100 MOST ESSENTIAL STEVIE WONDER SONGS 
This post: #70-66. Continues in 2 days.

Caffè Lattè presents

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY

STEVIE WONDER

70

FINGERTIPS

(Parts 1 and 2)

1963

Motown label head Berry Gordy Jr. had been impressed with the young Stevie Wonder and quickly recognized his talent as a musician. Despite his obvious prowess, Little Stevie’s first singles had all missed the Billboard Hot 100. A recording of one of the boy’s live performances inspired Gordy to release “Fingertips”. Captured in a live context, the energy and skill of the teenaged musician was undeniable and contagious. Stevie had just turned 13 when the single was released. It shot to #1 on both the R&B and Pop charts.

69

ORDINARY PAIN

1976

This track from ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ has two moods. The first segment features background vocals from Stevie’s ex-wife Syreeta Wright, Deniece Williams and Minnie Riperton. The second part features Linda Lawrence, a one- time member of The Supremes. Michael Sembello performs lead guitar on the track. He would achieve success in his own right in 1983 with the #1 hit “Maniac” from the ‘Flashdance’ movie soundtrack.

68

THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

1985

When Dionne Warwick heard the Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager composition “That’s What Friends Are For”, she thought it would be a perfect duet for her to record with Stevie. Present at the recording was Elizabeth Taylor. It was decided that the single’s proceeds would be donated to A.I.D.S. research. Bacharach then added 2 more vocalists to the recording: Elton John and Gladys Knight. Released as Dionne & Friends, the song was nominated for the Record Of The Year Grammy. It did win in the Best Pop Performance By A Duo / Group With Vocal category. The single topped the American, Canadian and Australian charts.

67

HE’S MISSTRA KNOW -IT- ALL

1973

By the time Stevie was recording what would become his ‘Innervisions’ album, his songs had started dealing with politics. In the wake of Nixon and Watergate, tracks such as this reflected the times. The single was a Top 10 hit in the UK.

66

PLEASE DON’T GO

1974

The closing track from Stevie’s ‘Fulfillingness’ First Finale’ features The Persuasions, Shirley Brewer and Deniece Williams on background vocals.

THE TIME CAPSULE:
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE.
More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE TIME CAPSULE<<<

CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE

Barry White

1974

U.K. #8; U.S.A. #1

 

Trivia:

After reaching #1 with the Love Unlimited Orchestra's instrumental "Love's Theme", Barry White returned to the top in America with "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love". The single, written and produced by the singer, was the title track from his third studio album.

100 MOST ESSENTIAL STEVIE WONDER SONGS 
This post: #75-71. Continues tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè presents

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY

STEVIE WONDER

75

PASTIME PARADISE

1976

The ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ LP has had a profound impact on R&B since its release. This track was sampled for Coolio’s global hit “Gangsta’s Paradise” in 1995 from the film ‘Dangerous Minds’.

74

PEARL

1969

A track on ‘My Cherie Amour’. The album made #3 on the US R&B Chart as well as #34 Pop. In Britain, the LP peaked at #17.

73

IF IT’S MAGIC

1976

A ballad that remains simplistic throughout. This track on ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ features Stevie on vocals and harmonica accompanied by Dorothy Ashby on the harp.

72

EBONY AND IVORY

1982

 A duet recorded with Paul McCartney for his ‘Tug Of War’ album. The single reached #1 in America, Britain, Canada and many European countries.

 

71

JOY INSIDE MY TEARS

1976

This track on ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ features Susaye Greene on background vocals. She was a member of Stevie’s group Wonderlove as well as – for a brief time- one of The Supremes. She co-wrote “I Can’t Help It” from Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’ album with Stevie.

 

THE TIME CAPSULE:
CONGA.
More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE TIME CAPSULE<<<

CONGA

Miami Sound Machine

1985

U.S.A. #10

 

Trivia:

Singles such as "Dr. Beat" and "Conga" expanded the audience for the group Miami Sound Machine. These hits were aimed at the English-speaking territories. Both were produced by Emilio Estefan Jr., husband of lead singer Gloria Estefan.

100 MOST ESSENTIAL STEVIE WONDER SONGS 
This post: #80-76. Continues tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè presents

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY

STEVIE WONDER

80

JUNGLE FEVER

1991

Stevie created the soundtrack for the 1991 film ‘Jungle Fever’. The motion picture was written, produced and directed by Spike Lee.

79

RIBBON IN THE SKY

1982

Stevie approved Motown’s plan for a compilation album on the condition that he could add 4 new tracks. The ballad “Ribbon In The Sky” was one of the fresh songs and was later issued as a single.

78

LIGHT MY FIRE

1969

This was Stevie’s take on The Doors’ US #1 single from his ‘My Cherie Amour’ album.

 

77

FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART

2005

Parent album ‘A Time To Love’ was nominated in the Best R&B Album Grammy category the same year that this ballad featured on the disc was selected for the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Award.

76

FOR YOUR LOVE

1995

Lifted off ‘Conversation Peace’, this song won 2 Grammy statuettes: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.

 

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AFTER HOURS

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10 YOU'RE IN MY HEART Rod Stewart w/ the Royal Philharmonic Orch.  6 5

THE TIME CAPSULE:
RING OF FIRE
More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE TIME CAPSULE<<<

RING OF FIRE

Johnny Cash

1963

U.S.A. #17

Trivia:

Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire" fared even better on the US Country Chart where it reached #1.