Hey Everyone! As you may know, we originally reacted to the single version of "Living for the City" but we were told to do the album version before that video even premiered. Our original video dove a little deeper into the sociopolitical aspects of the song, but when you do one-take reaction videos, it is sometimes difficult to remember what you already said (especially when it's your second reaction to the same song). If you would like to hear our original commentary. Check out the original video here: ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
I believe Stevie played most if not all of the instruments on his early albums. I don't know about this song. I remember one review criticizing his drumming as "serviceable" or the like. In any case this song is brilliant in lyric and performance, and uplifting to boot. Thanks for another great reaction.
Back in the day, we would listen to music like this, with a mixed group of people and be able to talk about race, poverty, and politics...now it seems that everyone is scared to engage... Unfortunately, this song described the situation back then and it makes me sad that things have gotten worse. Even the music is worse today... my two cents
Good points. We actually got more into the racial and political aspects of this on our original video, but when we came back to the album version, we kind of forgot what we had already said on this video vs. what we said in the last video. If you wanna check out our original comments, you can check out the video here: ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html Regarding today's music, there is definitely some great, thought provoking music being made. Unfortunately, it doesn't typically get the same kind of commercial response a thoughtful record may have gotten back in the day. Thanks for watching Donald! As always, we appreciate you :)
My favourite Stevie song. What a vocal performance, what lyrics, what a groove. As usual around this period, pretty sure he played everything on the record himself. For about a 4-5 album run, there was probably no one who could touch him
Glad you did the full version! ;)) Such an amazing, hard hitting story and performance. And it sits sandwiched between Visions and Golden Lady, two such sweet songs. The subject matter and story still resonates in the current BLM era.
We're glad we did the full version too! We did forget to mention a few things we brought up in the original video, but you can watch our original commentary here if you choose! ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
We're glad we did the full version too! We did cover a few topics on the original we forgot to bring up again. Definitely check that one out too if you wanna hear all the commentary! ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
This man has always had his finger on the world's pulse. Perhaps blindness gives one a certain hyper-sensitivity to their surroundings. His talent as a singer/songwriter is peerless. But regardless of the reasons why he's a musical genius, for deeply soulful, super-sensitive, & mad-inventive artistry thy name IS & will always be Stevie!
An all time classic in my playlist, a song that tells like it is for the poor, mainly black population of America, used up and spat out is the way I'd describe it. Stevie sure had his finger on pulse and will go down as a true Legend in history.
This song makes a great appearance in Spike Lee's film Jungle Fever. That post-chorus, that da da da da da, and its harmonies really stands out for me. It comes across with an easy sort of rise and fall, but it's actually really complex and it somehow centers the conflicts in the narrative.
@lucky leprechaun , I made that list after the AFI did their list about 10 years ago and I only agreed with about half their selections. I haven't booked at in a while, but I listed it not as 100 being a scale being that the number 1 is the best, but in chronology from silents to present day because I didn't think great films should be in competition with each other. They're simply reflective of an American artistic sensibility throughout the decades.
Truth. We got more into this in the original video before we knew the album version. If you want to see the original commentary, check it out here! ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
That unearthly melody/motif over the strange descending chords has knocked me out for...wow, 48 years now! I especially love when Stevie starts harmonizing with that synth line...and as you describe it, the gritty delivery on the last verse brings it up to another level of emotional power and honest recounting of lived truth. Cheers, SAD. Deliriously even-keeled this morning. ;>D
Those descending chords indeed! I think that is a Stevie trademark. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing - it’s even more pronounced there. Must be other examples. He is one of a kind.
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, Elvis 1. 3 Grammys 2. never wrote a song.
I remember when this song came out in NYC, most radio stations would not play the longer version. They always played it on radio station WBLS, - W B L S - The total black experience in sound 107.5 in stereo.
Another great album. Motown was big in 70s uk, I feel every home had at least 1, Stevie, Marvin, Supremes, Four tops, Temptations Jackson 5 record. Thanks for the memories
Maybe you could have a go at Music of my Mind from Stevie? The previous album to Talking Book. Its a very different Stevie with no obvious singles but began that quartet of albums that became MUSIC landmarks,let alone soul.
Thank you for sharing your reaction to this truly epic piece by Stevie Wonder. It's as relevant today as ever. I'm eternally grateful that I grew up in a multicultural environment in Canarsie, Brooklyn in the early 70's. That upbringing along with influential pieces music like Living For The City helped to mold my social and cultural values. Thanks again.
@@SightAfterDark You're welcome Sight After Dark. My family and I left Canarsie a long, long time ago, but East 105th Street was my home way back when.
What i find so fucking cool and wonderful about SW is that he just knew. It was once said of the Beatles, at the end of their time together, they were " of their time." The same can be said of SW. The so much more incredible fact is the Beatles and SW are of any time. Very very very few artist of any kind or genre had this impact.
Stevie was so dominant in the 70's that when Paul Simon won the Album of the Year Grammy for "Still Crazy After All These Years", the first thing he did was thank Stevie for not making an album that year.
Light but prominent drum. Sounds like an oxymoron but you’re dead on right! I’d never realized it but it’s there. It’s like a voice in a harmony. It’s part of the grouping but has its own voice. You can miss it if you focus too much on the synth or vocals. That said, what a master piece! Great reaction!
In the story, remember the dude is either from the south or small town middle America, or somethin like that. So he’s overwhelmed by the sight of the city & easily gets swept up into a bad scene. Stevie was one of the main artists, that when he started producing his own albums & composing all the songs, had the lyrics to every song inside the album cover. HITSVILLE: The Making of Mot
This song was used in my favorite spike Lee movie jungle fever when flipper mom ask flipper go get the tv that his brother gator stoled from their parents house and you see flipper actually walked in a real crack house that spike Lee filmed called the Taj mahal and gator told flipper he smoked the tv while sharing it with Halley balley in the crack house 👍👍
I was 15 in 1974 in the UK, and was shocked to hear that such racism might exist in the USA. I've never been, but hope things have improved. Such a great song by Stevie.
Yeah, she likes to actually listen to the song and say what she thought instead of dancing for the cameras and just saying it’s cool or awesome. #howweird Thanks for watching!
Sadly, situations like this in the song have never and will never change. Save for the racism angle, which is trying to change now. There has always been, and will always be, predators and prey in the human race. That is just a pragmatic reality.
We respectfully disagree, sometimes its hard to understand the lyrics by themselves, and seeing them on screen helps us understand the full scope of the song. Either way, thank you so much for watching!
Hey Everyone! As you may know, we originally reacted to the single version of "Living for the City" but we were told to do the album version before that video even premiered.
Our original video dove a little deeper into the sociopolitical aspects of the song, but when you do one-take reaction videos, it is sometimes difficult to remember what you already said (especially when it's your second reaction to the same song).
If you would like to hear our original commentary. Check out the original video here:
ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
Stevie in the seventies was just on another level. Nobody came close.
MASTERPIECE
lyrically. vocally .
Arrangement.
And the MESSAGE.
Thank you Stevie Wonder.
One of the greatest songs ever written. The urban vibe was definitely captured
This is such a powerfull song and the 7 minutes version should be played more on the radio to remind people about the story within this song.
*Sign of a strong song* - you haven't heard it for years - and when you do - feels in your head like you heard it yesterday.
I believe Stevie played most if not all of the instruments on his early albums. I don't know about this song. I remember one review criticizing his drumming as "serviceable" or the like.
In any case this song is brilliant in lyric and performance, and uplifting to boot. Thanks for another great reaction.
This song always brings tears to my eyes
Back in the day, we would listen to music like this, with a mixed group of people and be able to talk about race, poverty, and politics...now it seems that everyone is scared to engage...
Unfortunately, this song described the situation back then and it makes me sad that things have gotten worse.
Even the music is worse today... my two cents
Good points. We actually got more into the racial and political aspects of this on our original video, but when we came back to the album version, we kind of forgot what we had already said on this video vs. what we said in the last video.
If you wanna check out our original comments, you can check out the video here:
ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
Regarding today's music, there is definitely some great, thought provoking music being made. Unfortunately, it doesn't typically get the same kind of commercial response a thoughtful record may have gotten back in the day.
Thanks for watching Donald! As always, we appreciate you :)
Amen!!
50 years and I still hear it in my head , like old scripture……
A forever classic from a great artist.
Stevie Wonder is wonderful. Love his music.
Just a masterpiece a top 100 song of all time
For sure
My favourite Stevie song. What a vocal performance, what lyrics, what a groove. As usual around this period, pretty sure he played everything on the record himself. For about a 4-5 album run, there was probably no one who could touch him
Glad you did the full version! ;)) Such an amazing, hard hitting story and performance. And it sits sandwiched between Visions and Golden Lady, two such sweet songs. The subject matter and story still resonates in the current BLM era.
We're glad we did the full version too! We did forget to mention a few things we brought up in the original video, but you can watch our original commentary here if you choose!
ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
Guys, another favorite song from INNERVISIONS of mine of Jesus, Children of America
I first heard the album version on WNEW-FM in NYC way back in '73
Awesome!
Thanks for doing the full album version. Such a superior version to the single hatchet edit!!! So powerful
That's almost universal with respect to radio edit "single versions". Always go for the longer album versions.
We're glad we did the full version too!
We did cover a few topics on the original we forgot to bring up again. Definitely check that one out too if you wanna hear all the commentary!
ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
This man has always had his finger on the world's pulse. Perhaps blindness gives one a certain hyper-sensitivity to their surroundings. His talent as a singer/songwriter is peerless. But regardless of the reasons why he's a musical genius, for deeply soulful, super-sensitive, & mad-inventive artistry thy name IS & will always be Stevie!
Hard to put into words how amazing he is!
@@SightAfterDark Album of the Year, THREE times in the 70s speaks volumes for Stevie's creative output!
An all time classic in my playlist, a song that tells like it is for the poor, mainly black population of America, used up and spat out is the way I'd describe it. Stevie sure had his finger on pulse and will go down as a true Legend in history.
👍🏾 to this version.
Stevie Wonder ❤🔥🌟✊🏾🖤👏🏾
This song makes a great appearance in Spike Lee's film Jungle Fever. That post-chorus, that da da da da da, and its harmonies really stands out for me. It comes across with an easy sort of rise and fall, but it's actually really complex and it somehow centers the conflicts in the narrative.
We'll have to go back and check it out now that we know this song!
Thanks Robert!
@lucky leprechaun it's in my top 100 favorite American films.
@lucky leprechaun , I made that list after the AFI did their list about 10 years ago and I only agreed with about half their selections. I haven't booked at in a while, but I listed it not as 100 being a scale being that the number 1 is the best, but in chronology from silents to present day because I didn't think great films should be in competition with each other. They're simply reflective of an American artistic sensibility throughout the decades.
Listening to the full song, and realizing nearly 50 years later and some basic problems haven't f*cking changed. The time is now.
Truth. We got more into this in the original video before we knew the album version. If you want to see the original commentary, check it out here!
ruclips.net/video/XgDm57axeSU/видео.html
One of the greatest story teller and songwriter ever.
Girlfriend, I'm loving that reaction!
That unearthly melody/motif over the strange descending chords has knocked me out for...wow, 48 years now! I especially love when Stevie starts harmonizing with that synth line...and as you describe it, the gritty delivery on the last verse brings it up to another level of emotional power and honest recounting of lived truth. Cheers, SAD. Deliriously even-keeled this morning. ;>D
Thanks for being here Damon!
@@SightAfterDark likewise! ;>D
Those descending chords indeed! I think that is a Stevie trademark. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing - it’s even more pronounced there. Must be other examples. He is one of a kind.
Epic song.
Indeed!
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,
Elvis
1. 3 Grammys
2. never wrote a song.
There’s a word for the Grammys that starts with SC and ends with ammy.
I remember when this song came out in NYC, most radio stations would not play the longer version. They always played it on radio station WBLS, - W B L S - The total black experience in sound 107.5 in stereo.
Another great album. Motown was big in 70s uk, I feel every home had at least 1, Stevie, Marvin, Supremes, Four tops, Temptations Jackson 5 record. Thanks for the memories
Thanks for watching Pete!
Maybe you could have a go at Music of my Mind from Stevie?
The previous album to Talking Book.
Its a very different Stevie with no obvious singles but began that quartet of albums that became MUSIC landmarks,let alone soul.
Thanks for the tip Cockney!
Big love to you from Goethenburg Sweden! You are so great.🙏💛👌❤
This song always makes me cry
😢
Me too. 47 years later and countless times listened to and it still gets me.
Made me cry today watching the duo’s reaction.
I grew up hearing this lp in the house. One of my mother's favorites.. and mine!
Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Yes, grew up with this from the cot!
Thank you for sharing your reaction to this truly epic piece by Stevie Wonder. It's as relevant today as ever. I'm eternally grateful that I grew up in a multicultural environment in Canarsie, Brooklyn in the early 70's. That upbringing along with influential pieces music like Living For The City helped to mold my social and cultural values. Thanks again.
Thanks for watching Joe! Shout out to Canarsie!
@@SightAfterDark You're welcome Sight After Dark. My family and I left Canarsie a long, long time ago, but East 105th Street was my home way back when.
Nowadays poverty unites pretty much all of us...yes! Ty guys
Back again just because it is so good love you guys
We’re glad you’re here David!
It's almost disturbing how relevant this is right now
Unfortunately so :(
What i find so fucking cool and wonderful about SW is that he just knew. It was once said of the Beatles, at the end of their time together, they were " of their time." The same can be said of SW. The so much more incredible fact is the Beatles and SW are of any time. Very very very few artist of any kind or genre had this impact.
Absolutely. Thanks for watching Mark!
Brilliant
Stevie was so dominant in the 70's that when Paul Simon won the Album of the Year Grammy for "Still Crazy After All These Years", the first thing he did was thank Stevie for not making an album that year.
one of my all time fav songs.
Light but prominent drum. Sounds like an oxymoron but you’re dead on right! I’d never realized it but it’s there. It’s like a voice in a harmony. It’s part of the grouping but has its own voice. You can miss it if you focus too much on the synth or vocals.
That said, what a master piece! Great reaction!
Thank you Paul!
One of the great songs about...
You never really matter in the world because the world isn't made up of YOU...
Like you said, it takes on a whole other life compared to the short version. Great review!
Thanks Dave!
Nice reaction... Album versions are always better than shortened singles that compromise the artist's vision!
Thanks for watching Fred!
In the story, remember the dude is either from the south or small town middle America, or somethin like that. So he’s overwhelmed by the sight of the city & easily gets swept up into a bad scene.
Stevie was one of the main artists, that when he started producing his own albums & composing all the songs, had the lyrics to every song inside the album cover.
HITSVILLE: The Making of Mot
This song was used in my favorite spike Lee movie jungle fever when flipper mom ask flipper go get the tv that his brother gator stoled from their parents house and you see flipper actually walked in a real crack house that spike Lee filmed called the Taj mahal and gator told flipper he smoked the tv while sharing it with Halley balley in the crack house 👍👍
I was wondering what the hell happened, you missed half the story! Thanks for the reprise
Had to do it right!
Masterpiece
Indeed!
I was 15 in 1974 in the UK, and was shocked to hear that such racism might exist in the USA. I've never been, but hope things have improved. Such a great song by Stevie.
There`s a Ray Charles version! As good as the original.
Thanks Rogerio!
Blasphemy! Nothing against Ray Charles,of course ,but that's just Blasphemy, 😂
Ray's version is very good, but nothing and no one can be compared to the original song sung by the immense Stevie (and he was barely 23!!!)
There's also a version by Gillan - the solo band of Ian Gillan from Deep Purple. Also a good version, but no one can touch the original
*city drama* lol guess they didnt wanna put those lyrics
Hats off to Stevwland ?
So way head if his timw. bck then.
Absolutely amazing
The BEST verse of this song is the LAST one.
this is a reaction video. the woman just stares in space. what's wrong?
nothing, words are reactions too. that's partially how we went from 0-6000+ subscribers
ok that woman never even moved...how can anyone listen to this masterpieceand not be moved or just physically move. awful.
Yeah, she likes to actually listen to the song and say what she thought instead of dancing for the cameras and just saying it’s cool or awesome. #howweird Thanks for watching!
Sadly, situations like this in the song have never and will never change.
Save for the racism angle, which is trying to change now.
There has always been, and will always be, predators and prey in the human race.
That is just a pragmatic reality.
Truth
Videos like this ruin the song for a reactor, I would think, by displaying lyrics ahead of the actual music that accompanies them.
We respectfully disagree, sometimes its hard to understand the lyrics by themselves, and seeing them on screen helps us understand the full scope of the song. Either way, thank you so much for watching!
You are wrong