You’re not going to get many statements of purpose more fervent than Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”. It’s a song of faith that stands tall even amongst Stevie’s many excellent declarations of faith. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not an especially religious person. Not an unbeliever, just a skeptic. However, if there’s one person that is… Read More “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder (1973)
Although I don’t call myself a believer, there are instances in which musical expressions of faith speak to my soul. One such instance (actually, several such instances) come courtesy of Stevie Wonder. “Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away” is a key track on Fulfillingness’ First Finale, Stevie’s follow up to the incredible Innervisions album.… Read More “Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away” by Stevie Wonder (1974)
Two things you can do to get a five star rating from me, no further questions asked. Write a song about and dedicated to the memory of the civil rights movement’s most powerful and beloved leader, and make it part of your life’s work to get his birthday recognized as a national holiday (and succeed!)… Read More “Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder (1980)
Stevie Wonder could’ve retired before he got to his genius period of the Seventies and he still would be responsible for a handful of stone-cold classics. Although I wouldn’t want to live in a world in which Talking Book, Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life, or Fulfillingness’ First Finale didn’t exist. One of the… Read More “For Once In My Life” by Stevie Wonder (1968)
Let’s go back to the ‘80s, that magical time when you could just randomly pair a black artist with a white artist and have a smash hit! OK, it wasn’t that easy. But “Easy Lover” and “Ebony & Ivory” are two examples of that formula paying major commercial dividends. And while “Easy Lover” stands pretty… Read More “Easy Lover” by Philip Bailey & Phil Collins (1984)/”Ebony And Ivory” by Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder (1982)
Stevie Wonder can always be counted on to bring the feel-good. Even his saddest songs contain better-than-trace amounts of positivity. Make no mistake, though; “Do I Do” is not the least bit sad. It’s the perfect summer BBQ jam, with sprightly horns and a thumping funk rhythm. Someone give that bass player a raise! We… Read More “Do I Do” by Stevie Wonder (1982)
Am I the only person who thinks Fulfillingness’ First Finale sounds like a drug album? Not suggesting anything more than the possibility of pot (or painkillers-given that Stevie almost lost his life in a car accident shortly before recording this album) influencing the much chiller than normal vibe of these songs. Drug-influenced or no, it’s… Read More “Creepin’” by Stevie Wonder (1974)
Jermaine Jackson is a head case, for sure. But I totally get the fact that he has older brother “I taught them everything I know” syndrome, even if I don’t think it’s true. I mean, how would you feel if your younger siblings were two of the most beloved entertainers in history and you were…well, not… Read More “Castles Of Sand” by Jermaine Jackson (1978)
“Brand New Day” is Sting at his most upbeat and corny. If you went into a coma in 1983 and woke up to hear this song playing, you might not even recognize it as being by the same guy who seethed through “Every Breath You Take”. Sting sells the cheeriness of “Brand New Day” like a… Read More “Brand New Day” by Sting (2000)
“Boogie On Reggae Woman” was released when Stevie Wonder was 24 years old. 24. At that point, he was already four albums deep into his imperial period and 12 years deep into his career. The only musician I can think of since who was in such an advanced spot in their legacy by that age… Read More “Boogie On Reggae Woman” by Stevie Wonder (1974)
