Innervisions

I was lucky enough to see Stevie Wonder live at the time that these songs and those from Talking Book were most what got played. It was one of the best concerts I ever saw.

Innervisions is such a well-crafted record. It feels like a snapshot of American life in the mid-1970s and a feeling of hope. But, well, Richard Nixon isn't the only American president that "He's Misstra Know-It-All" could apply to. The album shifted forward R&B and soul (and pop crossovers) with its sounds and we are richer for it.

The perfect blend of funk and soul. The beats are incredible and Stevie’s voice is one of a kind. Fav tracks: “Higher Ground” “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” “Too High”

It's Stevie! At the top of his funk game, bringing slick catchy grooves and buttery, yet emotionally charged vocals together in perfect harmony. Living For the City, Higher Ground, AND All In Love is Fair on the same album blows my mind. He's an incredible artist and he's unparalleled at constructing hit songs without it feeling formulaic or manufactured. It's just beautiful, compelling artistic expression in every song.

it’s Stevie it’s a great album

I always wanted to like him more than I did. Just never quite worked for me.

An eye-opening record. Beyond amazing.

Overall, I think it’s a great album. My favorite track had to be Living For The City - extremely groovy and had a great story that brings up issues that people are still experiencing today, many years after release of the album itself. Not sure where Stevie draws his inspiration from, but you can hear and even feel elements from this album in pop R&B of the 2000s which is what I grew up with and to be able draw these connections is a testament to how influential this album is.

It used to bug me to no end when I’d be out at a bar or a party and the band would say “we’re gonna do a Red Hot Chili Peppers song!” and then kick into “Higher Ground”. Show some respect, you clods.

I didn't know it was possible, but this album is Grammy bait

Beside the occasional killer baseline, this confirms that Stevie Wonder is not for me.

First song ~ Too High ~ draws you in with its jazzy drum beats and soothing synth sounds, Preparing u for an experience. Transitions into each song are beautiful, almost like a page off of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Nine amazing songs leaving you want more. Don’t be greedy.

i always admired Stevie Wonder but only really knew his 80s / more commercial stuff. This album is fantastic. the funk, the soul, the rhythm, his voice. The fun they are clearly having making it. This is an album that makes me smile when listening to it. The first track sounds like something from Jamiroquai, who were obviously 20+ years later, and no doubt inspired by this sound. 5 stars from me.

I'm reminded once again (this is my 2nd Wonder album from the list) how good a musician Stevie Wonder is. Some stunning songs on this album including one of my favourites, Higher Ground. Unfortunately there are a few I like a bit less because too poppy for me (Don't you worry about a thing) or tooo smooooth and romcom outro-like. But that's being picky, this album absolutely needs to be on the list esp. given how well it aged.

I think Stevie is incredible for so many reasons, but for reasons I cannot explain, I've never been wildly into his music. I like quite a few of his songs, to be sure. But overall, I've never really reached for his stuff.

It was funk and soul. It was alright but I don't have a need to revisit

living for the city? more like living for this album.

Innervisions It's pretty astonishing that this was released only 10 months after Talking Book. The two albums definitely have a kinship in my mind, almost like part 1 and part 2, Talking Book tending more personal and this one looking more externally. Either way they are both fantastic albums. I’ve always loved Too High, with it’s bubbling synth, simultaneously upbeat and subdued, emphasising the druggy subject. I never took to Visions much when I first got the album, but it’s grown a lot on me over the years, and now I think it’s great, a lovely latin inflected soul ballad. Living for the City, of course, is superb, maybe one of his best songs, with a superb groove and melody and subject matter. Golden Lady really feels like you are on a boat in the Caribbean, coasting along on the laidback breeze. It also sounds a bit like he sings Gordon Liddy, which would make sense with the Misstra Know It All being about Nixon, even if the song seems to be a love song. Higher Ground is equal to Superstition for Stevie-funk for me, absolute banger. Jesus Children is the sort of song that only Stevie can do, propulsive synth, a soulful and catchy melody with a dark edge. Brilliant. All in Love is Fair is probably my least favourite track on the album - it’s a good ballad but it doesn’t quite reach the standards of the rest of the album. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing is superb, like You Are the Sunshine of My Life, one of those songs whose melody feels like it might be a latin jazz classic from the 50s, with a sense of instant familiarity. And He’s Misstra Know it all is a fantastic closer, with the lovely piano line, jazzy drums and flute and brilliantly memorable lyrics and melody. Easy 5. 😎😎😎😎😎 Playlist submission: Could be any track, but I’ll go Too High

Behold, one of the most likeable figures in the music world! Stevie Wonder is fantastic, and his music pretty much never fails to deliver. Innervisions has a versatile yet consistently high-quality setlist, with great high-energy blues-rock tracks like Living For The City, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing... I could go on. There aren't any bad tracks on here, though a couple are slightly forgettable because of a lack of any obvious musical hooks to keep the listener engaged. But the stronger tracks are interesting, exciting, soulful, and sung from the heart. According to my research, Innervisions is also a creative and musical milestone in Stevie Wonder's career. This album is the end of a transitional phase from mostly 60s-style ballads (and the "Little Stevie Wonder" persona) to a mature, musically complex, and self-performed style. And that self-performed element is a big one. Stevie Wonder plays nearly all the instruments on nearly all the songs here, and this sets the agenda for the albums to follow. Great singing. Great horns. Great guitar and bass. Great jazz-rock-jam drumming. 5/5 Key tracks: Living For The City, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, He's Misstra Know-It-All, Too High

I only really liked Higher Ground. I'm mostly a fan of his hit songs. I've been judging my albums on whether I'd go back to listen to it again. This isn't a bad album by any means. It's just not something I would replay.

5/5. Stevie does it again. Just a perfect album, front to back. Some of the slower songs are a little harder to get into but there are just some absolute bangers on here. Feels so much longer than it is and that just means the songs are so dense and full, I almost don't want them to end. His vocal range is excellent here, although it may shine more on Songs in the Key of Life. The instrumentation is unique and fun, trying out more minor keys for style and experimentation. Also, each song is so unique that any one of them could be someone's favorite and I would not argue. Another masterpiece. Best Song: Jesus Children of America, Living For The City, Higher Ground, He's Misstra Know-It-All

You can't go wrong with Stevie Wonder. His unique vocals and heartfelt performances are fantastic.

Stevie Wonder had a couple of big hits before and one album which really put him into the conversation of the best current Soul artists but it was THIS album which made him one of the best Soul artists of all time! It is full of incredible and forward thinking production, beautiful arrangements, incredible songwriting and just magical performances that makes this one of the essential listens for everyone. It is pure magic to the ears and it's even crazier when you realize that this isn't even considered his best album. (It's my favourite but most point ot Songs in the Key of Life) The Psychedelic Soul and Funk mix of 'Too High' gets the album started with a groovy and beautiful song full of incredible instrumental performances but also gets some of the conceptual ideas started. The song is hypnotic and enjoyable with many great moments and it delivers the whole way. A perfect song to start such an incredible album with. 'Visions' replaces the Funk with Folk and a surprising amount of Folk. This song is just Progressive and Psychedelic Folk with a very Soul-like vocal performance and while that sounds like a strange combination, Stevie pulls it off in the best way possible. It is a beautiful and yeah psychdedelic experience full of beautiful lyrics and ideas that some might even call philosophical. Do I need to say much more? This is perfect even when the placement of the song could've been improved as it is a very hard cut from the Funk, it still is just wonderful. The albums most forward thinking song is without a doubt 'Living for the City'. It mixes the Funk and Soul like we were used to and it even adds a little Rock into the song and how can you forget the crazy vocal performance that Stevie offers but that isn't necessarily why this song is so good and viewed as so influental. It is the "weird" second half that adds some Spoken Word & Radio Recordings mix that isn't just there as a nice add-on but actually as a conceptual continuation of what the song itself spoke about. It is there to get more people to understand what he wanted to achieve with the song and he absolutely delivered. The "actual" song returns and closes the song properly but still, this idea was a big thing in the way he implemented it. The slightly Smooth Soul 'Golden Lady' is an absolutely beautiful ending to the albums first half. It flows through the verses and the pre-chorus and the chorus itself is just the cherry on top. It is an absolutely stunning piece of Soul music and easily one of the albums best songs and also one of the best songs in Stevie Wonder's whole career. The second half is started with 'Higher Ground' which is a very groovy return to the strong Funk sound with the very, well, funky guitar and bass which absolutely drive the song. Stevie is absolutely killing it with these vocals and the whole way that the song is structured is just incredible. It not only flows but I feel like it flows so fast that you feel on some very strong substances that go far outside of LSD. This song makes me want to get so much energy out like I haven't moved in days. Perfect, it's a perfect song! 'Jesus Children of America' is one of the albums "worst" songs which crazy because it still is an absolutely incredible song with great Gospel vocals and some really well made bass and the whole song is just beautiful. It just fails to really take the edge that most songs here did. Incredible song and better than 90% of music ever but it isn't more, at least for me. Christians might go really crazy for this but I don't. I just really like it. The Smooth Soul returns on 'All in Love Is Fair' which is just a beautiful performance all the way through. I am just stunned by how emotional he sings on this song and it also speaks to me more with the topic. It is just so beautiful and incredibly performed that I am again thinking that this is a perfect song. The emotional and smooth sound is replaced with the Salsa inspired Latin Soul song 'Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing'. This track just wants to make you dance and groove until you're out of breath. The details with the maraca, the bongos and what else there's on here just gives this a very tropical feeling that adds even more to the dancy and warm song. Absolutely amazing song from start to finish! The album finishes with 'He's Misstra Know-It-All'. A very Pop Soul finale to the album that isn't overly energetic or overly relaxed. It's a beautiful mix of both that makes it a perfect closing track because no matter which sonic paths that the album took you prefer, you will enjoy this song from start to finish. And it again, is a perfect song like most the album is. favourites: Higher Ground, Living for the City, Golden Lady, Too High, Visions, Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, He's Misstra Know-It-All, All in Love Is Fair least favourites: Jesus Children of America (still incredible) Rating: decent 10 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Easy 5 stars. Maybe not as perfect as “Songs in the Key of Life” but pretty damn close.

Absolutely fearless album, that goes into whatever genre or mood it likes, when it likes. The artistry is unmatched in Stevie's discography and in spite of the record's ambition, it still works perfectly as an album. Top tier Stevie and just a top album in general.

Mixing the wild playfulness of a crayola-wielding infant with cosmic level compositional chops and the oversized emotional sweep becoming of a generational figurehead, this is one of those rarest of things: a 70s masterpiece that doesn't have "I couldn't have happened without the 60s" written all over its face.

A Motown classic. Stevie Wonder at his finest.

duh

The fadeout on He's Misstra Know-It-All is comically long

It's Stevie Wonder.

This was the first time I've listened to this album. I picked up on a lot of samples and references to it by 90s hip-hop artists. It starts with a sample from one of my all-time most listened to and loved songs: "All Night" by the Alkaholiks. The chorus of "Living for the City" was repeated in Wu-Tang's "The City." In that line someone comments, "New York City, skyscrapers and everythang" which was repeated in the track "All the Critics in New York" by Westside Connection. I also had forgotten that the RHCP song "Higher Ground" was actually a cover. So in addition to pointing to how pervasive the 70s were in 90s music, my lack of awareness of this album's influence also points to a generational and cultural disconnect between me and the artists who created that music. There is a lot of depth to this album and I'll need to listen to it again to fully appreciate it. I was taking in the sound and music and less the lyrics, and I understand that these are laden with social commentary of life as a Black man in mid century America, personal experiences with drug addiction, and so on. Plus there is clear significance in the title Innervisions that can't be appreciated without hearing the lyrics and getting to some of the deeper layers of the music.

Not quite what I expected. A little more rock and funk influenced, including in instrumentation. Highlighted Stevie's voice and has some great tracks like Jesus Children of America and He's Misstra Know it All.

this one’s good!

Phenomenal. Visions makes me cry. Higher Ground makes me forget the worst band in the world ruined it. Livin for the City is astounding. The rest also great.

Stevie Wonder is such a talent to the world. Whilst not his best album, this album is just… so insane. Every song oozes with charm and fun, it’s like you get transported to another world of just soul and vibes. I knew half the album also haha. Phenomenal listen on my morning commute

I've heard it before! I really love it

Great to hear some of the non-hits, and also the extended version of "Living for the City."

"Stevie Wonder is a musical genius" !!! lol

Hard to top early Seventies Stevie. This is not my favourite of his albums from that period, but there are enough absolute classics - City, Higher Ground, Too High, for this to warrant all 5 stars. Peerlesss perfection, for the most part.

Amazing. Stevie Wonder is ALWAYS a good choice. This is a 5 stars album all around. Favs: 1. All In Love Is Fair 2. Golden Lady 3. Vision 2. Living for the City

Great album from the midst of Stevie’s peak

THE KID WONDER STRIKES AGAIN

Up there for new personal favorite from Stevie. Too High honestly takes the cake.

track 1: LOL I feel like I'm high listening to this song track 2: this song is so peaceful omg, need to sip a matcha while listening to this track 3: The beat and the way Stevie sings it pumped me up, two songs before were better tho (wait this song narratives really caught me off guard) track 4: INSTRUMENTAL!!!!! THE OUTRO!!!!! track 5: UGH WHAT A NASTY INTROO!!! PUMPED ME UPP REAL GOOD!!! track 6: Can't relate tho, but the INSTRUMENTAL!!! track 7: THE VOCALSS!!! track 8: DAMN SALSA MODE!!! MY FAV FROM THE RECORD track 9: What a song to end a record. *Chef kiss* (10/10) Stevie Wonder never disappoints !!!

Fantastic album, front to back. Loved every second of it, and I listened to it at least five times and heard something new every time.

Groovy

5/5 bängää alusta asti. Too High, Don't You Worry ja Higher Ground lemppareita. menee listalle.

Fantastic.

What can I say? Stevie is a god, a genius, a great great man. This is a wondrous album. Beautiful songs produced to such a high degree tears come to my eyes.

He’s best album. A more gritty sound telling the story of the hardships of life.

An Easy 5 Stars from me. The first Stevie album that I bought, I didn't know what I got myself into. Blown away by this, and I still hear new details on this album that I'd never heard. First time listening to this digitally, it does not disappoint, better instrument separation makes for an even more engaging listen. My favourite Stevie Wonder album and a welcome change from last week's white male rock music.

5/5

This was and is amazing, I've heard it before tho

Good Stuff!

Some great tunes I knew, and others I'd not heard and loved.

Love listening to Stevie wonder

enorme banger je suis pas surpris

Joyous. Any album with Living for the City on it would be worth 5 stars, but this is backed up with so many other bangers.

Part of an incredible run of records that are all masterpieces. I love that Stevie played all the instruments himself. His janky drumming on Higher Ground is one of my favourite things on any of his songs.

Loved this album! Every song was excellent made even better after reading he played almost every instrument on the album. Stevie Wonder is so talented Fav songs: living for the city, higher ground

9/10 Another one of the most essential Soul records you must hear

Stevie Wonder is legendary and this album is no exception. His voice is incredible, his tone is one of a kind, and the way that he blends genres perfectly is basically unmatched. Incredible album from an incredible artist.

Stevie is one of few artists that has truly earned multiple slots in this list

I only knew the hits, but so many other exceptional tracks hidden within this album. And to learn Stevie played nearly all instruments on most of the tracks?! No wonder it's considered an all time classic.

masterpiece, stevie is the greatest gift we have ever had

Really enjoyable listening experience

Songs in The Key of Life is one of the best albums of all time so.... this should be good. This starts off very well, the opener's great. Second song is not what I associate with Stevie Wonder but really good! Great vibe, but I can tell I probably won't listen to it other than when hearing the whole album. Living For The City is immediately a step up, and more of what I was expecting. But this album is definitely different from Songs, I should take it as what it is. Ok so this song takes a left turn halfway through but alright I like it. Golden Lady is very nice, very good, lovely. Highest Ground is funkier and more up-beat, exactly what I was expecting from this album, and I love it! Jesus Children of America is the mandatory Jesus is great song but hey, it still sounds good. Probably my least favourite so far but not bad at all. All in Love Is Fair is... a ballad? And a good one at that. Might need more listens to fully love it but it is good! Ok the spanish jump scare was scaring but ok! And that little dialogue was interesting... the song's good though! The final song is a great closer, and I can see it growing on me with time. Overall, this was a great experience! I was never bored or waiting for it to end, even the few songs I didn't outright love I still enjoyed. It is less grand than Songs in The Key of Life, but the genre here is used differently. Great stuff! Bye

Fantastic, agitated soul music. Some truly top level pop songwriting here. Glad it’s kept short and tight, as there is a slight lull between Higher Ground and Don't You Worry...

A monster of an album. Funky and creative and full of classics. Never annoying, never boring. I love it.

King

Magnificent. Some absolute classics on this record, and even the less well-known ones are better than many an act's entire output. I am a fan of Stevie Wonder, and it's hard not to be when he had this quality of material to his name. Do yourself a favour and check it out.

So good!

Definitely a desert island disc 🏝️

I'll need more than 5 stars for this. Unbelievable work of art. Stevie is a genius and this album really demonstrates his talent. This is an absolute must listen.

When I rolled Stevie Wonder this morning, I knew how popular he was. I’d never actively seeked out his music before though besides what I already knew. Quite frankly, I was a tad concerned whether or not I would like him. After all, this is the highest rated album I’ve heard so far. Well, now I can certifiably say that Stevie Wonder FUCKING SLAPS. There is not a single song on this album I would want to ever skip. Listening to this made the day go by so much faster, and it only got better over time. Picking a favorite song here is so tough. The popular one is “Higher Ground”, a song I have heard covered relentlessly before. It’s good, but man do I have to think hard on if I want to take the easy way out and label it as my favorite or not, as I may be a bit biased. The whole album really is that good.

Loved this album for decades. Love the whole trilogy so much. It has been quite a few years since I have listened to the whole album. It is so absurdly good. As many times as I have listened to it, it is still so fresh and jaw-droppingly good. The songs, the musicianship, the singing… good god…

I loved this album, from the beginning to the end. You can tell the guy is a genius. Fun fact : I always thought the song “Living for the city” was an original Disney song, cause there’s this Lindsay Lohan movie from 2004 where she sings it. LOL Silly me

Amazing! 10/10

I've always loved Stevie Wonder. and this is one of his most fine albums. It's short enough that you're captivated the entire time and it has some of his best grooves and licks. His best album? I think so. Love it

Tykkäsin! Monipuolista, mukavaa menoa. Ja hyvälaatuinen äänitys.

Huikeet soundit, huikeet biisit. ,groovaa ku miljoona volttia.Timanttia!!!!

This is probably my favorite Stevie Wonder album. I know "Songs in the Key of Life" might rank higher for some people and it's also an excellent album. But "Innervisions" is perfect. It's so beautifully crafted and impeccably performed (almost entirely) by Wonder himself. The variety over the course of 9 songs means that it never risks becoming dull. The lyrics are powerful and demonstrate that Wonder has both shed his child star roots and very much remembers where he came from. Tracks like politically minded "Living for the City" force the listener to pay close attention. And there's a huge reward for doing so. The album is at both desperate and hopeful, anxious and calm. It takes the listener on a journey of love, injustice, addiction, and redemption. I could listen to this album on repeat for ages.

A masterpiece

Awesome album I'd never listened to before. Up there with Songs in the Key of Life.

already listened, very good!

I listened to this one twice, one sheet the other. Clever, catchy music; the pointed yet hopeful lyrics; the range of emotions covered. A straight up masterpiece.

The bassline and groove on Too High immediately grab me, but Stevie's effortless vocals are just as good. Visions drops the tempo down and oozes atmosphere - hypnotizing and beautiful. Then we step it back up for a few songs (Living For The City and Higher Ground are highlights) before All In Love Is Fair, a piano ballad with some of the most powerful vocals on the record. He's Misstra Know-It-All is a strong closer too, smooth and evocative. I'm surprised at the songwriting maturity on display here. Bass, drums and synths combine in quite a wonderful way. Soulful? Certainly, but it's more than that. I can see how this would influence music to come. For me - an instant classic.

I've always been a Songs in the Key of Life guy (so much so, that it's going to be in contention for my favorite when all is said and done.) But I saved the rest for this project, knowing they were coming. Talking Book was a great album, but good in Stevie standards, FFF was also great, but this one by far takes the cake. Legit one of the best albums I've ever heard. Crisp production, captivating bass and backing tracks, and great lyricism as always. Easiest 5 in a while.

fabulous & funky

Fantastic album. Stevie Wonder in his prime was a force to be reckoned with. This one was worth a second listen. 5/5 Album 36/1001

Another genius album from Stevie’s golden era of releases. His SIXTEENTH studio album and he absolutely crushes it. So funky, so soulful, so beautiful. He truly could do no wrong at this time in his career.

Amazing album. I wasn't that familiar with Wonder's studio albums before listening to this and was blown away by.

Do-do, do, do, do, do-do; do, do, do-do, do, do-do; do-do, do-do, dooooo. From the first lick, this album is fresh, soulful, funky, and just a blast. Every song has such a ridiculously strong identity while being 100% Stevie Wonder and prerty much everything here is great. My favorite is probably the very pretty Golden Lady, but the heartbreaking story in Living For the City is close. The breakneck groove in Higher Ground is also such a classic, though I've mainly only heard the RHCP version and this is certainly better. I actually think the weakest song here is Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing, which is good in its own right, so that says a lot. Loved it.

All-timer

Beautiful soulful funk. A must-listen alongside Talking Book and Songs In the Key of Life.

One of my favorite Stevie albums. It's great.

Secret prequel to the plant one

Just some of the most classic, beautiful soul of my lifetime.

My favorite album from one of my favorite artists. What more can I say, it's Stevie Wonder. He is just incredible and I'm literally always in the mood to listen to his music.

chill wholesome vibes