| American Songbook |
|
| #17 "Higher Ground" | Lyrics and Song: Stevie Wonder 1973 |
As the 'Folk Rock" launched by Bob Dylan carried through the turbulent late 60s and early 70s other genre or spin offs emerged. R&B and Motown continued but evolved into funk and funkadelic combining electric layers, driving beats and synthesizers. Stevie Wonder (Steveland Hardaway Judkins) born in Saginaw, MI in 1950 was blind from birth but was a musical prodigy. As Little Stevie Wonder, age 13 he hit the Motown scene "Fingertips (Pt.2)" in 1963. Later he dropped the 'Little' and continued to produce hits. Stevie Wonder experimented with many genres including soul, rock, jazz, and electronic synthesizers. He produced more hits in the seventies, but parted from Motown due to a lack of control. In 1972 he began a sequence of five albums, considered his classics.
| Album | Year | Notes/Songs |
| "Music of My Mind" | Mar 1972 | |
| "Talking Book" | Oct 1972 | "Superstition" #1;"You Are The Sunshine of My Life" |
| "Innervisions" | Aug 1973 | ""Higher Ground"; "Living For The City" |
| "Fulfillingness' First Finale" | July 1974 | "You Haven't Done Nothing'"; Boogie On Reggae Woman" |
| " Songs In the Key of Life" | Sep 1976 | "Sir Duke"; "I Wish"; "Isn't She Lovely"; "Love's In Need of Love Today" |
"Higher Ground " in his "Innervisions" album
deals with the possibilities of religion against the
dark side of human nature. Wonder plays all of the tracks including the drum
machine and Moog synthesizer. Stevie Wonder continues to produce and often
collaborates with other musicians. The Red Hot Chili Peppers did a video cover
of "Higher Ground".
People keep on learnin'
Soldiers keep on warrin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
Powers keep on lyin'
While your people keep on dyin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach the highest ground
Teachers keep on teachin'
Preachers keep on preachin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
Oh no
Lovers keep on lovin'
Believers keep on believin'
Sleepers just stop sleepin'
Cause it won't be too long
Oh no
I'm so glad that he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground...Whew!
Till I reach my highest ground
No one's gonna bring me down
Oh no
Till I reach my highest ground
Don't you let nobody bring you down (they'll sho 'nuff try)
God is gonna show you higher ground
He's the only friend you have around