1) Too High: Jazzy cautionary tale about drug abuse and its consequences, but subtle enough not to be overtly preachy. It captures the feeling of an addict who exists only to "touch the sky" but never gets there. Outstanding drumming by Stevie (yes, he plays the DRUMS too!!).

2) Visions: Utterly stunning in its beauty. The acoustic guitar work is second to none.

3) Living for the City: The "epic" of the CD describes the tribulations of a man raised in poverty in the South only to find more poverty upon his migration to the city. Yeah, the interlude section is a little cheesy, but still effective and with great vocals as always.

4) Golden Lady: I love how this song keeps going up a key in the end, which signifies the yearning of the singer for his lady. What a great love song.

5) Higher Ground: Once again, outstanding drums and a very funky beat. Like most in my generation, I heard the RHCP cover first (which is a decent interpretation), but it didn't take long to me to realize that this is the definitive verision.

6) Jesus Children of America: Stevie boldly confronts religious fundamentalists, junkies, and even the listener, challenging all to "come clean," all while being backed by insistent gospel harmonies.

7) All is Fair in Love: Laced with agony and pain, Stevie teaches us all about the difficulties of a romantic relationship.

8) Don't You Worry Bout a Thing: A great song about being there to support a friend who is going through a transitional period. Very comforting.

9) Mista Know-It-All: Some think this song is a bash on President Nixon; others interpret it as a stern message against arrogant street hustlers who are looking to corrupt inner-city youth. However you interpret it, it is certainly an effective kiss-off and a creative way to end the album (as opposed to ending it with a sappy love song).

People who have only ever heard "Part Time Lover" may have a hard time accepting Stevie Wonder as a genuine artist, but trust me and the other reviewers, this CD is different. You will not regret buying it.


20/20 Vision   January 29, 2001
Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Hot on the heels of Talking Book, Stevie Wonder released what is probably his best single album set, Innervisions. The album is less personal than Talking Book (which many songs dealt with his crumbling marriage) and is his look at America and society at the time. "Too High" takes people to task for constantly using drugs to escape reality. "He's A Misstra Know It All" is about people constantly fronting and "Jesus Children Of America" is a plea to help the children in this country have a better world and life. "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" is a smooth song with Mr. Wonder taking the role of protector. "Golden Lady" is one of his prettiest love songs while "All Is Fair In Love" finds him looking for love at any and all costs. "Higher Ground" is a slice of funk where he is trying to find a higher spiritual plain. The album's centerpiece is the magnificent "Living For The City". In it he eloquently details the struggles of African Americans faced in the 70's and unfortunately still face today. A true stroke of genius. Innervisions was released about seven months after Talking Book and rarely has an artist put out two masterworks in such a short period of time.


perfectly wonderful   February 16, 2006
Stalwart Kreinblaster (Xanadu)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Stevie Wonder speaks in the language of music - whether you like r&b, jazz, soul, funk, or rock you will be able to appreciate him - he is one of the great entertainers of all time. His voice is so bright and soulful and his instrumental talent is incredible. 'Innervisions' is a very well-crafted album that gels together and seems to be an even greater expression than the monumental 'talking book' - I would recommend both albums - this one just seems to be the crowning achievement.


Changes you take yourself through   October 1, 2000
catherine guelph (milano, italy)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This CD contains beautiful music which I enjoy. On this album from 1973, Stevie Wonder creates a musical journey through the world as he understands it and in faith's eye, hopes it will be someday. Although, INNERVISIONS is not generally classified as a concept album, it could very well be. The songs have a consistent message, and they fit extremely well together. Many people will be familiar with the genuine hits, LIVING FOR THE CITY, HIGHER GROUND and DON"T YOU WORRY 'BOUT A THING. Stevie Wonder has a lot to say in the remaining songs as well. JESUS CHILDREN OF AMERICA, is a sensitive prayer confronting some seriously confused people. Wonder asks, "Are you standing for everything you talk about? Holy roller..." To the junkie, "Are you happy when you stick a needle in your vein." If you are interested in soul music of the early seventies or in beautiful music with serious lyrical content, this CD will interest you.


Arguably Stevie's Best   August 25, 2002
Peter Marcus (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

A friend first got me into Stevie, and now I own what you might term the five essential albums - Music of my Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness, and Songs in the Key of Life. After that, let's be honest, he turned into a pile of poop, but boy were the 70s a good decade. Each album is a fantastic record, and Innervisions is perhaps the best. Personally I favour SITKOL, as it is more varied and simply bombards you with musical genius on all sides.

Yet Innervisions is the greatest of the albums Stevie produced when he was doing pretty much all the stuff himself. He plays virtually everything on this record - listen to Living For the City, and you'll be amazed that he's playing every instrument. Whereas SITKOL has a proper 'big band' feel, because he brought in lots of other musicians and created a real wall of sound studio feel, Innervisions remains intimate and personal. That's what gives it its charm.

Unquestionably, these are 9 great songs. Plain and simple. Golden Lady is one of my favourites, a gorgeous song. But Too High is a great opener, All Is Fair in Love is a suitably over the top love ballad, Don't You Worry is a brilliant funky number, and Misstra Know It All (spelt like that because he just wanted to, and about his accountant, apparently) is fantastic, especially the growling finale. Stevie is also the master of the outro, and some can last for several minutes. Don't You Worry and Misstra are ones to look out for here is you are a fan of the over indulgent fade out (as I am). But SITKOL really has the monopoly on outros, and if you're a real connosieur, that's the album for you - look out for As and Another Star in particular, though Isn't She Lovely, Black Man and Summer Soft also clock in impressive repeated choruses.

Stevie is an idiosyncratic musician. Listen to the six second pause on Visions, where he says 'everything must have an ending' before coming back with the next line - geddit?! That's what makes him appeal to me. He has more talent in his sunglasses than most popstars have in the combined body mass of them and their hundred-strong entourage. This is a great album, with immaculate instrumentalism, superb lyrics, that fantastic voice which can do seemingly anything, and funky, groovy, melodic tunes. You should buy this, and then move onto other Stevie terrority, according to taste.