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"A Place in the Sun" is a 1966 soul single by American and Motown musician Stevie Wonder. Written by Ronald Miller and Bryan Wells, it was one of Wonder's first songs to contain social commentary.[citation needed] "A Place in the Sun" was his third Top Ten hit since 1963, hitting number 9 on the Billboard pop singles chart and number 3 on the R&B charts.[1] Billboard described the song as a "folk-oriented release" to which Wonder gives an "exciting treatment."[2] The Originals and The Andantes sang background vocals on the recording. Stevie Wonder also recorded a version of the song in Italian titled "Il Sole è di Tutti" (The Sun is for Everyone).
"A Place in the Sun" | ||||
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Single by Stevie Wonder | ||||
from the album Down to Earth | ||||
B-side | "Sylvia" | |||
Released | November 1966 | |||
Genre | Soul | |||
Length | 2:59 | |||
Label | Tamla | |||
Songwriter(s) | Ron Miller Bryan Wells | |||
Producer(s) | Henry Cosby | |||
Stevie Wonder singles chronology | ||||
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Chart positions
editChart (1966) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 9 |
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening[3] | 29 |
U.S. Billboard R&B Singles | 3 |
Cover versions
edit- The Rascals covered the song on their 1967 album Groovin'.
- Bill Cosby on his 1967 album Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings.
- Engelbert Humperdinck did his version of the song on his 1967 album The Last Waltz.
- Diana Ross & the Supremes & The Temptations on their 1968 album Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations, which hit number 2 on the Billboard "Top Pop Albums Charts".[citation needed]
- The Four Tops for their 1968 LP Yesterday's Dreams.
- The Staple Singers for their 1968 album What the World Needs Now Is Love.
- Glen Campbell from his 1968 album A New Place in the Sun.
- David Isaacs (singer) in 1968 on Lee "Scratch" Perry's Upsetter label.
- The Gabe Dixon Band in the end credits of the 2006 film Charlotte's Web.
- Jake Shimabukuro covered the song on his 2021 album Jake & Friends.
- The Con's Combo covered the song (Spanish title: Un Lugar en el Sol) on their 1967 album Los Fabulosos Suecos!.
References
edit- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 635.
- ^ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. November 5, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 262.
External links
edit- List of cover versions of ”A Place in the Sun” at SecondHandSongs.com