while presenting the Song of the Year awar…
General Unverifiable

If you were in a situation where you needed to get to the hospital immediately, and you needed someone to drive you there, I know you have great love for me, but would you trust me driving there?

2016 — On 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert', using his blindness as a humorous analogy for Donald Trump'…
Relationships Unverifiable

I did not drive myself there.

2016 — On 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert', a humorous callback to his driving analogy after mentioning…
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

It's three.

Unknown, but referenced in a 2016 article about his humor — Response to a question about how many women he'd been with, causing audience laughter at a public ev…
General Unverifiable

My music would be the same if I wasn't blind.

Unknown, but referenced in a 2025 YouTube video description of an interview — Interview discussing his creative process and the impact of his blindness.
General Unverifiable

Ya gots to work with what ya gots to work with.

Unknown — General life advice, widely cited.
Work & Money Unverifiable

Sometimes I wish I could drive a car, but I'm gonna drive a car one day, so I don't worry about that.

Unknown — Interview, expressing a hopeful and slightly absurd aspiration.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

Sometimes, I feel I am really blessed to be blind because I probably would not last a minute if I were able to see things.

Unknown — Interview, offering a unique perspective on his blindness.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

You know there have been rumors about me seeing and all that? But seriously, you know the truth. Truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind.

2025 (referenced in article for a 'recent' concert) — During a concert appearance in Cardiff, Wales, addressing long-standing rumors about his vision.
General Unverifiable

I don't follow politics anymore. It's too much. I follow the truth.

2025 (referenced in article for a 'recent' quote) — Interview, expressing his disengagement from partisan politics.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

Just don't call me George Schwarz that as you know is his. real. name.

1970 — During an interview on 'The Dick Cavett Show', humorously deflecting from his birth name 'Stevland M…
General Unverifiable

I was into voices at the time I thought by the voice being high that Bobbie was a short girl. I don't know how funny that would be today, but it was funny then.

Unknown, but referring to his youth. — Reflecting on a childhood misunderstanding about a person's gender based on their voice.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

Oh, my hair hurts me! ... You're hair is so nappy, it hurts. Your hair that hurts you. Your hair is hurting you.” So they used to call me Nappy Wonder.

Unknown, but during his early career with Motown. — Recounting an anecdote from his time on Motown tours with The Temptations.
General Unverifiable

Hey, mate, are you, Stevie Wonder? Hey, Stevie Wonder, tell me how many fingers I got up? If you're Stevie Wonder, you can tell me how many fingers I got up.” “Four.” “See I knew you weren't Stevie Wonder, you weren't supposed to tell me that.”

2005 (interview year) — Recounting a humorous interaction with a fan in a pub.
General Unverifiable

I don't know, I felt that if God didn't want me to sing it, he wouldn't have given me the talent to do it!

2005 (interview year) — Responding to criticism from his Black Pentecostal church for singing secular music.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

I'm probably worse now.

2005 (interview year) — Responding to a question about whether he was as playful during the Motown tours as he is now.
General Unverifiable
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