Stevie Wonder, Tuesday Heartbreak | Throwback Vibez

In the 200^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Tuesday Heartbreak” by Stevie Wonder.

The 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 200^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Tuesday Heartbreak” performed by Stevie Wonder.  

Oh, snap, Stevie Wonder (b. 1950)! Those pesky matters of the heart are unfortunately in play on “Tuesday Heartbreak”.  In the second verse, he adds, “Tuesday heartbreak seem to be a drag / When you know that you love her especially.” Bummer, bummer, bummer, Stevie! “Tuesday Heartbreak” is the fourth track from Wonder’s magnificent 1972 album, Talking Book. Stevie wrote and produced this three-minute gem.

“Tuesday Heartbreak” possesses a funky and soulful ambience and groove from the get-go.  The musical underpinnings shine.  The track features a great harmonic progression that seamlessly blends jazz and soul sensibilities, extending beyond the traditional I, IV, and V chord progressions. Among the instruments that shine are the keys, particularly the crispy clavinet, bass, electrifying drums, and a mean alto saxophone (David Sanborn, 1945-2024) that riffs throughout.  The star of the show should come as no surprise, however: Mr. Stevie Wonder! His vocals are pure and smooth, oozing with soul.  Beyond his celestial lead, the background vocals help to up the ante as well.  The section to beat, the crème de la crème, is none other than the chorus, which features some variations:  

“But I wanna be with you ‘til the nighttime comes

I wanna be with you ‘til the daytime comes

I wanna stay and never go away, oh, baby, it’s alright

I wanna be with you ‘til the nighttime comes

I wanna stay with you ‘til the morning runs

I wanna, baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby, it’s alright.” 

“Tuesday Heartbreak” may be overshadowed by the likes of “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life”, “You And I”, “Superstition”, and “I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)” from Talking Book, but, it’s another awesome musical collection from one of the musician’s best and most important albums. Tuesday never sounded better!

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Stevie Wonder » Talking Book » Motown / UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1972

Stevie Wonder, Tuesday Heartbreak: Throwback Vibez No. 200 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown / UMG Recordings, Inc.; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]

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