Part-Time Lover



"Part-Time Lover" is a single by Stevie Wonder, from his 1985 album In Square Circle. The song reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, dance, and adult contemporary charts. The song's simultaneous chart successes made Wonder the first artist to score a number-one hit on four different Billboard charts. It was number one for four weeks from January to February 1986. The song was also released as a special 12" version.

"Part-Time Lover" also reached number three on the UK Singles Chart thanks in large part to a performance by Wonder on Top of the Pops in late 1985.

The song featured R&B singer Luther Vandross singing the ad-libs and backing vocals, in addition to Wonder's ex-wife and fellow singer-songwriter Syreeta Wright and Philip Bailey of R&B/funk band Earth, Wind and Fire. Wonder earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1986, for the song. Wonder is noted in the liner notes of the 4-CD set Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection Volume 2 1972-1992 as describing the music for the song as an ode to "You Can't Hurry Love" and "My World Is Empty Without You", both by the Supremes, former Motown labelmates of Wonder.

Cover versions

 * Puerto Rican salsa musician Bobby Valentin cover the song in 1986 which peaked at #23 on the Hot Latin Tracks chart.

Personnel

 * Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, synthesizers, drums
 * Luther Vandross – lead vocal, background vocal
 * Syreeta Wright, Philip Bailey, Keith John, Melody McCully, Billy Durham, Peter Byrne, Renee Hardaway, Darryl Phinnessee - background vocal