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Stevie Wonder’s funk rock signature tune “Superstition” is Song of the Week. “Superstition” opened side two of Stevie Wonder’s album “Talking Book“, which was released in October 1972. It was also released on single the following month, backed with “You’ve Got It Bad Girl”.

Stevie Wonder was entering his most productive and critically acclaimed period in 1972 – his so-called “classic period.” For “Talking Book” he reunited with electronica pioneers, Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, with whom he had co-produced his previous album “Music of My Mind.”

Although it is one of the tracks most associated with Stevie Wonder, “Superstition” very nearly wasn’t recorded by him. Wonder had offered it to guitarist Jeff Beck, but was persuaded by his manager to record it first. Beck did record it the following year for the album “Beck, Bogert and Appice.” Wonder and Beck also reunited to perform the song on last year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden.

“Superstition” is particularly notable for the opening drum beat (created by Jeff Beck and played by Wonder), Wonder’s immediately recognisable clavinet riff and the distinctive horn arrangements, which were written by Wonder.

Stevie Wonder picked up two Grammys for “Superstition” in 1974 – Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. At the same ceremony, he won awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and Album of the Year for “Innervisions“, which was the follow up to “Talking Book”.

Authorship

“Superstition” was written by Stevie Wonder.

Recording date/location

“Superstition” was recorded in the summer of 1972 at Electric Lady Studios, 52 West 8th Street, in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The studio was built by Jimi Hendrix in 1970.

Musicians

Under the supervision of Margouleff and Cecil, Wonder would make use of multiple synthesisers in a set-up that was nicknamed Tonto. Tonto was an important component of the Stevie Wonder sound in this period.

The following musicians appear on “Superstition”:

• Stevie Wonder – vocals, clavinet, Moog synthesiser, drums
• Malcolm Cecil – ARP synthesiser
• Steve Madaio – trumpet
• Trevor Laurence – tenor saxophone.

Chart performance

“Superstition” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. This was Stevie Wonder’s first US number one since “Fingertips Pt 2” in 1963. He would hit the top spot a further eight times, including with his next single “You are the Sunshine of My Life.” “Superstition” peaked at number 11 in the UK.

The album on which “Superstition” appeared, “Talking Book”, hit number three on the US albums chart.

Cover

Stevie Ray Vaughan – “Superstition”

Stevie Wonder admired Stevie Ray Vaughan and liked his cover of “Superstition” enough to appear at the end of the music video in 1986. Vaughan also featured “Superstition” on the live album “Live Alive” released in the same year.

Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” is available on the “Talking Book” album and a number of compilations, including the 2-CD “Stevie Wonder Definitive Collection.”

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Stevie Wonder Definitive Collection (2 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now