Three YouTube Examples Of Stevie Wonder Performing His Song "Higher Ground" In 1974, 1995, & 2026

Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground (1974)

Musikladen, Oct 20, 2020  BREMEN

...Stevland Hardaway Morris (né Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the second half of the 20th century, Wonder is one of the most successful songwriters and musicians. A virtual one-man band, his use of synthesizers and further electronic musical instruments during the 1970s reshaped the conventions of R&B. He also helped drive the genre into the album era, crafting his LPs as cohesive, consistent socially conscious statements with complex compositions. Wonder is often hailed as a "genius", and has been credited as a pioneer and influence to musicians of various genres including rhythm and blues, pop, soul, gospel, funk and jazz.

Blind since shortly after his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy known as Little Stevie Wonder, leading him to sign with Motown's Tamla label at the age of 11. In 1963, the single "Fingertips" was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when Wonder was 13, making him the youngest artist ever to top the chart. Wonder's critical success was at its peak in the 1970s. His "classic period" began in 1972 with the releases of Music of My Mind and Talking Book, the latter featuring "Superstition", which is one of the most distinctive and famous examples of the sound of the Hohner Clavinet keyboard. His works Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976) all won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making him the tied-record holder for the most Album of the Year wins, with three. He is also the only artist to have won the award with three consecutive album releases.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1_uU9eIZRo

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases three YouTube videos of Rhythm & Blues superstar Stevie Wonder performing his song "Higher Ground". That song was first released in 1973.

This post also includes the lyrics for that song.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Stevie Wonder for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this pancocojams post.
 
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LYRICS- HIGHER GROUND

[Verse 1]

People, keep on learning

Soldiers, keep on warring

World, keep on turning

'Cause it won't be too long

 

[Verse 2]

Powers keep on lying

While your people keep on dying

World keep on turning

'Cause it won't be too long

 

[Chorus]

I'm so darn glad He let me try it again

'Cause my last time on Earth, I lived a whole world of sin

I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then

Going to keep on trying

'Til I reach my highest ground

 

[Verse 3]

Teachers, keep on teaching

Preachers, keep on preaching

World, keep on turning

'Cause it won't be too long

Oh no

 

[Verse 4]

Lovers, keep on loving

Believers, keep on believing

Sleepers, just stop sleeping

'Cause it won't be too long

Oh no

 

[Chorus]
I'm so glad that He let me try it again

'Cause my last time on Earth, I lived a whole world of sin

I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then

Going to keep on trying

'Til I reach my highest ground

Woo

[Outro]

'Til I reach my highest ground

No one's gonna bring me down

Oh no

'Til I reach my highest ground

Don't you let nobody bring you down (They'll sho' 'nuff try)

God is gonna show you highest ground

He's the only friend you'll have around

'Cause the rest of the world will bring you down

https://genius.com/Stevie-wonder-higher-ground-lyrics

This song was first released in 1973.

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INFORMATION ABOUT STEVIE WONDER'S SONG "HIGHER GROUND"
by MichaelBrian and MCSMeister, 2017
From https://genius.com/Stevie-wonder-higher-ground-lyrics
"Despite some misconceptions, “Higher Ground” was released before Stevie Wonder’s near-fatal car accident. However, one could be forgiven for this mistake: in the song, Wonder speaks of his gratitude for being given another shot at life.

Though raised a Christian, Wonder has spoken of the benefits of other religious practices as well (i.e. transcendental meditation). Here his message is reminiscent of the Buddhist concepts of the Samsara (the endless cycle of errors around him), Karma (his desire to improve the world), and an eventual Nirvana (the highest of spiritual grounds).'

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SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLE  #2 - Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground (Live in London, 1995)

arXter, Dec 30, 2008

Stevie gives a rare studio concert at London's Teddington Studios following the release of his 'Conversation Peace' album. A sensual ride for an intimate audience of less than 200 fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws86GIm_jS0

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SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLE #3 - WATCH: Stevie Wonder sings 'Higher Ground' with Jennifer Hudson, Common, John Legend 

ABC 7 Chicago, Jun 18, 2026

Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, Common, John Legend, Eddie Vedder joined Steve Wonder for a special rendition of 'Higher Ground' at the grand opening show for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DaQyvBRqL8

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Stevie Wonder's 1967 Song "I Was Made To Love Her" & The Curtis Family C-Notes' Rendition Of That Song (on June 2021 America Got Talent Contestants)

Weedy Weed Smoker, Nov 24, 2017

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America's Got Talent 2021 The Curtis Family C-Notes Full Performance & Story Auditions Week 2 S16E02

Talent KingHD, June 8, 2021

-snip-
The song begins at 2:41 in this video.

This video has a total of 15,451 as of  July 14, 2021 at 11:04 AM ET.

Another video of this performance can be found at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inI4alL3J-g&ab_channel=America%27sGotTalent . That video has 1,885,985 as of 11:07 AM ET.This family band brought the house down with an incredible rendition of "I Was Made to Love Her."

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases Stevie Wonder's 1967 rendition of his hit song "I Was Made To Love Her" as well as a June 2021 rendition of that song by The Curtis Family C-notes, contestants on America's Got Talent. 

Information about and lyrics for "I Was Made To Love Her" are also included in this post along with a few comments from the discussion thread for that America's Got Talent video.

This post also includes biographical information about The Curtis Family C-notes.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entetainment, and aesthetic purposes.

I'm particularly interested in documenting the large afro hairstyles and 1970s clothing styles that are worn by The Curtis Family C Notes in 2021 as well as the discussion thread comments about those styles and which older groups The Curtis Family C-Notes remind people of.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Stevie Wonder for his musical legacy. Thanks to The Curtis Family C-notes for their musical performance. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of this videos on YouTube.   

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Was_Made_to_Love_Her_(song)
" "I Was Made to Love Her" is a soul music song recorded by American musician Stevie Wonder for Motown's Tamla label in 1967. The song was written by Wonder, his mother Lula Mae Hardaway, Sylvia Moy, and producer Henry Cosby and included on Wonder's 1967 album I Was Made to Love Her.

Released as a single, "I Was Made to Love Her" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in July 1967. The song was held out of the top spot by "Light My Fire" by the Doors and spent four non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in the United States.[1] The song reached No. 5 in the UK, Wonder's first top ten hit in that country.[2]

When asked in a 1968 interview which of his songs stood out in his mind, Wonder answered "'I Was Made to Love Her' because it's a true song".[3] The last lyric line "You know Stevie ain't gonna leave her" was ad libbed by Wonder."...

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LYRICS: I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER

(Writers: Lula Mae Hardaway, Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy)

I was born in Lil' Rock,
Had a childhood sweetheart,
We were always hand in hand.

I was hightop shoes and shirt tails,
Suzy was in pig tails,
I know I loved her even then.

You know my papa disapproved it,
My mama boohooed it,
But I told them time and time again,
"Don't you know I was made to love her,
Built a world all around her"
Yah! Hey, hey, hey.

She's been my inspiration,
Showed appreciation
For the love I gave her through the years.

Like a sweet magnolia tree
My love blossomed tenderly,
My life grew sweeter through the years.

I know that my baby loves me,
My baby needs me,
That's why we made it through the years.

I was made to love her,
Worship and adore her,
Hey, hey, hey.

All through thick and thin
Our love just won't end,
'Cause I love my baby, love my baby. Ah!

My baby loves me,
My baby needs me,
And I know I ain't going nowhere.

I was knee high to a chicken
When that love bug bit me,
I had the fever with each passing year.

Oh, even if the mountain tumbles,
If this whole world crumbles,
By her side I'll still be standing there.

'Cause I was made to love her,
I was made to live for her, yeah!
Ah, I was made to love her,
Built my world all around her,
Hey, hey, hey.
Oo baby, I was made to please her,
You know Stevie ain't gonna leave her, no,
Hey, hey, hey.

Oo wee baby, my baby loves me,
My baby needs me,
Hey, hey, hey.
OO my baby loves me....

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BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CURTIS FAMILY C-NOTES
From www.thecurtisfamilycnotes.com
"The Curtis Family C-notes, a musical band and vocal group... the band members are Maestro, his wife and their 5 children! "Papa C.", Maestro Curtis, "Mama C.", Nola Curits, Zahara (14) vocals, guitar/ukulele and violin, Nile (13) vocals, electric bass and cello (Zahara and Nile are 362 days apart, "Irish twins"), Isis (12) vocals, drums, percussions, Kiki (10) vocals, electric guitar/ukulele, and Phoenix (8) vocals and piano.

 In the tradition of family bands such as the Jackson 5, the Partridge Family, the Sylvers, the Carpenters, The The Curtis Family C-notes perform as a band and a vocal group, from songs by the Mills Brothers and the Andrews Sisters, to Jefferson Airplane, Sly & the Family Stone and the Hawkins Singers, as well as original compositions.  Mama and Papa C. aspire for their children to enter into the sciences because music is a way of life, music is everyone's birthright it is also a fun way to, teach mathematical relationships, develop critical thinking skills, teach the children to work as a group and independently.  With all of that said, the C-note children are proving to be skilled musicians, vocalists and entertainers and their parents are overwhelmingly proud."...

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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THE CURTIS FAMILY C-NOTES ON AMERICA'S GOT TALENT 
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inI4alL3J-g&ab_channel=America%27sGotTalent

(All these comments are from June to July 14, 2021. The comments are given in relative chronological order except for replies. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)

1. Rex Racer
"Hello, this is 1973 calling, and I’m diggin’ it, baby!"
-snip-
This comment was written in italics in this discussion.

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2. Jill Dymond
"This Curtis group was entertaining, a remembrance of the way we were. Fantastic 🎤🎙🎧🎹👍🙏🥰"

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3. Odd team of the Undertaker, Mumkhar, and Ron Paul
"Once I heard the dad say the 50s-70s were the golden age of music, I knew this act would be amazing."

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4. Jacob McCain
"This was so funky, so soulful, this is what we need, a new age Jackson five! They just sang their faces off! Can I just stop by their house for lit jam sessions😂"

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5. Johny-OlSkool ™
"This was sooooo Awesome! I loved every aspect of this!!! The Family spirit, the clothes, the mind set, and OMG the Music!!!!

Thank You so much Curtis Family C-notes! ❤️

 The World needs more of this!!!🙌🏻

 I pray you guys win!  🙏🏻"

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6. Carolyn Huff
"The Curtis Family rocked the house! They're amazing!"

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7.  Mimo Muiruri
"The hair, the hair,, the hair. ♥

..they are also very very talented.

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8. Amanda Ihara
"oh gosh this group passed me some jackson 5 vibes but guess what they have their own little twist but still they made me so nostalgic oof"

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9. Thomas Webber
"OMG!!! I love this Family!!! They remind me of the Jackson 5 , but with Parents!!! Moma's got some pipes on her , and they all  sound Great!!! Total Respect for the Father!!! As far as I'm concerned ,they should have got the Golden Buzzer , that's my Opinion!!!"

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10. justine swan
"Amazing! Not only the music, but the love, and good vibes that they radiate!! We need more of this in our world today!! "

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11. OICU812
"They're like a cross between the Jackson 5 and the Partridge Family singing Stevie Wonder..."

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12. Chris Lucas
"We finally got the next generation Jackson 5 group 💁🏾‍♂"

*️*
13. Cecilia Rauth
"The Jackson 5 all over again, but with parents.  They all sound great, but that mama can really sing!👍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰👏👏👏

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Reply
14, battle rap reactions
"The little  one can to"

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15. June Berry
"As soon as I saw your outfits and hair I was hooked. I couldn't wait to see your performance. You didn't disappoint me! You guys were awesome!!!! 💜

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Reply
16. The Curtis Family C-notes
"@June Berry  thank you! Papa C is our stylist and the children were blessed by the Hair Gods 😁😊🙏🏽💜"

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Reply
17. Wizzy's Lounge TITAURE
"You are a breath of fresh air. Live from Zimbabwe... Africa. You colours are just earthy. Go family. Amazing vibes"

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Reply
18. The Curtis Family C-notes
" @Wizzy's Lounge TITAURE  thank you so much! Wow! Zimbabwe!"

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19, Jay Gordon
"Like the Jacksons, the Cowsills, and Partridge family rolled up into one, with a touch of Sly and the Family Stone."

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20. Aaron Bierman
"I studied and worked at the music school in SF where Nola and Maestro teach (and where the kids take lessons). Wonderful family and they are such a joy to be around!"

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Reply
21. The Curtis Family C-notes
"Thanks Aaron! CMC represent! We miss you at CMC! 🙏🏽 best of luck bro!"

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22. LifeOfEmmy
"Man I would go see them in concert in a heartbeat!!"

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Reply
23. Eira Zea
"Yesssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!! 😍🥰"

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24. Eddie Jones
"I started following this family on Instagram about six months ago and I can tell you they are amazing musicians and singers. All the kids play multiple instruments. I am rooting for them and Good luck."

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25. Dee Moe
"Earth, Wind & Fire “Family style” I love this wonderful musical family. They could open for any headliner on tour."

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26. Sammy Spaniel
"The dad plays every instrument and taught the kids. He's a musical genius."

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27. Mary Mary
"I miss when everyone dressed like this. So much color and fashion!"

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Reply
28. Cheryl McKinney
"I do!!! I wear natural Afro and I walk around with a huge Afro!!!! But let me tell you, it’s a lot of work with the fro😂😂😂😂😂"

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Reply
 29. Jackie Maldonado
"@Cheryl McKinney  I would kill to have hair like that 😱😍"

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Reply
30. Peggy Smyth
"And the awesome afros."

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31. Nathaniel
"I always knew Zahara was talented. Go middle school bestie 🔥"

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Reply
32. Lowkey BTS
"Zahara says hi, I'm her younger sister Isis 💜💜💜💜"

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33. Dee Moe
"Earth, Wind & Fire “Family style” I love this wonderful musical family. They could open for any headliner on tour."

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34. Michelle Jones
"Yes!!!! That's exactly what I texted to the friend I shared this video with. Sly and the family Stone all day long🎵🎶🎼"

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35. Bill Bowers
"There fantastic ! Love them. Wow they did that song justice"

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36. Lai-Yee C.
"Amazing!  The energy and aura they have is out of this world!  Totally love their style and the vibes they give"

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Visitor comments are welcome. 

Stevie Wonder - "Higher Ground" (video, information, & lyrics)

WestLAGuy, Dec 27, 2012

During his 1974 European Tour Stevie Wonder did a live performance on The Beat Club,

Here's "Higher Ground"  from INNERVISIONS. On that album Stevie Wonder played ALL the instruments including drums.. On guitar just behind Wonder and to his right is MARLO HENDERSON behind and to Stevie's right,  Reggie McBride on bass. Michael Sembello on guitar and T.O.N.T.O.synthesizer, and Ollie E. Brown kickin' ass and takin' names on drums.

Backing Vocals I'm pretty sure should be listed as Denice Williams, Lani Groves and Tasha Thomas. 

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases Stevie Wonder's 1973 Soul music hit song "Higher Ground".

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Stevie Wonder for his musical legacy, and thanks to all those who are featured in this song. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT STEVIE WONDER AND THIS SONG
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_Ground_(Stevie_Wonder_song)
"Higher Ground" is a funk song written by Stevie Wonder which first appeared on his 1973 album Innervisions. The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart.[3] Wonder wrote and recorded the song in a three-hour burst of creativity in May 1973.[4] ... Wonder played all instruments on the track, including drums and percussion.

[...]
Subject

The song lyrics address the issue of reincarnation. Wonder commented, when interviewed by The New York Times:

"I would like to believe in reincarnation. I would like to believe that there is another life. I think that sometimes your consciousness can happen on this earth a second time around. For me, I wrote "Higher Ground" even before the accident*. But something must have been telling me that something was going to happen to make me aware of a lot of things and to get myself together. This is like my second chance for life, to do something or to do more, and to value the fact that I am alive.[5]"

Critical reception
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 265 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, adding: "'Higher Ground' was recorded just before Wonder was involved in a near-fatal accident in August 1973 that left him in a coma.",,,
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevie_Wonder#1970%E2%80%931979:_Seventies_albums_and_classic_period about the accident that Stevie Wonder referred to in the quote given above:
"On August 6, 1973, Wonder was in a serious automobile accident while on tour in North Carolina, when a car in which he was riding hit the back of a truck.[41][51] This left him in a coma for four days and resulted in a partial loss of his sense of smell and a temporary loss of sense of taste.[52] Despite the setback, Wonder re-appeared for a European tour in early 1974, performing at the Midem convention in Cannes, at the Rainbow Theatre in London, and on the German television show Musikladen."....

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LYRICS- "HIGHER GROUND"
(composer- Stevie Wonder}

"[Verse 1]

People keep on learning

Soldiers keep on warring

World keep on turning

'Cause it won't be too long

 

[Verse 2]

Powers keep on lying

While your people keep on dying

World keep on turning

'Cause it won't be too long

 

[Chorus]

I'm so darn glad he let me try it again

Because my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin

I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then

Going to keep on trying

'Til I reach my highest ground

 

[Verse 3]

Teachers keep on teaching

Preachers keep on preaching

World keep on turning

'Cause it won't be too long

Oh no

'm so glad that I know more than I knew then

Going to keep on trying

'Til I reach my highest ground

 

[Verse 4]

Lovers keep on loving

Believers keep on believing

Sleepers just stop sleeping

'Cause it won't be too long

Oh no

 

[Chorus]

I'm so glad that he let me try it again

'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin

I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then

Going to keep on trying

'Til I reach my highest ground

Woo

 

[Outro]

'Til I reach my highest ground

No one's going to bring me down

Oh no

'Til I reach my highest ground

Don't you let nobody bring you down (They'll sho 'nuff try)

God is gonna show you highest ground

He's the only friend you'll have around

'Cause the rest of the world will bring you down"

Online source- https://genius.com/Stevie-wonder-higher-ground-lyrics

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Playing For Change Singers & Musicians Perform Stevie Wonder's Song "Higher Ground" (information, lyrics, video, & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a video of the song "Higher Ground" performed by singers and musicians associated with the Playing For Change Foundation.

Information about Playing For Change is included in this post along with selected comments from this video's discussion thread are also included in this post.

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The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Stevie Wonder for composing this song, thanks to all singers and musicians who are featured in this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all those associated with the production of this video.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/07/stevie-wonder-higher-ground-information.html for the pancocojams post entitled
"Stevie Wonder - "Higher Ground" (information, lyrics, video, and comments),"
That post contains information about and lyrics for Stevie Wonder's song "Higher Ground".

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE "PLAYING FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION"
From https://playingforchange.org/about/
"HISTORY, MISSION, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE PLAYING FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION
Playing For Change arose from a common belief that music has the power to connect people regardless of their differences. In 2005, a small group of filmmakers set out with a dream to create a film rooted in the music of the streets. Not only has that dream been realized, it has grown into a global sensation that has touched the lives of millions of people around the world...

When the crew set out, they created a mobile recording studio and went around the world filming musicians in the places where they lived. The sound was then mixed, and although the musicians were never in the same room—or even the same country or continent—they were unified through music with each contributing her or his distinct gifts to the whole. While traveling the world to film and record, the crew got to know the music and people of each community they visited. Those involved wanted to give something back to the musicians who had shared so much with them.

In 2007, the Playing for Change Foundation was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. Our mission is to create positive change through music and arts education. As one of our students in Nepal stated, “Music is an indispensable part of life -‐ you cannot live without music.” We couldn’t agree more. At the Playing For Change Foundation, we live our lives by this principle and apply it to everything we do."

Higher Ground | Playing For Change | Song Around the World



Playing For Change, Published on Sep 6, 2011

This video is from our second album, "PFC2: Songs Around The World." "Higher Ground" is a song that speaks of the perseverance it takes to reach the higher consciousness. Let's all keep trying together, one heart and one song at a time, until we all reach the Higher Ground.
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. Gill T, 2014
"One People!"

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2. noel cruz, 2014
"If there is one thing that is truly consistent in this world, it's that people like to groove."

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3. MissDistarr60, 2016
"I have been sitting here listening to what I consider to be one of the most incredible pieces of music I've heard. Then I pondered on how many times in a row I would end up listening too it because I couldn't stop replaying. Much respect to those involved in the creation of this music and the idea and inspiration of this project. Outstanding and thank you."

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4. MissDistarr60, 2016
"The recording of this amazing song blows me away each and every time I listen to it. Thank you PFC. Keep up the brilliant and very meaning full work. You help make our whispers into a loud and united voice and we need all the help we can get if we want to make a change. Thank you once again!"

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5. Trellompatzanakisa8, 2016
"Sleepers, just stop sleeping, cause it won't be too long............ Absolutely amazing tune!"
-snip-
This is a line from the lyrics for Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground". Click the link for the pancocojams post given above for this song to find the complete lyrics.

"Sleepers...stop sleeping" refers to being "conscious" and alert to social issues, as per the contemporary "Stay woke!" movement.

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6. SmokinJoe347, 2016
"People that don't play don't really appreciate just how good these Musicians are, they are countries apart/don't know each other/play differing styles but still come together like they're in the same studio and as a musician myself I have to say, darned impressive. They are "Tighter" than some bands that are together all the time and the music say's it all really......"

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7. Tee Bee, 2017
"ADDICTIVE, I've become a huge fan of Playing for Change. I can't stop viewing you guys' work. Keep it up! Great stuff."

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REPLY
8. Playing For Change, 2017
"Thank you so much for the encouragement!"

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9. JRC 71, 2017
"You guys' make awesome music. Keep on!"

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10. Suze Dunmow, 2017
"Such fabulous music.... Playing For Change.... brings a smile when I feel so down about the human race...."

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11. le chat, 2017
"Suze Dummow - Yes, it gives hope."

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12. Darla Brown, 2017
"Awesome! Clarence Bekker has a beautiful voice"

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13. Flierman, 2017
"Wow great song, great version...so funky!"

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14. Will Webster, 2017
"to be fair whoever edited these clips to make a vid needs a medal - man alive thats some skills"

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15. pancho villa, 2017
"Amazing how they put this together 🤔"

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16. Brian Kingsman, 2017
"playing for change , simply some of the best MUSIC I have seen and heard , so much talent in everything you guys and gals do"

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17. Darcy Cropp< 2018
"Darla Brown and powerful! See how far back from the mic he stands for Stand by Me"

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18. Ron Carpenter, 2018
"To the person who did the mixing: You are a genius. I hope your work becomes available on cd, better yet video, if it hasn't already."

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Stevie Wonder - "Higher Ground" (information, lyrics, video, and comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a video of the song "Higher Ground" performed by its composer, Stevie Wonder.

Information about this song and its lyrics are included in this post along with selected comments from this video's discussion thread are also included in this post.

****
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Stevie Wonder for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "HIGHER GROUND"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_Ground_(Stevie_Wonder_song)
" "Higher Ground" is a funk song written by Stevie Wonder which first appeared on his 1973 album Innervisions. The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart.[3] Wonder wrote and recorded the song in a three-hour burst of creativity in May 1973.[4] The album version of the song contains an extra verse and runs 30 seconds longer than the single version.... Wonder played all instruments on the track, including drums and percussion.

[...]

"Higher Ground" is a funk song written by Stevie Wonder which first appeared on his 1973 album Innervisions. The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart.[3] Wonder wrote and recorded the song in a three-hour burst of creativity in May 1973.[4] The album version of the song contains an extra verse and runs 30 seconds longer than the single version. The unique wah-clavinet sound in the song was achieved with a Mu-Tron III envelope filter pedal. The bass line is provided by a Moog synthesizer and using overdubs, Wonder played all instruments on the track, including drums and percussion.

[...]

Subject
The song lyrics address the issue of reincarnation. Wonder commented, when interviewed by The New York Times:

I would like to believe in reincarnation. I would like to believe that there is another life. I think that sometimes your consciousness can happen on this earth a second time around. For me, I wrote "Higher Ground" even before the accident. But something must have been telling me that something was going to happen to make me aware of a lot of things and to get myself together. This is like my second chance for life, to do something or to do more, and to value the fact that I am alive.[5]

[...]

Critical reception
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 265 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, adding: "'Higher Ground' was recorded just before Wonder was involved in a near-fatal accident in August 1973 that left him in a coma. Early in Wonder's recovery, his road manager sang the song's melody into the singer's ear; Wonder responded by moving his fingers with the music."[6]...

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LYRICS: HIGHER GROUND
(Stevie Wonder)

[Verse 1]
People keep on learning
Soldiers keep on warring
World keep on turning
Because it won't be too long

[Verse 2]
Powers keep on lying
While your people keep on dying
World keep on turning
Because it won't be too long

[Chorus]
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
Because my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Going to keep on trying
Until I reach my highest ground

[Verse 3]
Teachers keep on teaching
Preachers keep on preaching
World keep on turning
Because it won't be too long
Oh no

[Verse 4]
Lovers keep on loving
Believers keep on believing
Sleepers just stop sleeping
Because it won't be too long
Oh no

[Chorus]
I'm so glad he let me try it again
Because my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Going to keep on trying
Until I reach my highest ground
No one's going to bring me down

[Outro]
Until I reach my highest ground
No one's going to bring me down
Oh no
Until I reach my highest ground
Don't let nobody bring you down (they'll sho 'nuff try)


Source: https://genius.com/Stevie-wonder-higher-ground-lyrics

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SHOWCASE VIDEO - "Higher Ground" Stevie Wonder 1974



WestLAGuy, Published on Dec 27, 2012

During his 1974 European Tour Stevie Wonder did a live performance on The Beat Club,

Here's "Higher Ground" from INNERVISIONS. On that album Stevie Wonder played ALL the instruments including drums.. On guitar just behind Wonder and to his right is MARLO HENDERSON behind and to Stevie's right, Reggie McBride on bass. Michael Sembello on guitar and T.O.N.T.O.synthesizer, and Ollie E. Brown kickin' ass and takin' names on drums.
Backing Vocals I'm pretty sure should be listed as Denice Williams, Lani Groves and Tasha Thomas.

I played around with the mix to brighten and balance it some.
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers assigned for referencing purposes only)
1. ccth22, 2013
"That drummer was no joke!"

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2. Aaron Thomas, 2014
"PROVOCATIVE, RELEVANT, AND ALWAYS ON POINT...STEVIE WONDER"

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2015
3. Fabián Fornaroli
"Love this man, his fantastic voice and his music... is amazing!!!"

**
4. videogameobsession
"I love how Stevie asking to have his monitor levels turned up somehow sounds like it belongs in that part of the song. ;)"

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REPLY
5. She Organizes Houston
"Yes indeed! He's a true professional!"

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6. Liza B
"I get shivers form the beat and the lyrics.
such amazing tune for the soul!"

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7. Shayne O'Neill
"Stevie wonder has a brutally good left hand technique. He's pulling the rythm off that Flea does on the bass on the chilli peppers version, and honestly if you didn't know, you could be forgiven for thinking its the bassist doing it here."

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REPLY
8. dbltrplx, 2016
"AND he is singing a perfect cadence"

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9. King James Mayo
"I love this song stevie kill it"
-snip-
"Kill it" here is a high compliment.

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2016
10. wil25z
"Get it, Stevie!!!!!!"

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11. Mark Despatis
"I came here to listen how Stevie played and sang this song. Yesterday (2 April 2016) I listened to a video that included musicians from all over the world in their countries. I think it is an amazing collaboration. The singers Titi Tsira and Clarence Bekker from South Africa and the Netherlands."
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/07/playing-for-change-singers-musicians.html for a pancocojams post on Playing For Change's rendition of this song.

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2017
12. Kurt Adams
"MOTOWN Masterpiece"

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13. Dixie Dale
"You can see Stevie's beloved MuTron II synthesizer at 1:55, which gave his keyboard the famed quacking sound. He even did print ads for this device. Google it."

**
14. stonedog23
"Look at the legends that was in his band! And Deniece Williams back there grooving!"

**
15. Joost den Houdijker
""No pharmaceutical product could ever equal the rush you get when the band hits that groove, the people are dancing, shouting, and swaying, and the house is rocking!"

**
16. Jorge Hernandez
"Awesome live performance !"

**
17. Inge Spruyt
"That audience's reaction! Haha..."

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18. Ricky El Diablo
"This much funk is not safe"

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REPLY
19. Pa Tero
"Richard El Diablo Live dangerous!! 😂"

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20. The Omega Point
"I love this song ❤️❤️🙌🏻 so powerful !!"

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21. Ed Rekers
"Thank you for posting,WestLAGuy. Stevie Wonder!!! This is a great group playing with Mr. Wonder too!! This took place over 40 years ago and Stevie Wonder continues on strong today. Wonderful!"

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2018
22. Tzvi Gluckin
"The guitarist labeled “Shuggie Otis” in the video is actually Marlo Henderson. The other guitarist (with the big hollow body) is Michael Sembello (he had a huge solo hit in the ‘80s with “Maniac,” which was also in the movie “Flashdance”)."

**
23. liviusss
"Iconic!"

**
24. racketman2u
"god, these videos of legends in their younger days are such GOLD! great post."

**
15. Aaron Frick
"Can not decide whether or not I like this or the Red Hot Chili Peppers version better."

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REPLY
16. WestLAGuy
"Why not just like them both?"

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27. Lucas Caique
"Yeah. RHCP did cover of this. And it's pretty good. But f&&k* it. The original can't be touched, it has so much energy, so much power. RHCP did a good job, but they didn't bring anything new to the song."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

RHCP= Rd Hot Chili Peppers [band]

**
18. 16 VBN
"After all these years I thought red hot hot chili peppers were the original singers of this song. I'm ashamed to be misled."

**
19. KutWrite
"Rhis version seems to stop before it's over!

I checked the full show, though, and they do stop there. Too bad... someone was going to do a great guitar solo!"

**
30. Darren Winter
"Tuuune!!!"

**
31. Melody Sanger
"HAPPY 68TH BIRTHDAY STEVLAND HARDAWAY MORRIS "STEVIE WONDER"
(MAY 13, 2018)"

**
32. Michael Harvill
"One of the marks of a great artist is that they sound fantastic live."

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Stevie Wonder- "Superstition" (information, video, lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams showcases a video of Stevie Wonder's 1973 R&B song "Superstition".

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Stevie Wonder for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE STEVIE WONDER'S SONG "SUPERSTITION"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition_(song)
"Superstition" is a popular song composed, produced, arranged, and performed by Stevie Wonder for Motown Records in 1972. It was the lead single for Wonder's album Talking Book,[1] and released in many countries. It reached number one in the U.S.,[2] and number one on the soul singles chart.[3] The song was Wonder's first number-one single since "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" and topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973.[4] Overseas, it peaked at number eleven in the UK during February 1973. In November 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song at No. 74 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song's lyrics are chiefly concerned with superstitions,[2] mentioning several popular superstitious fables throughout the song, and deal with the negative effects superstitious beliefs can bring."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Stevie Wonder ★ Superstition



Antony Sharmman, Uploaded on May 14, 2010

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LYRICS: SUPERSTITION
(Stevie Wonder)

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

Very superstitious, wash your face and hands,
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can,
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong,
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song

When you believe in things that you don't understand,
Then you suffer,
Superstition ain't the way, yeh, yeh

Very superstitious, nothin' more to say,
Very superstitious, the devil's on his way,
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass,
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past

When you believe in things that you don't understand,
Then you suffer, Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/steviewonder/superstition.html

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Reminiscences Of Childhood In The USA In The Mid To Late 20th Century (Game Songs & Stevie Wonder's "I Wish")

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents several online comments in which people share their memories of childhood & teen years in the USA during the 1960s.

This post also includes a video of Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" and lyrics of that song which refer to that same time period in the United States.

The content of this post is presented for historical, sociological, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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EXAMPLES & EDITORIAL COMMENTS
Example #1:
Question:
"What were children like in the 1960s?

did they have chores? what did they play with? how was school for them? also the same for teens! were they rebellious? etc (:
thank you sooo much!"
-pimps, 2010

Response:
"Well all you've gotten so far is snarky misinformation so as a child of the 60's [born 1958] here are my experiences.

Chores? Yes. Did dishes at least 4 nights a week [I had 2 older siblings] helped with other house work at my mom's request. We got an allowance every week [50 cents with candy bars and soda being 5 cents each, movie ticket 50 cents] but could earn extra money doing laundry, polishing the silver, cutting the lawn, washing the car and other household chores. As we became a teen our allowances increased but so did our chores.

We played with balls, Barbies, toy guns, jumped rope, played jacks, cards and board games. We played hide and seek and tag with our friends along with marathon "let's pretend games."

We rode bikes, skates [ice and roller], skateboards, scooters and trikes when we were little. I grew up in a house with no TV, though most of my class mates had them, so I did a lot of reading. I was already reading by the time I started Kindergarten at age 5.

School? We attended schools with in walking distance of our homes. Most of our fellow students were very like us in terms of class and race. I did not attend public schools with handicapped children until high school [1972] though I had a neighbor at age 10 who wore leg braces [childhood polio]

Like any kid we were occasionally rebelious. Rebellion is part of growing up to become your own person."
-ajtheactress, 2010
-snip-

Pancocojams Editor's Note: The writer doesn't indicate in which country she lived during her childhood & teen years. Given the USA centered nature of many Internet pages, it's likely that that nation is the USA, but I'm not certain of that.

I'm from the USA (I was born in 1947 in Atlantic City, New Jersey and was thus a teenager in the 1960s) and my childhood memories are almost completely the same as that writer. I remember engaging in all of those play activities, but neither I nor anyone I knew had ice skates. In addition to the activities that ajtheactress mentioned, I would include playing with paper dolls, running relay races, and playing "Cowboys & Indians" (the Indians won as many times as the Cowboys). I also remember playing singing games such as "Little Sally Ann" (which is almost the same as "Little Sally Walker"), "Zudio", & "Here's Stands A Blue Bird". My sisters and friends and I also played movement games such as "Red Light, Green Light", "Mother May I?", and "Simon Says". I also remember playing with marbles, playing hula hoops, and trying to master the latest R&B dances. As a child & teenager, my chores were similar to those that ajtheactress mentioned except that I didn't polish the silver and didn't get extra money for doing the laundry and mowing the small plot of grass that served as my family's lawn. Also, we didn't have a car so there was no "washing the car" chore.

I have a vague recollection that when I was very young, the cost for movies was a nickel (5 cents). I remember being told that our family was one of the first in our African American neighborhood (in the mid or late 1950s) to have a television. And, like ajtheactress, I had a childhood friend who had childhood polio. She didn't wear leg braces but she walked with a limp.

The similarities between my memories and ajtheactress' memories are particularly striking because I'm African American (Black) and from the drawing that she chose for her icon, it appears that ajtheactress is Anglo-American (White).

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Example #2:
"Back in the old days we came home from school, and did our homework, no game playing. We took our school clothes off when we got home & did not go outside & play in them! We didn't sit & listen to grown folks talk. We left the room until company left. We ate what was cooked or nothing @ all!! When told to do something we did it!! We didn't say I will do it later. I'm thankful for the old days because it made me the person I am today..... Re Post if you agree back in the old days was something American should have stuck to for raising kids!!!"
-Lateshya Mickey Ellis, Facebook page comment, November 2011
-snip-
Although Lateshya is my facebook friend, I don't know her well. I believe that her childhood was in the 1990s or the 1980s. Although my childhood was in the 1950s and 1960s, I can relate to everything that Lateshya wrote except for leaving the room when company came. My sisters and I didn't do that, maybe because our house was so small. But we were taught not to speak when grownups were talking unless we were given permission to do so. Some children were taught to say refer to adults as "Sir or Ma'am". But, for some reason, I thought that was a Southern custom. Instead of that, when an adult called us we were taught to say "Yes?". Saying "Uhn?" was a definite no no.

I can definitely relate to Lateshya's memories of having "School clothes" that you didn't play in. Generally speaking, we had three different types of clothes and shoes: "school clothes/shoes", "play clothes/shoes", and Sunday [church] clothes/shoes." School shoes might be "regular shoes" and "sneekers" which were also called "gym shoes" because shoes with rubber soles were the only types of shoes that were allowed to be worn on the gym floor. I also remember having to change into the one piece gym uniforms - ugh! My legs were skinny way back then and I hated how I looked in those gym clothes. And speaking of school clothes, in the 1950s, girls weren't allowed to wear pants to school. In the winter time, we'd wear snow jackts with matching leggings or we'd wear long pants under our dresses or skirts bbut have to take them off before school started. We also had rubber boots (galoshes) for the rain/snow. And we also had real dressy clothes & shoes for special occassions.

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FEATURED VIDEO - Stevie Wonder I Wish (Live)



Uploaded by amoreregal on Sep 25, 2008
-snip-
Here are several comments from that video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=GH1BPQ7FLbc

A #1 hit for Stevie Wonder on the Rhythm & Blues charts. It was the 384th #1 R&B song of the Rock Era. It also hit #1 on the Top 40 charts, #23 on the Adult Contemporary charts, and #5 in the United Kingdom.
-mkl62, 2012

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[Regarding the date of the video]
Definately this was during the mid-late '80s/early '90s because the -Yamaha DX7 just screams that era.
-pannoni1, 2011

**
This song relates to any kid growing up in any decade.
Sneaking out w/o mum's permission, playing doctor, using your church money to get candy, smoking in school, graffiti and generally cutting up...

We can all relate those things!
-Hulk2k6, 2009
-snip-
For the record [no pun intended], actually I can't relate to any of the examples Hulk2k6 mentioned. I guess I was a goody two shoes kind of kid.

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LYRICS -I WISH
(composer - Stevie Wonder)Original Release Date : 1976

Looking back on when I
Was a little nappy headed boy
Then my only worry
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes
Would not get a thing
We were happy with the
Joy the day would bring

Sneaking out the back door
To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
Greeted at the back door
With "boy thought I told you not to go outside,"
Tryin' your best to bring the
Water to your eyes
Thinkin' it might stop her
From woopin' your behind

I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ev-er have to go
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ev-er have to go
Cause I love them so

Brother says he's tellin'
'Bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Just don't tell I'll give you
Anything you want in this whole wide world
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
You trade yours for candy after church is through

Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy)
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the wall
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
But while you were doin'it-it sure felt outta sight

I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ev-er have to go
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ev-er have to go

Source: http://steviewonder.free.fr/html/song25.html

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to all those whose comments I featured in this post. Thanks to Stevie Wonder for his gift of music and thanks to the uploader of this video.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.