1970 Soul Classic, Co-Written by Singer's Mother, Became a Timeless Love Anthem
Stevie Wonder's mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, never considered herself a professional songwriter. But in 1970, she helped her son write one of the most recognizable songs in soul music history.
That song was "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," the title track of an album Wonder also released that year. Alongside Hardaway, the song was co-written by Wonder's first wife Syreeta Wright and Lee Garrett.
Wonder has spoken openly about how the collaboration came together. "Syreeta has a unique ability to express exactly what I want to say with a lyric," he explained.
"I write the melody and music, and might come up with the main idea. On 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered', I came up with the music, Syreeta came up with the lyric, and my mother came up with some ideas on that one, too."
The song became one of Wonder's biggest hits, spending six weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart and peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It was also the first time Wonder sat in the producer's chair for one of his own songs, where he gave his backup singers, Wright, Lynda Tucker Laurence and Venetta Fields, more than just a background role.
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" wasn't the only time Wonder turned to his mother either. Her name also appears on "I Was Made to Love Her," "You Met Your Match" and "I Don't Know Why I Love You."
Over the years, the song has been covered by several artists. Peter Frampton recorded his version for his 1977 album I'm In You, and it reached the Top 15. Elton John tried his hand at it too, though he openly admitted the song gave him trouble.
"He's so multitalented that it's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes him one of the greatest ever," John said.
"But first, there's that voice. Along with Ray Charles, he's the greatest R&B singer who ever lived. Nobody can sing like he does. I know. I actually recorded a version of ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered' when I was young, and I really had to squeeze my balls to get those high notes."
Hardaway passed away in 2006, but Wonder has never stopped talking about what she meant to him. "She was an amazing woman with a lot of wisdom, and she took that wisdom and gave it to me. She allowed me to be free," he told ABC'sCharles Gibson.
Her voice, he said, never really left him. "My mother said, 'You better get out there and do what you do and spread your message, 'cause I'm gonna always be here with you.' Obviously, she was talking to me from heaven."
Related: 1965 Motown Classic, Once Mocked as 'No-Hit,' Became Part of Chart History 61 Years Ago
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 9:43 AM.