The Saginaw, Michigan-born Stevie Wonder has an approval rating of 200%. OK, while that math is technically not possible, for Wonder it is. Each note leaping off his tongue is like a flower in bloom. Each song he plays on his keyboard is worthy of inclusion in a museum.
And along the way, Wonder has impacted pop culture with songs that continue to stand the test of time. Here below, we wanted to explore three such tracks. A trio of tunes that impact songwriters today and will impact music fans tomorrow and beyond. Indeed, these are three eternal Stevie Wonder songs.
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[RELATED: Top 10 Stevie Wonder Songs]
“Isn’t She Lovely” from Songs in the Key of Life (1976)
Released on the iconic 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life, “Isn’t She Lovely” is just a pure and pristine love song. It’s got a bop of a beat and an exquisite harmonica solo. The song will continue to be played at Sweet 16 parties for eternity with Wonder’s voice soaring out like ribbons and confetti celebrating whatever woman (or young gal) of the hour. Who wouldn’t want Wonder to celebrate you? Here, he gives that gift to listeners over and over. On the track, he sings,
Isn’t she lovely
Isn’t she wonderful
Isn’t she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we’d be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn’t she lovely, made from love
“Superstition” from Talking Book (1972)
Likely Wonder’s most famous song, this track is a marvel when seen performed by the artist. His keyboard becomes a funk band as he belts out each bubbly note. The No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 would find that same spot atop the chart if it was released today. It’s also an important warning, telling listeners not to believe in invisible things they don’t understand. Instead, look to uncover, Wonder sings, offering listeners,
Very superstitious,
Writing’s on the wall,
Very superstitious,
Ladders bout’ to fall,
Thirteen month old baby,
Broke the lookin’ glass
Seven years of bad luck,
The good things in your past
When you believe in things
That you don’t understand,
Then you suffer,
Superstition aint the way
“I Just Called to Say I Love You” from The Woman in Red (1984)
Another charming love song from the artist, on this track Wonder takes a small turn of phrase and turns it into an epic, long-lasting single, which also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wonder is one of those artists who could sing Hallmark cards and turn them into Gold or Platinum records. And on this track, he turns what might be saccharine in another singer’s hands into something etched in sonic stone. He croons,
No New Year’s Day to celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring, no song to sing
In fact, here’s just another ordinary day
No April rain, no flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
But what it is, is something true
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
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Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
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