For Once in My Life - wikipedia For Once in My Life For other uses, see For Once in My Life ( disambiguation ). Not to be confused with Just Once in My Life. `` For Once in My Life '' Single by Stevie Wonder from the album For Once in My Life B - side `` Angie Girl '' Released October 15, 1968 Format 7 '' single Recorded Hitsville USA ( Studio A ) ; Summer 1967 Genre Soul Length 2 : 52 Label Tamla T 54174 Songwriter ( s ) Ron Miller Orlando Murden Producer ( s ) Henry Cosby Stevie Wonder singles chronology `` Alfie '' ( 1968 ) `` For Once in My Life '' ( 1968 ) `` I Do n't Know Why '' ( 1969 ) `` Alfie '' ( 1968 ) `` For Once in My Life '' ( 1968 ) `` I Do n't Know Why '' ( 1969 ) `` For Once in My Life '' is a swing song written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records ' Stein & Van Stock publishing company, and first recorded in 1966. It was written and first recorded as a slow ballad. There are differing accounts of its earliest versions, although it seems that it was first recorded by Barbara McNair, but first released in 1966 by Jean DuShon. Other early versions of the ballad were issued by The Four Tops, The Temptations, Diana Ross and Tony Bennett, whose recording was the first to reach the pop charts. The most familiar and successful version of `` For Once in My Life '' is an uptempo arrangement by Stevie Wonder, recorded in 1967. Wonder 's version, issued on Motown 's Tamla label, was a top - three hit in the United States and the United Kingdom in late 1968 and early 1969. Contents 1 Early recordings 1.1 Jean DuShon 1.2 Barbara McNair 1.3 Other early Motown recordings 1.4 Tony Bennett 2 Stevie Wonder 2.1 Personnel 2.2 Chart performance 2.2. 1 Weekly charts 2.2. 2 Year - end charts 3 Later recordings 4 References 5 External links Early recordings Miller and Murden wrote the song in 1965 as a slow ballad, and passed it around various singers so that it could be tried out and refined. Among those who, it is claimed, heard and performed the song in about 1966 -- but did not record it -- are Jo Thompson, a club singer in Detroit ; Sherry Kaye, who may have performed it in a musical revue at the Gem Theater ; and Johnny Hartman, who turned it down. Jean DuShon Jean DuShon was one of the singers who was originally tapped by Ron Miller to demo the song as he was fine - tuning the composition. Miller was impressed by DuShon 's rendition, and her version, produced by Esmond Edwards, was issued as a single on Chess Records ' Cadet label in October 1966. It was chosen `` Pick Hit of the Week '' by Detroit 's WXYZ radio. Although the record label gave the sole songwriting credit to Murden, Motown CEO Berry Gordy discovered that Miller -- who was contracted to Motown -- had co-written the song, and reportedly asked Chess not to promote the single. DuShon dropped `` For Once in My Life '' from her nightclub act and later said : `` It was a very big disappointment in my life. I stopped singing it ' cause I did n't have the song. I did n't have anything. It was n't mine anymore. '' Barbara McNair `` For Once in My Life '' Song by Barbara McNair from the album Here I Am Released 1966 Recorded October 1965 Length 2 : 56 Songwriter ( s ) Ron Miller Orlando Murden Producer ( s ) Frank Wilson At Motown, the song was recorded, perhaps as early as October 1965, by Barbara McNair backed up by a symphony orchestra and produced by Frank Wilson. Some sources suggest that the song was originally written for McNair ; others that Gordy, hearing the song, insisted that she record it. However, her version was not released until it appeared on her November 1966 album, Here I Am. It was also released as the B - side of her 1968 single, `` Where Would I Be Without You ''. In later years, McNair re-recorded the song with a faster tempo. Other early Motown recordings Singer Jack Soo claimed that he was the first male artist to record a version of the song, after he joined Motown in 1965 as one of their first non-African American artists. The record was never released and was permanently shelved in the Motown archives. Another singer contracted to Motown at the time, Connie Haines, also claimed to have recorded an early unreleased version. This was verified when her version was released on an MP3 download album Motown Unreleased 1965 on December 11, 2015. The Four Tops recorded the song on their album 4 Tops On Broadway, released in March 1967 and, like McNair 's recording, produced as a slow ballad by Frank Wilson. The Temptations also recorded the song for their pop standards based album The Temptations in a Mellow Mood, released in July 1967. Baritone singer Paul Williams sings the lead vocal on the song, and it subsequently became his showcase number in the Temptations ' live shows. Williams ' most famous performance of the number was during The Supremes and Temptations ' TCB television special in 1968, a performance cited as the apex of Williams ' career. The song also made its way into The Temptations 1998 made - for - television miniseries on NBC. After celebrating The Temptations ' ( and Motown 's ) first Grammy Award win for `` Cloud Nine '', the actor who portrays Paul Williams ( Christian Payton ) sings the slow ballad version. Tony Bennett Also in 1967, Tony Bennett 's recording of the song peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart ( number 8 on the Easy Listening survey ) and was the title track of his album For Once in My Life. `` For Once in My Life '' remained in Bennett 's concert repertoire into the 2000s. In 2006 Bennett teamed up with Stevie Wonder to record a ballad tempo version for his Duets : An American Classic album, for which Bennett and Wonder received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Bennett also performed it on the grand finale of the sixth season of American Idol and in the Grammy Award - sponsored tribute Stevie Wonder : Songs in the Key of Life -- An All - Star Salute, which aired February 16, 2015, on CBS. Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder 's version was recorded at about the same time as The Temptations ' in the summer of 1967. However, Berry Gordy did not like Wonder 's version, an upbeat rendition produced by Henry Cosby. Gordy vetoed the single 's release, and the recording was shelved. Billie Jean Brown, the head of the Motown Quality Control department, finally coerced Gordy into allowing Wonder 's version to be released in October 1968. Contrary to Gordy 's instincts, `` For Once in My Life '' was a highly successful record, peaking at number - two on both the Billboard Pop Singles and Billboard R&B Singles ( it was held off from the number - one spot on each chart by another Motown single Gordy had originally vetoed, Marvin Gaye 's `` I Heard It Through the Grapevine '' ). `` For Once in My Life '', issued by Tamla with `` Angie Girl '' as its B - side, was later included as the title track on Wonder 's For Once in My Life album. Wonder 's version of the track is often singled out by bassists as the greatest example of James Jamerson 's playing style, with no two bars of music played alike during the whole song ; a completely improvisational line that is both melodic and complementary to Wonder 's vocal. Background vocals are by The Originals ( Freddie Gorman, Walter Gaines, Hank Dixon, C.P. Spencer ) and The Andantes ( Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, Louvain Demps ), and instrumentation by The Funk Brothers. Personnel Stevie Wonder -- vocals, harmonica James Jamerson -- bass Uriel Jones -- drums Earl Van Dyke - piano Background vocals are by The Originals ( Freddie Gorman, Walter Gaines, Hank Dixon, C.P. Spencer ) and The Andantes ( Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, Louvain Demps ) Additional instrumentation by The Funk Brothers Chart performance Weekly charts Chart ( 1968 -- 69 ) Peak position Canada 5 Ireland 11 UK U.S. Billboard Hot 100 U.S. Billboard R&B U.S. Cash Box Top 100 Year - end charts Chart ( 1969 ) Rank Canada 78 UK 38 U.S. Cash Box Top 100 48 U.S. R&B ( Billboard ) 22 Later recordings Jackie Wilson recorded a modified ballad version, more uptempo than Tony Bennett, but downbeat compared to Stevie Wonder. It lost in a cover record war, Wilson reaching number 70 in late 1968, Wonder peaking at number 2 in Billboard 's Hot 100. In 1969, Dorothy Squires recorded the song, arranged and conducted by Nicky Welsh on the President label, and had a chart hit in the UK. Glen Campbell recorded the song in 1969 on his album Glen Campbell Live which hit number two on the Billboard Country Albums chart. Jazz - pop guitarist Buddy Fite saw chart action with his single version. The Cyclone records single reached number 142 in the US Record World charts, February - March 1970. On June 17, 2012 The Voice Australia finalist Darren Percival performed a cover of the song reaching number 6 on the iTunes download list. References ^ Jump up to : Freeland, David ( 2007 - 05 - 01 ). `` BEHIND THE SONG : `` For Once in My Life '' `` American Songwriter ''. Americansongwriter.com. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ Gregg Akkerman. The Last Balladeer : The Johnny Hartman Story. Books.google.co.uk. p. 143. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Jean DuShon Biography & History ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Jean DuShon Feature ''. Mnblues.com. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. ^ Jump up to : `` Barbara McNair The Daily Record ''. Joelfrancis.com. 2009 - 10 - 28. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ Note : Author, David Freeland ( `` Ladies of Soul '' ) recently contacted ( June 2007 ) Ron Miller 's daughter ( Lisa Dawn Miller ) and asked her to confirm with her dad who recorded this classic first ; Ron Miller said, `` Jean DuShon. '' Jump up ^ `` Cover versions of For Once in My Life by Barbara McNair ''. SecondHandSongs.com. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Ron Miller Archives The Year of Tony Bennett ''. Bloggingtonybennett.com. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Barbara McNair - Where Would I Be Without You / For Once In My Life - Motown - USA - M - 1123 ''. 45cat.com. 1968 - 03 - 26. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ Adachi, Jeff ( 2009 ). `` The Jack Soo Story ''. You Do n't Know Jack : The Jack Soo Story. Retrieved May 24, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Asia Pacific Arts : More Stories from Jeff Adachi ''. Asiapacificarts.usc.edu. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ Andrew Hamilton. `` On Broadway - The Four Tops Songs, Reviews, Credits ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ Ron Wynn. `` In a Mellow Mood - The Temptations Songs, Reviews, Credits ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 1993 ). Top Adult Contemporary : 1961 -- 1993. Record Research. p. 27. Jump up ^ Posner, Gerald ( 2002 ). Motown : Music, Money, Sex, and Power. New York : Random House. ISBN 0 - 375 - 50062 - 6. Jump up ^ Joel Whitburn 's Top Pop Singles 1955 - 2002 Jump up ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/5062764/Uriel-Jones.html Jump up ^ https://jazztimes.com/news/the-funk-brothers-and-motown-jazz/ Jump up ^ Joel Whitburn 's Top Pop Singles 1955 - 2002 Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved 2015 - 01 - 23. Jump up ^ `` Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada ''. Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 1969 - UK Music Charts ''. Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 20. Jump up ^ `` 1969 : The Top 100 Soul / R&B Singles ''. Rate Your Music. Archived from the original on 2016 - 11 - 12. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ Joel Whitburn 's Top Pop Singles 1955 - 2002 Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 25. Jump up ^ `` Glen Campbell Awards ''. AllMusic. 1936 - 04 - 22. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Karise Eden, the ' Black Caviar ' of The Voice ''. news.com.au. Retrieved June 18, 2012. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Stevie Wonder Studio albums The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Tribute to Uncle Ray With a Song in My Heart Stevie at the Beach Up - Tight Down to Earth I Was Made to Love Her Someday at Christmas Eivets Rednow For Once in My Life My Cherie Amour Signed, Sealed & Delivered Where I 'm Coming From Music of My Mind Talking Book Innervisions Fulfillingness ' First Finale Songs in the Key of Life Hotter than July In Square Circle Characters Conversation Peace A Time to Love Ten Billion Hearts When The World Began Gospel Inspired by Lula Live albums Recorded Live : The 12 Year Old Genius Stevie Wonder Live Live at the Talk of the Town Natural Wonder Soundtracks Stevie Wonder 's Journey Through `` The Secret Life of Plants '' The Woman in Red Jungle Fever Compilations Looking Back Stevie Wonder 's Original Musiquarium I Song Review : A Greatest Hits Collection At the Close of a Century Ballad Collection The Definitive Collection 20th Century Masters The Complete Stevie Wonder Top ten singles `` Fingertips - Part 2 '' `` Uptight ( Everything 's Alright ) '' `` Blowin ' in the Wind '' `` A Place in the Sun '' `` I Was Made to Love Her '' `` I 'm Wondering '' `` Shoo - Be-Doo - Be-Doo - Da - Day '' `` For Once in My Life '' `` My Cherie Amour '' `` Yester - Me, Yester - You, Yesterday '' `` Never Had a Dream Come True '' `` Signed, Sealed, Delivered I 'm Yours '' `` Heaven Help Us All '' `` If You Really Love Me '' `` Superstition '' `` You Are the Sunshine of My Life '' `` Higher Ground '' `` Living for the City '' `` He 's Misstra Know - It - All '' `` You Have n't Done Nothin ' '' `` Boogie On Reggae Woman '' `` I Wish '' `` Sir Duke '' `` Send One Your Love '' `` Master Blaster ( Jammin ' ) '' `` I Ai n't Gonna Stand for It '' `` Happy Birthday '' `` That Girl '' `` Do I Do '' `` Ebony and Ivory '' `` I Just Called to Say I Love You '' `` Love Light in Flight '' `` Part - Time Lover '' `` That 's What Friends Are For '' `` Go Home '' Other singles `` Hey Harmonica Man '' `` Hey Love '' `` I Do n't Know Why '' `` Never Dreamed You 'd Leave in Summer '' `` Superwoman ( Where Were You When I Needed You ) '' `` Do n't You Worry ' bout a Thing '' `` As '' `` Another Star '' `` Lately '' `` Ribbon in the Sky '' `` Overjoyed '' `` Faith '' Other songs `` You and I ( We Can Conquer the World ) '' `` I Believe ( When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever ) '' `` They Wo n't Go When I Go '' `` Knocks Me Off My Feet '' `` Pastime Paradise '' `` Is n't She Lovely '' `` Black Man '' Collaborations `` Ebony and Ivory '' `` We Are the World '' `` Just Good Friends '' `` California Roll '' Related articles Discography Lula Mae Hardaway Syreeta Wright KJLH Wonderin ' `` Wonder - ful '' Book Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=For_Once_in_My_Life&oldid=801006146 '' Categories : 1968 singles Songs written by Ron Miller ( songwriter ) Jackie Wilson songs Stevie Wonder songs Glen Campbell songs Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Tamla Records singles 1966 songs Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist ( s ) Songs from animated films Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from February 2015 Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from July 2014 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Italiano Norsk Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 17 September 2017, at 02 : 53. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who wrote the song for once in my life
Answer: Ron Miller