Masterful, songwriter, musician and civil rights advocate, Stevie Wonder brought his 16th album ‘Innervisions’ into the world in August 1973. 50 years later it is still one of the most innovative albums that continues to influence artists across a myriad of genres.
With the first track ‘Jesus Children of America’ Wonder isn’t playing around. He sings of the Son of God, his mother Mary and one of the yogic practices of “transcendental meditation’ where in part you look into yourself through a series of mantras. Every stanza leads back to variations of the chorus ‘You better tell your story fast/And if you lie it will come to pass.’ It feels like a reiteration of being honest with yourself. All of Wonder’s references are not of people who will directly confront you on your lies, rather you have to have personal integrity. Lying means you’re not being faithful to your beliefs. In essence, ‘are you standing for everything you talk about?’ The tempo and meditative rhythm of the song seem as if Wonder speaks to the self and the listener. Bringing back the refrain that reverberates at the last line of the chorus that is repeated three to four times, just like a mantra, ‘it will come to pass.’
Another evergreen song that is remembered from ‘Innervisions’ is ‘All in Love is Fair.’ For some it might be best known for the love story of Anna Devane and Robert Scorpio from the soap opera ‘General Hospital.’ Former WSB, World Security Bureau spies, the two were torn apart partly due to their boss Sean Donely who told Robert she was dead. In actuality Anna was a double agent and when she came back into Robert’s life, as penance she wore a fake scar. She also had his daughter Robin and was raising her as if she wasn’t her mother to keep her safe from her enemies. Through the discovery of Sean’s betrayal and other times when the truth was revealed that song would play on the show. It set the tone of the loss and regret both felt where ‘two people vow to stay in love as one they say/But all has changed with time.’ Self-contained ‘All in Love is Fair’ is brilliant. As part of arguably the one of the first concept albums where Wonder battled with owner of Motown Berry Gordy for control over creativity, it’s revolutionary.
‘Innervisions’ shows that an album can contain love songs, well-crafted arrangements regarding social justice issues such as ‘Living For The City,’ self-actualization and catchy tunes where Wonder uses playful intensity like ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’ and ‘Higher Ground.’ We can see those personal interpretations in ‘All in Love is Fair’ where it can be perceived as a song of loss. It could be between a parent and child, lovers, or mourning the loss of your formal self.
Any way you choose to embrace the message of ‘Innervisions’ it will stay with you reaching out as far back as 1973 to grip onto you today.
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