Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

4. Stevie WonderInnervisions

I remember hearing this jump out of the radio. I was under ten I think but I remember when it came out, and I was blown away just by the sound of it. By the passion, the intensity of it, it just reached out, this music, out of the radio speakers in the car. My father was even jiving. My father was jiving! I didn’t understand what the song was about, but once I did, you know, it was documenting life for this family in Mississippi. And the journey of one of them to New York and then a tragedy. And then knowing when it was written and relating it to the Black Lives Matter movement – it’s a story that has been repeated over and over and over for decade. It’s just a testament to the power of the song and to Stevie Wonder’s ability to document.

PreviousNext Record

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today