Stevie Wonder’s “In Square Circle” [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Square_Circle] , was the second album I ever personally owned. I couldn’t have been older than 9, and I knew every inch of the album, sound for sound - word for word (The first album I owned was Thriller, but for the sake of this note we’ll start at number 2). For those vaguely familiar with Stevie’s work, the most notable song on this album is Overjoyed, followed by Part-time Lover. It was released the same year I was born, 1985, and was his 20th release.

I can remember listening to this album nightly as I fought off sleep. I would imagine videos to each song (with me in first person of course) acting out the words, and wooing some imaginary woman that found her way into the story (if not a real life crush that I wouldn’t dare speak to) . To be honest though..this album,while obviously having sentimental value to me, is far from my favorite Stevie wonder album- and most fans will agree it is from the lesser half of his career (if there actually is such a thing), but that is not really why I am writing this….

Anyone who’s listened to at least 4 Stevie wonder songs knows that Stevie’s subject matter doesn’t vary TOO much. Though his music HAS touched on poverty, politics, drug use, and even plant life…4 out of 5 Stevie songs are about “the laws of love”…. and who could blame him?

I’d imagine all the pens in the world would run out of ink were they ever to “take a stab” at defining love.

So here’s my point….

At age 9, I was listening- obsessively - to (not to mention memorizing) a 35 year old man’s thoughts on what he’d learned from/about love…nightly (and I’d imagine during the day- since my walkman was my favorite toy…well aside from this 10 dollar pink keyboard that my sister gave me after she didn’t want it no more lol)…. There was no way I could’ve completely understood the intricacies of romance at such a young age, but the SIMPLE TRUTHS of love are actually quite easy for a child to grasp. At 35, Stevie had nothing more to offer but the BASICS…straight to the point: ” love means…(fill in the blanks)”. And I believed Stevie. Dearly.

Now…

I place In Square Circle “in my hands” around age 9, but I was well familiar with Stevie’s voice by then…

Until, about 14 years of age (I’ll say 14, but I KNOW it really wasn’t until at least 8th/9th grade) , I didn’t really listen to contemporary music (or rather music of the 90’s)…Sure I heard the sounds of Jodeci and Mary j leak from under my sister’s bedroom door, and car trips didn’t exist without the radio, but my musical world early in life didn’t really go past my parents record collection…which didn’t go past the 70’s.

{Allow me to drive this point home…I was in 6th grade, if I’m not mistaken, when Biggie was shot…I went to Brookdale Christian academy and was one of 3 black kids in my classroom. The other two were girls, one of which was crying her eyes out when I came in that morning. I had no idea why and I don’t remember asking her why, but I’m positive I did. I don’t remember her explanation making much of a difference to me however. I’m sure I knew who biggie was back then, but I didn’t care…

(I suppose now, you would ask how do I know that was the day Biggie died…well it was 97 and something just tells me THAT was the day).

…here’s another one (again involving Biggie)…while still living in Washington D.C. I remember being at this girls house around the way. We couldn’t have been very old, and we were watching nickelodeon. Her friends run upstairs talking about a tape she HAS to see, so we go to her mom’s room and she pops it into the VCR…I didn’t realize it then (though I’m enough of a music nerd to look back and remember the scenes now) but it was Biggie’s “One more chance” video which had probably just came out. My friend and her friends were VERY excited. I went back to the other room to watch “Angels in the Outfield”…

(aint that some shit?)

}

Anyway so yeah…from the moment I was old enough to take a record out of a sleeve, until my last year in “Jr high”, I listened (and only listened) to: The Temptations, Isaac Hayes, The Supremes, The Chi-lites, Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson (of course), Minnie Riperton, Roberta Flack…and so on and so on.

More than anyone, however, I listened to Stevie.

I wish I could remember the first Stevie song I heard, but I can’t. My mother was/is a pretty big Stevie fan, so she had a good number of his records ( and from what I’ve learned my father was a Stevie fan too, but once he became a preacher- he did away with everything that reminded him of his former life, as most preachers tend to do. this included his record collection). Off top, these are the Stevie records I remember being available to me from an early age: Songs in the Key of Life; Signed, Sealed, Delivered; Innervisions; Fulfillingness’ First Finale; Hotter than July, The Secret Life of Plants…and a Christmas record- I believe - as well as Motown compilations and singles.

I remember being rather fond of Songs in the Key of Life and Fulfillingness First Finale. VERY early on. I’ve come to love all of these albums, and more, as I’ve grown, but those two stood out to the 5-6-7 year old me. When I listen to these albums now, I am blown away by what “truths”, again, I was privy to.

Things that were as true when Stevie wrote them, as they are (to me at least) now…and even if they weren’t “truths of love” Stevie always spoke with unabashed optimism about the world he faced and the love that would one day be his, as well as mine:

Here are some examples...

Very cool. I remember when I was about 8 or 9, I had the Greatest Hits 1 on tape. I knew the 60s stuff and played it every day. One day I found a recordable tape that simply said 'Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life' on it. No track listing, just a tape. It seemed to go on forever. I couldn't believe the sounds I was hearing. One song after another, amazing, diverse melodies. I cried when I listened to 'Another Star'. It seemed like a perfect album that just went on and on and on. 60s Stevie was awesome, but now there's all this stuff too? Been a huge fan ever since.

What do you guys think about Motown releasing the "Complete 1960s albums" boxsets in February and August?

Fauxie said:

...i'll still cry to that one on the right day

bboy87 said:

I heard about that. It'll be released through HIP-O SELECT, right?

Timmy84 said:

I dunno. I saw it on Motown50 and was like "nobody's talking about this?!"

SirPsycho said:

the ones that get me teary eyed on "songs" is "as", "pastime paradise", "knocks me off my feet", and"isn't she lovley". it's one thing 2 know that "lovley" was about his newborn daughter, but the harmonica just seems 2 stop all time...

diamondpearl1 said:

"If It's Magic" is the tearjerker.

The opening of Love's In Need is too beautiful

what did you guys think of A Time 2 Love?

SirPsycho said:

I personally think this is a great album. I think it's a little more consistent that "Conversation Peace" (which is a good album in it's own right). Some very beautiful ballads and some funky stuff ("Please Don't Hurt My Baby", "So What The Fuss") can be found on this album.

Although I consider his 70's stuff masterpieces, I often times find myself listening to "In Square Circle" and "Characters" all the time. I guess that's due to my love of 80's music. But yeah, Stevie is a freakin genius in every sense of the word. There is not ONE single Stevie Wonder album that I have heard that I dislike.

What do you guys think about "Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants"? (Which just may be my favorite Stevie album)

purpleworld said:

I can't believe you can have mad love for 'The Woman In Red' OST?

'Characters' is a very underrated album. 'Skeletons' is funky as hell, i found myself singing 'With Each Beat Of My Heart' in the shower just yesterday morning. 'Free', 'You Will Know, 'My Eyes Don't Cry..' all great songs.

I'm not really keen on 'Plants', honestly only listened to it a couple of times in all the time i've owned it. I've just put it on now tho, I even have a hard time getting thru 'Earths Creation' . Managed it! 'The First Garden' is on now. Very relaxing!

'Voyage to India'

I'm re-evaluating it.
[Edited 1/26/09 1:10am]

Marrk said:

"The Woman In Red" I haven't listen to all the way through, but I LOVE "Love Light In Flight" and "I Just Called To Say I Love You". But yeah, Plants just has some gems on it. "Power Flower" is perhaps one the most beautiful songs I've heard, plus I LOVE his falsetto on this song. And I rank "Send One Your Love" as his best ballad ever. It's so beautiful. "Black Orchid", the title track, and "Same Old Story" are some favorites too. From start to finish Plants is just a great album to me. A real masterpiece in it's own right. (Although I do agree with you that "Earth's Creation" is not that easy to get into, but it fits within the context of the documentary)

purpleworld said:

I've never seen the documentary, so it's a mystery to me. 'Power Flower' is on right now, damn. You're so right, it's a gem. i've neglected this album.

Marrk said:

The Documentary (which I saw for the first time last week) can be found on Google video (and on YouTube) Here's the link:

http://video.google.com/v...8977368381
[Edited 1/26/09 1:26am]
[Edited 1/26/09 1:27am]

purpleworld said:

Thanks!

Fauxie said:

...i'll still cry to that one on the right day

what did you guys think of A Time 2 Love?

SirPsycho said:

It's a very good,well-produced album.My only complaint is that there are too many ballads.They're good ballads,mind you,but I wish there was a little more uptempo funk on this album.

A blog I wrote...


i go on to quote several songs i found to be profound, and offer slight reviews of some of my favorite stevie albums...


the rest is here http://sahboog.wordpress....taught-me/


[Edited 1/25/09 19:41pm]
[Edited 1/25/09 19:51pm]

SoulAlive said:

I read somewhere that "Overjoyed" was originally going to be on this album, but he cut it from the album because he thought it didn't fit.

what did you guys think of A Time 2 Love?

purpleworld said:

You're mixing Time 2 Love with The Secret Life of Plants.