Stevie Wonder, Superstition | Throwback Vibez

In the 175^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder.

[nx_dropcap]T[/nx_dropcap]he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 175^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Superstition” performed by Stevie Wonder.

[nx_pullquote]“Very superstitious / Writing’s on the wall / Very superstitious / Ladder’s about to fall.”[/nx_pullquote] Stevie Wonder (b. 1950) had quite the “Superstition” back during his Talking Book days. The superstitious gem is the sixth track from his 1972 album.  Wonder penned and produced this must-hear, funk essential. A major pop hit, “Superstition,” spent one week at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973.  It was one of 10 career number-one hits by the iconic musician.

So, what makes  “Superstition” the sugar, honey iced tea? There are a multitude of things that make this song awesome! It all starts with the man himself, Stevie Wonder, who delivers expressive, high-flying vocals.  Wonder’s tone is beautiful and pure – once in a lifetime.  He brings ample grit, soulfulness, and sincerity.  The melodies he sings are striking and tuneful, while the lyrics are memorable to the nth degree.  The first verse, excerpted earlier, sets the tone.  Wonder adds, superstitiously, “Thirteen-month-old baby / Broke the looking glass / Seven years of bad luck / The good things in your past.” Oh, snap! The second verse is thought-provoking. It is more subject to interpretation: “Keep me in a daydream / Keep me going strong / You don’t want to save me / Sad is my song.” Of course, the chorus represents some of Wonder’s best moments: 

“When you believe in things

That you don’t understand

Then you suffer

Superstition ain’t the way.”

Beyond superb vocals, tuneful melodies, and memorable and thoughtful lyrics, the musical accompaniment is fantastic.  That is an understatement.  Friends, this is funk at its effin’ funkiest – NO CAP!  The drumming sets the tone, providing a firm foundation – quite an anchor.  Then, a sickening, rhythmic clavinet propels the funk, and most of all, the instrumental, to higher heights. Playing this rhythmic ostinato in my jazz ensemble in college, I can attest to the skill required to successfully maintain this funk-ery! Stevie builds something timeless, which later adds bright, articulated, mean-sounding horns. The arrangement is on point. This perfectly complements his A+ vocal performance.  Five decades-plus after its release, “Superstition” still slaps.  Honestly, it will never NOT slap!