Music
Plus One
The 11 best Stevie Wonder songs
To celebrate his Love, Light & Song tour hitting UK shores, here are the greatest ever Stevie Wonder songs, ranked…
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential living artists, Stevie Wonder has made an indelible mark on every musical decade since topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963 when he was just 13 years old.
From child prodigy to multiple Grammy Award-winning artist, Stevie’s songwriting, activism and command of various instruments (including the distinct synthesiser sound he patented throughout the 70s) has become his legacy – one that’s influenced thousands of artists, backdropped millions of weddings, and will undoubtedly live on beyond the space and time continuum. Will aliens bugs out to albums such as Songs In The Key Of Life or Talking Book in a galaxy far far away? Yes reader, yes they will.
Of course, it’s foolish to think that we could ever condense a 60-year strong musical career into just 11 songs (despite Jack Black’s sniffy reaction to it in indie flick High Fidelity, this writer has an extra special soft spot for ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’ – absolute belter of a tune), and we’re sure that some of your faves haven’t made the cut – which gives you all the more excuse to book tickets for Stevie’s Love, Light & Song tour when it rolls into town this summer.
We’re talking back-to-back hits, feeling all the feels, and getting down to ‘Happy Birthday’ (despite it not being your birthday). Check. Check. Check. Oh ‘Little’ Stevie Wonder, we’re SO here for it. In the meantime, however, here’s our hot take on his greatest ever songs, ranked. Please discuss…
11. ‘Part-Time Lover’
(In Square Circle, 1985)
Released as the first single from his 20th (20?!) studio album, ‘Part-Time Lover’ is a certified, stone-cold 80s synth banger. Featuring the equally legendary Luther Vandross on backing vocals, this track never fails to deliver at any kind of social gathering. Equally, it sounds brilliant played (very loud) in a solo kitchen disco. Just be sure to bust out the iconic 80s two-step dance (maybe some finger snaps) to fully embrace the vibe.
10. ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing‘
(Innervisions, 1973)
An absolute percussion fiesta (including some rather smashing cowbell), ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing is a bona fide latin-style street party of a record. The arrangements, the backing vocals, the chord progressions, and yes, that spiralling Stevie vocal line – this track is an absolute feast for the senses. And, let’s not forget the absolute genius cover version released in 1992 by British band Incognito.
9. ‘Living For The City‘
(Innervisions, 1973)
Winning two Grammy Awards, ‘Living For The City’ combined Stevie’s incredible snarled vocal with sounds from an actual city (horns, buses, sirens) to create a seven-minute musical piece of storytelling that highlighted the Black struggle. Stevie also happened to play all the instruments in the recording. Even the handclaps are his. It’s a masterpiece.
8. ‘Master Blaster (Jammin’)‘
(Hotter Than July, 1980)
Written as an ode to Bob Marley (whom Wonder had been on tour with), ‘Master Blaster (Jammin’)’ is probably one of Stevie’s most recognisable 80s tracks. It felt like every Dad played it during family barbecues (right?), and it spent a whopping seven weeks at number one on the US Billboard R&B singles chart. Summer-soaked with a huge dose of reggae-inspired soul, this track sounds so good when the sun is shining.
7. ‘Sir Duke‘
(Songs In The Key Of Life, 1976)
A tribute to the legendary jazz composer, bandleader, and pianist Duke Ellington (one of Stevie’s heroes) who died in 1974, ‘Sir Duke’ was a major hit and became one of Wonder’s most career-defining songs. It’s a joyous song, complete with whip-smart horns and an incredible vocal performance from Stevie. The lyrics also give a shout-out to other musical powerhouses including Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Amen to that.
6. ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life‘
(Talking Book, 1972)
Featuring clever percussion, silky backing vocals and a simply gorgeous melody on that signature Fender Rhodes piano, this multi-layered ballad fell just short of the Stevie top five – but not by much. Delivered like a soft kiss on a summer’s day, ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’ isn’t as funk-entrenched as the singles to come, yet it holds space for those with a more whimsical sensibility. It’s just a small slice of loveliness.
5. ‘Uptight (Everything’s Alright)’
(Single, 1965)
Recorded as a single for Motown’s Tamla label, ‘Uptight (Everything’s Alright)’ was the first hit Wonder co-wrote, and the first to make the most of ‘Little’ Stevie Wonder’s newly matured tenor voice. The track was (and still is) a massive hit, and garnered Stevie his first two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. To this day, the song still sounds absolutely epic live. This writer also feels the need to point out that Stevie was just 15 when this song smashed through the airwaves. Let that sink in. What were we all doing at 15 years of age? Answer: Drinking in parks/not winning Grammys.
4. ‘As‘
(Songs In The Key Of Life, 1976)
Wow. ‘As’. What a tune. This is when Stevie can take us to a truly spiritual place. The gospel backing, the love for our fellow man, the lyrics of impassioned devotion – this is uplifting stuff, and Stevie, we are riding shotgun right with you, brother. Of course, it goes without saying that the cover version featuring the late great George Michael (forever in our hearts, RIP Gorgeous George) with Mary J. Blige still lives in our heads and hearts rent-free. Just a beautiful bit of songwriting.
3. ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)‘
(Signed, Sealed & Delivered, 1970)
A funky piece of signature Stevie magic, ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)’ is a guaranteed floor-filler – and testament to the groundbreaking artist SW was to become. Bridging the gap between his ‘Little’ Stevie Wonder days and the new electric pianoman persona that would go on to dominate the decade, this single was the first Wonder produced and spent six weeks at No.1 on the US R&B chart. Fun fact: the 2003 cover version by cheeky Brit boybanders Blue featured vocals from both Stevie and Angie Stone. Wild.
2. ‘Higher Ground‘
(Innervisions, 1973)
Oof, now we’ve started. Featuring a Moog synthesizer bassline, Mu-Tron III filter effects and, let’s face it, some serious funk-assed sass, ‘Higher Ground’ so very nearly claimed the Stevie GOAT title – why? Because it’s a beast. That bassline drops and your body starts moving, with zero filter, and zero f*cks. We’d even go as far to say that ‘Higher Ground’ is like the Yorkie Bar of pop culture. It’s chunky, satisfying, and you’re absolutely devastated once it’s gone. Plus, does anyone else make that Este-Haim style bassface once ‘Higher Ground’ hits the queued track? Yep.
1. ‘Superstition‘
(Talking Book, 1972)
Here we are at number one, and of course it was going to be ‘Superstition’. Released on 24 October 1972, as the lead single from his 15th studio album, ‘Superstition’ went on to win two Grammys and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. It’s by and large Stevie’s most respected and iconic track, and the one fans go mad for during his live shows. With that distinctive drum intro (dreamt up by guitarist Jeff Beck) and the insane clavinet riff, here is a track that transcends time, genre and style. Stevie, we salute you.
