"With a Song in My Heart" is the third studio album recorded by American musician Stevie Wonder, released on the Motown label in 1963. The album showcased the thirteen-year-old Wonder's voice breaking and changing into the rich tenor that characterized his adult work.
Born as Stevland Hardaway Judkins, the accomplished blind musician was known professionally as Little Stevie Wonder in the early part of his career. He later dropped the 'Little' from his stage name and came to be known simply as Stevie Wonder.
In "With a Song in My Heart," Wonder mainly covers popular Broadway tunes and gets a chance to display his musical versatility. The album's standouts include the title track, "When Your Lover Has Gone," "Ain't She Sweet," and "Manhattan." Steering a bit away from the "Little" sound, this album is recognized as a significant step towards developing his mature sound.
The album, produced by Clarence Paul, was not as successful on the charts as his previous albums. However, it remains a critically appreciated representation of Stevie's early talent development and transformation. His ability to weave soulful renditions of jazz standards made this album a standout in his early dabble in different genres and styles. Despite not making significant commercial success, "With a Song in My Heart" still played a crucial role in solidifying Wonder's artistry and future musical direction.
