Margena A. Christian talks new book on songwriter Sylvia Moy, ‘It’s No Wonder’

0 July 12, 2026 14:14

Margena A. Christian’s new book, “It’s No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy,” explores the groundbreaking career of one of Motown Records’ first female producers.

If you love music, you have definitely sung or been moved by classic tracks like “My Cherie Amour”, “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”, or “I Was Made to Love Her”. These songs shaped the history of the legendary Motown record label and transformed a young Stevie Wonder into a global icon. But did you know that behind these immortal hits was a brilliant female mind that history almost forgot?

This historical oversight is finally being corrected with this urgent biography. Let’s dive into the trajectory of this pioneering woman who broke barriers and redefined the course of global pop music.

Who Was Sylvia Moy?

Born in Detroit, Sylvia Moy was the first woman officially hired as an in-house songwriter and producer at Motown. At a time marked by the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and a deeply sexist music industry, Black women were usually only given space if they were in front of the microphones as singers.

Being in the control room, dictating the rhythm, writing the lyrics, and commanding a room full of men was unthinkable. But Sylvia didn’t just occupy that space—she mastered it.

The Day Sylvia Saved Stevie Wonder

One of the most fascinating episodes detailed in the book is how Sylvia Moy literally saved Stevie Wonder’s contract.

In the mid-1960s, Stevie’s voice was changing due to adolescence, and the label was seriously considering dropping the young artist. Sylvia stood her ground, begged for a chance, and promised she would write a hit for him. The result? She co-wrote “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”, a massive sales success that not only secured Stevie’s place at Motown but propelled his transition into adult stardom.

Without Sylvia Moy, the world might never have known the creative genius of Stevie Wonder as we know it today.

An Unrivaled Hitmaker

Sylvia’s genius didn’t stop there. Beyond her successful partnership with Stevie Wonder, she delivered musical gems to other major names on the label, penning tracks such as:

• “It Takes Two” (Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston)

• “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)” (The Isley Brothers)

• “Honey Chile” (Martha Reeves & The Vandellas)

What to Expect from the Book?

Written with meticulous research by Dr. Margena A. Christian (former editor of the renowned EBONY and JET magazines), “It’s No Wonder” is much more than a music biography. It is a work with a strong feminist core and an essential piece of historical preservation.

The book examines the complexities of being the only woman in a room full of men, navigating the racial tensions of the era, and fighting for credits and royalties that were too often denied to women behind the scenes.

Why You Should Read It (or Add It to Your List)

If you love biographies that reveal the hidden side of pop culture, this book is indispensable. It forces us to look at the liner notes of our favorite records and ask: who else did history try to erase from the evolution of music? Sylvia Moy was an architect of the sound of “Black America” and global pop music. Thanks to this book, her legacy finally steps out of the footnotes and into the spotlight.

Did you already know Sylvia Moy’s story? What is your favorite Motown hit? Leave your thoughts in the comments below and let’s talk music!

The book “It’s No Wonder” is available on Amazon in physical and digital formats.

Channel: ABC News