This was a shortened version of the song. The rest of the song contains a "street scene" segment where the young Black man is framed for a crime in the streets of a city he's just arrived in.
Yes, please! Listen to the longer album version. In the old days artist always had to shorten their songs to fit into the 3 to 4 minutes that most songs were. So you always get thec45 version vs the album version.
In the early 2000's I was working in one of the Towers in Century City Los Angeles, and one summer day close to lunch time this rumor spread like wildfire that Stevie Wonder was giving a free concert out on the lawn at during lunch, everyone ran out and there he was, set up with his keyboard and a band and starting singing all his hits, it was a gorgeous sunny day, just a beautiful spontaneous moment of life
I was lucky enough to hear him as a surprise guess at a fundraiser for poverty . His speech to the crowd brought tears to my eyes! He’s a lovely humble and selfless human being.
You really have to listen to the long version. Stevie sings it with a real meaning and passion. Stevie Wonder. 1. a blind man. 2. a black man 3. wrote most of his songs 4. played most instruments. 5. brilliant song writer. 6. 25 Grammys, the most by any solo artist 7. 1 Oscar 8. did I mention he was blind and black? 9. 23 studio albums, three soundtrack albums,
"Songs in the Key of Life" is among g the very best LP's ever. "In Square Circle" is also amazing. But this album, "Innervisions" is my favorite Stevie compilation. I hope you dive into every song. Then his hundreds more lol. You'll be glad you did! ✌️🎶🩵
When I first heard Little Stevie Wonder he was 11, that's when he signed up with Motown 1961, I've loved his music ever since.😍 1963 he was already on the Billboards Top 100! with his hit "Fingertips" check it out. Your reaction was great 😄 Peace✌️ and Love❤ your 70 year old forever hippie Gary😊
Unfortunately, many of these things still exist today. But as usual, we roll with it and persevere. Stevie was always able to write songs that shined a spotlight on social issues as well as many other things we all deal with in life. Stevie Wonder is a national treasure!
'Little Stevie Wonder' started his career very early in life. He grew to be a force in the music business. Sadly, the struggle still exists here in the U.S. Thanks for the reaction, have a lovely night. ☮💙🎶
I have seen Stevie Wonder once live in concert. I was in the 2nd row, and it was the Hotter than July tour 1980. It was the best concert I have ever seen. Even better then the 5 times I saw Ptlrince
I have truly fallen in love with you and your reactions! You are a darling and fun couple. Thank you for your videos. Stevie Wonder has always been one of my faves through the 70s and to today - he is a treasure! This song was sampled and reworked for the 1991 movie New Jack City with Ice-T, Judd Nelson, Mario Van Peebles, and Wesley Snipes.
André & Dominica! You should give this song another listen, the album cut instead of the edited version that you just listened to! It is much deeper and it hits much harder! The "Innervisions" album which "Living For The City" is from is one of Stevie Wonders best during his golden period of 6 albums from 1971-76! Great reaction with Love, Peace & Blessings to you both!!!
Oh wow. Never knew there was an abbreviated version of this song. You really need to hear the full version. You missed a lot with this shortened version. 😮
Unfortunately, American society is still riddled with racism... but more and more people are uniting to get rid of that BS. America needs to stamp out our greatest sin... racism... and the political movements (MAGA) that give that garbage life. Stevie Wonder was an absolutely brilliant artist who tackled many subjects in his work. Thank you for your reaction and thoughts.
Hi. - agree with the comments re the longer version; please also listen to "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" from the same album - you won't be disappointed - keep up the great work -
Check out his “Ribbon in the Sky”. Motown signed him at 11 yrs. old. He came out with his Big Hit “Fingertips Part 1 & 2” at 12 yrs. old in ‘62…..SanJoséBob
Yes. It was heavy...but very necessary and warranted. The anger sometimes demands attention to the situation. I do hope you will listen to the full song. It will give you a better perspective of the full thought process in his heart and mind and the times for which it was written.
To hear this in 2024, is heartbreaking, but very true for those times and unfortunately, discrimination exists today in many southern states, which should never be, not ever💙🇺🇲✌️
Yes, the album version is longer, and you should react to it, too. The lyrics are amazing, and the use of the voice that Stevie does is unique. It Is said that just during the recording of the song, Cecil and Margouleff, the two engineers of the T.O.N.T.O. Orchestra that were in the studio with Stevie, purposefully stopped the recording session several times, and so Stevie got irritated and got upset with them and used his voice with a rasp...
please react to lord huron’s “the night we met” and “i lied” i think you would like it so much! thank you for your reactions, you so focused in music that you listen and i love it!
Robert Margouleff, the producer of Stevie Wonder’s masterpiece “Innervisions” kept making Stevie Wonder do this song again and again, the last/this version is Stevie getting more frustrated with so many takes, hence the anger in his voice, just brilliant!
Yes, that was the single, a song, but the album version is a city trip, a city symphony that would only now really begin to live musically and urbanly. Innervision is of course HIS masterpiece in terms of musical innovation (synth) and versatility. Stevie had a series of four great albums with the predecessor Talking Book (Superstition), the successor Fulfillingness (not necessarily my fav) and the DLP Songs In The Key Of Life (not quite as innovative, more classically pleasing songs). His influence on the music world was greatest at that time. I'll be surprised what happens next!?!
Stevie had a run of albums in the early to mid 70's that was equal to anyone ever. 1 suggestion: Superstition. Written for Jeff Beck, but was too good to give to him (long story). So Stevie gave him Cause We've Ended as Lovers as a make up. Then hear pretty much all of Talking Book thru Songs In the Key of Life (or maybe start w/ Music of My Mind). Might be hard to react to all of them.
such a shame you didn't listen to the long version of this song. It hits hard, Hope you do a do-over reacting to the long album version at least for yourselves
Mississippi and other southern states were not guaranteed the vote until the mid 60s when Stevie was born. Unfortunately, state laws still prevent equal opportunity. It wasn't until after the sixties that separate drinking fountains, bathrooms, restaurants, schools, buses, lodging etc were integrated. There is still a long way to go. Vote blue.
You should check out the new cover version of this song from Dirty Loops 😅 Very cool. By the way, they have a lot of their own stuff on their channel too.
the clip you listened to is great (the whole album "Innervisions" is) but it would have made more sense if you had heard the whole song. You got an edited version. The character in the song moves to a city and accidently gets involved with a drug deal, gets caught and thrown in jail.
Yeah I hate when people react to the short version. This is basically a censored version that misses a whole story in the middle that drives the message home. Maybe it doesn’t matter. You still got the idea of it.
I don’t know who recommended the short version, as it doesn’t do the true message & impact of the song justice at all. Yes although the groove is upbeat, the subject matter is quite serious & as you pointed out, could be relevant today. The original has a dramatic story interruption before the music continues to complete the story & summarize. That version was even played on the radio back then when the song came out. You should definitely search for it.👍
Being aware ... not woke ... aware, others have done the same thing. Arguably, one of the best, greatest and timeless songs from the last century and you only reacted to a shortened, edited version. Please! Please! do yourselves and your followers a service and react to the Innervisions album version and you will both understand why ... :)
Im afraid you screwed up. There is a 45 second section at the end of this song that shows the intended meaning of this song. About half the reactors that I follow make the same mistake. Maybe you have the radio cut, but just so you hear the whole song, find the longer version. In the 70s, it was common to include non musical effects to the beginning and end of a track.
yes, the 7 minute 22 second album version from his Grammy Award winning album Innervisions is best. The album version was actually played on the radio. fyi, The powerful spoken word section was always omitted from live versions as well.
@@MerchantOfAlba No problem. I've seen it done on several other reactions. Listen to the extended version. It's what makes the song extra powerful. The use of non music effects was popular in the late 60s/early 70s.
I feel bad for Merchant of Alba, who got robbed of the true version. I can't even listen to this mess, which was shortened for the convenience of narrow-minded 1970s radio stations.
@@MerchantOfAlba You two are too kind and cooperative! Would you mind taking over the customer service for my bank, my post office, and my doctor's office? 😋
This was a shortened version of the song. The rest of the song contains a "street scene" segment where the young Black man is framed for a crime in the streets of a city he's just arrived in.
Please listen to the longer version; it’s where the power, the message of this song has its greatest impact.
yes, the 7 minute 22 second album version from his Grammy Award winning album Innervisions. This version was actually played on the radio.
Thank you 👍
Yes, please! Listen to the longer album version. In the old days artist always had to shorten their songs to fit into the 3 to 4 minutes that most songs were. So you always get thec45 version vs the album version.
This is the single version.
As others say... THE LONG VERSION hits HARD.
You should re-listen
Stevie was like religion in my house growing up!❤ one of the best songwriters and singers ever!
I had the privilege of seeing Stevie Wonder live. That man can put on a show!
Me too here in the U.K., he was fabulous and had everyone dancing! So many memories for this 67yr old grandma who still loves Stevies sound.
You two are on fire today. I love this song so much. I remember when my brother brought this album home in the 70s.
You will be impressed by the true, longer version. The song does seem like it ends where you stopped but it picks up again…
In the early 2000's I was working in one of the Towers in Century City Los Angeles, and one summer day close to lunch time this rumor spread like wildfire that Stevie Wonder was giving a free concert out on the lawn at during lunch, everyone ran out and there he was, set up with his keyboard and a band and starting singing all his hits, it was a gorgeous sunny day, just a beautiful spontaneous moment of life
p.s.: One of my fav Stevie songs is *_'Overjoyed'_* hope you add it to the list. and *'Isn't She Lovely'* and *'My Cherie Amour'*
Oh wow 💚 Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory 😊
@@maha77 and I have to add Ribbon In The Sky to those three! His love songs are amazing ❤
I was lucky enough to hear him as a surprise guess at a fundraiser for poverty . His speech to the crowd brought tears to my eyes! He’s a lovely humble and selfless human being.
I heard this the year it was released, I was ten years old but it has stayed in my head all my life.
Another Great Stevie Reaction!! I recommend that you all react to "I was made to love her" Next!😊
You really have to listen to the long version. Stevie sings it with a real meaning and passion.
Stevie Wonder.
1. a blind man.
2. a black man
3. wrote most of his songs
4. played most instruments.
5. brilliant song writer.
6. 25 Grammys, the most by any solo artist
7. 1 Oscar
8. did I mention he was blind and black?
9. 23 studio albums, three soundtrack albums,
I have this in my all time top 100 songs of all time. Takes the listener exactly to the intended location.
From his masterpiece Innervisions album, one of the great ones from '73.
Once again, you've given a spot on reaction 👏.....you've not only heard this, but you've obviously "felt" it👏👏👏👏👏
That was the short radio version. The original version really brings the reality of the lyrics to life.
The genius of Stevie Wonder.
lovely reaction; i would recommend always listening to the longer version of a song if it exists :)
One of the greatest songs ever written
"Songs in the Key of Life" is among g the very best LP's ever. "In Square Circle" is also amazing. But this album, "Innervisions" is my favorite Stevie compilation. I hope you dive into every song. Then his hundreds more lol. You'll be glad you did! ✌️🎶🩵
Oh my goodness! This came out when I was in grade school. It hits home…even to a white kid in the suburbs! Sings truth! 🎶🖤
Stevie has a ton of amazing songs. Higher ground, I wish, Sir Duke, Signed Sealed Delivered are just a few!
You continue to be great🍻
Thank you 😊
When I first heard Little Stevie Wonder he was 11, that's when he signed up with Motown 1961, I've loved his music ever since.😍 1963 he was already on the Billboards Top 100! with his hit "Fingertips" check it out. Your reaction was great 😄 Peace✌️ and Love❤ your 70 year old forever hippie Gary😊
Thank you 😊
This song gives me chills! What a talent Stevie Wonder is! You are correct in saying the playing field is not the same for everyone!
Always been and always be my favorite Stevie Wonder song. That electric piano is amazing.
Unfortunately, many of these things still exist today. But as usual, we roll with it and persevere. Stevie was always able to write songs that shined a spotlight on social issues as well as many other things we all deal with in life. Stevie Wonder is a national treasure!
Check out fingertips 1&2…
In ‘73 I saw The Rolling Stones at MSG in NY,and they were live and upbeat.
The opening act was Stevie Wonder
National treasure🤘🤘
That voice!!!!
'Little Stevie Wonder' started his career very early in life. He grew to be a force in the music business. Sadly, the struggle still exists here in the U.S. Thanks for the reaction, have a lovely night. ☮💙🎶
Thank you 😊 Best wishes 💚
I have seen Stevie Wonder once live in concert. I was in the 2nd row, and it was the Hotter than July tour 1980. It was the best concert I have ever seen. Even better then the 5 times I saw Ptlrince
I have truly fallen in love with you and your reactions! You are a darling and fun couple. Thank you for your videos. Stevie Wonder has always been one of my faves through the 70s and to today - he is a treasure! This song was sampled and reworked for the 1991 movie New Jack City with Ice-T, Judd Nelson, Mario Van Peebles, and Wesley Snipes.
Thank you kindly 💚
Stevie is one of those people who seemingly can't miss a note.
André & Dominica! You should give this song another listen, the album cut instead of the edited version that you just listened to! It is much deeper and it hits much harder! The "Innervisions" album which "Living For The City" is from is one of Stevie Wonders best during his golden period of 6 albums from 1971-76! Great reaction with Love, Peace & Blessings to you both!!!
Oh wow. Never knew there was an abbreviated version of this song. You really need to hear the full version. You missed a lot with this shortened version. 😮
Many thanks 👍💚
Love Stevie! Brilliant man❤❤
Stevie plays many of the instuments on this album including the drums
Unfortunately, American society is still riddled with racism... but more and more people are uniting to get rid of that BS.
America needs to stamp out our greatest sin... racism... and the political movements (MAGA) that give that garbage life. Stevie Wonder was an absolutely brilliant artist who tackled many subjects in his work. Thank you for your reaction and thoughts.
My jam!
As so any others have said, you really need to hear the long version!
This album i feel is his best,its like a gretest hits!
Hi. - agree with the comments re the longer version; please also listen to "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" from the same album - you won't be disappointed - keep up the great work -
You have to do more Stevie Wonder.
i love you guys
Check out his “Ribbon in the Sky”. Motown signed him at 11 yrs. old. He came out with his Big Hit “Fingertips Part 1 & 2” at 12 yrs. old in ‘62…..SanJoséBob
Yes. It was heavy...but very necessary and warranted. The anger sometimes demands attention to the situation. I do hope you will listen to the full song. It will give you a better perspective of the full thought process in his heart and mind and the times for which it was written.
To hear this in 2024, is heartbreaking, but very true for those times and unfortunately, discrimination exists today in many southern states, which should never be, not ever💙🇺🇲✌️
Yes, the album version is longer, and you should react to it, too. The lyrics are amazing, and the use of the voice that Stevie does is unique. It Is said that just during the recording of the song, Cecil and Margouleff, the two engineers of the T.O.N.T.O. Orchestra that were in the studio with Stevie, purposefully stopped the recording session several times, and so Stevie got irritated and got upset with them and used his voice with a rasp...
Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan did a phenomenal cover with his band Gillan.
please react to lord huron’s “the night we met” and “i lied”
i think you would like it so much! thank you for your reactions, you so focused in music that you listen and i love it!
Thank you kindly 💚
Robert Margouleff, the producer of Stevie Wonder’s masterpiece “Innervisions” kept making Stevie Wonder do this song again and again, the last/this version is Stevie getting more frustrated with so many takes, hence the anger in his voice, just brilliant!
Nat, Sam, Stevie, Michael.
❤❤❤
Listen to the original version. It has an ending that was all to often accurate for the day.
❤️❤️
Yes, that was the single, a song, but the album version is a city trip, a city symphony that would only now really begin to live musically and urbanly. Innervision is of course HIS masterpiece in terms of musical innovation (synth) and versatility. Stevie had a series of four great albums with the predecessor Talking Book (Superstition), the successor Fulfillingness (not necessarily my fav) and the DLP Songs In The Key Of Life (not quite as innovative, more classically pleasing songs). His influence on the music world was greatest at that time. I'll be surprised what happens next!?!
❤
Stevie had a run of albums in the early to mid 70's that was equal to anyone ever. 1 suggestion: Superstition. Written for Jeff Beck, but was too good to give to him (long story). So Stevie gave him Cause We've Ended as Lovers as a make up. Then hear pretty much all of Talking Book thru Songs In the Key of Life (or maybe start w/ Music of My Mind). Might be hard to react to all of them.
Thank you for the recommendation 😊
👍
such a shame you didn't listen to the long version of this song. It hits hard, Hope you do a do-over reacting to the long album version at least for yourselves
Racisn is still alive and thriving today in the US. IT was extremely hard back then for blks to find work. Im blk..love me some Stevie. 11/23/24
Mississippi and other southern states were not guaranteed the vote until the mid 60s when Stevie was born. Unfortunately, state laws still prevent equal opportunity. It wasn't until after the sixties that separate drinking fountains, bathrooms, restaurants, schools, buses, lodging etc were integrated. There is still a long way to go. Vote blue.
RAY CHARLES MADE A VERY BEAUTIFUL VERSION
You should check out the new cover version of this song from Dirty Loops 😅 Very cool. By the way, they have a lot of their own stuff on their channel too.
please react to joy inside my tears, great song
the clip you listened to is great (the whole album "Innervisions" is) but it would have made more sense if you had heard the whole song. You got an edited version. The character in the song moves to a city and accidently gets involved with a drug deal, gets caught and thrown in jail.
Oh thank you... we'll look for it 👍
Yeah I hate when people react to the short version. This is basically a censored version that misses a whole story in the middle that drives the message home. Maybe it doesn’t matter. You still got the idea of it.
This version was requested for us to react to. But we'll check the other one for sure 😊
I don’t know who recommended the short version, as it doesn’t do the true message & impact of the song justice at all. Yes although the groove is upbeat, the subject matter is quite serious & as you pointed out, could be relevant today. The original has a dramatic story interruption before the music continues to complete the story & summarize. That version was even played on the radio back then when the song came out. You should definitely search for it.👍
Being aware ... not woke ... aware, others have done the same thing. Arguably, one of the best, greatest and timeless songs from the last century and you only reacted to a shortened, edited version. Please! Please! do yourselves and your followers a service and react to the Innervisions album version and you will both understand why ... :)
Thank you 😊 We'll search for the longer version for sure 👍💚
This is only half the song 😢
I can't believe you don't know that
Song
Im afraid you screwed up. There is a 45 second section at the end of this song that shows the intended meaning of this song. About half the reactors that I follow make the same mistake. Maybe you have the radio cut, but just so you hear the whole song, find the longer version. In the 70s, it was common to include non musical effects to the beginning and end of a track.
yes, the 7 minute 22 second album version from his Grammy Award winning album Innervisions is best. The album version was actually played on the radio. fyi, The powerful spoken word section was always omitted from live versions as well.
Thank you. We will search for it...the song was requested and link sent to us. We wouldn't know what version to listen to
@@MerchantOfAlba No problem. I've seen it done on several other reactions. Listen to the extended version. It's what makes the song extra powerful. The use of non music effects was popular in the late 60s/early 70s.
Nice reaction but you listened to the "woke" censored version. The whole point of the song is what the people who put this on youtube censored.
Your missing the entire middle section of the song.
Yes, we'll search for the other version 👍
You needed the longer version...not complete.
I feel bad for Merchant of Alba, who got robbed of the true version. I can't even listen to this mess, which was shortened for the convenience of narrow-minded 1970s radio stations.
We will listen to the longer version for sure 😊
@@MerchantOfAlba You two are too kind and cooperative! Would you mind taking over the customer service for my bank, my post office, and my doctor's office? 😋
Stevie depicts through song the plight of black Americans in this racist country