Down to Earth (Stevie Wonder album) explained

Down to Earth
Type:	studio
Artist:	Stevie Wonder
Cover:	downtoearthsteviewonder.jpg
Released:	November 16, 1966
Recorded:	1965–1966
Studio:	Hitsville U.S.A., Detroit, Michigan
Genre:	Pop, R&B, soul
Length:	33:13
Label:	Tamla (Motown)
Producer:	Clarence Paul, Henry Cosby
Prev Title:	Up-Tight
Prev Year:	1966
Next Title:	I Was Made to Love Her
Next Year:	1967

Down to Earth is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released on November 16, 1966, on the Tamla (Motown) label. The album was a departure from Wonder's earlier, teen pop-driven albums, and, along with its predecessor, Up-Tight, it re-established the sixteen-year-old Wonder, whose voice had recently changed, as a Motown hitmaker.

The album features the hit single "A Place in the Sun". Another single, "Hey Love", became a hit for Detroit soul singer Bettye LaVette in 1969 (released as a B-side to "With a Little Help from My Friends").^[1]

Track listing

Side One

"A Place in the Sun" (Ron Miller, Bryan Wells) - 2:52
"Bang Bang" (Sonny Bono) - 2:42
"Down to Earth" (Miller, Avery Vanderberg) - 2:50
"Thank You Love" (Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder) - 2:55
"Be Cool, Be Calm (And Keep Yourself Together)" (Cosby, Moy, Wonder) - 2:43
"Sylvia" (Cosby, Moy, Wonder) - 2:34

Side Two

"My World Is Empty Without You" (Holland-Dozier-Holland) - 2:53
"The Lonesome Road" (Gene Austin, Nat Shilkret) - 3:06
"Angel Baby (Don't You Ever Leave Me)" (Cosby, Moy) - 2:45
"Mr. Tambourine Man" (Bob Dylan) - 2:30
"Sixteen Tons" (Merle Travis) - 2:42
"Hey Love" (Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Wonder) - 2:41

Personnel

Stevie Wonder – harmonica, keyboards, drums, percussion, vocals
The Originals - backing vocals
The Andantes - backing vocals
Benny Benjamin – drums
James Jamerson – bass guitar
The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby – producers

Notes and References

Web site: A Little Help From My Friends / Hey Love . 45cat.com . 2024-05-25.