“Isn’t She Lovely” is a song by Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album called “Songs in the Key of Life.” The lyrics of the song celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha Morris. Stevie Wonder worked on the song with Burnetta “Bunny” Jones, a songwriter and studio owner from Harlem.
The song can be found at the beginning of side 3 on the album “Songs in the Key of Life.” It starts with the actual sound of a baby’s first cry recorded during a real childbirth. This gives the song a very genuine and personal feel, as if Stevie Wonder is sharing a special moment from his life with us.
In this article, we will explore the meaning behind the song “Isn’t She Lovely.”
“Isn’t She Lovely” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Isn’t she lovely?
Isn’t she wonderful?
Isn’t she precious?
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love, we’d be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn’t she lovely? Made from love
In Verse 1, Stevie Wonder is expressing his joy and amazement at the birth of his daughter.
He describes her as “lovely,” “wonderful,” and “precious.” She is less than a minute old, and Stevie never expected to create such a beautiful child through love.
This verse conveys his deep love and happiness at becoming a parent
[Verse 2]
Isn’t she pretty?
Truly the angel’s best
Boy, I’m so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can’t believe what God has done
Through us, He’s given life to one
But isn’t she lovely? Made from love
In Verse 2 of the song, Stevie Wonder describes his newborn daughter as “pretty” and the “angel’s best.”
He expresses his happiness and gratitude for the blessing of having her in their lives, feeling like they have been blessed by heaven.
[Verse 3]
Isn’t she lovely?
Life and love are the same
Life is Aisha
The meaning of her name
Londie, it could have not been done
Without you who conceived the one
That’s so very lovely, made from love
In Verse 3, Stevie Wonder mentions his daughter name, Aisha, and its meaning. He sees his daughter, Aisha, as the embodiment of both life and love.
The name “Aisha” is of Arabic origin and means “alive” or “living.” So, when Stevie Wonder says, “Life is Aisha, The meaning of her name,” he is essentially expressing that his daughter’s name symbolizes the idea of being alive, and her birth is a celebration of the precious gift of life and love that she brings into their lives.
He acknowledges that her birth wouldn’t have been possible without the person he calls “Londie,” presumably referring to the mother of the child. He’s giving credit to the mother for her crucial part in bringing their child into the world.
By describing Aisha as “so very lovely, made from love,” Stevie Wonder is emphasizing the deep love and connection between himself and the mother, emphasizing that their daughter is a beautiful creation of their love and partnership.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Isn’t She Lovely”
“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder is a heartwarming tribute to his newborn daughter, Aisha Morris.
Stevie Wonder’s lyrics overflow with admiration, describing Aisha as “lovely,” “wonderful,” and “precious,” expressing his immediate and profound love for her.
His declaration that “Life and love are the same” and the revelation of the meaning of Aisha’s name (“alive”) emphasize the profound connection between life and love.
Stevie told Genius, “I remember writing “Isn’t She Lovely?”—I can almost cry right now thinking about it. The sound of my daughter Aisha splashing in the bathtub created a picture. That was emotion stuck in a moment, and that can never, ever be taken away.”
The song begins with the sound of a baby’s cry, though it’s not Aisha’s.
Aisha’s actual cameo occurs at the end when you hear her splashing in water, with Stevie saying, “Come on, Aisha. Get out of the water, baby.”
The song is titled “Isn’t She Lovely” because it serves as a direct expression of awe and admiration towards Stevie Wonder’s newborn daughter, Aisha Morris. It’s a rhetorical question, a way of saying, “Isn’t she incredibly beautiful and amazing?” The title reflects the deep love and affection a parent can feel when they hold their newborn for the first time.
However, it isn’t solely about Aisha; Stevie also acknowledges her mother, Yolanda Simmons, affectionately called “Londi.” He sings, “Londi it could have not been done, without you who conceived the one,” showing his deep love and respect for her.
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