There is no bass guitar. It's a moog (synthesizer) bass. Stevie also plays drums and a clavinet keyboard. Horns are by Steve Madaio, trumpet, and Trevor Lawrence, tenor saxophone.
In the mid 70s Stevie had a run where every album he put out was brilliant. Songs in the key of life, inner visions, talking book - every song on each album was great. Not only that, this song … he was the music, every instrument … a giant a genius
My favorite Stevie song! You recognize it from the first drum hit. He's a national treasure! I remember when he was a kid called "Little Stevie Wonder".
"Young Stevie Wonder?" His first recording contract was with Motown records in 1961 at the ripe old age of 11. Back then he was referred to as "Little Stevie Wonder."
First off, you’re adorable. Have watched your videos for years now and never tire of your sense of humor, thoughtful analysis, and pure joy you have for music. Definitely a kindred spirit. Thanks Maggie.
Stevie had just turned 21,signed a 5 LP deal with Gordy with these stipulations: He could hire his own musicians ,write his own songs and keep his own publishing rights. And boy, did he deliver.. All 5 were multi-million sellers. Crazy how he chose the first TV appearance of him playing this on a PBS kids show, :Sesame Street"
Stevie played most of the instruments on the song. I think the Tower of Power horns section provided the brass. Stevie laid down all the rhythm tracks himself, including drums and bass guitar.
Part of the reason he sounds “modern” is there is almost no one in this style who doesn’t try to imitate him to some degree. Very influential. A legitimate musical genius.
He pretty much grew up in the studio. Was exposed to a lot of great musicians and had access to equipment, studio time, and experience playing live with multi-act revues.
Thanks! Another reason this sounds different than the more familiar Stevie is that he originally wrote it for someone else. Good reaction! Yes those runs are special!
Thanks, Maggie.. Stevie was and is another genius... I love this one.. the orchestration is amazing! (syncopation, anyone?) ... For a suggestion: "I Wish" is a favorite of mine... written after attending a family picnic that brought him back to his younger days... "when I was a little nappy-headed boy..."... look forward to more from you!
I just realized that you need to check out 2nd Chapter of Acts. Their tenor has some runs like this. It's a trio of two sisters and a brother. The brother's name is MAtthew Ward.
In the 1970's Wonder released three Album of the Year Grammy-winning records in a row. It took four years to release the three albums, prompting Paul Simon to say "I want to thank Stevie Wonder for not making an album this year" when he won the Grammy.
Not very young. He was singing and playing harmonica in movies when he was 11 or 13 - "little Stevie Wonder"...this was released in 1972 and he put out a jazz and soul album in 1962
My favorite song and singer ever! Time to go down the Stevie rabbit hole: All in Love is Fair Living for the City You are the Sunshine of My Life Joy (Takes Over Me) I Wish Sir Duke I Was Made To Love Her Joy Inside My Tears As Another Star Higher Ground They Won't Go When I Go You Haven't Done Nothin' Sunshine in Their Eyes and so many more!
"Young" Stevie Wonder had already been recording for almost a decade before this song came out, so "young" needs some clarifcation with regard to Stevie Wonder's career.
This was 1972. ISN'T SHE LOVELY was 1976. Stevie was in his early and mid-2o's during this most fertile period of his career. He took control of his career, which moved him away from the old Motown Sound. The success of he achieved paved the way for Marvin Gaye to do the same. IF YOU REALLY LOVE ME, SIR DUKE, and ISN'T SHE LOVELY are great examples. From Marvin Gaye, you have INNER CITY BLUES, WHAT'S GOING ON, MERCY, MERCY, ME. Enjoy the music.
"knocks me off my feet" by Stevie Wonder, and Dione Warrick's (credited as Warwick) rendition of Stevie's song "All In Love Is Fair" and her song "i didnt mean to love you" please!!
Fun Fact. The "7 years of bad luck" for breaking a mirror comes from the times when domestic servants had to pay for breakages. It took 7 years of wages to pay for a mirror.
Might be a little late to be noticed here, but I'd like to drop a song recommendation. "Birthday" by The Sugarcubes. It's not the most well-known song, but it's cool to hear Björk before she was Björk. Plus, she does some really interesting vocal... things... as only Björk can do.
This isn't young Stevie (More Mid). Young Stevie was at 15 when he toured with the Motown Review and bitterly improvised a # 1 hit with" Fingertips.... (Sometime referred to as part 2). Check it out
6:00 I don’t think it’s that they were trained, it was the fact that blues and jazz were all about improvisation, and people got really good at it. Before computers.
I wonder if the singers today, well very talented, are will to take those risks? Will people like my music if experiment with the sounds in my music, voice and or instruments?
Uptight (Everything's Alright) My Cherie Amour Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) Fingeertips Part II Love's In Need Of Love Today Sir Duke Living For The City You Are The Sunshine Of My Life If You Really Love Me and I Was Made To Love Her
Interesting thoughts on voices being contemporary or not. Though in the case of Stevie and MJ it could be a case of the chicken and the egg: I think today's mainstream - (like yesterday's) - is forever influenced by both. That's what icons do. They're both written into the DNA of popular music. That said, sometimes a voice out of the ordinary is what completely grabs everyone's attention. Like an Alanis in 1995, for example. Or a Kurt in 1991. Which of course is why you should always strive to find your own voice.
Can you please react to Oasis? Classic like Wonderwall, Champaign Supernova, but I recommend Slide Away, Live Forever, Stand By me, D'you know what I Mean IMO is their best song though.
I always think there’s Stevie up to and including “Hotter than July.” And then there’s after that. I think the former is some of the best music ever, the latter with notable exceptions is not so much my cup of tea. I Just Called to Say I love you actually used to annoy me because of it’s cheesy blandness in comparison to the earlier stuff.
What should I react to next?! Sponsor a reaction on my channel here: www.maggierenee.com/book-me/sponsor-a-reaction-live
My favorite version of "Superstition" is when he performed it on "Sesame Street." And no, I'm not kidding.
The BAND, was Stevie Wonder on drums, Stevie Wonder on bass, Steve Wonder on all keyboards and Stevie Wonder on vocals.
Which turned out to be a 🐂💩 story pushed by the studio
There is no bass guitar. It's a moog (synthesizer) bass. Stevie also plays drums and a clavinet keyboard. Horns are by Steve Madaio, trumpet, and Trevor Lawrence, tenor saxophone.
AN ABSOLUTE MUST HEAR Classic,,
Stevie Wonder "Living For The City" 🔥
Long version....
@parkermills3328 True..Please give it a like.
This
One of Stevie's early hits that you would enjoy is "My Cherie Amour."
He was all of 19 years old when it was released.
In the mid 70s Stevie had a run where every album he put out was brilliant. Songs in the key of life, inner visions, talking book - every song on each album was great. Not only that, this song … he was the music, every instrument … a giant a genius
He sounds like he could be a contemporary artist, because he's a big influence on contemporary artists.
The lyrical genius that is Stevie Wonder!!!
Stevie is timeless. Voice and all! His voice, top tier composition, lyrics and overall musicianship are here for the ages! And rightly so!
He also played the drums and all the keyboard layers (including the Cabinet... For the "brass"))
My favorite Stevie song! You recognize it from the first drum hit. He's a national treasure! I remember when he was a kid called "Little Stevie Wonder".
Stevie is a genius.
Stevie Wonder was an icon and a legend! He had the true It factor! He truly was a Wonder!!!🤩
I saw in person twice and you cannot sit down the whole concert. In fact this song, really comes off better live, tx. for the reaction!
That jam got so much stank extra strength febreze couldn’t handle it !! Let me hit dat replay button one mo’ time !!!!🔥🎶🔥😆
musical prodigy signed as a tween, this is a once in a millennium talent
Stevie was and is a Musical Treasure !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Young Stevie Wonder?"
His first recording contract was with Motown records in 1961 at the ripe old age of 11.
Back then he was referred to as "Little Stevie Wonder."
One of my all time favorite tracks. Funk and soul getting down😊😊😊❤
Stevie may be blind but his music made me SEE a love of music!
He's not 100% blind but he's close to it.
Stevie Wonder is the man 👍🏾👍🏾
This was the first single I ever bought, in my early teens.
Loved this song when it was released in 1972, I was 15 years old. Wish I could go back.
First off, you’re adorable. Have watched your videos for years now and never tire of your sense of humor, thoughtful analysis, and pure joy you have for music. Definitely a kindred spirit. Thanks Maggie.
Stevie had just turned 21,signed a 5 LP deal with Gordy with these stipulations: He could hire his own musicians ,write his own songs and keep his own publishing rights. And boy, did he deliver.. All 5 were multi-million sellers. Crazy how he chose the first TV appearance of him playing this on a PBS kids show, :Sesame Street"
That riff sticks in your brain.
Stevie played most of the instruments on the song. I think the Tower of Power horns section provided the brass. Stevie laid down all the rhythm tracks himself, including drums and bass guitar.
One of the best voices in music history.
The reason that Stevie Wonder sounds so current is that every R&B singer for the past 40 years is influenced directly by him.
That’s A Great Song!
The original drum riff was first played by legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, Stevie then improved the song around it.
Soul Strut!!!!
Watch the video clip of this song for another level of Stevie. Seeing him play this on the keys is fab.
Part of the reason he sounds “modern” is there is almost no one in this style who doesn’t try to imitate him to some degree. Very influential. A legitimate musical genius.
He pretty much grew up in the studio. Was exposed to a lot of great musicians and had access to equipment, studio time, and experience playing live with multi-act revues.
Thanks! Another reason this sounds different than the more familiar Stevie is that he originally wrote it for someone else. Good reaction! Yes those runs are special!
You ROCK!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 💖🐶🎶💃🏻
Thanks, Maggie.. Stevie was and is another genius... I love this one.. the orchestration is amazing! (syncopation, anyone?) ... For a suggestion: "I Wish" is a favorite of mine... written after attending a family picnic that brought him back to his younger days... "when I was a little nappy-headed boy..."... look forward to more from you!
Stevie was 12 when his first album came out, 22 or so here.
Search for the version of this when Prince comes out on stage....jeezus that's an awesome performance
Maggie why do you say its free to go over to hear more on twitch and everytime I try it refuses unless I join and cough up !???? 😹
Maggie you should be singing Soul girl!! Love Stevie and this whole period of his career.
I just realized that you need to check out 2nd Chapter of Acts. Their tenor has some runs like this. It's a trio of two sisters and a brother. The brother's name is MAtthew Ward.
Matthew Ward is FIRE!
There is much younger Stevie out there. Try “I Was Made To Love Her” from late sixties.
SRV does a cover of this, both solo and live with Stevie Wonder. Awesome video
That entire album is brilliant!
Along a similar vein, you should check out Billy Preston. “Will It Go Round’ In Circles” is a great launching pad…
In the 1970's Wonder released three Album of the Year Grammy-winning records in a row. It took four years to release the three albums, prompting Paul Simon to say "I want to thank Stevie Wonder for not making an album this year" when he won the Grammy.
Not very young. He was singing and playing harmonica in movies when he was 11 or 13 - "little Stevie Wonder"...this was released in 1972 and he put out a jazz and soul album in 1962
This SW album... "Innervisions"... is a must.
Stevie Wonder 'Lately' is a great song to react to.
My favorite song and singer ever! Time to go down the Stevie rabbit hole:
All in Love is Fair
Living for the City
You are the Sunshine of My Life
Joy (Takes Over Me)
I Wish
Sir Duke
I Was Made To Love Her
Joy Inside My Tears
As
Another Star
Higher Ground
They Won't Go When I Go
You Haven't Done Nothin'
Sunshine in Their Eyes
and so many more!
"Young" Stevie Wonder had already been recording for almost a decade before this song came out, so "young" needs some clarifcation with regard to Stevie Wonder's career.
This was 1972.
ISN'T SHE LOVELY was 1976. Stevie was in his early and mid-2o's during this most fertile period of his career. He took control of his career, which moved him away from the old Motown Sound. The success of he achieved paved the way for Marvin Gaye to do the same.
IF YOU REALLY LOVE ME,
SIR DUKE,
and ISN'T SHE LOVELY are great examples.
From Marvin Gaye, you have INNER CITY BLUES,
WHAT'S GOING ON,
MERCY, MERCY, ME.
Enjoy the music.
"knocks me off my feet" by Stevie Wonder, and Dione Warrick's (credited as Warwick) rendition of Stevie's song "All In Love Is Fair" and her song "i didnt mean to love you" please!!
You really need to do DO I DO by Stevie Wonder. epic performance by Stevie.
I was totally shocked when I found out that Stevie Wonder was not actually blind.
Maggie...there is an episode of Sesame Street from 1973 which has him playing the song live.He had to change a few words.
hi Maggie great reaction to a classic!!!
It’s very hard to beat that bass line in terms of classic funk, and Stevie dropping so much soul and runs seals it.
He performed this live on sesame street when this came out.
One of the Best Products Of MOTOWN!!!!
Get ya funk on!
You should listen to songs from his initial hit album Fingertips pt.1 -(either '62 or '63) to hear his greatness then
he also did "Part Time Lover" ... you should check it out
Fun Fact. The "7 years of bad luck" for breaking a mirror comes from the times when domestic servants had to pay for breakages. It took 7 years of wages to pay for a mirror.
You should listen to Sir Duke. It was my favorite Stevie Wonder song growing up! This is a classic song though!
I Wish
Might be a little late to be noticed here, but I'd like to drop a song recommendation. "Birthday" by The Sugarcubes. It's not the most well-known song, but it's cool to hear Björk before she was Björk. Plus, she does some really interesting vocal... things... as only Björk can do.
I like if you want to sing harmony for a few bars. Interesting to hear your voice with the videos singer when you are really into the song.
You're fun to watch. You have not reacted to Dimash lately. He has a duet called I Came To Honor Mortal Life
Peak Stevie!!!
But if you want his Sgt Pepper, search “I Wish”…
I think Stevie Wonder wasn't trained but rather did it all himself.
This isn't young Stevie (More Mid). Young Stevie was at 15 when he toured with the Motown Review and bitterly improvised a # 1 hit with" Fingertips.... (Sometime referred to as part 2). Check it out
6:00 I don’t think it’s that they were trained, it was the fact that blues and jazz were all about improvisation, and people got really good at it. Before computers.
I wonder if the singers today, well very talented, are will to take those risks? Will people like my music if experiment with the sounds in my music, voice and or instruments?
Uptight (Everything's Alright)
My Cherie Amour
Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)
Fingeertips Part II
Love's In Need Of Love Today
Sir Duke
Living For The City
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
If You Really Love Me
and
I Was Made To Love Her
Interesting thoughts on voices being contemporary or not. Though in the case of Stevie and MJ it could be a case of the chicken and the egg: I think today's mainstream - (like yesterday's) - is forever influenced by both. That's what icons do. They're both written into the DNA of popular music. That said, sometimes a voice out of the ordinary is what completely grabs everyone's attention. Like an Alanis in 1995, for example. Or a Kurt in 1991. Which of course is why you should always strive to find your own voice.
@maggiereneemusic
Will you react to TOO MUCH HEAVEN by The Bee Gees?
Superstition and isn't she lovely are only four years apart
Can you please react to Oasis? Classic like Wonderwall, Champaign Supernova, but I recommend Slide Away, Live Forever, Stand By me, D'you know what I Mean IMO is their best song though.
Thanks Mandela Effect.
The song title was always SUPERSTITIOUS from me.
you should react to houdini by eminem
Does music make you think?
It made Stevie Wonder.
Grandgrandpa73 here. I am still singing, but in your reaction? You much older as my. Overall Dust.😢
What is the meaning of this outfit?
I always think there’s Stevie up to and including “Hotter than July.” And then there’s after that. I think the former is some of the best music ever, the latter with notable exceptions is not so much my cup of tea. I Just Called to Say I love you actually used to annoy me because of it’s cheesy blandness in comparison to the earlier stuff.
What Are You Wearing!
A skinned out Teddy Bear.