Anyone who knows me even a little bit knows that I love me some Stevland Morris, aka Stevie Wonder. He and his music have touched, inspired, and affected me in ways that I can’t even fully articulate. He has also influenced several of my other favorite artists, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Teena Marie, and Janet Jackson, among countless others. Seriously, your favorite artist’s favorite artist is likely Stevie. Or at the very least, Stevie most definitely influenced your favorite artist or producer in some shape, way, or form. He is the very embodiment of the word genius (a word that is thrown around far too loosely these days, by the way), and I will love him forever.
It has been nothing short of wonderful to see him receive the love and recognition that he has today. I consider his catalog, particularly his early 70s string starting with 1972’s Music of My Mind and concluding with 1976’s Songs In The Key Of Life, to be a run that no other artist can compare to – past or present, dead or alive, before or since. I listen to so many of his albums regularly, and consider them a part of my life soundtrack. Thanks to various DJs including Questlove, D-Nice, DJ Spinna, and DJ Tara(whom I only discovered today and am really digging), these album tracks, non-singles, b-sides, and deep cuts have all been front and center today. With almost every song played, I have some form of a specific memory or personal connection. I have been so excited about it literally since waking up this morning.
Since Stevie’s catalog is so vast, it is quite difficult to list favorite songs or albums, especially when you consider all that he wrote and/or produced for other artists. With that being said, I will just post a few songs of his that I do especially love – no rankings here, just random favorites. Happy Milestone Birthday to the GOAT (or in his case, the bull – get it? He’s a Taurus!) and one of my favorite singers, songwriters, multi-instrumentalists, producers, and activists – Stevie Wonder.
The Songs
I think you probably get it by now: I love Stevie! These six songs (I was supposed to stop at five!) merely scratch the surface of his catalog, which, as I said before, is why I was reluctant to even name songs or albums. I didn’t even include any of his amazing ’80s material! I literally just went down my “Favorites” playlist in my phone and chose five of Stevie’s songs that I have in it. Because of this, I will likely do a couple more Stevie-centered posts over the next couple days to complete a “birthday trifecta” for his 70th. Be on the lookout! And again, Happy Birthday, Stevie!
[For reference, here are the names of the songs in this entry listed in order:
Summer Soft
I Love Every Little Thing About You
He’s Misstra Know It All
Tuesday Heartbreak
You’ve Got It Bad Girl
It Ain’t No Use]
Awesome! This is nothing short of amazing as I had predetermined before I embarked on this journey of musical bliss. Keep doing your thing, I love you “youngin” lol
Thank you SO much for the support and comment, Carlos! It’s a huge compliment and I greatly appreciate it. 🙂
Pure genius!!! I always knew that you were a beautiful writer with a fantastic ability to use words to paint a picture. I am so proud and I know that JC (my beloved husband and your devoted father) is smiling proudly from heaven. Keep on doing your thing….don’t let anything stop your dream!!! God speed!
An ABSOLUTELY beautiful post! I know Stevie Wonder will be thrilled to hear about this tribute to him.
Great job Ashley!
-Nikki
Yeeeeesssss! Happy Birthday to Mr. Wonderful! (I posted my tribute on Facebook, then, but still…) 🎉 I love this man so much! ❤