100 SONGS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING. This post: LIVING FOR THE CITY. Continues tomorrow.
Caffè Lattè pays tribute to 100 songs that innovated, changed the rules, defied convention and had a significant impact on the evolution of pop and rock music, presented in chronological order…
Check out the playlist on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1j1WNc1Txp4Loh4txnqu7S?si=01aa2a187ada4e3d
100 SONGS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
1973
💥49 Living For The City
Stevie Wonder
At
the start of the 1970s, the adult Stevie Wonder negotiated an unprecedented
lucrative contract with Motown Records. The new deal gave him more creative
control over his catalogue. This triggered the start of a new phase in his
career. ‘Music Of My Mind’ and ‘Talking Book’ revealed a more mature and
competent musician. Follow-up album ‘Innervisions’ saw the then 23year-old
singer/ songwriter venture even further in his growth. “Living For The City” built
on recent tracks such as “Superstition”, “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and “Superwoman
(Where Were You When I Needed You)”. Encouraged by the critical and commercial
success of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ LP and the popularity of blaxploitation
films, “Living For The City” plays out like a movie. The track runs for over 7
minutes and takes social commentary to a new level. It introduces us to the
protagonist, growing up in a household where everyday living is a struggle.
Discrimination is cited as an impediment for progress and employment. The
scenario changes as the protagonist takes a bus to New York City. Actual street
sounds are incorporated into the track. Racist police officers mistakenly
arrest the protagonist and he is convicted. His incarceration is announced with
the phrase: “in that cell nigger”. Wonder pulls no punches, warning us
that “if we don’t change, the world will soon be over”. He performed all
of the instruments on the track. Wonder recruited others to play the other
characters, including his brother and attorney. Special credit must also go to the
duo consisting of Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff. They contributed immensely
to Wonder’s classic albums of this period which continued with ‘Fulfillingness’
First Finale’ and ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’.
1973- Time
Soul Makossa
1972- I Am Woman
1971- American Pie
Imagine
Theme From ‘Shaft’
What’s Going On
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
1969- Whole Lotta Love
1968- Helter Skelter
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Folsom Prison Blues Live
1967- Sunshine Of Your Love
A Day In The Life
Respect
Light My Fire
Venus In Furs
Strawberry Fields Forever
1966- Good Vibrations
Tomorrow Never Knows
Eight Miles High
1965- The Sounds Of Silence
My Generation
Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)
1964- You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
You Really Got Me
The House Of The Rising Sun
Where Did Our Love Go
1963- I Want To Hold Your Hand
Blowin’ In The Wind
Be My Baby
1962- Misirlou
1961- Crazy
1960- The Twist
Cathy’s Clown
1959- There Goes My Baby
What’d I Say
(Parts 1 & 2)
1957- Great Balls Of Fire
Jailhouse Rock
You Send Me
That’ll Be The Day
1955- Tutti Frutti
Maybellene
1955- Rock Around The Clock
1954- That’s All Right Mama
1951- Rocket 88
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