Yvonne Wright

Yvonne Lowrene Wright (October 31, 1951 – January 26, 2016) was an American songwriter and vocalist best known for co-writing with Stevie Wonder in the 1970s. Their songs appear on the albums Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants".

She is not related to singer-songwriter Syreeta Wright, who also worked with, and was married to, Wonder.

Biography Yvonne Lowrene Wright-Willis was born in Harlem, New York City, United States, to Harry Wright and Margaret Williams in 1951. "They Won't Go When I Go" (1974) appeared on the number 1 album Fulfillingness' First Finale, which was named Grammy Album of the Year. In 1974 Jet magazine described Wright as Wonder's "girl friend". Their songs have been covered by many artists including Art Garfunkel, George Michael, Herbie Hancock, Michael McDonald, and Josh Groban.

Wright also sang background vocals on Minnie Riperton's "The Edge of a Dream", from Riperton's 1974 breakthrough album Perfect Angel, produced by Wonder.

Wright continued to sing live in the 1970s and early 1980s. In 1975, she performed in a touring production of Hair in Spain. She sang background vocals for Lou Rawls and Millie Jackson. She was a featured vocalist in touring line-ups for the Chantels and the Marvelettes, as well as on numerous recordings.

Later in life she returned to study in Dallas, Texas, and earned a BSc and her MS in Special Education. UK #11 B-side to "Superstition" 1973 "Girl Blue" The Main Ingredient US #119 Single from Afrodisiac 1975 "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" Art Garfunkel UK #51 UK single from Breakaway 1979 "Black Orchid" Stevie Wonder UK #63 Single from The Secret Life of Plants 1982 "Black Orchid" Stevie Wonder US #54, B-side to "Ribbon in the Sky" 1991 "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)"(live) George Michael US #1, UK #1 B-side to "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"(live duet with Elton John) 1994 "I Believe" E'voke UK #77 Debut single 1999 "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)"(live) Mike + The Mechanics UK #35 B-side to "Now That You've Gone"

Album tracks Year Song title Artist Albums Chart Notes 1972 "Girl Blue" Stevie Wonder US #21 From Music of My Mind 1972 "You've Got It Bad Girl""I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" Stevie Wonder US #3, From Talking Book 1973 "You've Got It Bad Girl" Quincy Jones US #1 Jazz Title track from You've Got It Bad Girl 1974 "They Won't Go When I Go" Stevie Wonder US #1 UK #7, From Breakaway 1979 "Black Orchid" Stevie Wonder US #4, UK #8, From The Secret Life of Plants 1984 "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" Art Garfunkel UK #12 From The Art Garfunkel Album 1990 "They Won't Go When I Go" George Michael US #2, UK #1 From Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 1993 "Girl Blue" Nnenna Freelon US #10 Jazz From Heritage 1995 "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" Mike + The Mechanics UK #9 From Beggar on a Beach of Gold 1996 "You've Got It Bad Girl" Herbie Hancock US #5 Jazz From The New Standard 2003 "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" Michael McDonald US #14 From Motown 2012 "You've Got It Bad Girl""I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" Macy Gray US #65 From Talking Book 2013 "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" Josh Groban US #1 UK #9 From All That Echoes