Stevie Wonder Albums Ranked From Worst to Best
Вставка
- Опубліковано 23 лис 2024
- This week we're ranking the studio albums of Stevie Wonder! Sure, we've dabbled in R&B in the past. (Whitney Houston) But this is our first MAJOR discography in the genre. A whopping 26 albums to get to, one of Joe's favorite artists of all time... That's 26 different ways for Kram and Jason to break his heart. How will this play out?!?
****
Stevland Hardaway Morris (born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer and musician, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that includes rhythm and blues, pop, soul, gospel, funk and jazz. A virtual one-man band, Wonder's use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments during the 1970s, reshaped the conventions of R&B. He also helped drive the genre into the album era, crafting his LPs as cohesive, consistent socially conscious statements with complex compositions. Blind since shortly after his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy who signed with Motown's Tamla label at the age of 11, where he was given the professional name Little Stevie Wonder.
Wonder's single "Fingertips" was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, at the age of 13, making him the youngest artist ever to top the chart. Wonder's critical success was at its peak in the 1970s. His "classic period" began in 1972 with the releases of Music of My Mind and Talking Book, the latter featuring "Superstition", which is one of the most distinctive and famous examples of the sound of the Hohner Clavinet keyboard. His works Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976) all won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making him the tied-record holder for the most Album of the Year wins, with three. He is also the only artist to have won the award with three consecutive album releases. Wonder began his "commercial period" in the 1980s; he achieved his biggest hits and highest level of fame, had increased album sales, charity participation, high-profile collaborations (including Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson), political impact, and television appearances. Wonder has continued to remain active in music and political causes.
Wonder is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 100 million records worldwide. He has won 25 Grammy Awards (the most by a solo artist) and one Academy Award (Best Original Song, for the 1984 film The Woman in Red). Wonder has been inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is also noted for his work as an activist for political causes, including his 1980 campaign to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a federal holiday in the U.S. In 2009, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and in 2014, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
****
Let us know what you think of Stevie Wonder, how you rank his albums, and what you think of our lists by leaving a comment below. Thanks for watching!
Next week: The Babys
After that: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Porcupine Tree, Pulp
#steviewonder #albumsranked #worsttobest
~~~
Patreon: / tasteslikemusic
Merch: tasteslikemusi...
Website: tasteslikemusi...
Instagram: / tastes_like_music
Facebook: / tasteslikeyoutube
Twitter: / tasteslikemus1c
Not only is Joe missing a party, he's stuck listening to Jason and Kramzer tear apart albums he loves.
Legend has it that after recording this video, he played "It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want to" on an endless loop.
This week was AWESOME. Such a revelation. Stevie Wonder was an artist I had always respected, but never made the attempt to get into because I "don't like R&B". Or at least, that's what I'd been telling myself. After watching this, I've realized that I do. Big time. You guys helped me find the joy and genius in his music. I just picked up Talking Book, and I've added all his 70s output up through Hotter Than July to my list of albums to purchase next. Great work, guys! Props to Joe for pushing Stevie to the forefront!!
This makes me so happy. - Joe
The Wonder that is Stevie is that he resented being called an R&B artist and wanted to have a universal appeal. This is why he wrote those songs like Never Dreamed you'd Leave In Summer"
The Land of LaLa was used in many movies as background music back in the 90's for
Folks used to call him lazy when he used a drum track or he looped a melody in one of his tunes. Now it's the industry standard.
My mom is a big Stevie fan ,which made me one. I grew up with majority of these albums being played in the house, car etc.... Here's my List:
1.Innervisions
2.Songs In The Key Of Life
3.Hotter Than July
4.Talking Book
5.Fulfillingness' First Finale
6.Music Of My Mind
7.Where I'm Coming From
8.In Square Circle
9.For Once In My Life
10.Signed, Sealed & Delivered
11.I Was Made To Love Her
12.A Time To Love
13.Characters
14.My Cherie Amour
15.Up-Tight
16.Jungle Fever
17.Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants
18.Someday At Christmas
19.Conversation Peace
20.Down To Earth
21.The Woman In Red
22.Eivets Rednow
23.The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder
24.With a Song in my Heart
25.Tribute To Uncle Ray
26.Stevie At The Beach
My ranking of those I've heard:
1. Innervisions (5 stars)
2. Talking Book (5 stars)
3. Songs in the Key of Life (4.5 stars)
4. Music of My Mind (4.5 stars)
5. Fullfillingness' First Finale (4.5 stars)
6. Hotter than July (4 stars)
7. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (4 stars)
Nobody ever had more joy in singing than Stevie on Hotter Than July, and that's why it's my favorite of his albums (Yay, Kram!). It also jams more styles of music together in odd ways, like "Ain't Gonna Stand For It" and the angular jazz/R&B "As If You Could Read My Mind." My other Top 3 are Innervisions and Keys, but my star ratings would average higher than you guys's. Special shout out to Syreeta, his wife and Very Important collaborator - Stevie produced two strong albums for her during his classic run.
Thank you for standing up for Plants, Joe - it took you a few minutes to use the word "prog" for this most beautiful sounding of his records - his next record would turn all digital. "Big Brother," "You Haven't Done Nothin'," "Cash in Your Face," and the darkly humorous "Village Ghetto Land" are as powerful political songs as one person has done. Slate had some cool articles about Stevie's drumming and his Fozzie Bear voice.
If you can collect Stevie's best 30 or 40 Motown-era songs, you'll have another great couple hours of music (Looking Back, At the Close of the Century). If Stevie had never done anything but playing harmonica, he would have been a legend - during the 80s there were synth keyboard players paid good cash to copy his sound (Starship "Jane," Steely Dan "Hey Nineteen"). Tammi Terrell's "All I Do" is sweet, elegant, and heartbreaking when you think about how her life turned soon after. I bought Keys when it was Number 1, one of my first records.
Thanks for tackling this, gents - good job!
John Village Ghetto Land is a masterpie. I'm some ways it might be his most powerful song. Songs in the Key of Life is up there for me with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tommy and the White album for greatest double album period!!
1: Fullfilness, First Finale
2: Innervisions
3: Talking Book
4: Songs In the Key of Life
5: Music of My Mind
The sustained note at the end of "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" is amazing.
no one having one of my all time favourite albums of all time (Song In The Key Of Life) as their number one just shows how unbelievably great stevie wonder is
Stevie Wonder is a musical genius.
I enjoyed this week immensely and I found it easy to get through these 26 albums even with some of them not being amazing. Before this, I owned Innervisions and had heard Talking Book as well as the hits, of course. One thing I really grew to appreciate through the week is his amazing use of female backing vocals throughout his career - has caused me to check out Minnie Riperton and Syreeta solo albums which I have not been disappointed by so far. I loved hearing his use of synths because he was so ahead of his time and that is always something I really appreciate. The album that blew my mind the most was Music of My Mind, right from the opening track I was floored hearing it for the first time. That would be higher if not for "Sweet Little Girl" which I don't dislike but agree doesn't quite work. Might still get to 5 stars for me anyway with time, it's the one I keep going back to the most. Definitely a bunch of albums to add to my wishlist now. I also really grew to appreciate Fulfillingness' First Finale a lot, definitely think that one gets underrated a lot.
26. With a Song in my Heart - 2 (4.2)
25. Stevie at the Beach - 2 (4.4)
24. The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie - 2.5 (5.0)
23. Eivets Rednow - 2.5 (5.2)
22. The Woman in Red - 2.5 (5.4)
21. Tribute to Uncle Ray - 3 (5.9)
20. A Time to Love - 3 (6.0)
19. Conversation Peace - 3 (6.1)
18. In Square Circle - 3 (6.4)
17. Jungle Fever - 3.5 (6.9)
16. Down To Earth - 3.5 (7.0)
15. Characters - 3.5 (7.1)
14. I Was Made to Love Her - 3.5 (7.2)
13. My Cherie Amour - 3.5 (7.2)
12. For Once In My Life - 3.5 (7.5)
11. Someday at Christmas - 4 (7.7)
10. Up-Tight - 4 (7.8)
9. SW's Journey through The Secret Life of Plants - 4 (7.9)
8. Where I'm Coming From - 4 (8.1)
7. Signed, Sealed & Delivered - 4.5 (9.0)
6. Hotter Than July - 4.5 (9.2)
5. Music of My Mind - 4.5 (9.4)
4. Songs in the Key of Life - 5 (9.5)
3. Innervisions - 5 (9.6)
2. Fulfillingness' First Finale - 5 (9.7)
1. Talking Book - 5 (9.7)
I like how detailed your ranking is - great list
@@kevtruth Thanks! :)
Vanessa what an incredible and detailed list!! Your top 6 is my top 6 but I have Songs in the Key of Life 1. Village Ghetto Land, Isn't She Lovely and Sir Duke all on the same album is mind blowing to me!!
@@PatricksPlaybook Thanks :). Absolutely, Songs in the Key of Life is fantastic!
Great choice, gentlemen! The two hours went by in a flash. When I was a high school freshman in '72, my mother surprised me with a cassette copy of Music of My Mind that she had picked up on a whim on a shopping trip. I never knew why she did that, neither of us would have been familiar the music on it, but it was the start of my life-long Stevie fandom. Sometimes the universe has a way of pushing you in a direction you need to go.
I’d personally go with Innervisions
But no doubt he has a handful of albums that are unarguably great
Just for myself Innervisions is Thriller without having every track released as a single
Every track is it’s own song
Every track is memorable, beautiful
Would have to be in my 100 favorite albums ✌️
Took me 3 days but I made it through all 2 hours. Great stuff. Joe's love for Stevie really comes across.
I love that Fullfillingness First Finale is on everyone's top 5. Great podcast!
Amazing video I have been immersed in the album Songs in the Key of Life I can't believe how good it is. It reminds me of Sign O The Times by my man Prince!! I will be in Heaven if there is ever a Prince week!!💜
You all have different, but very respectable viewpoints of Stevie Wonder's body of work! Great video 😀👍
My ranking:
1. Fulfillingness' First Finale
2. Innervisions
3. Songs in the Key of Life
4. Hotter than July
5. Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants
6. Talking Book
7. Music of My Mind
8. Where I'm Coming From
9. In Square Circle
10. Signed, Sealed & Delivered
11. For Once in My Life
12. A Time to Love
13. Conversation Peace
14. Jungle Fever
15. My Cherie Amour
16. Down to Earth
17. Up-Tight
18. The Woman in Red
19. Characters
20. Eivets Rednow
21. I Was Made to Love Her
22. Stevie at the Beach
23. Someday at Christmas
24. Tribute to Uncle Ray
25. The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie
26. With a Song in My Heart
I love that you have Secret Life of Plants at 5!!
Speaking of Stevie, how good is Original Musiquarium 1? One of the best hits compilations I've ever heard from a pop artist and it has four excellent original tracks. I got into Stevie's music because of this album. And I'm still itching for more, knowing that Stevie has many unreleased songs in his vault - including at least one album he pulled from release ("People Moves, Human Plays" from 1982). We might not hear these until he passes, sadly.
I love how the comp is sequenced... spent many years in my car's cassette player. It's the finest way to introduce someone who has never listened to Stevie, to Stevie.
Sequencing is great, as well as the way the new songs set off the progressive nature of the older hits, being all of a piece as if they had been all recorded at the same moment.
@@billslocum9819 As a bassist, learn that lp front to back and you'll be pretty damn good by the end of it. Takes a few decades mind, and will probably take me a few more. ;)
That album was my proper introduction to stevie! I heard him before then but in 1988, I heard my neighbour playing the album and I couldn't believe what I was hearing! From there, I went back to listen to his classic period and became a major fan! His synth bass playing is revolutionary!
Great choice and fantastic week for TLM. A major and undisputedly great black artist. Scratch that...Just a truly great artist.
Some sketchy earlier Motown records ( understandably, considering the early development stages of the "Album " art form , particularly for rnb /soul music).
His top 10 albums for me though( and particularly his 70s run of albums) are as consistently brilliant as anyone's in pop music history. An absolute pleasure . Big up to Joe in particular. Great work lads. ( I might've missed an album or 2...sue me)
Stevie Wonder - Albums Ranked.
23. Stevie At The Beach - 2 stars
22. The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie - 2 stars
21. Someday At Christmas - 2 stars
20. Tribute to Uncle Ray - 2.5 stars
19. Eivets Rainbow- 2.5 stars
18. A Time To Love - 3 stars
17. Down To Earth - 3 stars
16. Conversation Piece - 3 stars
15. In Square Circle - 3 stars
14. For Once In My Life - 3.5 stars
13. Characters - 3.5 stars
12. Music From Jungle Fever 3. 5 stars
11. Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants 3.5 stars
10. Uptight Everything's Alright - 4 stars
9. My Cherie Amour - 4 stars
8. Hotter Than July - 4 stars
7. Signed Sealed Delivered - 4 stars
6. Where I'm Coming From - 4 stars
5.Fulfillingness First Finale - 4.5 stars
4. Music of My Mind - 5 stars
3. Talking Book - 5 stars
2. Innervisions -5 stars
1. Songs In the Key of Life - 5 stars
Joe's comment about Mario 64 and its relation to Stevie Wonder's The Secret Life of Plants, being an embarrassing thing yet still infectious is a nice snapshot of our understanding of music.
I never thought of Stevie Wonder as an album artist until the 70's,where he arguably released the greatest run of albums of the decade(David Bowie and Neil Young could put up an argument). Anything from Music of My Mind to Hotter than July(excepting Secret Life..,which I actually like) could be a legit #1. SITKOL would be my favorite,followed closely by Inner Visions. A very enjoyable episode,although 26 albums is a slog. Wait til you get to Zappa! lol
Stevie gave my father a demo entitled "A better place" way back in 1971 along with Talking Book album.
Very cool. Was the demo ever made into anything? - Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic I don't think he ever released it. It had a Sly Stone sound to it. I was only about 7 years old.
Tastes Like Music In Prime Time !! - Stevie had an incredible 10 album run - Innervisions , Talking Book , Music Of My Mind , Songs In The Key Of Life , Fullfillingness First Finale , For Once In My Life , My Cherie Amour , Signed Sealed Delivered & Where I'm Coming From. I can't think of many other artists who did 10 albums of such quality consecutively. 😎
Bowie comes close but not quite there
Joni
Surprised to find this one. You guys don't do a lot of the classic R&B artists. A ranking of James Brown, Donnie Hathaway, Al Green, Herbie Hancock, Marvin Gaye, Isley Brothers. Lotta good stuff in there! But this one was interesting! I just love to hear what people think of great albums.
ok, last comment, I promise..... ua-cam.com/video/fST90ZIw6Ws/v-deo.htmlsi=CgslUHx2VTkOaVtD
My favorite of the big 5:
5. Music of My Mind
4. Fulfillingness' First Finale
3. Talking Book
2. Innervisions
1. Songs in the Key of Life
Thanks Jason for the 5 star grade to ”Where I’m coming from”. The best pop/soul ballads ever made are ”…leave in summer” and ”think of me..”
The measuring stick was how you all were going to rank Secret Life of Plants.... And Joe! Of all people!! Dude saved the episode from disaster. The arguments for ranking it so low were head-slapping. Seeing the Lady in Red soundtrack rated higher (twice) was even more perplexing. Joe did a great job schooling the lads on Secret Life's beauty. Right on target. To this cowboy's ears, it's among the most gorgeous works of art ever recorded.
We were warned up front these albums were rushed through in some cases, and I reckon Secret Life of Plants is an album about slowing down... appreciating the subtle and microscopic. It may be better appreciated if lived with for a while. The fact that it was glazed over and dismissed as boring is the very point of the film for which it is the soundtrack. Wonder sings, "This world is moving much too fast"...Sometimes we need to stop, and realize what we might consider boring or insignificant... If inspected more closely, could be the very essence of the universe. It's all there, right before our very eyes and ears, and some folks are completely missing it. Some never realize it their entire lives. But some listen. Some hear.
So yeah, nice one, Joe. Now, about Ummagumma...
🤠
You’re always here defending shitty albums. -Jason
@@TastesLikeMusic ... Almost as often as you are here having great ones go completely over your head. 🤠
…Ummagumma, well…
The live-album rules.
Nick Mason’s contribution is horrible and Dave Gilmour’s contribution is the only one that’s listenable all the way through.
That’s Ummagumma for me.
@@janpoelkamp4229 Yep, the live stuff is killer and Gilmour's bit is lovely. Personally, I'm more likely to reach for Ummagumma than The Wall. 🤠
If I've got to listen to an album...and liken it to watching a plant grow...as cute as a concept as that is...I'd prefer to do neither...too much music out there to listen to...how many plants do you watch grow?...me neither...
Inner visions and songs in the key of life! That's my two favorites!,
Wow! 26 albums. I love Stevie Wonder, but 26 albums! You guys rock. Thanks for breaking down his catalog. Really enjoyed this video. I watched the WHOLE thing.
I love that you guys are covering a truly great musical innovator for the first time in a while. Not enough Soul on this channel.
You’re telling me. - Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic Sly and the Family Stone! It's only 7 albums!
Not any Jazz either.
Miles Davis next..???
Awesome! So happy to see you guys branching out a bit more.
So glad you guys got to a Stevie Wonder week. I’m going to post my comment before watching and then take on this epic video, perhaps with some reactions in an additional comment.
My dad was playing Stevie’s Definitive Collection greatest hits compilation as he picked me up from school in 5th grade. It changed my life and was the conduit moment for me becoming tied to music forever.
From there I picked up Talking Book for my dad’s birthday but it ultimately ended up in my collection shortly after. I was given At The Close of the Century that Christmas (which to this day makes up most of my early-era Stevie knowledge and listening) and spring-boarded into Innervisions, FFF, and Key of Life.
Flash forward to today. Songs in the Key of Life is my favorite album of all time and it has been for a long time. It’s my feel good album, my feel better album, and the one that made ultimately branching off to other artists and forms of music so much easier. My dad and I even saw Stevie play it live in Detroit a few years back, one of the best concerts I’ll ever see.
Stevie’s classic era is one of my most listened periods of any musician’s work and although I’ve still not listened to a number of his full albums, I’ve found a lifetime’s worth of treasure in a fraction of his catalog. Stevie Wonder is so important to me.
Out of the albums I’ve heard in full:
1.) Songs In The Key of Life (11/10)
2.) Innervisions (10/10)
3.) Talking Book (9/10)
4.) FFF (8/10)
5.) Music of My Mind (8/10)
6.) Signed, Sealed & Delivered (7/10)
7.) Hotter Than July (7/10)
8.) A Time To Love (5.5/10)
Bonus: the must own 4 disc, career spanning hits collection At The Close of a Century (9.5+/10)
At the Close of the Century might be the best way to collect the Motown era songs now. When that era's best songs are on one disc or two, it's fantastic.
@@archieleechjb I agree. I probably return to disc one of that comp the most for that reason. But this video reminded me to take the plunge on the first dozen or so records. Long overdue on my end.
01 Music Of My Mind
02 Songs In The Key Of Life
03 Innervisions
04 Talking Book
05 Where I’m Coming From
06 Fullfillinness’ First Finale
07 Hotter Than July
08 Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants
09 My Cherie Amour
10 Signed, Sealed and Delivered
11 I Was Made To Love Her
12 In Square Circle
13 Up-Tight
14 For Once In My Life
15 Characters
16 The Woman In Red
17 Down To Earth
18 The Jazz Soul Of Little Stevie
19 Jungle Fever
20 Tribute To Uncle Ray
21 Stevie At The Beach
22 Some Day At Christmas
24 With A Song In My Heart
25 Conversation Piece
26 A Time To Love
Wow! Kramzer explains Stevie Wonder's musical contribution.
Stevie 🔥 🔥 I couldn’t finish my ranking but soon …. helping for algorithm ⬆️
Will post results soon!
Amen about the Stevie's harmonica praise!
23. Tribute To Uncle Ray (1962) 2/5
22. Stevie At The Beach (1964) 2.5/5
21. Conversation Peace (1995) 2.5/5
20. The Jazz Soul Of Little Stevie (1962) 2.5/5
19. Eivets Rednow (1968) 2.5/5
18. With A Song In My Heart (1963) 3/5
17. In Square Circle (1985) 3/5
16. Characters (1987) 3/5
15. Someday At Christmas (1967) 3/5
14. I Was Made to Love Her (1967) 3/5
13. Up-Tight (1966) 3/5
12. Hotter Than July (1980) 3.5/5
11. My Cherie Amour (1969) 3.5/5
10. A Time To Love (2005) 3.5/5
9. For Once In My Life (1968) 3.5/5
8. Down To Earth (1966) 3.5/5
7. Signed, Sealed & Delivered (1970) 4/5
6. Where I'm Coming From (1971) 4/5
5. Music Of My Mind (1972) 4.5/5
4. Songs In The Key Of Life (1976) 4.5/5
3. Innervisions (1973) 4.5/5
2. Talking Book (1972) 5/5
1. Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) 5/5
great no 1!!!
How about this for a list? Favorite Stevie songs that never wound up on a Stevie studio album? 1) That Girl, 2) You've Been Better To Me (Than a Lot of My Dreams), 3) I Can't Help It, 4) Do I Do, 5) I Can See the Sun in Late December, 6) Tell Me Something Good, 7) Ribbon in the Sky, 8) Take a Little Trip, 9) Let's Get Serious, 10) I Can Only Be Me. Honourable mention to Front Line, Reflections of You and Cause We've Ended as Lovers, the latter of which he wrote to Syreeta. George Michael later reworked the melody into Careless Whisper.
He also wrote "It's a Shame" by The Spinners.
@@AbbeyRoadkill1 Yes, good one! I also could have mentioned "Until You Come Back to Me" and "Fine Young Thing."
Omg...thanks for this one...haven't listened to it yet (saving it for the gym tomorrow)...I can't wait to go now...
1. Innervisions (1973) 5/5
2. Songs In the Key of Life (1976) 5/5
3. Talking Book (1972) 5/5
4. Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) 4.5/5
5. Music of My Mind (1972) 4.5/5
6. Signed Sealed & Delivered (1970) 4/5
7. For Once in My Life (1968) 4/5
8. Where I'm Coming From (1971) 4/5
9. Hotter Than July (1980) 4/5
10. Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants (1979) 3.5/5
11. I Was Made to Love Her (1967) 3.5/5
12. Up-Tight (1966) 3/5
13. My Cherie Amour (1969) 3/5
14. Down to Earth (1966) 3/5
15. In Square Circle (1985) 3/5
16. The Jazz Soul of Stevie Wonder (1962) 3/5
17. The 12 Year Old Genius (1963) 3/5
18. Conversation Peace (1995) 3/5
19. Someday at Christmas (1967) 3/5
20. The Woman in Red (1984) 2.5/5
21. Eivets Rednow (1968) 2.5/5
22. Jungle Fever (1991) 2.5/5
23. Stevie at the Beach (1964) 2.5/5
24. Characters (1987) 2.5/5
25. A Time to Love (2005) 2.5/5
26. Tribute to Uncle Ray (1963) 2/5
27. With a Song in My Heart (1963) 2/5
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:
3.0 The Jazz Soul of Stevie Wonder (1962)
2.0 Tribute to Uncle Ray (1963)
3.0 The 12 Year Old Genius (1963)
2.0 With a Song in My Heart (1963)
2.5 Stevie at the Beach (1964)
3.0 Up-Tight (1966)
3.0 Down to Earth (1966)
3.5 I Was Made to Love Her (1967)
3.0 Someday at Christmas (1967)
2.5 Eivets Rednow (1968)
4.0 For Once in My Life (1968)
3.0 My Cherie Amour (1969)
4.0 Signed Sealed & Delivered (1970)
4.0 Where I'm Coming From (1971)
4.5 Music of My Mind (1972)
5.0 Talking Book (1972)
5.0 Innervisions (1973)
4.5 Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974)
5.0 Songs In the Key of Life (1976)
3.5 Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants (1979)
4.0 Hotter Than July (1980)
2.5 The Woman in Red (1984)
3.0 In Square Circle (1985)
2.5 Characters (1987)
2.5 Jungle Fever (1991)
3.0 Conversation Peace (1995)
2.5 A Time to Love (2005)
The greatest single musician America ever produced? Dunno if I'm completely on board with that notion, but it's not an outlandish claim. By the early 1970s, Stevie Wonder was not only writing and producing everything on his albums, but was playing almost all the instruments, too. His early LPs show promise but mostly consist of shaky covers and decent instrumentals showcasing Stevie's improv skills. His records don't get the full-blown Motown treatment until Up-Tight in 1966. I Was Made to Love Her came the following year and feels like a turning point. His vocal performances on that album sizzle. All the Stevie co-writes are good and for the first time his covers do justice to the originals. (Keeping in mind he was only 17 years old at this point! 🤯) For Once In My Life (1968) and Signed Sealed & Delivered (1970) complete his mastery of the R&B/Soul trade. From then on, it's a ceaseless climb into the stratosphere. 1972 is the miracle year- Music of My Mind overflows with creativity and Talking Book ups the ante with timeless offerings like "Superstition" and "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)." Listening to 1973's Innervisions is always a humbling experience for me. Every track is a mini-masterpiece. I'd give that album 6 stars if I could. Fulfillingness' First Finale starts out a little sluggish (first 3 tracks) but after that it kicks into high gear. Many people consider 1976's Songs in the Key of Life- a double LP chocked full of hits- to be the greatest album of all-time, and I can't really blame them. Some of the run times are too long but all the songs are so good it doesn't matter. Perhaps 1979's Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants (an experimental album comprised mostly of instrumentals) was destined to be a disappointment, coming after a streak of classics. Nonetheless, it stands on its own as an interesting piece of work. Stevie ushered in the 1980s with Hotter Than July, a melodic return to form. It's a little more straightforward than its predecessors but still features multiple signature tracks. The rest of Stevie's albums from that decade wallow in cheesy 1980s production and suffer from a lack of memorable songs, apart from a few singles. 1991's Jungle Fever tries to co-opt the New Jack Swing trend of the time, without much success. Conversation Peace is a respectable attempt to re-create his 1970s heyday, but in pressing all the right buttons it comes across as overly familiar. His most recent album, A Time to Love, feels very adult-contemporary and toothless. Will he eventually release another one? Seems unlikely, but his legendary status is already secure. Stevie's music is the world's instant anti-depressant. Whenever I'm having a bad day the fastest way to cure it is putting Stevie Wonder on. I've been to his concerts and I've seen grown men cry when goes into "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and "Isn't She Lovely." Easily a top 20 all-time artist in my book. He's the Alexander the Great of pop music- accomplishing so much at such a young age it makes other musicians seem like slackers by comparison.
MY RATING SYSTEM:
5.0 = major classic (consistently great *and* stratospheric highs)
4.5 = minor classic (consistently great *or* stratospheric highs, but not both)
4.0 = great (more than 50% is worth revisiting and it's an essential record for this artist/style - passes my "it'll make a fan out of someone who's new to this artist" test)
3.5 = seriously good (at least 50% is worth revisiting)
3.0 = nominally good (less than 50% is worth revisiting)
2.5 = decent (competent but uninspired - not worth revisiting)
2.0 = poor (difficult listen)
1.5 = awful (can't finish it)
1.0 = historically awful (musical apocalypse)
*Note: "Consistently" does not mean "flawlessly." I allow for a few clunkers if the rest of the songs are good enough. Also, I don't go below 1 star because once I'm in the realm of the truly terrible I don't care to differentiate anymore.
Wow! Stevie Wonder 70's albums are great, I'm going to watch the video, then ranking my favourite albums. You're the best guys!
A very enjoyable review guys , Stevie totally deserves his status as a truly wonderful artist , all his albums from Music of My Mind to Songs In The key of Life are sensational , uplifting, timeless, and magical .
Innervisions is a goddamn Masterpeice
i love stevie so much and it’s annoying that while he is acclaimed and a pop icon no one really discusses his albums in music communities (you know, RYM or influential people like needledrop etc)
would you guys be down to do one for bob marley who’s legacy kinda has the same fate?
i’d love one for weezer also, my favorite band - SUPER devising catalogue i know you guys will fight over ranking of some albums past the first two
Love you guys! LOL Real people dealing with the holy stuff!
I was so excited for you all to do this, but to my chagrin and embarrassment, I'm only familiar with seven of the 26 albums, although I am well-versed in the hits (including the lesser-known ones). Jason's list seemed extremely shock value-y to me, but then again, while I'm familiar with most of the material on SSD, I haven't heard every track.
7. Where I'm Coming From 4 stars
6. Music of My Mind 4.5 stars
5. Hotter Than July 4.5 stars
4. Talking Book - well into the top half of 5 stars
3. Fulfillingness's First Finale 5 stars - some days this is number two for me
2. Innervisions 5 stars
1. Songs in the Key of Life 5 stars, and top 20 all-time
I definitely need to delve into his post-Uptight/pre-WICF catalog.
The official Sharkmeister Stevie Wonder Album Ranking:
#26 Tribute To Uncle Ray [1962] ⭐½
#25 With a Song in my Heart [1963] ⭐½
#24 Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants [1979] ⭐⭐
#23 Stevie At The Beach [1964] ⭐⭐½
#22 The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder [1962] ⭐⭐½
N/A (Workout Stevie Workout) [(1963)2005] ⭐⭐½
#21 Eivets Rednow [1968] ⭐⭐½
N/A (Recorded Live: 12 Year-old Genius) [1963] ⭐⭐⭐
#20 Someday At Christmas [1967] ⭐⭐⭐
#19 The Woman In Red [1984] ⭐⭐⭐
#18 Conversation Peace [1995] ⭐⭐⭐
#17 Down to Earth [1966] ⭐⭐⭐½
#16 In Square Circle [1985] ⭐⭐⭐½
#15 Characters [1987] ⭐⭐⭐½
#14 Jungle Fever [1991] ⭐⭐⭐½
#13 Up-Tight [1966] ⭐⭐⭐½
#12 My Cherie Amour [1969] ⭐⭐⭐½
#11 A Time For Love [2005] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#10 I Was Made To Love Her [1967] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#9 Music of My Mind [1972] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#8 Talking Book [1972] ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
#7 Signed Sealed & Delivered [1970] ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
#6 For Once in My Life [1968] ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
#5 Hotter Than July [1980] ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
#4 Where I'm Coming From [1971] ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
#3 Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale [1974] ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#2 Songs In The Key Of Life [1976] 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#1 Stevie Wonder - Inervisions [1973] 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Great video fitting a great artist, love the passion especially Joe's
Loved this video! Thanks for doing Stevie. Songs in the Key is my fave. "As", to me is the most beautiful "love letter" song EVER!
This was an amazing video guys! Gained a sub forsure!
I LOVE STEVIE WONDER My absolute GOAT of an Artist/Musician/Poet!! I love the Secret Life of Plants because it’s so unique. His interpretation of Nature as a blind man is so amazing honestly
Yeah he’s the best. - Joe
Really nice breakdown. He wrote so many good tunes. Innervisions would be my number one. Key of Life a very close second and I still am amazed he was 26 years old when he put out that 21 song LP.
I went through a long phase of being obsessed with his early seventies records and I still love them. Talking Book and Innervisions are beautiful. Love Stevie's drumming on those and major props must go to the studio assistance by the Tonto's Exploding Head Band boys.
Just finished this listography and it was really great. I was a best of guy before this. Grew up listening to 80's pop like Stevie that I thought was decent but did not really ever dig into his catalogue. Those 5 albums from early to mid 70's are pure gold. Thanks for the exposure 👍👍👍. Love the content. P.S. Ever consider Alan Parsons Project. Dont love them all but interesting tunes. Keep it goin
J you've got that old soul mojo about 1978-79 albums. Fascination in veterans branching out into extravagant experimental double lps for solely the sake of experimenting regardless if it doesn't commercially fly with usually only 1 playable single. Those kinds of albums are the epitome of art; lots of fold-out inside visuals and sound to ponder. Tusk,released the same time had similar premises.
I finished Stevie!!
Stevie at The Beach 1.5 stars ( 2.7)
With a Song in My Heart- 2 stars (4.5)
The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie - 2.5 stars (5)
Tribute to Uncle Ray - 2.5 stars (5)
In Square Circle 2.5 stars (5.5)
Someday at Christmas - 2.5 stars (5.5)
A Time To Love - 2.5 stars (5.8)
Eivets Rednow - 3 stars (6.2)
The Woman In Red - 3 stars (6.5)
Conversation Peace - 3 stars (6.8)
Characters - 3.5 stars (7)
Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants- 3.5 stars (7.1)
Down to Earth - 3.5 stars (7.7)
My Cherie Amour - 3.5 stars (7.9)
Jungle Fever - 4 stars (8)
I Was Made to Love Her - 4 stars (8)
Up-Tight - 4 stars (8.2)
Hotter Than July - 4 stars (8.3)
Where I’m Coming From - 4 stars (8.4)
For Once In My Life - 4.5 stars (8.7)
Fullfillingness’ First Finale - 5 stars (9.7)
Signed Sealed and Delivered - 5 stars (9.7)
Music of My Mind - 5 stars (9.8)
Talking Book- 5 stars (9.9)
Innervisions - 5 stars (10)
Songs in the Key of Life- 5 stars (10)
Well done mate.
@@179rich thank you Rich!!
He is one of those artists I grew up with and had a couple of his 70s masterpieces. I lost track of the total number of albums after 1985.
We all did.
Excellent. Haven't watched one of these in a while. This should be great.
Very appropriate timing, it being Prince's birthday and all. He bought a copy of Talking Book the week before he passed. This video is awesome!
I’ve been waiting for this ranking since I subscribed to this channel. Unfortunately haven’t listened to every Stevie album even tho I’m a *huge* fan, but here’s my top 10:
1. Innervisions
2. Songs in the Key of Life
3. Talking Book
4. Music of my Mind
5. Fulfilingness First Finale
6. Where I’m Coming From
7. Hotter Than July
8. Signed, Sealed, Delivered
9. My Cherie Amour
10. For Once in My Life
Checks out. - Joe
This was fun to follow. One of your best fellas
Innervisions is my favorite at the moment, but I definitely need to listen to more. I've pretty much only dipped into the classic period.
Yes! Part-Time Lover does sound like Maneater. Couldn't quite make the connection before but it's spot on.
Like Come As You Are sounds like Eighties ! 😆 & really The Damned did Life Goes On in 82 which goes unnoticed.
Great job guys! Hard to fault any of your rankings as all these different albums you put near the top are worthy. Makes sense the way each of you gravitated towards different eras for your top pics. I haven't done a firm ranking yet but I would probably fall closest to Joe which is more in line with "conventional wisdom" but I do also love the charms of the few last "Motown" albums that preceded the "golden era" like Jason. Did ANY artist have a better run than Stevie from 1970-1980? I can't think of anyone. Hardly a mis step anywhere. This music is just pure joy to listen to. As a side note, two of Stevie's most played songs, "Isn't she lovely" and "I just called..." are two of my least favorite. Two other artists that did the "one man band" think like Stevie are Todd Rundgren and Lindsey Buckingham, both also with excellent results.
Prince. - Joe
I love "Talking Book", FFF, MITKOL and, yes, "Secret Life" (Joe is right, Kram and Jason are wrong), however if you only want to get the one perfect album from Stevie, I'd always recommend "Innervisions", a true 10/10, and easily a top 20 album ever, no matter what genre.
I need to check out "Where I'm Coming From" though.
I liked all of your lists . Well done .
I won't go through them all , so I'll list my top 5 starting with my favourite :
Innervisions
Fullfillingness' First Finale
Songs in the Key of Life
Talking Book
Music of My Mind
Cheers !!!
You all put a lot of time and effort into these videos and reviews. They are very much appreciated and enjoyed by myself.
Glad at least one of you had Where I'm Coming From so high. It's such an underrated gem and, to me, better than some of his other more classic albums from the time. Sunshine in Their Eyes is basically Stevie's Hey Jude and my personal fav song of the guy. That said, Songs in the Key of Life is still my #1 album. Don't mind its length at all. I mean, come on, even with the bonus EP it's not even 2 hours. There's other double albums that are way longer. Then again, I do love me some long albums in general...
1. Songs In the Key of Life
2. Talking Book
3. Innervisions
4. Music of My Mind
5. Hotter Than July
An interesting and detailed look at one of the giants of 20th C. popular music. That he put out so many great singles during his "Motown period" would be notable; his run of high-quality albums during the "classic period" is remarkable; INNERVISIONS is that rarest of products, a 'perfect' album. Very few artists have achieved what he has: matching commercial success, artistic integrity and pure joy of life. The post-HOTTER THAN JULY period, like his first phase, is littered with good songs housed in thrift-store albums.
Tastes Like Music is to be commended for a thorough and thoroughly enjoyable presentation.
I guess I'm in an extreme minority in my admiration for "In Square Circle." It fit perfectly in the time period, and enhanced the music of that time. The melodies and production are so lush and warm. I'm fine with people not liking 80s music-there's a whole lot of music of the last 30 years that I don't like. I was in my mid-20s at the time, and it was interesting to see how Stevie adapted his music to the times, and come up with something that compared favorably to the R&B sounds of Prince and Michael Jackson, who were both at their peak.
I got to agree w/ you. I'm not a fan of post 70's Stevie at all; but that one had some xcellent song son it.
Top 10. But it can’t rate above the classics. Lots of good songs on it though. - Joe
I Love you Too Much is an underappreciated banger. Stevie going fucking off after the three minute mark are maybe the best vocals in his whole discography...the call and response with the synth are insane. Plus I think it holds up pretty well production wise, and the busy bass line holds everything together.
Stevie Wonder the GREAT ❤
This is a general comment. You guys are great. I love the different opinions that you are able to share, respectfully and sometimes with a lot of wit and humour. Your rankings are a joy to watch. You each have different styles but your ideas and critiques are constructed well thought and it's clear you all are cultured in different ways. I love the way you articulate your thoughts. Please stay together and keep doing this. And please, review Strokes! Would also be really keen to have rankings for bands Interpol, Yo La Tengo, and a really out there bands....Swans (this last band could be a bit of an ordeal for some of you but very important band of the 2010s). Keep up the fantastic work guys!
Kram is the Interpol guy . . 😀
Notes: Stevie Wonder is about the only harmonica player I enjoy!
I feel no need to visit the Little Stevie albums. Too much music out there, so little time.
Of the albums I know “Innervisions” is my favorite. Stevie should have released “Golden Lady” as a single. It would have been a hit!
Compilations of Stevie's early work are always a great deal. Looking Back is an old 3-disc vinyl collection, I've got an imported 2 CD collections. The guys barely touched on songs like "Fingertips (Live)," "You Met Your Match," "Shoo-Be-Do-Da-Day," and "Don't Know Why" - look for those four and tell me they're not great.
Joe knows what's up. Great picks
1. Secret Life Of Plants
2. Songs In The Key Of Life
3. Innvervisions
4. A Time To Love
5. Fulfillingness' First Finale
You crazy SOB! - Joe
My Top 8:
1.Innervisions
2.Hotter Than July
3.Music Of My Mind
4.Talking Book
5.Songs In The Key Of Life
6.Fulfillingness' First Finale
7.Where I'm Coming From
8.Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants
I side with Joseph's point of view being that he has lots more love for R&B music than Ryan or Jason. Overall a great overview of one of the most innovative and masterful artists of the rock era.
Love you guys and how you scratch beneath the surface with your appraisals of music
Good work gentlemen, as usual.
I’m halfway through the rankings, but here’s my list (of what I’m familiar with):
7. Music Of My Mind
6. Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants
5. Talking Book
4. Innervisions
3. Hotter Than July
2. Fulfillingness First Finale
1. Songs In The Key Of Life
This needs some explaining.
All of these albums are in the 4-1/2 - 5 stars-range. Within this rating I’d put the ‘new’ songs on Original Musiquarium inbetween #4 and #3 and the Essential Stevie Wonder compilation (which collects his 60’s/Motown-puppet-era singles) inbetween #2 and #1.
Also, I think his classic run is 1972 to 1982.
Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants is a much-misunderstood project which, not unlike The Clash’s Sandinista!, demands a certain amount of patience from the listener. Listening to it back-to-back with the rest of his catalogue doesn’t do it justice, imo.
And with Songs In The Key Of Life being my #1 it’s that rare ‘victory’ album that has more flaws than the other albums listed here. Many of the songs seem bloated, often surpassing the 6-minute mark, and there’s a lot of meandering and padding, as if Stevie really wanted to make it a point to create what basically is a big, epic-length triple album (this is basically why that bonus EP, on which Stevie seems more reigned in, has some of my favourite songs on it).
I’d call it the Prince-syndrom.
It’s what makes any album of the tiny purple one a tough sit for me, as if anyone involved with him was afraid to tell him ‘no’, yet the quality displayed on SITKOL makes the songs a lot more palatable for me.
Yet, it seems inconceivable for SITKOL to be anywhere else on the list since he obviously is on top of his game on it.
With just a few exceptions, I know only the hits. I've clearly got some Stevie Wonder to listen to! Great epsisode!
Wow, I was just listening to SatB's The Scream today and wondering when you were going to do them. Top five among '80s artists, and top 25 all-time for me.
fun fact while ray charles tribute album is his second release it’s actually his first recording bc he was 11 years old when he made it
I only know the classic era but all those albums are 4.5 or 5 stars. Stevie is an absolute legend. No one can deny that.
Gotta be honest, the biggest surprise of this album ranking was Jason being the second most enthusiastic about Stevie Wonder. Before watching this episode I thought for sure he'd be the least enthusiastic but the fact that Jason's Top 3 were all 5-stars and his Top 10 was pretty high in terms of the scores is very pleasantly surprising.
You guys should rank the albums of Johnny Cash, There's only 70 or so. 😄 I'm churning through them and the best part is there's almost no middle ground. It's either great or laugible. Okay, going to watch this 2 hour Stevie Wonder video now.
Got all the albums from music of my mind to hotter than july, Also the at the close of the century boxset. Would put innervisions top. Followed by talking book, fff and songs in the key of life. His music is full of joy and optimism and heart.
I own most of his classic period on vinyl...plus in square circle and a good compilation...I can't speak to all of them..but songs in the key of life is probably my favourite..2 hotter than july..3 innervisions..4 talking book..5fff...6music of my mind...for the rest I love a whole whack of singles...but I couldn't pretend to speak intelligently about degrees of separation...awesome guys
Kramzer is right, Hotter Than July is Stevie’s best. As a massive fan of his ‘70s output, it surprises me that I find it to be his best.
Joe is also correct in saying “Plants” is a great album.
Stevie is one of my all time favorites. Gotta do Barry White and Marvin Gaye some time.
Listen. hotter is great. But in no way is it his best. That’s kooky talk. Don’t enable Kramzer like that. - Joe
Excellent job as always mates! Lots of fun surprises.
I'm just now realizing Siouxsie has been announced. You must be over the moon.
@@AbbeyRoadkill1 I am! When we were voting for the Patreon pick, I lobbied hard for the Banshees on Discord. This is the band I have wanted them to do way more than any others.
I agree with your assessment of the opening song on SITKOL Joe. I only gave it 3.25 stars - "pretty good."
Great video guys. Stevie saying "Don't Drive Drunk" is fundamentally funny. The average person has a much better chance of driving home drunk than driving blind. Just had to throw that out there. (obviously meant as a joke and I'm obviously not condoning driving drunk - it's sad I even have to say that. PC cops and MADD will come after me otherwise).
I'll go with Songs in the Key of Life #1, with Innervisions a close runner up. The next few are "classic era" also. I need to check out Hotter than July, and the two releases leading up to Music of My Mind.
Hi, I took my time to watch the video, so many good albums by Stevie, Innervisions is the one I've listened to the most, Songs in the key of life is great but I find it hard to listen to a double album, a bit like blonde on blonde, music on my mind comes third in my list, then fullfillingness first finale, hotter than July, for once in my life and where I'm coming from. A great artist through and through
My favorite is Innervisions. Songs in the Key, FFF, and Secret Life.
One of the all-time great TLM/Listo episodes about one of music's most talented and accomplished artists, a personal hero to myself and so many people past and present. "Music of My Mind" is my #1, FFF and SitKoL tied for #2. ... Maybe this is a too obvious comment to say, but Joe - when u listen to Key of Life (or any long album), you're allowed to start listening with side 3 or 4 to give those songs more play and avoid the never getting to the end problem. I do it with ELO "Out of the Blue" and many double albums. Drop the needle anywhere for more variety and exposure! Peace! Tasto 4ever 🎵🎵🎵
STEVIE!!!! Awesome, guys! 👍
Except for the hits I can't say I was familiar with much beyond the 72-76 albums, but I have listened to those five alot. You guys got me interested in some of the surrounding lps. I work in a record store and we always have multiple copies of The Secret Life Of Plants; I have always avoided it, but I may throw it on today and see how it goes. My top 5 ranking:
1. Innervisions. Not only a perfect album, but a perfectly sequenced album. And no way is the RHCP version of Higher Ground better. When Kramzer said that I think my neighbors heard me groan. I have to add that I despise RHCP.
2. Music Of My Mind
3. Songs In The Key Of Life
4. Talking Book
5. Fulfillingness' First Finale
I like RHCP. I like their version, but it ain’t better. - Joe
2 hours! Holy moley no wonder it took so long to upload.
Great video Any chance youll do something more contemporary like Sufjan, Death Cab, Decemberists, Okkervil, Bright Eyes, etc?
Of course. At some point. - Joe
Are you familiar w TLM . .?
ok, as a self respecting bass player and someone raised in a house where a lot of motown was played i have owned some stevie albums since the mid 90s. innervisions, songs in the key, talking book and first finale. finale never really grabbed me but innervisions is a true masterpiece of music, i know inner, talking book and songs in the key like the back of my hand. such good albums. and i dont know a single stevie album outside of those 4 😆
so im going in guys, gonna spotify them, im going down the stevie rabbit hole with you 3 and lets see where this takes us, what else hes done. i must say, despite thinking 3 of the 4 albums i have heard are 5 star albums for some reason my expectations going in are rather meh. lets do this...
ok, hotter than july, music of my mind, in square circle and stevies journey through the secret life of plants all made the big playlist along with the existing 4 i owned. fantastic artist.
Skeletons was used for a GTA game advert recently.