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Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer

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"Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer"
Single by Stevie Wonder
from the album Where I'm Coming From
A-side"We Can Work It Out"
B-side"Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer"
Released1971
RecordedOctober 1970–1971
GenreSoul
Length2:56
LabelTamla
Songwriter(s)Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright
Producer(s)Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder singles chronology
"Heaven Help Us All"
(1970)
"Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer"
(1971)
"If You Really Love Me"
(1971)

"Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" is a 1971 song by Stevie Wonder, featured on his album Where I'm Coming From. The song is a ballad, describing a failed relationship using the metaphor of changing seasons. Co-written by Syreeta Wright and released on Tamla 54202 in 1971 as the flip side of "We Can Work It Out", the single stalled at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it remains one of Stevie Wonder's most popular ballads to this day. Cash Box described the song by saying that "lively melodic work is heightened by an exceptional performance."[1]

Wonder performed a version of the song at Michael Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009, his voice cracking with emotion as he called out his friend's name during the song's final refrain, "Why didn't you stay?"[2]

Chart performance

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Chart (1971) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 78

Cover versions

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References

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  1. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 8, 1971. p. 20. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  2. ^ "Michael Jackson memorial:Stevie Wonder sings "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer". LA Times. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 925.
  4. ^ "Three Dog Night - Harmony Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  5. ^ "Joan Baez - Diamonds & Rust Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "Phil Collins - Going Back Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "James Blake - Covers Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic.