"I Was Made to Love Her" is the seventh studio album by American musician Stevie Wonder, released on August 28, 1967, by Tamla Records. The record peaked at No. 45 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart and remained at number one on the R&B Albums chart for over eight weeks. It showcased the prodigious talent of the then 17-year-old Wonder and served as proof of his progressive maturation as a musician.
The album ushered in a period of creative growth for the young artist, marking a shift in his musical style. Stevie Wonder co-wrote six of the album's dozen tracks, most notably the classic title track, "I Was Made To Love Her," which became one of his signature songs. The memorable track went on to peak at number two on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and topped the Billboard R&B Singles chart for four weeks.
Musically, the album encompasses unique blends of rhythm and blues, soul and pop. It serves as a testament to Wonder's ability to craft melodically rich, rhythmically compelling songs layered with poignant and probing lyrics. The tracks, blending horn-laden soul with pop sensibility, provide an apt reflection of the late 1960s Motown Sound.
The album also includes covers of popular songs of that time, such as "Respect" originally by Otis Redding, "My Girl" by The Temptations and "Please, Please, Please" by James Brown. These covers demonstrate Wonder's capability to deliver notable versions adding his distinctive musical touch.
"I Was Made to Love Her" is not only significant in terms of Stevie Wonder’s career trajectory but of its cultural significance as well, having played an indispensable role in shaping the soundscape of soul and pop music at its time.
