The Woman in Red (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Soundtrack album by Stevie Wonder for the 1984 film The Woman in Red; features the global hit “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and represents Wonder’s second feature film score.

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022 Last updated: April 27, 2026

Overview

The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a 1984 album of songs written and produced by Stevie Wonder for the comedy film The Woman in Red, directed by and starring Gene Wilder. Released on the Motown label on August 28, 1984, the album accompanied the motion picture and supplied its signature single, which became one of Wonder’s most commercially successful songs.

Musical style and production

The soundtrack blends 1980s pop and contemporary R&B with balladry characteristic of Wonder’s later-career output. Its arrangements favor synthesizers and electronic keyboards alongside Wonder’s multi-instrumental performances, producing a sleek, radio-friendly sound that contrasts with the denser, acoustic textures of his 1970s classics.

Notable tracks

I Just Called to Say I Love You — the album’s lead single and international hit.
Love Light in Flight — an uptempo number also issued as a single.
Other album cuts that frame the film’s romantic and comic themes.

Awards, reception and legacy

"I Just Called to Say I Love You" achieved widespread commercial success and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, along with additional industry recognition. While the single’s simple arrangement drew some critical debate among longtime fans and reviewers, it significantly increased Wonder’s mainstream visibility in the mid-1980s and remains a frequently played ballad.

Context and chronology

This soundtrack was Wonder’s second full score album following Stevie Wonder's Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, released five years earlier. It was issued by Motown and is catalogued as one of his notable 1980s projects. For more on the release and its place in Wonder’s discography see the entry for the soundtrack album and the artist profile at Stevie Wonder.

Notable facts

The record is tied closely to the film’s identity and demonstrates how a single song from a soundtrack can eclipse the movie in popular memory. It also exemplifies a period in which established soul and R&B artists embraced synthesizer-based production to reach broad international audiences.

Questions and Answers

Q: Who released The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack?

A: American musician Stevie Wonder released The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Q: When was The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack released?

A: The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on August 28, 1984.

Q: What is The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack?

A: The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is an album of music that was made to accompany the film The Woman in Red.

Q: What was Stevie Wonder's first soundtrack album?

A: Stevie Wonder's first soundtrack album was Stevie Wonder's Journey through the Secret Life of Plants.

Q: When was Stevie Wonder's first soundtrack album released?

A: Stevie Wonder's first soundtrack album, Stevie Wonder's Journey through the Secret Life of Plants, was released five years before The Woman in Red.

Q: Did The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack come out on the Motown label?

A: Yes, The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released by Stevie Wonder on the Motown label.

Q: What is the significance of The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack?

A: The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is significant as it is Stevie Wonder's second soundtrack album, and was made specifically to accompany the film The Woman in Red.