Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
1973
Album Summary
Innervisions is the sixteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on August 3, 1973, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. A landmark recording of Wonder's "classic period", the album has been regarded as his transition from the "Little Stevie Wonder" known for romantic ballads into a more musically mature, conscious, and grown-up artist. On the album, Wonder continued to experiment with the ARP synthesizer and the revolutionary T.O.N.T.O. (The Original New Timbral Orchestra) synth developed by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, and Innervisions became hugely influential on the future sound of commercial soul and black music. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart and number one on the Billboard Soul LPs chart, eventually finishing at number four on the magazine's Top Pop Albums chart for 1974. At the 16th Grammy Awards, it won Album of the Year and Best Engineered Non-Classical Recording, while "Living for the City" won Best R&B Song. Innervisions is widely considered by fans, critics, and colleagues to be one of Wonder's finest works and one of the greatest albums ever made. It was ranked number 34 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time", and, in 1999, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
WikipediaThe 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”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
one of the greatest albums of all times. The songs are a bit too long but this is an amazing mix of black music traditions than sounds fresh as if it was recorded today. In fact, you can hear the influence of this album in many of the current music.
Could be a perfect album! Funk, soul, pop. Politics, love and humour. From Stevie’s golden period of colossal 70s LPs.
Alguns dels millors discos de la década són d'ell. Una visió profunda de la música, juntament amb un missatge poderós
Love me some Stevie Wonder! Not much to save except exceptionally talented in so many ways. Loved the spectrum of all the songs. Could be my top 2 favorite Wonder albums😊
I mean, wow. It's Stevie Wonder. What else is there to say? Fave track on here is hard to pick because this album is delightfully relentless with banger after banger. Absolutely loved it, really brightened up my day. But if I had to pick a fave it would be Don't you worry bout a thing. It's got longevity for a reason just like all of his work. So danceable, refreshing, and undeniably bursting with talent.
Stevie at his height I think three of the albums from the early/mid 70's "Talking Book" "Innervisions" and "Songs In The Key Of Life" are Stevie's best and most creative work. you can hear his musical progression through these and I think "Songs" is his Opus Magnum. But This is a close second with Talking Book. The most revelatory thing is that the genius played most of the instruments on most of the tracks. "He's Mistra Know It All" "Living For The City" "Too High" all favourites but to be fair there isn't a bad song on this album. Already in my collection and justifiably on this list.
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.
The first thing upon listening to "Innervisions" is that it starts out very serious with "Too High"(drugs), "Visions"(why are things so bad) and " Living for the City" (inequality) but turns out extremely varied also including two love ballads, songs of hope and a latin-influence song. There is an earlier 70's funk sound to some songs while other tend towards more straught-forward pop. Stevie performed all the instruments on 7 of 9 songs. I can only think of Prince as a comparable. To me what makes this album standout is the use and mix of all the synthesizers, the Moog bass and all other instruments. The use of the Hohner clavinet (wah wah sound) in "Higher Ground" is worth getting this album alone. Outstanding vocal range and background vocals. No dead weight or bad songs on this record. Outstanding.
I like this. "Visions" is beautiful. Higher Ground is a super hit, I've heard it before. And Stevie Wonder is a genius, can't make bad music. Five star.
A brilliant commentary on racism, spirituality, love, and introspection combined with Stevie Wonder’s musical genius. A moving experience with each listen.
Dabbling into subject matters such as racial injustice, drug abuse, hypocritical leaders, empowerment and, of course, love, Innervisions stands as perhaps Stevie Wonder's answer to What's Goin' On; equally as immersive and innovative musically, Innervisions captures Stevie in the turning point of his career as he completes the transformation from prodigy to prolific genius. An incredible chapter in his incomprehensible 70s era.
I'm shocked again by the newness of Stevie Wonder. Some of it's thanks to my naïveté, but plenty is due to the enduring influence and complexity of Innervisions. That he was able to put out another great album just a year later is amazing, but this collection contains the better songs by far. What a journey I went on, with the music often mismatched emotionally but always excellent.
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Too high, Visions, Living for the city, Golden lady, Higher ground, Don’t you worry about a thing
I have so much love for this album!!! Even down to the cover art which is a stunning 70s DELIGHT. Pure talent, innovation, passion, and artistry is conveyed in this masterpiece. It's devastating and exploding with joy all at once. Packed with soul and important messages. Ugh I just love it so much!! Epic 5 star perfection, thank you so much Stevie for bringing us this album. What a legend.
Stevie's finest album. Has long been a favourite of mine. A true musical genius, plus possessor of possibly the finest vocal cords ever gifted to a human.
"New york City, skyscrapers and everthing" if I could have given this album a 6 I would have. Probably one of the best albums of all time and Stevie's masterpiece. The songs and the lyrics tell a story of america that is both joyous and dark. From mishra know it all to living for the city the story of injustice is told. But there's more to it love songs party songs. This is not just story of oppression but joy and hope as well. Dont you worry about a thing.
Putting this album on is like instant sunshine. Great songs (pretty much every song is a winner) are married with a funky backing (love the synth/keyboard sound), immaculate arrangements topped with Stevie Wonder's creamy sublime vocals.
This was WONDERFUL. Stands the test of time - Stevie is a legend. Every song is a catchy party starter. Loved it!
Such a great album especially for someone who does not gravitate towards that music at all. It was enjoyable the entire way through
trop heureuse de passer à Stevie Wonder après l'enfer Yank Crime, je décide de mettre 5, ça tombe bien l'album est super
Terrific songs and a video that captures it time perfectly. So many highlights of his career on this album.
I knew Stevie was funky but not this funky. The musicality and song writing is next level genius.
4.6 + Part of Wonder's five-string master opus of albums from the early 70s. Every song on here is great.
Cool uses of ambient sound and spoken bits on several tracks. I didn't realize "Don't you worry bout a thing" was a Stevie track I thought Incognito did that themselves. Fantastic album.
I love Stevie Wonder, and this album is solid. It’s not as poppy or catchy as some of his other stuff, but it’s really interesting and introspective and a little political. Loved it.
Great album. Thoroughly enjoyed. "Living for the City" was wonderful on headphones. And who doesn't love the funky sound of "Higher Ground".
this was pleasantly surprising. the sound is so unlike any other stuff i'v heard from the 70's, much less by stevie wonder, but i really really liked this!! yaayy
Stevie Wonder is always worth a listen! Stand out song is obviously Higher Ground, but the whole album is solid
The fact that Stevie performed six of these songs himself is insane. I've seen commercials with "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" in it and would've expected that would've ruined it for me, but I still enjoyed it, especially with the added latin flair throughout the song. Strong funk, soul, gospel record. Favorite tracks: "Living for the City", "Jesus Children of America"
The record is just good. I like Talking Book more overall but I think the highs on this album are better.
Anytime we get a Stevie Wonder album I know I'm in for a treat. I've heard this title before, but not the album. As expected, really great album, it makes sense why he dominated the Grammys for as long as he did. Just fantastic grooves all over this. I wouldn't put it up there with Songs in the Key of Life but it's still a great ride. Favorite tracks: Higher Ground, Living for the City, Too High, All in Love is Fair, Don't You Worry Bout a Thing. Album art: That's another thing about Stevie Wonder, great album arts. This one is really nice, love the landscape and the color palate. The poor guy's blind and yet has some of the best covers to look at. 4.5/5
i mean, it's a classic but i can only give 4 as a couple of mediocre tracks (visions, jesus children).
OK, no denying this is a phenomenal album and Stevie Wonder is really a musical genius. The heavy use of synthesizers, which was totally innovative. But this album is also noted as a massive influence in the direction of R&B and soul music going forward. And if I'm honest, I'd much rather listen to R&B or soul from the 50s and 60s than the 70s and 80s. The synthesizer-heavy R&B of the 80s is shit. So... great album with a terrible legacy? Shit... just listened to Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" and realized that the terrible damage this album may have done to R&B ushered in some classics of the 80s and deserves some credit.
It was a revelation when it came out. Living For the City a and Higher Ground are top shelf, but the rest doesn't reach that standard.
Funky Stevie Wonder is just the absolute best. He covers so much depth and harshness about the world while still managing to get you toes tapping. I don't like this album as much as Songs In the Key of Life, but it is still one of his best works from his most fruitful period 4/5
Wow we needed this after the previous album, some lighthearted fun from the big SW. I really enjoyed this, as I always do. The kind of funk and fun we all need. Don't you worry about a thing was a highlight,
Was lovely listen. Thought I wouldnt dig it that much but boy was i wrong. I enjoyed every track !
can hear Stevie Wonders' influence on artists like Thundercat or Anderson Paak. Funky w/ a side of Jazz. Higher Ground track is a classic that has a bop to it that I love. Don't Worry About a Thing track is boomer city. Nice album just not my cup of tea.
Never listened to a Stevie album before but I truly enjoyed it more than I thought. Great listen and good variety of tunes
4.5/5. I have listened to this before, and on this listen I found this album more enjoyable than the first. It is a very solid album, as most of Wonder's albums are. The funk and soul go so well together, and it makes this a very enjoyable album.
In which Mr. Wonder plays the organ. Innervisions is ONE of this iconic sounds from a period where Stevie Wonder constantly reinvents his sound'. Crossing over Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Spiritual, and good ole' Rock-N-Roll, Innervisions is a home run.
One is Stevie's least crap albums. I love Stevie, but a lot of the album tracks don't stand out.
This is my second Stevie Wonder album and it further confirms that he's a national treasure and can do no wrong. Pretty crazy that I haven't even gotten songs in the key of life yet. Also Higher Ground is a banger
A fine album with 2 absolutely superb songs; Superstition and I Believe When I fall in Love. The rest of the album ain't half bad neither. My 2nd favorite Stevie Wonder album. 4.5 🌟
I think the keyboard/synth riffs he lays down are iconic, influential and ahead of their time in 1973. I’m still amazed he plays most of the instruments. Like the other Stevie albums we’ve received, you have the hits and the supporting tracks. The hits on this LP are more political (a good thing by me) and the supporting tracks are more to my liking. The production isn’t as syrupy as his later efforts.
The funky songs on this album are among his best. One is Living for the City but the best example is Higher Ground which is also the name of my favourite radio show.
Talking Book came up recently so let's see how Stevie's sound has progressed in the 3 weeks / 9 months since then... Ooh it's good news! There's nothing as iconic as Superstition but the schmaltz has pretty much gone, replaced by experimental funk. Example: a track called 'Golden Lady' seemed like a prime candidate for schmaltziness, but turned out to be an absolute banger. I love the infinite key changes. The lyrics in the chorus to Higher Ground are much easier to understand than the RHCP version, too. Good stuff. 3.5 / 4.
I'm glad to hear this as it expands my funk and R&B knowledge a bit more. As my first listen to Stevie Wonder, he does a great mix of mentioned genres along wonderful sax jazz and piano ballads. It's also very political with it's social issues in the first half, and I appreciate that. I'm not a fan of the cover art, which dates this release personally, but the music itself is anything but. It sounds amazing and is relevant with artists like Silk Sonic taking the torch for this sound.
Vraiment très bon, beaucoup plus apprécié que l'autre que j'ai pogné de Stevie. Aucun moment faible vraiment. Plus un 4.5 qu'un 4
I've always enjoyed the soulful playing and creativity of Stevie Wonder, especially in songs like Golden Lady or Visions, on which the guitar is absolutely beautiful and well rendered. Groovy synth tones found on this record are also very nice.
Admittedly, I'm not Stevie's biggest fan. I mean I love his music and hearing his big singles is always fun, but on whole albums I tend to find his brand of smooth soul a little too... smooth. Or gentle, let's put it this way. That's why I prefer the tracks that has a little more edge, like Living for the City. But having said that, it's obviously a classic and I can only admire his work even if it's not the first thing I'll want to hear when I want some soul.
This is a great album. Social commentary, themed, imaginative, beautifully produced, suffused with craft. Hadn't listened all the way through before and was really happy I did.
Another perfectly produced album by Stevie! The songs are not as impactful as other releases, but the sound is really the selling point.
Stevie Wonder is just one of those musicians for me ... don't own a single album, know a pile of his music and it's almost like it has been just there always...so listening to some of these tracks, especially something like Living in the City and not sure why but hearing how relevant and strong that track is just shocked me. And Higher Ground is a classic.
Some classics in here but I think my favorite was Living for the City. Still relevant today.
Innervisions was a wildly successful album for Wonder, regaled with widespread critical acclaim and and an Album of the Year award from the Grammy's. Listening, it's easy to understand why: Wonder is a master of soul and composition. He weaves beautiful songs of life and love and the complex landscape of America. Moreover, he's a fantastic multi-instrumentalist, which helps bring his vision to full fruition on his own terms. I only wish the production allowed Wonder's songs to have a bit more punch to them, as many come across as flat, which doesn't do the songs justice.
Overall enjoyed this album. A few of the songs are snoozers for me and not my thing because they are on the slow side but when it picks up it is great music. Enjoyed Golden Lady, Higher Ground, and a few of the other classics here. I can listen to this cleaning, working, hanging out, etc.
This is definitely the start of something special in Stevie's career - you can sense the creativity brimming over, and the pure musical proficiency he brings - wow.
I started out thinking this wasn't the Stevie Wonder I know and then Living for the City came on. I think it is my favourite Wonder number. Higher Ground is also legendary. A truly wonderful listen.
29th July 2022 Listened on our last day in Berrias! Went to a brocante in the morning in Saint Ambroix then came home and chilled before flying home. Funky, clean production and serious serious rhythm. Loved it.
An album that gets better as you listen to it. Lots of great piano, guitar and bass throughout. Higher ground is definitely the high point with some earlier songs missing the mark
7/10. Some boring tunes, but Living For the City and He's Misstra Know It All are jams
Stevie Wonder could do no wrong for a good period of time. Higher Ground is an absolute banger of a song.
After listening to a lot of Stevie, I’ve decided that I prefer his funky stuff over him being a balladeer. His slow stuff just doesn’t do a lot for me. Good thing this is mostly upbeat tracks, though. A-
Uh, seventies-fusionjazzig. Wunderschön gesungen und raffiniertest arrangiert, bringt es meine Saiten dennoch zum ersehnt vollkommenen Wohlklang. Die beschissene Ungerechtigkeit, der sich hier die schwarze Bevölkerung ausgesetzt sieht, bringt sie aber z.B. in Living For The City überdeutlich auf den Punkt, und das sogar ohne dass man sich tief damit auseinandersetzen müsste. Einen kleinen Schauer jagt es mir über den Rücken, wenn ich kurz überlegen muss ob mir von Higher Ground die Coverversion der Chili Peppers besser gefällt. Tut sie natürlich nicht, da bin ich Ehrenmann. Aber ja: Zeugnis ablegen von meinem tiefen Verständnis oder Feeling für dieses Album tut das nun auch nicht. Toll finde ich noch den Abschluss, He's Misstra Know-It-All, der liftet auf 3.1.
Haha, das zeugt von Humor als blinder Musiker sein Album „Innervisions“ zu nennen. Gut, selbstbewusst, geschmeidig, federnd und doch voller Gravitas. Hier hat Thundercat also seine schlängelnden Basslinien her. Gefällig und doch mehr als Soul-Pop Knappe 3.4
This is a catchy enough album, kinda funky, doesn't overstay its welcome and has a couple of well known hits on it. 3/5.
Outside of this 1001 albums list (Songs in the Key of Life, Talking Book) I have not listened to albums from Stevie Wonder. I have heard several songs, but Wonder is not part of my regular playlists. "Higher Ground" is the only track that I know from Innervisions, and it is my favorite track. "Higher Ground" has some good funk and a keyboard sound that reminds me of my favorite Stevie Wonder song ("Superstition"). Most of Innervisions was just okay. I did like the humor that was sneaking through on "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing".
Enjoyed it. This was my first time ever listening to Stevie Wonder. One thing to note- i know the guy is blind, but whoever lines up his goatee does him really dirty
Excellent album. Lots of familiar songs. Stevie Wonder is a classic. Not my favorite kind of music but enjoyable.
3.5/5 A nice mix of genres like funk, soul, and jazz with some heavy topics covered in many of the songs. I’ve listened to very little Stevie Wonder and I should go back and give it a more critical listen when I have the time. Fav Songs: Living For The City, Higher Ground, All In Love Is Fair
Can’t deny the quality of work that went into it and the influence it has had. But on a listening level I found the beginning of the album a little unenjoyable. I found the back half sounded better to my ear
Bäst hittills av den Stevie vi fått imo, Higher Ground är en dänga. Tycker dock fortfarande han är överskattad
When Stevie lays down some funky grooves eg Too High, Living for the City, Higher Ground he's at his best. But when he veers from that path and gets all sacchariney and mainstream I lose interest fast. So I thought half the album was great, the other half was meh.
Not the best works of Stevie, but I like this album. After the album ends youtube listed Hancock's Maiden Voyage. Loved this suggestion.
True to its title - some broader, more experimental compositions from Wonder that stray outside his usual comfort zone. Not all land successfully, but there’s enough energy here for a solid toe-tapping listen.
The album has a couple of high points (such as Higher Ground) and of course Wonder's voice is great. But still, it's not really convincing as a whole.
Standard 3 stars for me here, nice to hear and listen to for the first time but not my genre and this album doesn't change that fact either
I love Stevie. I could listen to any of his music basically all day long. That said, this isn't my favorite of his albums and I'm not real sure why it's on the list (unless ALL of his albums are on the list). This one is more background music for me (except for Higher Ground, which is one of my all time favorites of his).
What is it about Stevie that something that could be boring is smooth instead? Too High done by a lesser hand would be a sleepy start. Instead, it is the smooth intro with a power lift (musically) in Living for the City. The lyrics and melodies blend in a great reminder of why it is called soul. Enjoyed.
Bastante groove, imposible no disfrutar de Stevie, pero un poco aburrido en algunas secciones
I haven't heard too much music from Stevie Wonder but have definitely heard his name, however I didn't really expect the sound from the album. I envisioned that Innervisions would have more of a saxophone jazz sound rather than the piano style jazz it has. (I may be confusing Stevie with Bleeding Gums Murphy from The Simpsons 🤦♀️(please don't crucify me!!)) Overall a solid album that has the smooth/funky sounds of soul and jazz that has a way of seamlessly working serious themes without being too in your face. Best: All In Love Is Fair Worst: He's Misstra Know-It-All
Mostly enjoyable. I can't really hate on Stevie; the man has some true classics and he's super talented, this is just a case where sometimes the songs don't quite work for me. Not a bad listen at all, I just didn't find it super compelling outside of a few very good tracks.
Interesting to hear Stevie Wonder sing in so many different ways. Also interesting that I actually knew the songs from different versions of the songs I have heard growing up. Favourite is Higher Ground.
This is quality music. I had no clue higher ground was stevies song, I thought it was the RH Chili Peppers honestly. That song went brazy! Though i do think this is quality stuff I will say I was a little tuned out for the first half of this album. Not like it was bad but just wasn't catching me until higher ground. 2nd half was pretty good! I would probably like this more on another listen. 6/10
Pretty funky and swaggy. Liked Living for the City, Higher Ground, All in Love is Fair. Probably up to a 4/5 if I spent some more time with it but I got z in my house to deal with
Deze Stevie was stukken beter te pruimen dan die van vorige week. Living for the City en Higher Ground zijn echt top tracks!
Apparently it's a pretty funky week. But in the surprise of the week, Thundercat's funk blows Little Stevie out of the water. "Higher Ground" is amazing, and "Living For the City" and "Golden Lady" (Betty White?) are pretty good too, and I was pleasantly surprised that "Too High" was actually about getting high. But the rest was just way too boring.
Another OK Stevie Wonder album. I really like Stevie's singles, but the album is a ton of filler. His Greatest Hits comp is really great though. 2/5
J'aurais voulu aimer plus cet album. La pochette est cool et Higher Ground est une bonne chanson qui groove pas mal. Je sais qu'on dit que les textes de l'album sont la force de cet album, mais la musique ne me parle pas. L'harmonica joué par un clavier est vraiment désagréable. La production est quand même bonne par contre, mais je crois qu'il y a d'autres albums de Stevie Wonder que j'aime plus dans leur ensemble. Je vais par contre probablement me risquer à le réécouter voir si je capte autre chose. Pièces préférées: Higher Ground, Living For The City, Too High, Jesus Children Of America