THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

205-Stevie Wonder-Superstition.

1973-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 0-11. Over the years I have heard many bands at Wedding functions totally murder this song, but thankfully it hasn’t affected the way I still think about it.

‘Superstition’ was the first of two singles released from Stevie Wonder’s 15th studio Album ‘Talking Book’ from 1972, Wonder chose the Albums title because he considered each song to be akin to a chapter in a book, that is part of a whole story. The front cover of the Albums sleeve shows a rare picture of Stevie without his trademark sunglasses on. ‘Superstition’ gave Stevie Wonder his second Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 single in America, his first since ‘Fingertips Pt 2’ in 1963. The Albums follow up single ‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life,’ would also go on to hit the Number 1 spot.

Stevie Wonder (see also best songs 920-843-834-682-570-503-366-152 and 65) is not only capable of writing and producing his own songs, he can also play any musical instrument he requires. On his Albums from the 1970’s onwards Motown records gave him the freedom to write and release music at his own discretion, on ‘Superstition’ Wonder played all the instruments, with the exception of the saxophone, played by Trevor Laurence, and the trumpet played by Steve Madaio. If an artist who Stevie Wonder admired was available he would invite them to the recording studio, and in 1972 the English guitarist Jeff Beck (see also best songs 361) who was an admirer of Wonder met with him at the start of the recording sessions for ‘Talking Book.’ It was Jeff Beck who came up with the iconic opening drumbeat for ‘Superstition,’ which Wonder then improvised on. Jeff Beck planned to release ‘Superstition’ himself as a single with his new band ‘Beck, Bogert & Appice,’ but Motown supremo Berry Gordy heard the song, and he convinced Stevie to rush release his version immediately, as he felt it had Number 1 potential.

In ‘Superstition’ Stevie Wonder tells us not to waste our time and energy worrying about things that there is no proof exist. For example some people refuse to walk under ladders, as they think that if they do then something bad will happen to them. Some people think that breaking glass will cause seven years of bad luck, and some think the number 13 is also unlucky. Whether or not Stevie Wonder also includes religion in these statements is unclear.

‘Very superstitious, writings on the wall, very superstitious, ladders bout’ to fall. Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin’ glass, seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past. When you believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer superstition ain’t the way.’