15 of the Best Stevie Wonder Songs
With this year's episode of Atlanta, "Teddy Perkins", I've come back around to the fact that I truly love Stevie Wonder's music. More than that, he seems like a great guy to joke around with! Plus until a biopic comes out about him, I don't know the details of drug abuse and trauma that he's gone through so I have no reason to think otherwise.
What I'm trying to say is I dig Stevie and you should too! Here are but 15 times over 3 decades that Stevie Wonder proved he's G.O.A.T. status!
Song/Rank:
#15- "Uptight" [Up-Tight 1966]
Why Though:
I can't help but feel a bit better hearing the trumpets at the beginning of this song. The nice little interplay between the guitar and bass is a groovy touch too. But as you'll notice throughout this list, it's Stevie's voice that brings everything together. For this song Stevie's voice and lyrics work together to put a smile on my face almost every time I hear this song.
Was It Sampled:
I mean I think they're counting the version of the hook that Kid 'N Play used on their song "2 Hype" but it's more of an interpolation than a straight up sample.
Song/Rank:
#14- "Living for the City" [Innervisions 1973]
Why Though:
I'm going to be honest with you. I love this song... that's a given, but I find the use of racial epithets in the interlude for this song what keeps it top of mind for me. In terms of out and out positives, though, it's some of the vocal work Stevie's doing. He's got some grit in his voice, as evidenced by how he draws out CI-TAAY on some of the hooks.
Was It Sampled:
A whole bunch of people used this song but for my sanity I'll just list a couple. Usher (ft. Nicki Minaj) "Lil Freak" @0:54/ Wu-Tang "The City" mostly just the fact that they recite the lyrics @1:18 and throughout.
Song/Rank:
#13- "As" [Songs in The Key of Life 1976]
Why Though:
I can't even think of instances of this, but, I associate this movie with uplifting moments in black-led movies. Like couldn't you picture this song in Soul Food or This Christmas? The point, I guess, is that the song makes me feel good. The bass is warm and inviting as are the keys. Yes you guessed it, so are Stevie's vocals. But it's the choir's involvement in the chorus that elevates the song to movie worthy for me!
Was It Sampled:
The amazing Charles Hamilton sampled this amazing song on "Never Ever"
Song/Rank:
#12- "For Once in My Life" [For Once in My Life 1968]
Why Though:
It's not often this happens, but, in addition to my obvious love of the strings and bass, the piano and flutes really bring this song together. We also get the signature Stevie harmonica going to work on this track! I know the song is a celebration of having a love in his life, but I can't shake the sad aspect of pointing out that this is a "for once" type situation. It makes me sad. Which isn't a bad thing, I'm all about music having a happy veneer and sad undertones!
Was It Sampled:
Action Bronson added a Stevie Wonder adlib from this song to his track "Dreamer" If you blink and miss it @0:10 it'll show up a couple other times.
Song/Rank:
#11- "Do I Do" [Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I 1982]
Why Though:
There is something Michael Jackson-esque about this song that I love. It's also 80s Stevie and that's where I was born at so I feel a closer connection to this era of Stevie for no real good reason. I also love the moment where Stevie proudly declares that he got Dizzy Gillespie on his album and then Mr. Gillespie gets BUSY on the trumpet for a spell. This song is an EVENT!
Was It Sampled:
Don't act like you didn't remember that Ja Rule and Case came together to repurpose this banger for "Livin' It Up"
Song/Rank:
#10- "Love's in Need of Love Today" [Songs in The Key of Life 1976]
Why Though:
THOSE OOOOs THO! This song is all about how much I love Stevie's vocals. He says that he could turn our laughter to tears and pain and yet I still want to keep listening because everything around the lyrics is so inviting and comforting. There's that sad undertone I love so much... apparently.
Was It Sampled:
The obvious sample comes from JAY-Z's "Smile" featuring his mother. But 50 was there first with sampling of the "ooos" on "Ryder Music"
Song/Rank:
#9- "Higher Ground" [Innervisions 1973]
Why Though:
I think they call it a guitar wah... if they don't... sue me! But that wah is working overtime to make this song a killer track. There's also an effect on Stevie's voice, or it's layered in a way to subtly make Stevie sound less playful and warm. It's a song with drive and purpose and I dig it!
Was It Sampled:
On the BJ The Chicago Kid (ft. Kendrick Lamar) song "The World is a Ghetto" Stevie's vocals are sampled @0:27 and throughout.
Song/Rank:
#8- "I Was Made to Love Her" [I Was Made to Love Her 1967]
Why Though:
The bass, stings, and harmonica are all ACES on this track. I can't forget the passion in Stevie's voice throughout this song. You can't help believe that this love was truly meant to be!
Was It Sampled:
Jazmine Sullivan sorta sings like Stevie and the piano is doing some similar things to this song on "Fear"
Song/Rank:
#7- "You Haven't Done Nothin'" [Fullfillingness' First Finale 1974]
Why Though:
I think those are cascading keys that give way to bass and guitars in the intro and I think it's thrilling every time! It's also nice to hear Stevie getting overtly political on this song. Having said that, I truly look forward to the "do-do wop"s.I'm not the biggest fan of the saxaphones on this song, but I'm not here to hate. It's a great song should be your main takeaway.
Was It Sampled:
The best element of this song is sampled @0:29 and beyond on "One Time's Got No Case" by Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Song/Rank:
#6- "Part-Time Lover" [In Square Circle 1985]
Why Though:
Another 80s era classic. A little closer to my actual birth and a song that has such a great energy. When I think of Stevie I don't think of him playing the field or stepping out on relationships so it's interesting to hear him go on about a side pieces. Yet and still it never feels too tawdry on the surface, Stevie's voice and instrumentation makes this feel as natural and innocent as can be!
Was It Sampled:
BDP, 2 Pac, and 50 Cent, among others, all got in on this song! KRS-One channels Stevie Wonder when he raps on the hook of "Part Time Suckers" 2 Pac has a similar deal on "Part Time Mutha" and it's not as easy to notice on "So Amazing" by 50 Cent but Olivia is singing elements of the hook.
Song/Rank:
#5- "Superstition" [Talking Book 1972]
Why Though:
It's all about the guitar riff mixed with the horns that flare up. The bass line ain't half bad either. And if you wanna hear Stevie getting busy with his vocals, check out how he digs into the SUPER part of superstition. That almost growl gets me every time! I'm also all for Stevie letting loose with that almost battle cry @2:28!
Was It Sampled:
To me this seems like a waste. The elements of this song that get sampled are the wailing horns that happen over the bridge near the minute mark. Those horns are in Pete Rock (ft. Styles P & Sheek Louch) "914" and "Watch Yo Nuggets" by Redman (ft. Erick Sermon)
Song/Rank:
#4- "Boogie On Reggae Woman" [Fullfillingness' First Finale 1974]
Why Though:
I don't know how that noise is being made at the beginning... it's a bass right? Please tell me I'm right. Either way, I love it. It gets me on board with the song right away. There is a beautiful piano part that keeps the verses driving along then the piano really gets to shine during the hook. Plus I like imagining what exactly Stevie's Reggae woman looks like.
Was It Sampled:
Seems like throughout "The Doo Doo" by Biz Markie the bass line is used. The Beastie Boys do a similar sample of this song on "Dis yourself in '89 (Just Do It)" @2:25.
Song/Rank:
#3- "Sir Duke" [Songs in The Key of Life 1976]
Why Though:
Excellent horn work and a general feel good ode to Stevie's musical heroes and music in general! My favourite part is the way Stevie sings out "they can feel it all over!" The way he laughs and adlibs over the horns and bass soloing is another instance of joy throughout this song.
Was It Sampled:
Seems like strings are doing the work of the triumphant horns on "Let's Get Busy Baby" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. "Footprints" by A Tribe Called Quest puts the actual horns to use at the beginning of the song.
Song/Rank:
#2- "I Wish" [Songs in The Key of Life 1976]
Why Though:
That bass line is undeniable! I also like the autobiographical elements of the song. I really relate to lamenting the loss of only having to worry about what you'd get for Christmas. Why did those days have to go away Stevie?
Was It Sampled:
While there are other instances of this song being sampled, the only real answer is "Wild Wild West" by Will Smith (ft. Dru Hill & Kool Moe Dee)
Song/Rank:
#1- "If You Really Love Me" (ft. Syreeta Wright) [Where I'm Coming From 1971]
Why Though:
Everything about this song is perfect. It's got the sad undertones. The joyful instrumentation that, at times, betrays the sadder elements of the song, and Stevie is showing some vocal range throughout while Syreeta Wright gets to put the icing on this cake!
Was It Sampled:
A bunch of covers but never sampled.
-YG