Stevie Wonder's Perfect Run

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  • Опубліковано 11 тра 2024
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    00:00 Intro
    00:55 Title Card
    01:02 A New Direction
    02:00 Music of my Mind
    03:56 Talking Book
    05:26 Drums (Superstition)
    06:41 Innervisions
    08:41 Fulfillingness’ First Finale
    09:57 Funk
    11:04 Songs in the Key of Life
    13:48 Love
    15:09 End of the Classic Period
    15:24 Conclusion

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,7 тис.

  • @walkamile...3920
    @walkamile...3920 4 роки тому +4056

    I remember when Paul Simon won the Grammy for the album "Still Crazy After All These Years". He thanked Stevie Wonder for not putting an album out in 1975...

    • @RobertJRoman
      @RobertJRoman 4 роки тому +168

      "Still Crazy" (and Wonder's break year) came in 1976. Simon made that joke at the 1977 Grammy show.

    • @progrockdude2691
      @progrockdude2691 4 роки тому +62

      @@RobertJRoman Oh no 1976 saw Songs in the Key of Life.
      Nothing from 1975 from him (but certainly "Still Crazy).

    • @HypnoticHollywood
      @HypnoticHollywood 4 роки тому +10

      @@RobertJRoman Thanks for the insight, because I didn't know what Paul Battaglia was talking about.

    • @robertjacksonjr
      @robertjacksonjr 4 роки тому +21

      Yeah, I remember that too!! He said it during his Grammy acceptance speech.

    • @ericwright2763
      @ericwright2763 4 роки тому +11

      That was a classic moment!

  • @ERASEREPLACEPLACE
    @ERASEREPLACEPLACE 4 роки тому +1350

    Prince stated that "Songs in the Key of Life" was the greatest album ever written. 'Nuff said.

    • @blain147
      @blain147 4 роки тому +28

      Indeed, Prince did say that himself.

    • @DrinkWater713
      @DrinkWater713 3 роки тому +2

      For whatever that's worth...

    • @blain147
      @blain147 3 роки тому +74

      @@DrinkWater713 It's worth a lot; coming from a master genius musician like Prince its a sublime gesture. Prince wasn't intrigued by most, other than Stevie Wonder, James Brown, George Harrison, etc; the list was very small. Many were intrigued by him mostly.

    • @ERASEREPLACEPLACE
      @ERASEREPLACEPLACE 3 роки тому +21

      If you don't know what THAT'S worth, I'm not sure how anyone could take you seriously in regards to your opinion of music. if you have one, that is... @@DrinkWater713

    • @DanielGoldMcduckRose
      @DanielGoldMcduckRose 3 роки тому

      It might be its just kinda overwhelming.

  • @Gabrielm624
    @Gabrielm624 4 роки тому +1564

    Stevie wonder is a genius on par with Mozart, Bach & Miles Davis

  • @MarkQuick0411
    @MarkQuick0411 4 роки тому +586

    His classic period is unreal
    The fact he play majority of the instruments blows my mind

    • @MarkQuick0411
      @MarkQuick0411 4 роки тому +2

      Exactly 😂

    • @ertfgghhhh
      @ertfgghhhh 4 роки тому +1

      Why

    • @apexone5502
      @apexone5502 4 роки тому +9

      @PurelyAfrican nah, it's majority. Whenever a guitar or horn was played on his songs, those instruments were played by others. By the time "Songs in the Key of Life" came about, he featured a full band on a good number of the songs on that album.

    • @DrinkWater713
      @DrinkWater713 3 роки тому +3

      Do you even know Tubular Bells ?

    • @skineyemin4276
      @skineyemin4276 2 роки тому

      However, I don't think he played guitar on any of his 1970s period albums.

  • @kevinheckeler
    @kevinheckeler 4 роки тому +1177

    It's scary to think he's not mentioned much anymore. This was an excellent reminder of his importance and the beauty of his music.

    • @caseywalker1714
      @caseywalker1714 4 роки тому +36

      Kevin the simple fact that at 21-22 he wrote and produced MUSIC OF MY MIND & TALKING BOOK is bananas. He was on 🔥🔥🔥

    • @crysdee461
      @crysdee461 4 роки тому +8

      Who isn’t mentioning him?

    • @oldskoolchomp81
      @oldskoolchomp81 4 роки тому +9

      I remember when everyone left him on stage after the end of Will Smith's stupid ass "wild wild west" song

    • @lisah8438
      @lisah8438 4 роки тому +10

      I guess that is good because it means he is not problematic.

    • @danielasbjrnsson7500
      @danielasbjrnsson7500 3 роки тому +6

      @@lisah8438 True! Stevie Wonder is probably the most unproblematic musician there is.

  • @Craines
    @Craines 4 роки тому +2284

    It wasn’t called “The Wonder Years”?

  • @SupaDaveBeatz
    @SupaDaveBeatz 4 роки тому +507

    "As" is one of the best songs ever. The lyrics are heartfelt

    • @olharsemsonhos
      @olharsemsonhos 4 роки тому +5

      You should check Caetano Veloso and Chico Buarque. They are amazing songwritters too!

    • @Nautilus1972
      @Nautilus1972 4 роки тому +4

      Maybe the best.

    • @SSKMusicBeats
      @SSKMusicBeats 4 роки тому +9

      Oh and the runs and Ad Libs oooh lawdd

    • @maartenverrips1966
      @maartenverrips1966 4 роки тому +14

      Did you know that true love asks for nothing? Her acceptance is the way we pay. The most wonderful lyric in the history of pop music

    • @SergeantSkeleton
      @SergeantSkeleton 3 роки тому +11

      You listen to the end of the second record on Songs In The Key Of Life. At the end you get As, it starts to fade out and you’re completely satisfied. But no, there’s more. Then you hear the bass piano and the intro of Another Star. It is the perfect encore.

  • @firstnamelastname6005
    @firstnamelastname6005 2 роки тому +201

    Some may find this dark, but if Stevie had become a member of the 27 club, he still would have finished this classic run AND have lived a full YEAR longer. That is insane

    • @lowlowseesee
      @lowlowseesee Рік тому +24

      LOL morbid yet accurate

    • @johnscart
      @johnscart 6 місяців тому +3

      stevie wonder is still alive?

    • @andriealinsangao613
      @andriealinsangao613 6 місяців тому +2

      ​@@johnscartYes.

    • @levanabrzeni
      @levanabrzeni 4 місяці тому +1

      You are right. Actually, many people ask the question _ why is Stevie considered to be among all time greats? The thing is, just just know few biggest hits by him, which imho are the weakest links in his whole career. Stevie is indeed the greatest popular musician of the XX in many terms

  • @yeeyee8416
    @yeeyee8416 4 роки тому +2587

    I feel like no one talks about how great stevie wonder is.

    • @kerryn6714
      @kerryn6714 4 роки тому +237

      Let’s not wait until he dies to shower him with praise. Stevie is a true legend & phenomenal artist!

    • @yeeyee8416
      @yeeyee8416 4 роки тому +27

      kerryn67 fr man.

    • @kerryn6714
      @kerryn6714 4 роки тому +14

      Oblivi Production
      I’ll presume that’s a positive reply! Yeah Stevie!

    • @cardinalman7
      @cardinalman7 4 роки тому +13

      The man was blind!!!

    • @isaacjgl2657
      @isaacjgl2657 4 роки тому +50

      literally everyone talks about how they were inspired by him since the 90s

  • @RyanLBrown9396
    @RyanLBrown9396 4 роки тому +733

    Basically, Stevie Wonder is the perfect musician

  • @dirtrockground4543
    @dirtrockground4543 4 роки тому +221

    Stevie Wonder is the complete musician. Most musicians can only dream of what he was able to do. He is one of my greatest inspirations.

  • @lionheartroar3104
    @lionheartroar3104 4 роки тому +115

    Stevie's run in the 70's was colossal.. Genius.

  • @canturgan
    @canturgan 4 роки тому +850

    Songs In The Key Of Life is a real masterpiece.

    • @Brotherhood-pp4tf
      @Brotherhood-pp4tf 4 роки тому +12

      No one can contest such a true statement

    • @sieteocho
      @sieteocho 4 роки тому +18

      Tho I gotta say... he was only 26 when he made that, and then he jumped the shark. You'd have to collect all the highlights of all his later works to get another collection as strong as a single album in his early run. It's scary to think that he could have joined the 27 club and it wouldn't tarnish his legacy by very much.

    • @oranjuly
      @oranjuly 4 роки тому

      There’s a lot of missteps and filler on that record. It’s mostly amazing though.

    • @Brotherhood-pp4tf
      @Brotherhood-pp4tf 4 роки тому +10

      @@oranjuly name 1

    • @Brotherhood-pp4tf
      @Brotherhood-pp4tf 4 роки тому +6

      @Tyler Hackner the songs are infinitely better for being longer. If songs like black man, as, isn't she lovely and many more were shorter they would be a lot worse.

  • @TalkingBook72
    @TalkingBook72 4 роки тому +660

    One of my favorite artists of all time. His classic period is incomparable

    • @MattLeDonne27
      @MattLeDonne27 4 роки тому +7

      Classic SW in unrivaled

    • @hollohullu9448
      @hollohullu9448 4 роки тому +2

      you can't compare music or give it place over other music

    • @daccsacc
      @daccsacc 4 роки тому +7

      I'd include Steely Dan and Prince too

    • @MattLeDonne27
      @MattLeDonne27 4 роки тому +7

      @@daccsacc Completly agree, Steely Dan are one of my favorite artists ever and their whole discography is really a perfect run

    • @cadmiumandwilsin2993
      @cadmiumandwilsin2993 4 роки тому +4

      @@hollohullu9448 Yes you can, but you just have to keep in mind that it's all opinion and that you can't put other people down if they disagree with you. I can, however, put Stevie above Lil Pump in my own personal list of artists.

  • @heidiheidiho6412
    @heidiheidiho6412 4 роки тому +52

    Fun trivia: when Paul Simon won the album of the year Grammy for "Still Crazy After All These Years", he thanked Stevie Wonder for not releasing an album that year in his acceptance speech.

  • @briantwiss9078
    @briantwiss9078 4 роки тому +193

    Thank you for highlighting “As”. A brilliant song that’s often overlooked.

    • @oRuTRa45
      @oRuTRa45 4 роки тому +7

      Makes no sense whatsoever that it's overlooked.

    • @TheDutchCreeperTDC
      @TheDutchCreeperTDC 3 роки тому +2

      Your pfp reminded me that we really need a video on London Calling or The Clash in general. Extremely influential band.

    • @jourdansarpy4935
      @jourdansarpy4935 3 роки тому +10

      @@oRuTRa45 the reason is that Stevie Wonder made so many songs that you can legit know 10 of his greatest songs ever and not even be talking about anything he did before he was 18. His career is actually insane. He's literally the greatest musical artist of all time but people don't mention him because it makes the rest of the conversation boring since nobody even comes close to him in terms of quality, impact, longevity with that level of productivity. People always wonder what would have happened if Mozart didn't die when he was 35. The answer is Stevie Wonder.

    • @thedeucemonkey2331
      @thedeucemonkey2331 Рік тому

      Absofrickinglutely my friend...I think it's his best song He's written...
      A boatload of close 2nds though, lol....

  • @2bteachable2
    @2bteachable2 4 роки тому +495

    Innervisions is a perfect album.

    • @zplapplap
      @zplapplap 4 роки тому +31

      Agreed. 💯 There are so many great songs that my two favorites on the album, “Too High” and “Golden Lady”, didn’t make it into the essay.

    • @wildsmiley
      @wildsmiley 4 роки тому +17

      Though my favorite Stevie Wonder song is on Songs In The Key of Life (‘Knocks Me Off My Feet’), I think Innervisions is simply his best.

    • @AbbeyRoadkill1
      @AbbeyRoadkill1 4 роки тому +20

      I go back-and-forth between Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life.
      Innervisions is more coherent and succinct but 'Songs in the Key' has more to digest and features my favorite Wonder song of all time: "As"

    • @jamesk9287
      @jamesk9287 4 роки тому +6

      It is the one.
      i was recently blown away by the live 1974 performance on German television, a cathartic refreshing 33 minutes every time i watch it.

    • @keithroberts4952
      @keithroberts4952 4 роки тому +9

      Innervisions in my humble opinion, is his best! Absolutely no filler on this album. Perfect!

  • @slmcmorris7902
    @slmcmorris7902 4 роки тому +61

    Journey Into The Secret Life Of Plants is an absolute compositional masterpiece. It shows the FULL scope of his genius. It's a little weird, but it is one of the most brilliant releases of the 20th century.

  • @mysterbear
    @mysterbear 2 роки тому +56

    Music of My Mind is a monster. Talking Book is sublime. Innervisions, is a poem. Fullfillingness is a prayer. Thank you Stevie. “Can I play?” You can.

    • @wertj3977
      @wertj3977 5 місяців тому

      Songs in the key of life is self explanitory, it is the human experience.

  • @cadmiumandwilsin2993
    @cadmiumandwilsin2993 4 роки тому +286

    Dang. I feel like I've been underappreciating Stevie Wonder my whole nearly 16 years of existence. I just kinda saw him as "that one old blind dude who made isn't she lovely." I didn't know he was an artistic visionary who played a part in producing his own songs and played most of the instruments.

    • @cryptidseafog
      @cryptidseafog 4 роки тому +20

      i feel the same way, but goin' on 17 myself. i grew up to some of his music, and im sad to day how quick i was to push his music aside as "dad's weird music" but this video has definitely helped me grow a larger respect for the music and artist behind it.

    • @wesleyantrim6648
      @wesleyantrim6648 3 роки тому +9

      Lol yes. If Stevie had been around 400 years ago, he would’ve basically been Mozart. He’s an otherworldly talent.

    • @darklordthomaspie6293
      @darklordthomaspie6293 2 роки тому +1

      I've always loved Stevie Wonder.
      I've also almost always had almost the same musical taste as my dad

    • @hongkongbeat2164
      @hongkongbeat2164 2 роки тому +4

      Stevie Wonder's classic period is enlightenment, except for maybe "isn't she lovely", but even that can be forgiven as he was so happy at becoming a father :-)

    • @manasjain2034
      @manasjain2034 2 роки тому

      I knew him from I just called to say I love you

  • @TheRookie738
    @TheRookie738 4 роки тому +73

    Stevie's a better singer, writer and musician, than most legends.

  • @MrBkj1965
    @MrBkj1965 4 роки тому +16

    "In Square Circle" is an underrated album. It's a great work as well.

  • @cbdrums5995
    @cbdrums5995 3 роки тому +21

    Stevie Wonder is Music, in it’s purest most wonderful form.

  • @shawnmcvey7789
    @shawnmcvey7789 4 роки тому +18

    Stevie Wonder, Bowie, and Elvis Costello all have super underrated runs of amazing albums.

  • @josh0g
    @josh0g 4 роки тому +9

    I won't argue with the classic period, but... What's wild to me is that he went through a period like this, and still had enough in the tank to make Hotter Than July. It's a flawless album as well.

  • @LordDragon1965
    @LordDragon1965 4 роки тому +46

    Songs in the Key of Life is one of my top 10 albums of all time.

  • @justinbligh
    @justinbligh 4 роки тому +34

    Journey through the secret life of plants is a album worth checking out. Very underrated.

  • @Shah-of-the-Shinebox
    @Shah-of-the-Shinebox 2 роки тому +9

    If I were trapped on a desert island and could only have 5 albums, Stevie's 5 classic period albums would be it. They never ever get old.

  • @tommonk7651
    @tommonk7651 4 роки тому +34

    There are few albums ever recorded that even approach "Songs in the Key of Life". Just an absolute masterpiece. When I first bought it in the 70s, I didn't really appreciate it. I pulled it out awhile after I bought it and just wondered what the hell I was thinking when I originally didn't get it. One of those desert island albums.... One of the best ever.

  • @paisleyprincess7996
    @paisleyprincess7996 4 роки тому +37

    These five albums. The best ever. There’s not a bad song on Songs in the Key of Life. If you have to own a collection of sheer artistry and brilliant musicianship these albums are it.

  • @DavidRichardson95
    @DavidRichardson95 4 роки тому +57

    _Where I'm Coming From_ is a slept on album. That album was the precursor to what he do on those five albums. Stevie is a rare artist. ⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘

    • @StephenAkin
      @StephenAkin 4 роки тому +4

      I'm so glad someone said this! My fav track on that album "Sunshine In Their Eyes" is to me as exquisite and genius as anything that came after it.

    • @DavidRichardson95
      @DavidRichardson95 4 роки тому +3

      @@StephenAkin Take Up, Look Around, If You Really Love Me and Something Out of the Blue are my go to gems.

    • @StephenAkin
      @StephenAkin 4 роки тому +1

      ​@@DavidRichardson95 All solid tracks and feel-good music!

    • @DavidRichardson95
      @DavidRichardson95 4 роки тому +1

      @@StephenAkin A total bop. The creativity in that album only showcased what was to come in the next few years.

    • @StephenAkin
      @StephenAkin 4 роки тому +1

      @@DavidRichardson95 💯A bop with all 6 infinity stones!

  • @Keepdapocket
    @Keepdapocket 8 місяців тому +2

    I was a young kid on the 70’s starting my musical journey. Of course, funk and will disco were the rage for 8-10 year old kids like myself. Of course, i listened and knew all of Stevie‘a 70’s work.
    Like any black teenager in the early 80’s, I was a B-Boy, but still a musician. I started getting serious about my music though.
    My father said to me at that time, “if you truly want to be serious, take the three albums to your room and practice!”
    The albums he gave me were inner visions and songs on the key of life by Stevie, and Donnie Hathaway.

  • @zplapplap
    @zplapplap 4 роки тому +59

    Innervisions is my favorite of this period. Glad to see this magnificent run recognized and remembered.

    • @HotStrange
      @HotStrange 4 роки тому +2

      Andrew W. Just commented the same thing. Too High is so incredible and funky.

    • @zplapplap
      @zplapplap 4 роки тому +2

      Haut Strange I replied to another comment that Innervisions is such a strong album that my two favorite songs, “Too High”, and “Golden Lady”, didn’t make it into Polyphonic’s essay. Amazing songs from beginning to end.

  • @spencoir1
    @spencoir1 4 роки тому +9

    “Keep on runnin’” one of the most underrated Stevie songs

  • @billson_jasops
    @billson_jasops 4 роки тому +69

    Bro this video is a masterpiece. Stevie would be proud.

  • @jakspin
    @jakspin 4 роки тому +9

    Stevie is simply the greatest of all time. Nothing compares to his melodies, chords, lyrics etc. I feel very blessed to have learned about him at a very young age. And he's been the greatest inspiration to me as a musician ever since. Nothing but love for Steveland

  • @garnettanner2218
    @garnettanner2218 4 роки тому +37

    The TONTO synthesizer is now at the National Music Center in Calgary where I live. I knew TONTO was used on Wonder songs but not which ones. I immediately recognized the sound I'd heard demonstrated by one of the amazing techs who repaired the synth. He has since sadly passed on .
    The NMC is a really cool museum dedicated to music history and also important Canadian contributions to music. I encourage anyone visiting Calgary to check it out.

    • @minorsnow5306
      @minorsnow5306 4 роки тому

      Garnet Tanner. Isley bros and gil Scot heron also used tonto.

    • @Mooseman327
      @Mooseman327 4 роки тому +1

      And let's not forget Malcolm Cecil who created TONTO.

  • @jenhasken
    @jenhasken 4 роки тому +53

    Oh my God. My absolute favorite. This man has given me and others so much joy. He is such a loving, positive person who sees the beauty in life. Not to mention that he’s obviously one of the great musical geniuses of the 20th century.

  • @barebarekun161
    @barebarekun161 4 роки тому +44

    Years ago Stevie was revealed that I Wish was actually influenced by Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star"
    Another big hit from one of the best if not the best band ever.
    Songs in The Key of Life came out Saturday to beat out EWF's Spirit album that came out Monday in 1976 and they're charted at number 1 and Number 2 on Soul's top 40 respectively.

    • @Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes
      @Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes 3 роки тому

      _Years ago Stevie was revealed that I Wish was actually influenced by Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star"_
      I didn't know this fascinating fact, and it gives me an idea for my next project.
      With nearly all of my other uploads - mostly EW&F, a few Paul Simon and a few Stevie, along with others on both of my channels, I knew at the start that I would be successful, but with this possible merger, I'm not sure.
      Also, I note the following connections:
      People in this here comment section have remarked that Simon thanked Stevie for not releasing an album in 1975.
      Simon (solo) and EW&F each had precisely one #1 billboard pop hit, both in 1975:
      50 Ways To Leave Your Lover & Shining Star, which brings us back to the beginning of this reply

    • @Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes
      @Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes 3 роки тому

      YES!
      I see the connection and have a good idea of how this will work

    • @ericrobinson3995
      @ericrobinson3995 2 роки тому +2

      If Stevie and EWF had collaborated on an album......in their prime during the 70's......I'd still be on oxygen!!!

    • @Nclght
      @Nclght 10 місяців тому

      ​@@ericrobinson3995That has been my dream collaboration

  • @ernestrobinson8441
    @ernestrobinson8441 4 роки тому +27

    His album "Where I'm Coming From" released in 1971 should also be in the classic period. All 9 songs where written by him and his first wife. It's a great album that is severely underrated.

  • @robcinq5956
    @robcinq5956 4 роки тому +304

    I never clicked on something faster in my life

    • @HotStrange
      @HotStrange 4 роки тому +2

      Rob Cin Q Same! So excited 😆

    • @georgiosnmanesiotis9561
      @georgiosnmanesiotis9561 4 роки тому +2

      me too man

    • @mrlumpjuice
      @mrlumpjuice 4 роки тому +2

      YES!!!

    • @taylortanner6778
      @taylortanner6778 4 роки тому +3

      Yes!!! I discovered his music 2 years ago and have listened and read so much, and he's so incredible and i still find out new things. Absolutely love Stevie Wonder

    • @TheKelvinMusic
      @TheKelvinMusic 4 роки тому +1

      Me neither!

  • @neugey
    @neugey 4 роки тому +48

    I didn't know half this stuff about Stevie Wonder. Mind blown.

  • @lowenbad
    @lowenbad 4 роки тому +218

    I consider the conclusion of the classic era to be “Hotter Than July”

    • @mywelcomeinbox
      @mywelcomeinbox 4 роки тому +17

      A very overlooked, yet solid album. But for me also, the definitive end of the classic era I grew up with. :(

    • @napulex107
      @napulex107 4 роки тому +21

      I agree, even though the 4 new songs off "Original Musiquarium" were the real end of the golden era in my opinion.

    • @Jsimm100
      @Jsimm100 4 роки тому +1

      +Bradley Swanson I do too.

    • @jonathanbolger6173
      @jonathanbolger6173 4 роки тому +5

      Everyone's feelin' pretty...

    • @malikmoore8062
      @malikmoore8062 4 роки тому

      I believe 'Inner Visions' was the second album in this period, yes?

  •  4 роки тому +26

    Stevie was one of the most beloved influential soundtracks to my life. I owe him such a debt of gratitude!

  • @justdave38
    @justdave38 4 роки тому +93

    4:34 you are the “sushine” of my life
    Love these videos great editing and great narration and another worldy depth of exploration.

    • @msmoniz
      @msmoniz 4 роки тому +4

      Yeah caught that and I thought " was the original purposely titled like that for effect?" Nope, it's a typo!

    • @brandonboatner9952
      @brandonboatner9952 4 роки тому

      An other wordly* lol speaking of typos

  • @selalewis9189
    @selalewis9189 4 роки тому +11

    _Music Of My Mind_ is my favorite Stevie Wonder album. It's complete, complex, and manages to still sound contemporary. The lyrics are sexy, silly, heartfelt, longing, and bittersweet. Up there with Miles Davis' _Kind of Blue_ We should not take Stevie Wonder for granted. Treat him like we treat The Beatles. Thanks for this excellent video.

    • @arijitsengupta9766
      @arijitsengupta9766 Рік тому

      It is one of my favourite albums, the entire album, the album artwork, the liner notes - all are amazing and unmatched.

  • @ansonjackson6254
    @ansonjackson6254 3 роки тому +13

    It's almost criminal how underrated the Stevie Wonder 70's era is. Top 5 in rock history IMO.

    • @CrookBrown
      @CrookBrown 7 місяців тому

      In R&B history

    • @patreekotime4578
      @patreekotime4578 2 місяці тому

      ​@@CrookBrown Rock is just white guys playing R&B!

  • @soaribb32
    @soaribb32 4 роки тому +61

    The man was a one-man band and he was blind.
    I can wash dishes.

  • @MrNathan791
    @MrNathan791 4 роки тому +33

    Wow, what an excellent mini documentary you put together of Stevie Wonder. This man truly is a musical genius, second to none. So glad that Stevie didn't the big wigs at Motown stop his creativity. Obvious he used the gift that God give him and touched the world like so few artist has done since creation; "and that's not an over statement". Some may disagree, but this man is in the same musical genius atmosphere as Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, etc. I can only imagine the conversation that will be going on about this man's genius 200 yrs. from now. It'll be no different than the way folks carry on today about the classical music geniuses from 2-300 yrs. ago for us. Except in the future they'll be able to see Stevie on video and hear him playing his own music on cds or whatever devises they will have. It's mind boggling to think that. I have all of the 5 albums you have on here from that era. Again thanks for posting this , well appreciated. Peace out.

  • @TheMusicMan66
    @TheMusicMan66 4 роки тому +35

    There is simply NO ONE BETTER musically IMO!

    • @Soufside_Slim
      @Soufside_Slim 4 роки тому

      Prince

    • @ahmirwatson9531
      @ahmirwatson9531 4 роки тому +6

      mistablackfolks Love Prince but even he would tell you that Stevie wonder was above him

  • @shanewright2772
    @shanewright2772 4 роки тому +11

    Innervisions might just be the best album ever made. Thing of it is, Wonder didn't have a particularly diverse bag of songwriting tools, but he did have an incredible ability to get an almost infinite variety of forms out of that narrow range of tricks. And his drumming - good lord! No one , but no one plays drums like Stevie Wonder. You could do a whole episode on just that.

    • @mactherealestateman
      @mactherealestateman 7 місяців тому

      U can thank Benny Benjamin for his drumming.

    • @shanewright2772
      @shanewright2772 7 місяців тому

      @@mactherealestateman 'fo sho'. Nice to see a great an get his props from you, too!

  • @DougMayer
    @DougMayer 4 роки тому +48

    If I could nominate one person to meet aliens on behalf of humanity, it would be Stevie

    • @revdr13
      @revdr13 4 роки тому +1

      Doug Mayer he would impregnate them.

    • @petermchugh6014
      @petermchugh6014 3 роки тому +1

      revdr13 what the fuck

  • @davidt9238
    @davidt9238 3 роки тому +9

    I went to a fair number of arena music concerts way back when. The Stones, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Eric Clapton, Queen, Thin Lizzy, Edgar Winter, Rory Gallagher, ELO, Stevie Winwood. None of them came close to the two Wonder concerts I saw in 1976 and 1980. Stevie Wonder is a very special person.

    • @oldschoolruler
      @oldschoolruler 2 роки тому

      Yes. I've seen him twice, 1980, 2018... absolutely incredible.

  • @Brotherhood-pp4tf
    @Brotherhood-pp4tf 4 роки тому +26

    His music was experimental, cutting edge, fun, personal, meaningful and relatable to all who listened to it. Most artist aim to have even 1 album that even compares to these 5 and it usually doesn't happen, so the fact Stevie made 5 classic albums one after the other is astounding. All of which led to his Magnum Opus Songs in the Key of Life, made even more impressive that he produced the whole damn thing. What an amazing vision from an amazing man, well done Stevie Wonder.

  • @jamisonwoodson8548
    @jamisonwoodson8548 4 роки тому +2

    They Won’t Go When I Go is phenomenal.

  • @yogibear6363
    @yogibear6363 4 роки тому +6

    Another musician with a perfect run was Barry Gibb.
    From the last week of December 1977 to the first week
    of January 1979 - a span of 54 weeks - Gibb's songs were
    at #1 for 27 of those weeks. For HALF of that stretch of
    time the #1 song was something he had written.

  • @derek2678
    @derek2678 4 роки тому +113

    Some themes I'd like to recommend
    -The story of the wall
    -How U2 changed live shows
    -Creedence Clearwater revival and war
    -How grunge ended hair metal
    -Metallica's change of subject matter from each album, explained

  • @trollof229antthevariable9
    @trollof229antthevariable9 4 роки тому +6

    Stevie is the Goat. Just played "That Girl into Do I do". And at the end of the latter track the man featured Dizzy Gillespie. I mean his style just seamlessly encorporated the past and future, while breaking grounds..one of the most sampled in rap...

  • @johnshields6852
    @johnshields6852 Рік тому +1

    Isn't she lovely was a song I came to associate my daughter, born in 1983, the song kills me everytime I hear it, Stevie's music was all over the radio back in the 1970's, he's a once in a 100 years talent.

  • @hotvision
    @hotvision 3 роки тому +5

    He is the most decorated musician of all time and yet he is still massively underrated and under-appreciated. His golden period speaks for itself and is incredible, but don't count out literally every album he is ever done, starting with "My Cherie Amour" and ending with "A Time To Love". Secret Life of Plants is weird but it has magical moments, Hotter Than July has some great songs, In Square Circle...His early early motown albums, show some magic from a 12 year old Stevie. Its just.. It's incredible. This man is the modern day Mozart of R&B and he is the greatest artist of modern American music. You can enjoy every album he has made from the time he was 16, to the time he was 60. I love Stevie.

  • @PaulMatthewMusic1
    @PaulMatthewMusic1 4 роки тому +7

    Songs In The Key of Life is theeee most underated album ever! It should be easily in the top 5. Its hard pressed to find a more amazing feat in pop music.

    • @oldschoolruler
      @oldschoolruler 2 роки тому +1

      Prince's, 'Sign O' The Times' is the only one I can think of that even comes close...but, SITKOL is not underated. Those that don't acknowledge its greatness are either ignorant or stupid, or both.

  • @highwind1991
    @highwind1991 3 роки тому +6

    This excellent video about Stevie Wonder completely changed how I felt about this artist who I only just saw as The talented blind musician with singles my parents loved. I listened to Songs in the Key of Life 2 weeks ago and I'm still listening to it from start to finish obsessively. Stevie Wonder is and always will be a true musical genius. I have never heard such a lengthy album that pretty much does not waste a single minute here.

  • @darkhalo0868
    @darkhalo0868 4 роки тому +9

    It's a shame that a lot of people have forgotten or never knew just how BRILLIANT Stevie Wonder was/is. Thank you for reminding them.

  • @chelmrtz
    @chelmrtz 4 роки тому +5

    This video brought tears to my eyes. Stevie Wonder is such a special and rare talent and I’m forever grateful I got to know him as an artist in this life. He’s as important to music as any other composer: Mozart, Bach, anyone.

  • @michaelperez8744
    @michaelperez8744 2 роки тому +7

    I know this is outside the classic run, but I also love "Hotter Than July" as much as the albums in the C-Run. "Key Of Life" has been my favorite album every since I bought it as a double album In Atlanta -- 44 years ago (this was at a long-defunct theme record store called "Oz Records & Tapes" near Lenox Mall, but that's another story). SITKOL still gives me chills when I listen to it, and I hear something different and awe-inspiring every time. To me it is a divinely inspired work of art with one beautiful message and in a sequence of hellacious grooves. Thank you for this fantastic channel!

  • @jonmason1955
    @jonmason1955 4 роки тому +9

    A magnificent homage to a brilliant (Black) American composer and musician. Stevie Wonders albums were the soundtracks of my college and "nightlife" years. I have all the albums mentioned---original first issue vinyl releases. They sounded good on my college stereo set back then, but great on the sophisticated set I enjoy now! May God continue to bless this remarkable man.

  • @Sam-wp7gw
    @Sam-wp7gw 4 роки тому +7

    Stevie has blown my mind so many times. I remember how shocked I was when I learned he played those amazing harmonica solos and I still never knew he played the drums until this video! He has written some of the best songs, funkiest songs, and most emotional songs of all time.

  • @cardejah
    @cardejah 4 роки тому +1

    I made a decision to drop some narcotics for therapeutic purposes and face some pent up feelings of losing my father (he passed a few months back). As I sat there waiting for the drugs to kick in, i got a notification for this video and it sent me to another place in time when my father and I would listen to all his favourites in the car. I spent the rest of the night listening to Stevie Wonder. It was like i had spent the evening bonding with my dad and being reminded of all his love, joy, and views on life. Thank you for making this video. What a gift this was to me.

  • @cameronthomas4946
    @cameronthomas4946 4 роки тому +231

    Please do a video like this for David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy

    • @connorschutz4660
      @connorschutz4660 4 роки тому +7

      I second this, that'd be great

    • @edalder2000
      @edalder2000 4 роки тому +6

      @@connorschutz4660 Yeah, "Low" is one of my favorite albums and influenced Joy Division and more.

    • @ahmedmubashir7231
      @ahmedmubashir7231 4 роки тому +4

      YES. PLEASE.

    • @chuckaudio3191
      @chuckaudio3191 4 роки тому +3

      Check out the Thin White Duke video.

    • @caseywalker1714
      @caseywalker1714 4 роки тому +1

      There's more about Bowie the Stevie which is pretty crazu to me (no offense)

  • @lisaspears6380
    @lisaspears6380 4 роки тому +16

    Stevie Wonder is the grace of life. Thank you for your songs of love of precious life. A rare genius who sees everything for not with his eyes..

  • @trollof229antthevariable9
    @trollof229antthevariable9 4 роки тому +6

    I always used to say Stevie is pure sunshine. A rare blend..

  • @k.pacificnw02134
    @k.pacificnw02134 2 роки тому +2

    When I read "perfect run," I thought this was going to be a sample of one of his *singing* runs. Those vocal tricks and fast key changes. : )

  • @nirmalsuki
    @nirmalsuki 4 роки тому +5

    Stevie Wonder is an unparalleled genius of our time...

  • @safwannizam2932
    @safwannizam2932 4 роки тому +179

    Thanks so much for all these videos! Have you thought about doing a video on some (more) jazz greats, like John Coltrane/The John Coltrane Quartet or Charlie Parker?

    • @LPPL123
      @LPPL123 4 роки тому +2

      With all due respect, please no jazz...

    • @chasependleton1161
      @chasependleton1161 4 роки тому +40

      @@LPPL123 with all due respect, I hope he does more jazz...

    • @Theomite
      @Theomite 4 роки тому +11

      @@LPPL123 Hey, even if you don't like jazz, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane are worth their own videos here AT LEAST. Miles was worthy, so so are they.

    • @Danielwoesthoff1
      @Danielwoesthoff1 4 роки тому +5

      @@LPPL123 Why not. His Miles Davis video is amazing.

    • @safwannizam2932
      @safwannizam2932 4 роки тому

      No Entry do you watch rick beato too? lol

  • @jeffreycooley2032
    @jeffreycooley2032 9 днів тому

    Music of my mind is always playing in my car. Never gotten tired of it. Definitely the beginning of Stevie's greatest artistic period

  • @phillicus
    @phillicus 4 роки тому +50

    Great video man.
    Do Prince next. ThAt would be fire

    • @uploadvidz4490
      @uploadvidz4490 4 роки тому +2

      That would need at least two parts

    • @dupesleftrubesright7967
      @dupesleftrubesright7967 3 роки тому

      "ThAt would be fire"
      Except for the part where Prince made approximately ZERO great albums.

    • @danielasbjrnsson7500
      @danielasbjrnsson7500 3 роки тому +5

      @@dupesleftrubesright7967 Um, have you heard Dirty Mind, 1999, Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, Parade, Sign o' the Times, Lovesexy, Diamonds and Pearls, Love Symbol, The Gold Experience and Hitnrun Phase Two?
      Yeah, Prince made plenty of great albums.

    • @djtrendsetta5766
      @djtrendsetta5766 3 роки тому

      @@danielasbjrnsson7500 All of those were mediocre, just like the rest of the banal output from his Purple Pedestrianness. Keef said it best when he referred to Prince as an "overrated midget".

  • @LizzyKoala88
    @LizzyKoala88 4 роки тому +5

    His music is timeless!!

  • @TheNicoDavis
    @TheNicoDavis 4 роки тому +8

    Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life are 2 of my favorite albums of all time

  • @maryeliason1504
    @maryeliason1504 2 роки тому +2

    I will ALWAYS remember when Paul Simon made that comment. Showed so much respect for Stevie & Paul's humility. We all love you Stevie.🌹🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ UNFORGETTABLE GENIUS. I own all of those albums & remember every song. The poetry & the incredible melodies.

  • @Chris_P_Bacon
    @Chris_P_Bacon Рік тому +2

    Songs in the key of life is one of the best albums ever created

  • @josevictordiogo4174
    @josevictordiogo4174 4 роки тому +6

    Each of these albums individually deserves its own 20 min. polyphonic video.

  • @ornleifs
    @ornleifs 4 роки тому +40

    "The Secret life of Plants" definitely belongs to the classic Period of Stevie Wonder, it has some of his best songs and the album is a Brilliant Masterpiece.

    • @mcdonoghrahloh459
      @mcdonoghrahloh459 4 роки тому +2

      Send her your love?

    • @dunngyllite7883
      @dunngyllite7883 4 роки тому +2

      Just wanted to comment something similar - so here is your well earned thumbs up ;)

    • @lyleugleman9799
      @lyleugleman9799 3 роки тому +1

      strongly agree, that album is incredible. arguably hotter than july should be included as well...

    • @dupesleftrubesright7967
      @dupesleftrubesright7967 3 роки тому

      @Om Leifsson Please.

    • @rommix0
      @rommix0 2 роки тому

      @@mcdonoghrahloh459 with a dozen 🌹 🥀

  • @pikeman80
    @pikeman80 4 роки тому +2

    I love "The Secret Life Of Plants", Great documentary too.

  • @punkly8423
    @punkly8423 2 роки тому +3

    Talking Book is probably my favorite album of all time. Something about it reminds me of warm beautiful days.

  • @jordanhedington2421
    @jordanhedington2421 4 роки тому +34

    Pleaaase do Miles Davis electric period

  • @dextec49
    @dextec49 4 роки тому +6

    A legend and a great human being bringing music to the front of social reality. He’s still going today, his legacy as a person will always be present. Great video!

  • @DavidSaintloth
    @DavidSaintloth 4 роки тому +16

    People consider modern artists innovative.
    Wonder comes along and says "Hold my Beer."
    Wonder is the Einstein of Modern music. His music will be listened to and studied for decades to come.

    • @mcdonoghrahloh459
      @mcdonoghrahloh459 4 роки тому

      David Saintloth Einstein was s fraud,propaganda for liars.Stevie isreal.

  • @blachubear
    @blachubear 4 роки тому +1

    Back in the 70's when I was a kid, the music Stevie, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Philly Sound(Gamble & Huff), Parliament/Funkadelic, Donna Summer, Earth,Wind & Fire, Curtis Mayfield, Commodores, Diana Ross, James Brown, The Meters, Dr. John, KC And The Sunshine Band, The Spinners, Gladys Knight, Elton John, Minnie Ripperton, Quincy Jones, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Bee Gees, along with music before my time Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix & Motown. It was an awesome time to listen to great music while growing up.

  • @EzioMonty117
    @EzioMonty117 4 роки тому +6

    Your assessment on Songs in the Key of Life pretty much sums it up. Not only is it a double album that actually works but it's up there as one of the best albums of all time. Many artists have tried to replicate what Stevie has made here (every R&B artist from the 90s onwards) but ultimately in the end, the album is a one of a kind album that can't be replicated and will always remain timeless.

    • @bolder2009
      @bolder2009 4 роки тому

      With the exception of Lauryn Hill's 'The Misducation Of....' I've not heard any R&B artist from the 90s try to replicate this album's scale and range. She's the only one. Not even D'Angelo. The only other R&B artists from the 90s that could even attempt something as ambitious as Songs In The Key Of Life are Omar and Lewis Taylor in my opinion. And what Stevie said about Omar, is quite fitting. But nobody has even attempted anything as ambitious as Songs In The Key Of Life in any genre. The closest album in terms of scale and ambition in recent years would be something like Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly'.

    • @EzioMonty117
      @EzioMonty117 4 роки тому

      bolder2009 Ok maybe not on the same scale but there are many R&B artists who try to replicate the soul of Stevie Wonder on this album (smooth instrumentation, vocalizing, crystal clear production etc.)

    • @bolder2009
      @bolder2009 4 роки тому +1

      @@EzioMonty117 Fair enough. I personally don't think R&B artists of the 90s to present have the ambition that the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway , Barry White, Isaac Hayes to name a few, had.

  • @poweroffriendship2.0
    @poweroffriendship2.0 4 роки тому +608

    _I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that._
    *~ Stevie Wonders*

    • @Zeldarw104
      @Zeldarw104 4 роки тому +16

      what in the hell does that have to do with his illustrious career and this video?
      Yeah yeah, yeah, we know Stevie Wonder's blind is that the only information you received from this excellent video?!
      #ShortBusRider🤤

    • @Dd-xv5du
      @Dd-xv5du 4 роки тому +59

      Zelda Williams it’s a meme dude

    • @Koogai
      @Koogai 4 роки тому +15

      @@Zeldarw104 joke.

    • @rando5521
      @rando5521 4 роки тому +21

      Bro in that meme its not even stevie it ls Ray Charles

    • @bhakti235
      @bhakti235 4 роки тому +7

      i did not see that coming

  • @StefveoX
    @StefveoX 4 роки тому +1

    You hear a lot of “Stevie Wonder is one of the greatest musicians of all time”. There is no “one of”. He is THE greatest, most multi-dimensional and endlessly creative artist of all time. His theoretical knowledge, pure musical skills, impossible imagination of subject matters and lyrical genius are... just, godly. Stevie Wonder is music itself personified. All respect to the likes of Beatles and Prince and so on, Stevie Wonder is unparalleled. Let’s not pretend that we don’t owe everything in contemporary popular music to him. Appreciate the greatness!!!!!

  • @samsonmorrell
    @samsonmorrell 6 місяців тому +2

    As a teen in the 90s in New Zealand I absolutely smashed Innervisions. So many smash hits. Too High, Living for the city, Jesus Children Of America, Dont you worry, Mr Know it all. While my mates were listening to 90s rap, i was discovering 70s Stevie in all his musical glory.

  • @datsmay
    @datsmay 4 роки тому +34

    What a great testament to one of the pioneers of music. Well done man!

  • @Graciasholmes
    @Graciasholmes Рік тому +3

    The vocal improvising and vamping Stevie Wonder blessed us with on these albums is unparalleled.

    • @TheNerdRapper
      @TheNerdRapper 6 місяців тому

      I miss the era when people would just sing! Improvise, do runs, vamp, just let the soul loose!

  • @artkincell
    @artkincell 4 роки тому +4

    Thank you for this. I was in high school when Sir Stevie started this run. I bought every record, amazed at his brilliance.
    Listening to Stevie's words taught me a lot about life.
    I have been, and always will be a huge Wonder fan.
    Thank you too, Stevie, for your music, vision, and making driving around, listening to your music in the 70s awesome.

  • @pentalarclikesit822
    @pentalarclikesit822 2 роки тому +1

    THe talent is amazing, and I was glad to hear about the drumming. People forget how good a drummer he is. People with that much creativity and talent influence so much in music. Suffice to say, in my 90's grunge-metal band, the drummer got a new hi-hat, and as she was setting it up said, "hold on, I gotta break it." I asked what she meant, and she just said, "Stevie Wonder." Was a long time before I knew what she meant. (She basically had her hi-hats in 2/3 open all the time.)

  • @billnalder1017
    @billnalder1017 4 роки тому +7

    Great presentation as always- but after that incredible ten year 'classic' run, in 1982 he put my all time favorite song into his 'Greatest Hits' album featuring "RIBBON IN THE SKY" (which he performed a version of it at Whitney Houstons funeral)..

  • @tonylancer7367
    @tonylancer7367 4 роки тому +6

    This video is just a glimpse of Stevie Wonder's greatness, and unmatched musicianship.
    Songs In The Key of Life opens with a natural, and breathtaking piece with "Love's In Need of the World Today", an incredible (and albeit, short) acapella piece that braces us for the exciting journey.
    Incredible video, definitely one of my favourite videos on YT for the man that continues to impact so many generations.

  • @francisdedumo3323
    @francisdedumo3323 4 роки тому +8

    He's the BEST Pop Star of all time. His music was a masterpiece!

  • @Trinifood
    @Trinifood 8 місяців тому +1

    This is the second time I'm watching this video and I have to compliment the scriptwriting. Easy to follow, pithy but not banal. Excellent. This should be required for young children to get them into the best music.