Stevie Wonder-Overjoyed
January 30, 2008
From the album: In Square Circle
Album Release Date: 1985
Label: Motown
Genres: 1980s R&B, Quiet Storm, Classic Soul, Funk, Motown
In Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed,” the sounds of crickets, nightingale, as well as other kinds of birds, ocean, pebbles in pond, crushing leaves are listed under “Environmental Percussion” that accompany the music.
Born on May 13, 1950, Stevie Wonder is a multi-instrumental singer, songwriter and a record producer. Having recorded more than thirty top ten hits, he won twenty-five Grammy Awards, including lifetime achievement, the best song, and he has also been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame.
Stevie Wonder, who signed a contract with Motown Records at age twelve, continues to perform and record for the label to this day. Up to this day, he has nine U.S. number-one hits to his name. Although blind from infancy, Wonder skillfully plays the piano, synthesizer, harmonica, talk-box, congas, bongos, drums, bass guitar, organ, melodica, and clarinet.
“Overjoyed” is one of my favorite songs, as it tells a small love story, and expresses emotions that most people are unable to put into words, in a poetic way. This song belongs to an African American Music class, not only because Stevie Wonder has an African background, but also because his music presents a greatly different view of life, filled with love, joy, and optimism.
February 6, 2008 at 2:58 am
Stevie Wonder is a great choice and a classic! I never knew he signed a contract at age 12…quite amazing. Another song that I enjoy by him is called, “I Just Called to Say I Love You” which is also a classic song. Once again, great choice!
February 7, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Stevie Wonder, one of my favorites. I never knew he played multiple instruments, now I have even more respect for him then I did. He is so inspirational and his music is amazing. Another song of his I really like is Jungle Fever.
February 7, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Stevie stevie stevie.. I think I might be the biggest Stevie Wonder fan in the world. Not only is he a great song writer and singer but also a great drummer!
February 7, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Stevie Wonder’s cool, I like when he randomly shows up on Herbie Hancock records and plays harmonica because as soon as you hear it you know it’s him.
February 7, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I grew up on Stevie Wonder and he’s without a doubt one of my favorite artists of all time. I got about 100 of his songs on my ipod and love them on. If you like “overjoyed” also listen to his songs “Ribbon In The Sky” “Knocks Me Off My Feet” “My Cherie Amour” “Isn’t She Lovely” and if you want a taste of young Stevie Wonder listen to “Fingertips Pts. 1&2″ he recorded this song when he was 12 years old
February 8, 2008 at 12:05 am
I love Stevie Wonder. My favorite song is “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” It was the first song I sang in chorus in 7th grade. We thought is was so cool to perform such a popular song. He is a classic.
February 8, 2008 at 2:14 am
I like Stevie Wonder, my mom always played him when I was younger. I like the song “Living for the City” by him.
February 8, 2008 at 3:05 am
OMG…total classic! Love this song. I think this is a song that the entire world knows! Great choice!
February 8, 2008 at 4:31 am
Stevie Wonder is the man. Nice choice. I love this song and many of his. always a nice choice to listen to. I’ve listened to him forever because he’s a total classic.
February 8, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Wow I never even thought to put Stevie up on this blog. He has got to be my all time favorite artist of all time. “For Once In My Life” has got to be the one I gravitate most though. It’s a very inspiring song telling you to fight threw. Also I correlate it with the Temptations movie that vh1 put on which is an awesome rendition that I have not been able to find.