Stevie Wonder Albums Ranked

Stevland Hardaway Morris (né Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the second half of the 20th century, Wonder is one of the most successful songwriters and musicians. A virtual one-man band, his use of synthesizers and further electronic musical instruments during the 1970s reshaped the conventions of R&B. He also helped drive the genre into the album era, crafting his LPs as cohesive, consistent socially conscious statements with complex compositions. Wonder is often hailed as a “genius”, and has been credited as a pioneer and influence to musicians of various genres including rhythm and blues, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz. Here are all of Stevie Wonder albums ranked.

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10. My Cherie Amour (1969)

“The rest of the album is a right mixed bag though, with none of Stevie’s remaining songs reaching the high standards of so many of his previous contributions. Stevie’s second single, Ron Miller’s typically poppy Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday has a decent tune, but its happy nature seems out of odds with the wistfully nostalgic lyrics and the song is seriously marred by one of the clunkiest refrains to be found in any of his hit singles (title says it all).”

9. Up-Tight (1966)

“This compilation of sorts (several tracks were recorded during the past two years) does not try to hide Stevie’s pubescence. Notice how the pre-pube vocals on “Contract On Love” against the cracking/changing vocal cords on “Nothing’s Too Good For My Baby.” Nonetheless, Stevie was on his way from here on out, and each successive album got stronger material.”

8. For Once In My Life(1968)

“Stevie’s first really good album from beginning to end, with very few if any weak tracks. It’s still not quite a masterpiece – though well put together, it feels largely like a collection of songs compared to the seamless flow of Stevie’s acclaimed later albums and the sequencing still isn’t perfect (Shoo-Be-Doo isn’t entirely convincing straight after For Once is My Life being in a totally different key and style, but I understand Motown wanted to cram all the hits in at the start, even if its position of #50 on the pop chart suggests that like with other Motown artists, the general public were mainly interested in the singles), and it doesn’t quite have the depth and personal introspection of his classic period.”

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7. Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through “The Secret Life Of Plants” (1979)

“Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants is the real lost Stevie classic, a true treasury of Wondermusic that can only be possibly rivalled by Songs in the Key of Life in the categories of quality, quantity and diversity. Unfortunately the ever so conditional faux-critical masses can only remember that Stevie delivered a symphonic, progressive, almost esoteric epic in a moment when everyone was waiting for a disco-r&b-punk-funker to rule the faux-new world. Hello my generation, that’s no point to overlook a masterpiece”

6. Music Of My Mind (1972)

“The part that awes me the most about Music of My Mind is not the bass or the dense musical palette (more on that later) but Stevie’s vocal performances. You could run through every song and comment on it but I’ll opt for the peaks: “Superwoman”. All of it. It’s a joyous and romantic high for Stevie, in its 8 minutes Stevie runs the middle register for all its worth, but the opener opts for a bright and vibrant gospel vocal harmony.”

5. Hotter Than July (1980)

“The album kicks off with a soft ‘ahh’ that builds up to a crescendo and then the guitar crashes in “Did I Hear You Say You Love Me”. A great funky number and a great intro to an album. “All I Do” follows, a song written back in 1966, but until then never released featuring Michael Jackson and others on background vocals and with a pleasing modern sound. Next is “Rocket Love” a beautiful ballad, featuring a moving string arrangement by Paul Riser.”

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4. Fulfillingness’ First Finale(1974)

“The lyrics, overall, are great- except when they start to go a little over the top religious. But the religious aspects weren’t my main takeaway from the project- even from the religious songs on the project. The main takeaway was a powerful message of equality. He writes great lyrics in general, judging by both this album and the individual songs I’ve heard from outside of it.”

3. Talking Book (1972)

“Talking Book contains a whole load of real classics, if also a couple of useless pieces. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and the slightly overplayed “Superstition” (almost every time the radio plays ’70s Wonder it is this song) are the super classics of course, but there are even brighter gems on the album. “You’ve Got It Bad Girl” is definitely one of the best Stevie Wonder songs ever and a complete milestone.”

2. Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)

“There’s just so much Stevie to love here. Seven tracks exceed the six minute mark, with only one outstaying it’s welcome. “Isn’t She Lovely”  would’ve made a fine, if admittedly saccharin, three minute pop tune. I could do without the additional three minutes of harmonica solo. The other six are among the shortest long songs I’ve ever heard, if you get my meaning.”

1. Innervisions (1973)

“‘Innervision’ is the veritable soundtrack to inner city hopelessness as well as genuine anger, and still stands strong today. The mellow mood may well have been nothing but a sweet, all too brief dream in an otherwise restless sleep, as “Higher Ground” picks up the rhythm and general sentiment of chaos and upheaval, which then flawlessly seagues into a harsh condemnation of hypocrisy through “Jesus Children of America”.