Before there was little Michael Jackson fronting the Jackson 5, there was child prodigy “Little Stevie Wonder,” who hit number one in 1963 with “Fingertips” at the age of thirteen, playing jazz harmonica and bongos.
Little did anyone know that this pre-teen, shoulda-been-a-one-hit-novelty-act would grow up to be the one-man band capable of such masterpieces as Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life, a true innovator, one of the greats in the history of R&B, soul, and popular music. His music is an essential listen.
And he always wears those shades because he’s ultra-cool. (Also because he’s blind.)
Playlist 1: Innervisions
The best place to start your Stevie Wonder listening expedition should be his best, most consistently great album, Innervisions (1973). Here it is in its entirety.
Playlist 2: Songs in the Key of Life
Wonder’s other great album, the 2½-LP Songs in the Key of Life (two albums, plus a bonus EP, 1976), should be your next listen. Here’s a single-LP-length condensation of the album. I’ve eliminated a couple hits and fan favorites (“As,” “Joy Inside My Tears,” “Love’s in Need of Love Today”) to make way for some deep albums cuts that I prefer. (It’s already a touch long for a single LP.)
Playlist 3: Talking Book, plus…
Playlist 3 highlights the rest of his peak years (1971-1976), leaning most heavily on the excellent Talking Book (1972), side two of which was the best side he’d yet released.
Playlist 4: Flashback to the ‘60s, the Motown Pop Years
Stevie Wonder got his start in the ‘60s as a hit-generator for Motown, singing pop love songs, like his contemporaries—lightweight, but fun. Here’s a generous sampling.
More Stevie Wonder
I may at some point work up another Stevie Wonder playlist covering his post-peak, post-‘70s work. “Jammin’” (1980) is one of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs, for example, so there’s plenty of good stuff there.
Cover Art:
- Music of My Mind: Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.
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