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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