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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Insane to think that at this point Stevie Wonder was 11 years into his recording career, but only 23 years old. This album is an amazing work from an amazing artist, what else can I say?
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.
This is an album that is of the highest significance. Although less harmonious than the rest of the album, I credit Living for the City for helping me as a child to be sensitive that life was less fair for others than it was for me, and to realize how scary that must be. I think it is one of the most important songs of the 1970's. I personally have a very small collection of vinyls that I retain and this is one of them. All in Love is Fair is the lowest point for me, but it's still extremely good. Near perfect album.
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.
It's Stevie. Living For the City and Higher Ground are enough to earn the five stars.
Incredibly soulful and impressive. The passion and heatedness of the message he is trying to convey perfectly pairs with the funky music.
I’m not sure how I’ve managed to live my entire life never listening to an entire Stevie Wonder album, but that was the sad state of affairs until today. I absolutely love Innervisions. It’s soulful, sometimes jazzy style and fabulous synths were an instant love match. “Living For The City” was already one of my favorite Stevie songs. And I went in to this loving “Higher Ground,” “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing,” and “All In Love Is Fair.” So I already knew half the album. But the context the album provides elevates these great tracks further. So nice spending some quality time with Stevie Wonder. This album easily exceeded my high expectations.
Freaking finally! I've been waiting for this one. These songs are gorgeous, deep, and timeless. They help me celebrate the good times and help get me through the bad. Love it love it love it.
I am familiar with most of these tracks from compilation albums from Stevie. It is well worth the time to experience an album as originally intended. Love it!!
In 1973, this must have been light-years ahead of its time. Really an amazing album. 5/5.
One of my MANY favorite Stevie Wonder albums! I absolutely love every Stevie album from his 70s output. I think Golden Lady is my favorite from this album. I'd give this album a MILLION stars if I could!
Super chill, not as intense as Songs In The Key Of Life. 'Jesus children of America' is pretty badass. nice key changes. ;'don't you worry about a thing' sounds like sex and the city theme song ripped off the first bit
oh yes baby 🤭🤘🏼 → 1. golden lady 2. don’t you worry ‘bout a thing 3. he’s misstra know-it-all
C’est toujours spécial avec Stevie. Ça groove à mort, c’est harmoniquement très riche, les arrangement sont superbes, les mélodies aussi et les textes sont toujours en quète d’un monde meilleur, sans argne.
sorry my last review of Stevie Wonder (Fulfillingness’ First Finale) was pretty cringey I was fucking tired and while I really do love that album, I didn’t know how to put that love into words so what I said didn’t really make sense anyway, when I got this album, I listened to it a good 4-5 times in a row it’s criminally short but at least the songs have so much layer to them that upon each re-listen, I found myself noticing more and more genius subtleties behind the production anyway, I don’t know what else to say the Stevie Wonder trilogy (from this album to Songs in the Key of Life) is fucking incredible :)
Stevie is one of the most talented people in the world. He is a genius at writing and performing music. To create this entire masterpiece at 23 incredible. I’m in awe of how good Stevie Wonder is.
I liked this album a lot. I don't really know what else to say about it. It makes me excited to listen to more Stevie Wonder. My favourite songs were probably Visions and Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing.
My spotify tells me I like 6 of the 9 tracks already, so I think this goes into the echelon. True genius at the peak of his powers.
Never listened to it and now glad that I did. Might be one of the best albums I've ever heard. 5/5
Music of My Mind Talking Book this album Fulfillingness' First Finale Songs in the KoL Should all be on this list - so far this seems to be the case.. (3rd SW album generated until now)
Here is a collection of songs that were crafted by a master and performed perfectly. Stevie Wonder is clearly a singular talent as a singer, musician, songwriter and performer. What a voice! Drawing from gospel and soul, bringing the funk and the spirit, Stevie tells stories that resonate just as true and important today as they were fifty years ago when he wrote them.
The second of five albums from Stevie Wonder’s classic period, and an extraordinary piece work. These songs are incredibly polished and mature for someone so young.
All of the Stevie wonder singles that I’ve herd before tend to be the best of their time so I hope it’s the same in an album context… Well I wasn’t a massive fan of too high to be honest I get it’s appeal but it wasn’t really my kinda thing. Visions was beautiful and so tender definitely a massive step up in quality from the first song. Living for the city was the first song on the album that felt like a Stevie wonder song in the way that I know of him. It’s an amazing song though a proper groovy 7 minute opus with an awesomely tense bridge that is a true representation of how harsh the racism was at the time. The slamming piano starts off golden lady which eventually forms a funky piano groove it’s another great track. There’s a vortex of funk throughout higher ground an amazing track with brilliant lyrics to start off side two. Jesus children of American is also insanely funky but with a slightly deeper groove, towards the end of the track Stevie sounds like he’s fighting with those amazing backing singers. All in love is fair sounds like the climax of the album a brilliant dramatic sounding piano ballad with bohemian rhapsody esque piano playing. Don’t you worry bout a thing isn’t one of my favourites but there’s bits that I like for example the rather messy intro of Stevie speaking Spanish and the percussion on this is class. The album’s closer he’s misstra know it all is a brilliant closer certainly one of the more upbeat numbers on the album! I know the first track wasn’t to my tastes but the rest of it really was so I'll have to give it a 4.5/5 rounding up to a 5 as literally everything else was perfect!!!
From Wiki - "Some reviewers were less enthusiastic. Jon Tiven from Circus argued that there was a lack of memorable material on the album: "Just when Stevie had some momentum going, he went and put together a concept album of homogeneous music and rather typical lyrics. Unlike his last two albums, there are no real low spots on this album, which I suppose is an improvement, but there are no songs on Innervisions which are truly outstanding either. There's no 'Superstition,' no 'I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever).' By constructing a solid ground from which to work, Stevie has lowered the ceiling, and put a damper on his talents." No truly oustanding songs? Bet Jon feels silly now. Stevie was 22-23yo when he made this - astonishing!
I ultimately like Songs in the Key of Life better, but this is still so good. Such a calming voice.