Pick four songs from any band and you can tell a lot about their sound. This summer, I’m featuring #RockBlocks, four picks from bands across various genres. They might be wildly different from each other, but what binds them together is the fact that they’re all a part of my life soundtrack.
I can’t think of another music artist in all of history that intermingled different genres better than Stevie Wonder. The thing that often occurs when artists attempt to fuse disparate styles is a sense of disjointedness. But that’s never been the case with Stevie’s music. All of his multi-genre compositions are highlighted by a sense of cohesion and unity. I love the Innervisions album because this was the recording where Stevie’s crossover tendencies were at their height. And “Living For the City” is my favorite example.
It starts with funk. Then it slides into R&B with a side of soul and a sprinkle of rock. As if that wasn’t ambitious enough, “Living For the City” then slips into a momentary jazz exploration before getting back into its funk grooves. Just before the song ends, Stevie crosses over one more time with a gospel choir-inspired harmony. While “Living For the City” chronicled the story of a Mississippi boy’s journey to New York City, the musical styles cleverly reflect back the city’s rich and diverse soundscape.
“This place is cruel, nowhere could be much colder. If we don't change, the world will soon be over. Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city.”