A To Z Challenge, Music Blog

That’s Entertainment – Letter W

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Welcome back to “That’s Entertainment!” –
The A To Z Challenge.
I hope you enjoy my musical selections.
Let’s see what’s up today!

© NAR
Artwork by Ernest Federspiel

STEVIE WONDER – One of the single most important and consistent of contemporary artists, Stevie Wonder showed a very early interest in music. Although blind from shortly after birth, by the age of eight he was proficient on the piano, harmonica, drums and bongos. Born Steveland Hardaway Morris Judkins in Saginaw, MI in 1950, Stevie was 6 weeks premature …. a condition that, along with the oxygen-rich atmosphere in the hospital incubator, resulted in retinopathy of prematurity, a disease that aborts eye growth and often causes the retinas to detach, which left him blind. When Stevie was 4 years old, his mother divorced his father and moved with her three children to Detroit where Stevie sang in church. At age 10, Stevie sang his own composition, “Lonely Boy“, to family friend Ronald White, one of the Miracles. White then took Stevie and his mother to an audition at Motown where CEO Berry Gordy signed him to Motown’s Tamla label. Before signing, producer Clarence Paul gave Stevie the name ‘Little Stevie Wonder’. Because of Wonder’s age, the label drew up a rolling five-year contract in which royalties would be held in trust until he was 21. He and his mother would be paid a weekly stipend to cover their expenses: Wonder received $2.50 (equivalent to $26.31 in 2024) per week, and a private tutor was provided when Wonder was on tour. A period of grooming at Motown followed, during which time Stevie released several moderately successful singles. Wonder gained experience in live work on Motown’s touring revues, quickly winning a reputation as an exciting vocal/instrumental act. By the end of the 60s, Stevie was becoming somewhat restless within the confines of the Motown family; he was already producing other artists and felt capable of taking full control of his career. This newfound freedom prompted a professional leap for Stevie Wonder and he was off and running. In 1973, Stevie quickly threw together a piece meant as a demo for Jeff Beck, but it soon became apparent that Stevie was going to have to keep it for himself …. the track was just too damn good. And it got even better when Stevie sang the sharpest-edged lyric of his career: “When you believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer …. Superstition ain’t the way.” The song, of course, was “Superstition”; Stevie Wonder had turned the corner for good and there was no looking back. “Superstition” reached #1 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in January 1973. Rolling Stone ranked the song #12 on its 2021 list of the 500 Greatest Hist of All Time. At the 16th Grammy Awards, the song earned Wonder two Grammys: Best Rhythm & Blues Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.  In 1998, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It’s been some 60 years since those Motown days and Stevie Wonder is still wowing audiences with his unparalleled talent and artistry. Wonder is one of the most notable popular music figures of the second half of the 20th century and one of the most successful songwriters and musicians. Stevie Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. He is one of only four artists and/or groups who have won the Grammy for Album of the Year three times as the main credited artist, along with Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, and Taylor Swift. Stevie Wonder has received far too many awards and accolades to list here; for a full listing of his recordings, awards and many achievements, you may click HERE.

This is “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder


Please join me again Monday for more of “That’s Entertainment” and the A To Z Challenge!

I’m Nancy and I’ll see you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2025

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48 thoughts on “That’s Entertainment – Letter W”

  6. Such a great pick, Nancy, at least in my book. I love Stevie Wonder and have always dug “Superstition.” I still recall initially I mistook Wonder’s Clavinet for an electric guitar. And that drums part…so good! Though Jeff Beck wasn’t too happy Wonder put out his version of the song before Beck did – welcome to the music business! That said, I also enjoy Beck’s version from “Beck, Bogert & Appice.” It’s also good the two artists worked out the resulting strain in their relationship.

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    1. That Clavinet is such a cool instrument! Even though it’s a keyboard, the sound is produced by striking a metal fret against a string …. not unlike a guitar. It’s designed to resemble a Renaissance-era clavichord.

      I have to say, after hearing Stevie’s “Superstition”, the version by BBA paled in comparison.

      Here’s something you’ll enjoy, Christian. Check this out, from Live 8 in 2005.

      Thanks for your comments, Christian.

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    1. It may not be the popular thing to say but Stevie Wonder was blessed with God-given talents and abilities. He was further blessed with the knowledge of how to take those talents and create something magnificent with them. He is a giant among musical artists and has earned his place of honor as one of the greatest performers the world has ever known.

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    1. I get where you’re coming from, Jim, but it’s a bit more involved than that. Stevie Wonder was given that name for a reason; he is nothing short of a wonder! He was born blessed with more God-given musical talents and abilities than most people will ever learn in a lifetime. Were you born with those same talents?
      Yes, he was blind and that is very regrettable; still, one cannot say that stood in his way. Stevie Wonder was far from disadvantaged. His life has been a fortunate one with many golden opportunities because of his abilities which opened many doors for him.
      Comparing your life to Stevie Wonder’s is like comparing apples and baseballs. It doesn’t compute.
      Besides, I’d like to see Stevie Wonder manage a WordPress site with your ease, know-how and finesse!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Ernie, and sharing your thoughts. Thanks again for the impressive artwork you did on my logo; it’s been great seeing it every day! You’re a terrific and talented guy and I’m blessed to know you. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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      1. I can imagine! I admire you for taking this on, as it must have been hard to make the choices for each letter, let alone which song to play. You can’t really go wrong with Stevie, though.

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