"For Once in My Life" is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. It was released on December 6, 1968, on the Motown record label Tamla. The album demonstrated a departure from his earlier works as it marked a maturing 18-year-old Wonder, evolving his style and transitioning into his classic period.
The album featured a combination of soul, pop, and Motown sound, displaying an increasing social consciousness and maturity in Wonder's songwriting. The album's tracks include a mix of ballads, pop-oriented tunes, and some of his first experimentations with soul and funk.
The title track, "For Once in My Life," is a significant highlight of the album. It has been a massive success, becoming one of Wonder's most iconic songs. Other noteworthy tracks include "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day," "You Met Your Match," and "I Wanna Make Her Love Me."
Moreover, "For Once in My Life" was critically acclaimed for its music, compositions, and Wonder's vocals. The album charted at number nine on Billboard's R&B charts and peaked at 50 on the U.S. Pop charts. Besides its commercial success, the album is also known for its impact and influence on the sub-genres of Motown Sound and Soul music.
