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By the time an artist gets to their sixteenth album, you’d think one of two things: First, that even with longevity, they’re mailing it in with a bunch of songs that nobody will want to hear in concert. The other option is that they have a ton of fuel left in their tank and they’re a musical genius. Today’s post is option two. The album would win a Grammy for Album of the Year and would later be ranked 34th on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
On this day, 50 years ago, Stevie Wonder released the album Innervisions.
In 1973, America was grappling with racism, poverty and a huge drug epidemic, among other things. Wonder, a veteran singer/songwriter at this point, yet only 23 years old, touched on what was happening in the country - a fearless voice during a tumultuous time.
“Too High” is a funky jazz-fusion track speaking on the dangers of drugs with as sour an ending as possible: “Did you hear the news about the girl today,” he asks. “She passed away/What did her friend say?/They said she’s too high…” Aside from the backing vocals, Wonder performed all instruments on the song.
“Visions’ is as painful as it is gorgeous. Fantasizing about a place where “hate’s a dream and love forever stands”. Unfortunately, this land only exists in Wonder’s daydreams.
“Living for the City” is in my top five songs from Stevie Wonder of all time. Wonder sings about impoverished Black people in various parts of the country and in various states of pain and misery. It puts Wonder on the map of generational singers that are also advocates for a better life. “I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow,” he prays. “And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow.”
Wonder didn’t shy away from a love song. “Golden Lady” is a straight forward love song that musically continues Wonder’s ideas around complicated structures, starting as a simple piano/guitar track and crescendos to a blast of organ.
One of the most recognizable songs, not just of Wonder’s catalog, but of all time is up next - “Higher Ground”. A true call to action and such a powerful song, calling out issues that he saw as wrong in the country and what people can do to rise up.
Like What’s Going On, Innervisions lays out problems, but also offers solutions. The album was Wonder’s first that had no co-writers or cover songs. It was a huge step for an already giant artist, hot on the heels of his 1972 release, Talking Book.
Later on, we get to the Latin-tinged “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing”, a song of wooing a woman that’s down on her luck and how Wonder will stand right by her side. It’s such a creative song and shows the depth of Wonder’s vision for music.
Take a deep dive into one of the greatest albums from one of the greatest artists of our time. Innervisions is funky, hard hitting and mesmerizing and it’s as relevant today as it was fifty years ago.