Drummer reacts to "Living for the City" by Stevie Wonder (Spotlight Artist for June Announcement)

[@cindydepriest3720]

Stevie OWNED the seventies, album after album. Noncomparable genius.

[@danevans5823]

He was 23 here but already over 10 years making unbelievable music.He truly is a wonder

[@allenlocke1935]

Wow! That's incredible.

[@Royale_with_Cheeze]

Glad you listened to the full-length version. Such powerful storytelling in this.

[@carlataliaferro4326]

Me too. I'm glad he did the full version also.

[@randyteta9170]

Always liked this one,great jam

[@rodneygriffin7666]

Fantastic song by an Amazing artist!

[@Friedtoenails]

Truly one of the most important songs in popular music history

[@John-et9yl]

Innervisions is THE definitive Stevie Wonder album

[@chrismartin6370]

Facts👆

[@mythicsin3083]

I grabbed it when it came out

[@spooley]

He had a run of five perfect albums when he left the Motown label. So dominant when Paul Simon won a Grammy in 1975 he thanked Stevie for not putting out a record that year. Off the hook talent, we won't see another like him

[@dandare42]

He didn't leave Motown. He remained on their subsidiary Tamla label. What did happen was he threatened to leave once he turned 21 in 1971. He told Berry Gordy he'd stay as long as he had complete control over his artistic direction and his master recordings. That's why he progressed so much in a short amount of time in the early 70s. Motown execs could no longer tell him where to be, what to record and when (as had been their method before). When Marvin Gaye released What's Going On (convincing his brother-in-law Gordy- who was against the whole thing- that he would take the blame if it flopped) and it was a success, the floodgates opened for the end of Motown's rigid system. Stevie was itching to be his own boss and he got what he wanted. Thank goodness he went to bat for himself there.

[@spooley]

@@dandare42 Inside baseball there. When his label changed I assumed he went elsewhere. Cool info, thx

[@theeloquentbaby]

Lee, the child like shock on your face as injustice unfolded was endearing. What an artist Stevie Wonder is. Thank you, Gail and Lee! It was good to hear this song again,

[@joelliebler5690]

One of the best songs ever combining music with the storytelling!

[@annewoodard6803]

I was 13 when this came out. Between early Stevie and early Elton, my musical journey was formed.

[@brianvernon249]

Songs in the key of life helped my life.

[@andrewcole3736]

Stevie plays all of the instruments on the album. The first time I saw him was at The War Memorial in Syracuse NY in 1973. He played the entire Innervisions LP. His talent and musical soul cannot be surpassed. Stevie has one of the best male voices ever. 🕊❤️🎼

[@Debcatawba]

I’m glad to see you play the entire extended version. Kudos!

[@chrismatthews8717]

I first heard this brilliant song in '73, I was 12. It brought my attention to prejudice and bigotry, and this type of music.

[@joegonzalez5862]

I was a young teen when I first heard this song - the radio version, anyway. One day I went to visit a cousin and his sister had the album. I can honestly say it was the very first time I ever heard the n-word. I had to ask my mom what a nigger was. She slapped me. Thank you, mom, for raising me to see everyone as equal. Your teachings from the Book of Equality are with me to this day...

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

He’s in a category with Prince and Paul McCartney, playing so many instruments.

[@L33Reacts]

What a talent. That's incredible 😲

[@joecarcione6636]

Yes, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, also. Musical geniuses....

[@jimmoore8951]

No offense to any of the artists listed cuz I'm fans of all of them but Stevie is in a category of 1

[@arijitsengupta9766]

​@@jimmoore8951he is a phenomenon

[@arijitsengupta9766]

Nope. Stevie Wonder is a phenomenon. He is on a different level.

[@patrickcadge-moore6916]

That's why many of us voted for him as artist of the month

[@randyhodges8782]

I remember when this came out and it was a ridiculous amount of time before I heard the last half of this song. They didn't play that part on the radio. I didn't know it existed.

[@icdogg2361]

A great song, rarely reacted to, by Stevie, is "Do I Do", also featuring Dizzy Gillespie.

[@NVprods]

Great reaction of a tremendously powerful song on an amazing album, maybe his best. Stevie Wonder is somehow forgotten and overlooked. He was an enormous, genius talent, he was Prince before Prince, as far as writing and arranging all his songs, playing all the instruments, etc. He was like a pop Mozart in my opinion.

[@noelleparris9451]

It always makes me so very happy to see (and hear) reactors really getting into Stevie Wonder. This is only one of hundreds of great songs but it is one of my top ten SW hits. Truly a genius ❤❤❤

[@corawheeler9355]

I remember when he was Little Stevie Wonder ... what a musical genius!

[@Pelza20]

Never too much Stevie Wonder, looking forward to June 💖

[@marcjacobscontinued9411]

Never. Genius indeed. If ever there was a genius in popular music......

[@cyclops60]

Thanks Lee and Gail. This is my favourite Stevie song, the way his voice changes at the end to the hardened character who has been screwed over is genius. As a white English teenager at the time, it made a big impression on me when it came out! Cheers

[@Uatu-the-Watcher]

It’s in a major key. That impacts the mood. I don’t know about happy. But Stevie was illustrating a reality of inner-city life, while advocating people work for a better tomorrow. So…I wouldn’t say happy, but hopeful.

[@jamespuleo3269]

Most stations only played the first part, the fade-out coming before the grittier 2nd half. Back in the 70's we loved catching those FCC-banned "naughty bits" that slipped past the censors on *mainstream radio* because they came up in the 3rd verse or the outro. Here, "The fuckin' crud is shitty." Or Steely Dan's "Show Business Kids" -"makin' movies of themselves, you know they don't give a fk about anybody else." How times have changed !!

[@bobschenkel7921]

Stevie Wonder with a little dose of real life in the city. Got to keep your eyes and ears open and alert, at all times. Great song, with a worldly message.

[@damonhines8187]

When this album came out, my favourite local(Toronto) FM station played the whole thing. The descending chord progression with the synth riff absolutely knocked me back on my heels. Where the heck did that come from?!! A fave to listen to still, and to play anytime, solo or with a band.

[@robinreiley1828]

When Stevie would release an Album, all the other Artists would tear up their "Acceptance Speeches" for the Grammys! Stevie would just sweep all the categories...

[@jajuangordy4394]

LOL yep pretty much. Stevie was cleaning up the Grammys during the seventies, especially between innervisions and songs in the key of life. Even Paul Simon thanked Stevie for not releasing a album when he won the Grammy for album of the year in 1976, and then Stevie came back with songs in the key of Life later that year ended up winning his third album of the Year award in 1977.

[@robinreiley1828]

@@jajuangordy4394 That's right! I had forgotten that Paul Simon had said that! So much great music in those years , we were really spoiled and didn't realize how good we had it

[@jajuangordy4394]

@@robinreiley1828 yep he sure did say that, that's when you know Stevie was on another level during the seventies. Paul Simon won his Grammy for album of the Year while Stevie was creating songs in the key of life. Yes that's very true, I'm 38 and I absolutely love old school music. I listen to more old school music than today's music, music was definitely so much better back then.

[@robinreiley1828]

@@jajuangordy4394 I worked the Technical Rehearsals for Simon and Garfunkel 's 2nd Central Park concert in the early 90's at Teaneck Armory. I was assisting the Drum Tech with all the African instruments from the "Graceland" musicians. I'm no percussionist , but I had a blast !

[@ericjurgens6976]

My parents had this album, Talking Book, and Songs in the Key of Life, and I would spin these all the time when I was a kid (I still do). I learned more about Black experiences from Stevie (and Living Colour, and Gil Scott-Heron) that I ever did in school. The whole first side of Innervisions is interconnected with the songs blending into each other.

[@genecase9464]

"Damn...I wasn't expecting that." No one ever does.

[@alrivers2297]

Great and powerful song! By an artist who was a child prodigy and later genius. He's a deep rabbit hole to go into

[@paulabarber5590]

When you said deep dive this was the first song I hoped you'd play

[@leeannies-tears369]

First time I heard this song was played by my English teacher when I was a sophomore in high school. She had a record player in our classroom. She was awesome. I thought WHAT AN AWESOME SONG. I still love it. Thanks Gale and Lee.

[@irrefudiate]

"We're just primal creatures with clothse on and thumbs." I saw him in concert one time (he opened for the Rolloing Stones) and part of the act was him moving from one instrument to another until he had played them all. His first hit was an instrumental called "Fingertips", 1963, where he played a harmonica.

[@poptart4260]

He s a fucking legend !!!!!

[@backbeat44]

This is my Stevie period - I LOVED this album in the day, and still do. I found after Songs in the Key I wasn't as engaged. Innervisions is a masterpiece.

[@markgallemore8856]

Stevie Wonder packages a tragedy of the black experience in the United States, and to get people to listen to that message he raps it in amazing music.

[@markmurphy558]

Tough to pick with Stevie. I think all his post Motown work is his best, but ALL his work is stellar.

[@WMGTAW]

The wonder boy genius

[@neilwoodley530]

Lee strikes again!! React to my entire vinyl record collection why don't ya! I played the grooves off this album. Thanks kiddo.

[@julianbarber4708]

Was obsessed with this album and Talking Book, when they were released. Absolutely fantastic.

[@ronaldelliott4373]

Stevie, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gay, Issac Hayes and dozens of others including The Stones, gave us unvarnished life on the streets in real time. What they left behind will always be relevant.

[@stephenstrudwick8095]

Awesome song from the classic Innervisions album. One of many 70s Stevie albums where you can "drop the stylus needle anywhere" and hear an awesome tune! 😊 My faves are "Golden Lady" and "Higher Ground". Stevie's "classic period" began in 1972 with the album releases Music of My Mind and Talking book, the latter featuring "Superstition." Just amazing! 😀

[@sandraandmichaelfield1602]

Makes you want to listen to the whole album! With Peace and Love to All!

[@warrenbutson349]

Power song statement in troubled times in 70s NYC

[@poptart4260]

We weren’t expecting that either !!

[@scotstevens5263]

I’ll show my age, I remember when watching I Love Lucy, Stevie was introduced as a up and coming artist. Small Stevie in his grey suit and tie. He’s has come along way from those days. Thanks for posting.

[@alrivers2297]

I don't think Stevie was on I Love Lucy. That show was on in the 50's and Stevie wasn't known until the 60's

[@andrewcole3736]

The music isn’t sad because he wrote it in a major key. 🕊❤️🎼

[@davemiller7972]

I thought it was in the key of life

[@izzonj]

But that final decending bass line clouds everything with foreboding. But then you get lifted to the sky with Golden Lady!

[@ThePWHustle]

Bro you’ve never heard this song? 😳😳😳😳 Your invite to the cookout is on hold for a while. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@L33Reacts]

LOL come on bro, give me a break xD this shit was jumping though!

[@yankeeboyno7]

We're bringing him around!!

[@chitownlee]

He plays everything unbelievable well and just amazing being blind...

[@blxgrl]

Stevie was the man

[@gillwaugh7212]

Still has the power to blow me away. Stevie is a genius.

[@izzonj]

The word genius is way overused - but then there is Stevie Wonder to make sure you know what that word is supposed to mean.

[@kweile4339]

I was born and raised un the burbs of a big city. I live in the woods now. 😊

[@dennysmall9155]

I'm excited for you for the journey you are about to embark on! Stevie Wonder is a genius! That word gets tossed around a lot, but in Stevie's case, it is totally justified! I was fortunate to see Stevie live twice! The second time he did "Songs in the Key of Life" in its entirety! The man is pure genius! Two of my favorite concerts and I've been to hundreds of shows! Enjoy the ride! 😁

[@Alewifes_Husband]

There is so much ground to cover with Stevie. As a featured artist for the month, you have your work cut out for you. From his early Motown records, to "The Canon" which is Music of My Mind (1972), Talking Book (1972), Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976) -- to his 80's work which swung back into the pop direction. It all goes to show that he's an All-Timer worthy of every award he ever got and then some 🙂

[@thastreetprophet]

Really great watching your reactions to songs of this time. Beautiful. Try "superstition" and "finger tips" when he was like 12 years old.

[@Jordache52]

I don't know why I clicked on your video because I had already looked at a reaction video to the song but for some reason I got to you. I'm glad. Your reaction is genuine and heartfelt and I appreciate what you said. I'm Stevie s age and grew up near his family home. I've heard every note he's ever sung and this is the song that propelled him into orbit. But still my favorite is I was made to love her 1967. The bassist James Jamerson played a line so difficult that its hard to believe. But it was his creation. He became the first studio musician inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Take a listen

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

Stevie💕

[@randyteta9170]

Big brother off the album / Talking book / is an awesome tune

[@rogerfleming6354]

I walked into work one day about 1982 whistling the end of this song and my boss, a classical music buff, asked, “ What’s wrong with you? I saiad,”What do you mean”? He said, “Well you come in here whistling minor thirds..!”

[@jimmoore8951]

You're on a roll Gail... keep it going

[@jamessomers8808]

oh, nice! I haven’t heard this in ages, aw man, thank you!❤ Guess what “my”restaurant is playing on the speakers tomorrow for service. Stevie Wonder station or playlist A-to-Z, probably playlist.

[@ukiahsguitarsolos3436]

Great album!

[@wendellwiggins2900]

The song deliberately has a gospel vibe like an upbeat prayer to uplift from what would appear to be an environment of despair yet people get by in spite of it. Stevie wrote very emotionally visceral music. His art then was a part of that collective progressive era in all genres.

[@aarondixon7]

great content. this song can bring tears to my eyes. love it.

[@andrewcole3736]

You don’t have to be rich to have a nice life in NYC. There are certainly poor areas and rough neighborhoods, but most of the city is not that way at all. There are a lot of middle-class people that live there and it’s the safest big city in the USA. It’s my hometown. 🕊❤️🎼

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

How about New York in 1972-73, when this song was written, just a couple of years before Gerald Ford refused to help it not going bankrupt? My first visit was in the early 90's and it did not feel the same at all when i went back a decade later. I'd also define "middle class" and "rich".

[@davidhampshire7723]

@@benoitdesmarais2948exactly, he’s singing about an earlier era.

[@XFLexiconMatt]

Is this going to be the full album version or the single? The album version is so amazing.

[@GinMae]

Thanks, L33.. Stevie is and was genius.. what a story here... a bit hard to listen to ... appreciate your reaction!

[@thomasmcdonough6642]

Bought this album new

[@thunderspike1892]

Ian Gillan's band Gillan did a phenomenal cover

[@jimmoore8951]

Same with Johnny Lang

[@balmpatchvideos]

He learned to play his voice too!

[@hopeklemann1]

haunting.........

[@saturninebear]

My favourite SW song, I think.

[@helgar791]

You listen to Stevie's very first hit "Fingertips Pt 2" which he did when he was 12.

[@stevestrickland934]

A late night syndicated tribute to Ray Charles years ago, the two of them performed this.

[@theoryaminute]

My favorite Stevie Wonder album

[@hopeklemann1]

this song always disturbes me....

[@allenlocke1935]

And you can bet this is why they don't make music like this anymore...They know how powerful music can be to convey message to the masses. Now it's all just self centered look at me, lookout what I got bullshit. All by design.

[@bobmessier5215]

Extremely talented and...blind!

[@miked2445]

Ive been subbed for a hot minute, but like an asshole, didnt turn the notifications on. Saw this one 2 days late.☹ Notifications ON

[@rikurodriguesneto6043]

racism is a result of conditioning too .. i'm not saying we need it but I understand it stevie's acceptance speech is worth watching

[@thescrewfly]

Cities can be fine. I like my city, but then I'm not in North America. I have seen a few US cities but haven't lived there for any length of time, so I won't pass judgement.

[@poptart4260]

Welcome to the 70 s L33

[@jahdonkey]

you should do the live version of "the ghetto" by Donny Hathaway.

[@jahdonkey]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpbEnXeshtyco5o

[@ianlejeune6012]

If you think SW can sing - be prepared to be amazed : 'Fragile' [vid] from Sting's 60th Birthday concert. I knew [or thought I knew] how outstanding he is; his whole career/life was something I was acquainted with - but no…

[@arijitsengupta9766]

Fragile was just amazing

[@PabloGarciaHernandez-nj7ju]

…. get a job, make some money, and get the f*ck out.” good job.

[@cassmcmlix]

The ARP 2600 synth

[@tomg6318]

That's how it was back then the music lyrics were serious, but the sounds had to be entertaining especially if it was a longer song or it wouldn't get radio play. It was the best time for music because that sort of thing is what sold. Now we just get garbage

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

Stevie Wonder. 1. a blind man. 2. a black man 3. wrote most of his songs 4. played most instruments. 5. brilliant song writer. 6. 25 Grammys, the most by any solo artist 7. 1 Oscar 8. did I mention he was blind and black? 9. 23 studio albums, three soundtrack albums, Elvis 1. 3 Grammys 2. never wrote a song. 🖕

[@alexharbison4411]

Nice Reaction, the 70's were a hard time for blacks and it's is also when the things started getting better for them. Fast forward to today. Government lets in 10 million people so now it's time for black people to get in the back of the line again. Damn