I'm a bad human being.
It was Stevie Wonder's 75th birthday Tuesday, and do you think I acknowledged it here? Nope; I totally didn't. I mean, in my defense, there's been a lot of other topical material to cover this week, but to skip any mention at all of the 75th birthday of one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time?
I must really suck to do that.
I'll make up for it now. On his actual birthday I spent quite a bit of time going through an article on Stereogum that ranked each and every one of his albums from worst to best. Don't worry; I'm not going to do anything like that. Instead?
My five favorite Stevie Wonder songs ever (your choices may vary)--
5. “Love Light in Flight”. It's funny, but the Stereogum article which I read thought the soundtrack to “The Woman in Red” was his worst ever, and I can't say I disagree (even though it sold a TON of copies thanks to “I Just Called To say I Love You”). However, “Love Light” was a highlight, featuring a groove that just won't quit. It's not necessarily about anything, but if you're like me (and, hopefully, you're not) the groove will stick in your head forever.
No matter now bad the rest of the album is.
4. “Uptight”. This was one of his first “adult” songs as he transitioned from “Little Stevie Wonder” to just plain 'ol Stevie Wonder, and it showcased everything you'd expect from him as he approached the early to mid 1970s and a streak of five classic albums—funk, horns, and a chorus that reaches for the sky.
3. “I Wish”. That streak of five classic albums I mentioned (most of which won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year) wrapped up with “Songs in the Key of Life”, which featured two number one songs, “Sir Duke” and this funk masterpiece, which, if nothing else, has served as the backbone of more than a few of the hip hop classics of the past three decades.
2. “Higher Ground”. Aside from funk, Stevie Wonder has a social conscience, and this is one of the songs that shows it. The 70s, much like today, were filled with political and social upheaval, and this tune reflects it perfectly.
Now, he just needs to write something equally as good and as relevant for today.
1. “Superstition”. I often joke on the air that it's one of the two greatest songs in recorded music history, and I dare anyone to prove me wrong. The fact that the beat came from Jeff Beck, of all people, makes it interesting, but the whole song is the total package.
It's the essence of Stevie Wonder wrapped up in 4 minutes
That's it. Like I said, your choices may vary. And trust me—when trying to pick out your five favorite Stevie Wonder songs ever, you have a LOT of choices
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