"Superstition" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. It was released on October 24, 1972, as the lead single from his fifteenth studio album, Talking Book (1972), by Tamla.[6] The lyrics describe popular superstitions[7] and their negative effects.
A sample from "Superstition", the song contains a funk-oriented sound with a bassline and riff played by Wonder
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Jeff Beck was an admirer of Wonder's music, and Wonder was informed of this prior to the Talking Book album sessions. Although at this point he was playing virtually all of the instruments on his songs by himself, Wonder preferred to let other guitarists play on his records, and he liked the idea of a collaboration with Beck. An agreement was quickly made for Beck to become involved in the sessions that became the Talking Book album, in return for Wonder writing him a song.
Between the album sessions, Beck came up with the opening drum beat. Wonder told Beck to keep playing while he improvised over the top of it. He improvised most of the song, including the riff, on the spot. Beck and Wonder created a rough demo for the song that day.[14][15]
After finishing the song, Wonder decided that he would allow Beck to record "Superstition" as part of their agreement. Originally, the plan was for Beck to release his version of the song first, with his newly formed power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice. However, due to the combination of the trio's debut album getting delayed and Motown CEO Berry Gordy's prediction that "Superstition" would be a huge hit and greatly increase the sales of Talking Book, Wonder released the song as the Talking Book lead single months ahead of Beck's version, the latter being issued in March 1973 on the Beck, Bogert & Appice album.[16]
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Other recorded versionsedit
Stevie Wonder performed a live-in-the-studio version of "Superstition" on Sesame Street in 1973, episode 514. This version later appeared on the collection Songs from the Street: 35 Years in Music.[32][33]
Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded a live version in 1986, which was released as a single from his album Live Alive. The accompanying music video features Vaughan and a stage crew setting up for a concert he planned to perform on Friday the 13th. Many superstitious acts and objects are featured, most notably an angry black cat intent on doing harm to Double Trouble, and Wonder appears at the end, holding the cat. This version is still[when?] played on classic rock radio,[15] and is included on two of Vaughan's greatest hits compilations.[34]
In popular cultureedit
Wonder appeared in Bud Light commercials that debuted during Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. As part of the "It's only weird if it doesn't work" campaign, which showed superstitious fans acting compulsively in an effort to guide their teams to victory, Wonder appeared as a witch doctor in New Orleans (where the event took place). These fans would perform numerous superstitious acts in order to receive good luck charms from him. "Superstition," specifically the beginning instrumental portion before Wonder's vocals kick in, plays throughout these commercials.[15]
^McFerrin, John. "Stevie Wonder- Talking Book". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
^Pitchfork Staff (August 22, 2016). "The 200 Best Songs of the 1970s". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 13, 2022. The drums came first: one of pop's most instantly recognizable intros tapped out on one of the tightest-ever snares leading into an indelible funk groove of swung 16th notes.
^Breihan, Tom (March 20, 2019). "The Number Ones: Stevie Wonder's "Superstition"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 17, 2023. And yet "Superstition" is still a soul song, with its perfectly timed horn stabs...
^"Superstition: Stevie Wonder". Rolling Stone. December 9, 2004. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
^ abDean, Maury (2003). Rock N' Roll Gold Rush. Algora. p. 276. ISBN 0-87586-207-1.
^"This Week in Billboard Chart History: In 1973, Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition' Soared to No. 1 on the Hot 100". Billboard.
^Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 635.
^"Stevie Wonder Top Songs". MusicVF.com. Music VF, US & UK hits charts. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
^"Superstition ranked #73 on Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs List in 2010". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2003. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
^"Superstition ranked #12 on Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs List". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
^"Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973". Music Outfitters.
^"Danish single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Superstition". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
^"Italian single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Superstition" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 27, 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Superstition" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
^"British single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Superstition". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
^"Stevie Wonder Visits Sesame Street In 1973". JamBase. August 4, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
^Hornbach, Jean-Pierre (February 11, 2012). Whitney Houston: We Love You Forever. p. 427. ISBN 9781471631795.
^"Stevie Ray Vaughan/Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Superstition". AllMusic.
External linksedit
Hughes, Timothy S. (2003). "Superstition". Groove and Flow: Six Analytical Essays on the Music of Stevie Wonder (Ph.D.). University of Washington. pp. 140–177. OCLC 76889013.
List of cover versions of "Superstition" at SecondHandSongs.com