Stevie Wonder – Part-Time Lover

Stevie Wonder’s Part-Time Lover: A Stealthy Exploration of Infidelity

Have you ever found yourself caught in the whirlwind of a love that’s just not quite enough? Stevie Wonder’s soulful ballad, “Part-Time Lover,” perfectly captures that bittersweet feeling of wanting more from a relationship. Released in 1985, this track quickly became a chart-topper, solidifying Wonder’s status as one of the greatest musical talents of our time.

Stevie Wonder’s Part-Time Lover is a sonic and lyrical departure from the soulful, socially conscious ballads that often define his oeuvre. Released in 1985 as the lead single from his twentieth studio album,

Background

In Square Circle, the track marked a significant shift in the artist’s musical direction. It was a bold experiment in synth-pop, a genre that was then gaining traction, and a lyrical exploration of a complex and often taboo subject: infidelity.  It’s a song that challenges our perceptions of love, relationships, and morality, and it’s a testament to Stevie Wonder’s ability to reinvent himself while staying true to his artistic vision.   

Wonder’s decision to delve into such territory was unexpected yet intriguing. Known for his optimistic and uplifting anthems, the song presented a darker, more mature side of the artist. The track is a sly commentary on extramarital affairs, cloaked in a catchy, upbeat melody.

Musically, “Part-Time Lover” is a testament to Wonder’s versatility. The song’s production is characterized by a slick, electronic sound that is both contemporary and timeless. The use of synthesizers and drum machines gives the track a propulsive energy that is infectious.

Wonder’s vocal performance is equally impressive. His voice, rich and soulful, is delivered with a playful and seductive quality that perfectly complements the song’s theme. The lyrics, while suggestive, are delivered with a nonchalance that is both alluring and unsettling.

The song’s success was undeniable. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, dance, and adult contemporary charts, making Wonder the first artist to achieve number one on all four Billboard charts simultaneously. It was a commercial triumph that solidified Wonder’s status as a musical icon.

Video

Lyrics

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

Call up, ring once, hang up the phone
To let me know you made it home
Don’t want nothing to be wrong with part-time lover
If she’s with me i’ll blink the lights
To let you know tonight’s the night
For me and you my part-time lover

We are undercover passion on the run
Chasing love up against the sun
We are strangers by day, lovers by night
Knowing it’s so wrong, but feeling so right

If i’m with friends and we should meet
Just pass me by, don’t even speak
Know the word’s “discreet” when part-time lovers
But if there’s some emergency
Have a male friend to ask for me
So then she won’t peek its really you my part-time lover

We are undercover passion on the run
Chasing love up against the sun
We are strangers by day, lovers by night
Knowing it’s so wrong, but feeling so right

We are undercover passion on the run
Chasing love up against the sun
We are strangers by day, lovers by night
Knowing it’s so wrong, but feeling so right

I’ve got something that I must tell
Last night someone rang our doorbell
And it was not you my part-time lover
And then a man called our exchange
But didn’t want to leave his name