Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder song) explained

Higher Ground
Cover:Higher_Ground45.jpg
Border:yes
Caption:Cover for the 7" single in Germany.[1]
Type:single
Artist:Stevie Wonder
Album:Innervisions
B-Side:Too High
Released:July 1973
Recorded:May 12, 1973
Genre:Funk[2] [3]
Length:3:42 (album version)
3:10 (single version)
Label:Tamla
Producer:Stevie Wonder
Prev Title:You Are the Sunshine of My Life
Prev Year:1973
Next Title:Living for the City
Next Year:1973

"Higher Ground" is a song written by Stevie Wonder which first appeared on his 1973 album Innervisions. The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart.[4] Wonder wrote and recorded the song in a three-hour burst of creativity in May 1973.[5] The album version of the song contains an extra verse and runs 30 seconds longer than the single version. The unique wah-wah clavinet sound in the song was achieved with a Mu-Tron III envelope filter pedal.[6] The bass line is provided by a Moog synthesizer and using overdubs, Wonder played all instruments on the track, including drums and percussion.

The song was released in the UK but achieved only modest success, reaching number 29 in the UK Singles Chart.

Subject

The song lyrics address the issue of reincarnation. Wonder commented, when interviewed by The New York Times:

I would like to believe in reincarnation. I would like to believe that there is another life. I think that sometimes your consciousness can happen on this earth a second time around. For me, I wrote "Higher Ground" even before the accident. But something must have been telling me that something was going to happen to make me aware of a lot of things and to get myself together. This is like my second chance for life, to do something or to do more, and to value the fact that I am alive.[7]

According to Billboard, the lyrics are about "people who are moving ahead in love and in all phases of life."[8]

Critical reception

In its contemporary review, Cash Box said the song "is further evidence of [Wonder's] inner genius."[9] Record World called it a "chunky item that has all the feel and finesse of 'Superstition.'"[10]

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 261 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, was re-ranked at number 265 in 2010, and re-ranked at number 113 in 2021, adding: "'Higher Ground' was recorded just before Wonder was involved in a near-fatal accident in August 1973 that left him in a coma. Early in Wonder's recovery, his road manager sang the song's melody into the singer's ear; Wonder responded by moving his fingers with the music."[11] [12]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1973)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[13] 62
Canada (RPM 100 Singles)[14] 9
Canada (RPM Pop Music Playlist)[15] 73
France (IFOP)[16] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 4
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles1

Year-end charts

Red Hot Chili Peppers version

Higher Ground
Cover:red_hot_chili_peppers_higher_ground.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Red Hot Chili Peppers
Album:Mother's Milk
B-Side:Millionaires Against Hunger
Recorded:1988
Genre:Funk metal[19] [20]
Length:3:21
Label:EMI America
Producer:Michael Beinhorn
Prev Title:Fight Like a Brave
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:Knock Me Down
Next Year:1989

The funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers released a cover as the first single[21] from their fourth studio album Mother's Milk.

It has been featured in films, TV shows and video games, including ,[22] Beavis and Butthead,[23] Center Stage,[24] The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,[25] Walking Tall,[26] The Longest Yard,[27] The Karate Kid,[28] The Change-Up,[29] Rocksmith[30] and Guitar Hero Live.[31]

A remixed version by the X-Ecutioners was featured in the video game SSX 3[32] while a cover version appeared in Guitar Hero.[33]

FX used the song to promote and it also serves as the show's theme song.[34] [35]

As part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" Celebration, Space Mountain at Disneyland in Anaheim, California was transformed into Rockin' Space Mountain. The song was used as its soundtrack for 16 weeks, from January 3, 2007, to April 26, 2007.[36]

In 2000 British magazine Total Guitar named it the second greatest cover ever.[37]

Red Hot Chili Peppers performed the song with other musicians as part of the all-star jam during the band's induction into the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.[38]

The music video for this version was directed by Drew Carolan and Bill Stobaugh, and was nominated for Breakthrough Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.

Track listing

US Cassette single (1989)[39]
  1. "Higher Ground"
  2. "Nobody Weird Like Me"
7" single (1989)
  1. "Higher Ground"
  2. "Fight Like a Brave"
UK CD single
  1. "Higher Ground"
  2. "Higher Ground" (Munchkin Mix)
  3. "Millionaires Against Hunger"
  4. "Mommy Where's Daddy?"
12" UK promo (1989)
  1. "Higher Ground"
  2. "Higher Ground" (Munchkin Mix)
  3. "Higher Ground" (Bert Bevans Remix)
12" US promo (1989)
  1. "Higher Ground" (12" Vocal)
  2. "Higher Ground" (Politician Mix)
  3. "Higher Ground" (Dub Mix)
Australian 7" single (1989) [US-2346] EMI USA
  1. "Higher Ground" - 3:12
  2. "Punk Rock Classic" - 1:37
UK 7" single (1989)
  1. "Higher Ground"
  2. "Millionaires Against Hunger"
UK 12" 3D Punch Out Pepper single (1990)
  1. "Higher Ground"
  2. "Higher Ground" (Munchkin Mix)
  3. "Politician" (Mini Rap)
  4. "Higher Ground" (Bert Bevans Mix)
UK 12" gatefold sleeve pop up single (1990)
  1. "Higher Ground"
  2. "Fight Like a Brave"
  3. "Out in L.A."
UK 12" limited edition picture disc single (1990)
  1. "Higher Ground"
  2. "Higher Ground" (Daddy-O Mix)
  3. "Fight Like a Brave"
UK CD Reissue-single (1990) [#CDMT-88] EMI USA
  1. "Higher Ground" (album) - 3:22
  2. "Fight Like a Brave" (album) - 3:47
  3. "Behind the Sun" (album) - 4:40
  4. "Out in L.A." (album) - 1:58
France CD promo single (1992) [#SPCD1608] EMI France
  1. "Higher Ground" (Daddy-O Mix) - 5:15
  2. "Millionaires Against Hunger" - 3:11
  3. "Castles" (Live) - 3:17

Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Additional personnel[40]

Chart performance

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground. 45cat.com.
  2. 500 Greatest Albums of All Time : 24 – Stevie Wonder, 'Innervisons' . . May 31, 2012. January 21, 2016.
  3. The 30 Best Funk Songs Ever . https://web.archive.org/web/20190401044326/https://www.billboard.com/photos/7511389/best-funk-songs-of-all-time-dance-music . . . September 20, 2016 . April 1, 2019 . October 4, 2021 . live.
  4. Book: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004 . Joel Whitburn . Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 635.
  5. Web site: Power in the Darkness . Micasamm.com . July 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502181027/http://www.micasamm.com/articles/mojo_0403.html . May 2, 2014 . dead .
  6. Web site: Mike Beigel: Resurrection of the Mu-Tron III . Michael . Dregni . vintageguitar.com . January 11, 2016. 5 April 2021.
  7. Web site: Big American Night - Holy Roller. bigamericannight.com. January 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150108010549/http://bigamericannight.com/midnight_hit/jesus-children/. January 8, 2015. dead.
  8. News: Top Single Picks. Billboard. 2020-07-25. August 11, 1973. 71.
  9. News: CashBox Record Reviews. August 11, 1973. 18. 2021-12-11. Cash Box.
  10. Record World. August 18, 1973. 2023-03-22. Hits of the Week. 1.
  11. 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - 265 - Stevie Wonder, 'Higher Ground' . . July 30, 2013.
  12. Higher Ground ranked No. 113 on Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs List. Rolling Stone. 3 October 2021.
  13. Web site: Forum - ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts - CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989 . bulion . ARIA . Australian-charts.com . July 30, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131020025459/http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=21533&pages= . October 20, 2013 . mdy-all .
  14. Web site: Top Singles - Volume 20, No. 11, October 27, 1973 . . July 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502205434/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.4917&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3 . May 2, 2014 . dead .
  15. Web site: Adult Contemporary - Volume 20, No. 9, October 13, 1973 . . July 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502195523/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.4921&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3 . May 2, 2014 . dead .
  16. Web site: InfoDisc : Tout les Titres par Artiste . Infodisc.fr . November 22, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130920064608/http://infodisc.fr/Bilan_W.php . September 20, 2013 . mdy-all .
  17. Web site: Innervisions awards at Allmusic . . . July 30, 2013.
  18. Web site: Top Pop 100 Singles. Billboard Talent in Action. TA-28. 1973-12-29. 2020-12-06.
  19. Book: The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll . Christopher Knowles . Viva Editions . 2010 . 978-1573445641. "Milk gave the band much-needed hits with “Knock Me Down” and a cover of Stevie Wonder's “Higher Ground,” both of which worked the funk-metal vein."
  20. Here Are the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 10 Greatest Shirtless Moments (Some Without Pants & Underwear, Too). Billboard.
  21. Web site: RHCP Timeline. January 7, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150206002037/http://redhotchilipeppers.com/timeline. February 6, 2015. mdy-all.
  22. Web site: The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Original Soundtrack. William Ruhlmann. AllMusic. May 30, 2015.
  23. Web site: S1 - Ep4 - Beavis and Butthead - Balloon. Beavis and Butt-Head. Octopus. October 2, 2008. May 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150617083806/http://beavis-and-butthead-episodes.blogspot.com/2008/10/music-video-code-by-videosfuse.html. June 17, 2015. dead.
  24. Web site: Breaking Down 'Center Stage's "Higher Ground" Dance In Choreography — Because Even Though Cooper Nielson Was A Jerk, Dude Knew How To Move. Bustle. Caitlin Gallagher. 2015. May 30, 2015.
  25. Web site: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Episode Nice Lady Music & List of Songs. Tunes.Zone. May 30, 2015.
  26. Web site: Walking Tall (2004) - Soundtracks. IMDb. May 30, 2015.
  27. Web site: The Longest Yard (2005) - Soundtracks . IMDb. May 30, 2015.
  28. Web site: Music from The Karate Kid. Music From Film. May 30, 2015.
  29. Web site: The Change-Up (2011) - Soundtracks. IMDb. May 30, 2015.
  30. Web site: Rocksmith Full Track List Revealed. Jeff Atwood. Fake Plastic Rock. October 11, 2011. May 30, 2015.
  31. Web site: Activision Reveals 10 New Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Songs for Guitar Hero Live. Mark Labbe. PlayStation LifeStyle. May 20, 2015. May 30, 2015.
  32. Web site: Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Higher Ground [X-Ecutioners Remix]]. The Dinner King. YouTube. July 4, 2010. May 30, 2015.
  33. Web site: GUITAR HERO SONG LIST UNVEILED. Chris Roper. IGN. October 26, 2005. May 30, 2015.
  34. Web site: @flea333 Thanks to you guys for helping us with The Higher Ground for TUF on FX. Dana White. Twitter. March 23, 2012. May 30, 2015.
  35. Web site: I want to thank Anthony Kiedis and the rest of the RHCP's for TUF live open tonight on FX!!! Appreciate u bro. Dana White. Twitter. March 23, 2012. May 30, 2015.
  36. Web site: Rockin' Space Mountain. Matthew Walker. StartedByAMouse.com. March 6, 2007. May 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20130228011452/http://www.startedbyamouse.com/mousellany/RockinSpaceMountainReview.shtml. February 28, 2013. dead.
  37. News: Total Guitar . August 2000 . The Best Cover Versions Ever . Future Publishing.
  38. Web site: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction special premieres Saturday night on HBO. John Soeder. Cleveland.com. May 4, 2012. May 30, 2015.
  39. Web site: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground at Discogs . 1989 . Discogs.com . November 22, 2015.
  40. Web site: Mother's Milk - Red Hot Chili Peppers. Red Hot Chili Peppers.

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