Superstition (4:26)
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“Superstition” is a popular song written, produced, arranged, and performed by Stevie Wonder for Motown Records in 1972, when Wonder was twenty-two years old. It was included on Wonder’s Talking Book album and released as a single in many countries. It reached number one in the USA, and number eleven in the UK, in February 1973.
Wonder had actually written this song for Jeff Beck, but at the insistence of his own manager, Wonder himself recorded it first. Beck was instead offered “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers”, which he recorded for 1975’s Blow by Blow. Jeff Beck played guitar on Talking Book and later recorded his own version of “Superstition” with Beck, Bogert & Appice.
Wonder’s music had been undergoing a marked change from his earlier Motown pop to a more personal style. This shift had been evident on his two prior albums, but it was Talking Book, and “Superstition” in particular that brought the new style to the awareness of the public in general.
The song deals with superstitions, and mentions several popular fables in its lyrics.
“Superstition” is immediately recognizable for its opening drum beat, which was performed by Wonder, and for its notably funky clavinet riff. The song also heavily features brass instruments and saxophones, notably a trumpet lead by Trevor Laurence, and the electronic Arp and Moog synthesizer sounds that Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff helped to create for the album.
Wonder had actually written this song for Jeff Beck, but at the insistence of his own manager, Wonder himself recorded it first. Beck was instead offered “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers”, which he recorded for 1975’s Blow by Blow. Jeff Beck played guitar on Talking Book and later recorded his own version of “Superstition” with Beck, Bogert & Appice.
Wonder’s music had been undergoing a marked change from his earlier Motown pop to a more personal style. This shift had been evident on his two prior albums, but it was Talking Book, and “Superstition” in particular that brought the new style to the awareness of the public in general.
The song deals with superstitions, and mentions several popular fables in its lyrics.
“Superstition” is immediately recognizable for its opening drum beat, which was performed by Wonder, and for its notably funky clavinet riff. The song also heavily features brass instruments and saxophones, notably a trumpet lead by Trevor Laurence, and the electronic Arp and Moog synthesizer sounds that Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff helped to create for the album.
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Stevie Wonder in the studio 1973 [Superstition]
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Shouts
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homzpanda wrote:
The greatest single riff of the entire pop music era... here electronica was born.
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DaniielJones wrote:
quality
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Salt_The_Fries wrote:
Shame Bennings didn't like it :< Maybe that's why he got assimilated in the end...
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Salt_The_Fries wrote:
V- Dat song dope. Haha, and I always think of The Thing as well.
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LOL_FFX_FANBOYS wrote:
Whenever I hear this I always think of The Thing.
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rockandrollsuzi wrote:
Truly great song!
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sionborg wrote:
Great Song !!!
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rubisdad wrote:
Watch the 25th aniv. concert for the rock and roll hall of fame the other night. As always Stevie tore the house down. I am so glad he decided to record this other then give it to Jeff Beck.
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Franc20 wrote:
Classic Stevie! Much Love!
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OneGunHero wrote:
This is such a great song. So AMAZING
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yearn_x wrote:
I think i was about 14 yrs old when i first encountered this funky stuff and without knowing who was the author of this incredible masterpiece i ran around all the recordstores in my area. couple o yers later i fell over it as a 45rpm-single outside a store as a sellout-piece of vinyl. from then i was infected. and it lasts up to these days. it keeps on working...
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timothyjamaal wrote:
Very superstitious Writing's on the wall Very superstitious Letter's bout to fall Thirteenth month of maybe Broken looking glass Seven years of bad luck The good things in your past When you believe in things That you don't understand And you suffer Superstition ain't the way! Very superstitious Wash your face and hands Let me go of the problem Do all that you can Keep me in a daydream Keep me going strong You don't want no saving Sad is my song When you believe in things You don't understand And you suffer Superstition ain't the way! Very superstitious Nothing more to say Very superstitious The devil's on his way Thirteenth month of maybe Broken looking glass Seven years of bad luck The good things in your past (mm-hmm) When you believe in things That you don't understand And you suffer Superstition ain't the way! Nah nah nah!
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ryu224 wrote:
I love this song
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ruskypride wrote:
I didn't even know he was the artist to this song, his voice is so young here.
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hollyjollybean wrote:
da best song ever
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neovant wrote:
Classic!
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minimalhellyea wrote:
hellyeaaaaaaaaaaaa stevieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee >>> :D
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Skinz808 wrote:
Tune!!!! Have you seen stevie Wonders girlfriend?...... He hasn't either
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pjotrligthart wrote:
"Superstition ain't the way~"
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Turner_Ound wrote:
the blind man can play good!! The Very Best!!
Stevie Wonder
Superstition
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