So I just got my first Stevie Wonder CD and I like it. It's interesting. I chose this one as I was hoping for a more 80's sound since that's what I love most. One thing, the song called I aint gonna stand for it is weird. Is it me or is it like a country funk rock song?? It's really cool.

One question, what is the electro funk sounding track that he made back in the 80's?? Does anyone know which track i'm referring to? Sorry I can't think of any more hints. Maybe it had an altered voice or something?? Which album is that from?

dancerella said:

I don't know whether to pity or envy you. I guess it's a little of both. Welcome to the World of Wonder! Musically, Stevie will change your life. Starting with Hotter Than July is an inspired (if unconventional) choice. That's far and away his best '80s album IMO. My guess for the song you want is "Skeletons" from Characters. It's funky! Speaking of funky, the '70s albums will blow your mind!

"I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" is my favorite track on HTJ (with apologies to "Master Blaster"). Country funk rock describes it rather nicely. The backing vocals by the Wilson brothers from the Gap Band are on point!

AlexdeParis said:

I know i'm a very late bloomer. Can you recommend another 80's style stevie wonder cd to check out?

By the way, I know the song "Skeletons" so that's not the one. The one i'm thinking of is from the early 80's and was very electro funk sounding. Damn, I wish I had more clues.

"Rocket Love" is my cut.

'Hotter than July' is my fav Stevie album. I put it ahead of 'Innerversions' and 'Talking Book' because it was the first Stevie album I owned and songs like 'Lately', 'All I do' and 'Master Blaster' are classics.

'Hotter than July' and 'Off the Wall' were the two albums of my teenage years that still continue to sound forever green.

Classic Stevie Wonder album and I would include it in my choices for one of the best albums ever made .

dancerella said:

You're stuck on this '80s thing, aren't you? Stevie was untouchable in the '70s! Anyway, here are his '80s albums:

1980: Hotter Than July - Easily the best of the bunch
1984: The Woman in Red [Soundtrack] - The hits were that song that will not be mentioned that is somehow his most successful single and the criminally underrated "Love Light in Flight"
1985: In Square Circle - Hit or miss, but some of the hits (like "Overjoyed") are outstanding
1987: Characters - The singles were "Skeletons," "You Will Know," and "Get It," one of his 2 duets with Michael Jackson that year

If you must pass up the 5 excellent albums he released in the '70s for another '80s albums, I'd suggest either of the last two.
[Edited 7/4/06 20:55pm]

That's really my favorite Stevie album, I dunno why. I love Ain't gonna Stand and the weird country-electro stuff throughout. And of course, "Did You Really Say You Love Me"
[Edited 7/4/06 21:14pm]

dancerella said:

The only other funky song I can think of from the early 80's would be That Girl (freakin LOVE that song) and Frontline. They are both on the Original Musical Aquarium Album, a best of Stevie in the 70's album.

CinisterCee said:

I feel like I'm in outer space when I hear Rocket Love. It's so out there yet so sensual at the same time. Woo I love that song! Oh, lets not forget All I Do. That song is FIYAH! Plus they are back to back too. And Lately is so beautiful. This is one of my favorite Stevie albums.
[Edited 7/4/06 21:43pm]
[Edited 7/4/06 21:44pm]

purplecam said:

Yep. All three of the new songs on the Musiquarium album are essential!

CinisterCee said:

Rocket Love, All I Do and As If You Read My Mind are my all time favs from that album.

AlexdeParis said:

They sure are. Oh your right it is called Musiquarium. That another one of my favs of his.

"Do Like You."


This disc came out when I was a kid (when discs were still called records and albums).

I always knew it was cool... I couldn't break it down technically, but I knew it was a cool record.

purplecam said:

Rocket Love gives me that feeling too.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

those are my favorite songs from the album,too

I also love "Ain't Gonna Stand For It".

It's my favorite Stevie Wonder album. My favorites are "Did I Hear You Say You Love Me" and "Do Like You". It's also the last great Stevie Wonder album.

DO I DO is the JAM !
Also on the Musiquarium album
In the clip you get treated by a trumpet-solo from Dizzy "saltpeanuts" Gillespie .

http://www.youtube.com/wa...0i%20do%20

http://www.youtube.com/wa...0i%20do%20




I once heard in a club a very openminded dj mixing As If You Read My Mind behind a soulful-house track . Dude tore the house up that nite . Ended up mixing & pitching-up George Benson's version of The World Is A Ghetto .... maayyn , the crowd TRIPPED !



http://www.youtube.com/wa...r%20ribbon

http://www.youtube.com/wa...r%20ribbon

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[Edited 7/5/06 11:30am]

That's a good one too. I would say that was his last really "great" song since the album was mostly greatest hits. Everything afterwards was kinda so-so.

100MPH said:

That's probably the song Dancerella was looking for. Either that, Love Light In Flight or That Girl.

vainandy said:

Nah, "Overjoyed" is great.

I have to say I'm a little surprised there are multiple people who consider Hotter Than July their favorite. It's a great album and all, but still...

Songs in the key of life, Stevie's best album.

Or maybe "Don't Drive Drunk".

AlexdeParis said:

I am most definitely stuck in the 80's!! I'm sure his stuff from the 70's is good but I just perfer synths and stuff like that. I'll check out the cds you recommended as well! Cheers!

vainandy said:

So far my faves are "did i hear you say you love me" and "i aint gonna stand for it". "master blaster" is also great too.

Yes, Hotter Than July (1980) was also the first Stevie album I owned. That album, along with Rick James (1981) - Street Songs, and Jermaine's - Let Get Serious (1980)were all the shit. Damn, Motown was still killing it in the early 80's...right before they faded out with the birth of rap music, LOL. Oh, amd Micheal's - Off The Wall (1979-1980) - Epic.

Those were the days when you played an album over and over unitl the record developed scrathes on them. The music was so creative (no sampling) and exciting that you literally just played the albums over and over. You didn't get tired of the music as quickly becasue you didn't have videos and the radio stations played so much of a variety (black and white artist got airplay on the same stations) that you didn't hear the same song every hour.

dancerella said:

Oh, is that all? You should've said something! Who do you think was trailblazing with synthesizers back in the '70s?! All of his '70s albums feature synths heavily.

AlexdeParis said:

yeah but i mean in that cheesy dated kind of way! i love that kind of shit!!

ThreadBare said:

Yeah, I was wondering if this song was gonna get it's props.

goat2004 said:

Yep, you forgot to add Ms. Ross and the Diana album. I was in love with her during this time, her and Donna Summer.