| Superstition | |
| Cover: | Stevie_wonder-superstition_single.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Stevie Wonder |
| Album: | Talking Book |
| B-Side: | You've Got It Bad Girl |
| Released: | October 24, 1972 |
| Recorded: | 1972 |
| Studio: | Electric Lady, New York City |
| Label: | Motown |
| Prev Title: | Keep on Running |
| Prev Year: | 1972 |
| Next Title: | You Are the Sunshine of My Life |
| Next Year: | 1973 |
"Superstition" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. It was released on October 24, 1972, as the lead single from his fifteenth studio album, Talking Book (1972), by Tamla.[1] The lyrics describe popular superstitions and their negative effects.
"Superstition" reached number one in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in January 1973 [2] [3] and on the soul singles chart.[4] It was Wonder's first number-one single since "Fingertips, Pt. 2" in 1963.[5] It peaked at number eleven in the UK Singles Chart in February 1973. In November 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 74 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was re-ranked number 73 on its 2010 list,[6] and number 12 on its 2021 list.[7] At the 16th Grammy Awards, the song earned Wonder two Grammys: "Best Rhythm & Blues Song" and "Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male". In 1998, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[8]
Jeff Beck was an admirer of Wonder's music, and Wonder was informed of this prior to the Talking Book album sessions. Although at this point he was playing virtually all of the instruments on his songs by himself, Wonder preferred to let other guitarists play on his records, and he liked the idea of a collaboration with Beck. An agreement was quickly made for Beck to become involved in the sessions that became the Talking Book album, in return for Wonder writing him a song.
Between the album sessions, Beck came up with the opening drum beat. Wonder told Beck to keep playing while he improvised over the top of it. He improvised most of the song, including the riff, on the spot. Beck and Wonder created a rough demo for the song that day.[9] [10]
After finishing the song, Wonder decided that he would allow Beck to record "Superstition" as part of their agreement. Originally, the plan was for Beck to release his version of the song first, with his newly formed power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice. However, due to the combination of the trio's debut album getting delayed and Motown CEO Berry Gordy's prediction that "Superstition" would be a huge hit and greatly increase the sales of Talking Book, Wonder released the song as the Talking Book lead single months ahead of Beck's version, the latter being issued in March 1973 on the Beck, Bogert & Appice album.[11]
The funky clavinet riff played on a Hohner Clavinet model C, the Moog synthesizer bass and the vocals were also performed by Wonder. In addition, the song features trumpet and tenor saxophone, played respectively by Steve Madaio and Trevor Lawrence.[12]
Cash Box described it as "one of [Wonder's] most impressive releases to date" with an "accent...on funk."[13]
| Peak position | ||
| Belgium | 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada RPM | 6 | |
| Germany | 21 | |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] | 10 | |
| Spain (AFE)[17] | 18 | |
| UK[18] | 11 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100[19] | 1 | |
| US Billboard R&B[20] | 1 | |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary[21] | 38 |
| Rank | ||
| Canada[22] | 75 | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[23] | 26 |
Wonder appeared in Bud Light commercials that debuted during Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. As part of the "It's only weird if it doesn't work" campaign, which showed superstitious fans acting compulsively in an effort to guide their teams to victory, Wonder appeared as a witch doctor in New Orleans (where the event took place). These fans would perform numerous superstitious acts in order to receive good luck charms from him. "Superstition," specifically the beginning instrumental portion before Wonder's vocals kick in, plays throughout these commercials.[10]
