One of Wonder's social commentary songs, this tells of a young kid from Mississippi who moves to New York City. In Mississippi, he dealt with many hardships, but was surrounded by caring people. In New York City, however, he is quickly taken advantage of, and is caught with drugs. His dreams are destroyed when he is sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Reflecting on the messages in his songs, Wonder once said: "I think the deepest I really got into how I feel about the way things are was in 'Living for the City.' I was able to show the hurt and the anger. You still have that same mother that scrubs the floors for many, she’s still doing it. Now what is that about? And that father who works some days for 14 hours. That’s still happening." This composition won a 1974 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song.
The album it came from, "Innervisions", won the Grammy Award for the Album of the Year. In the charts of 1974, the single track made No. 8 in the United States, and got to No. 12 in the British chart. The album charted No. 4 in the USA, and No. 8 in the UK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innervisions
12 Comments (since 6 Mar 2014)
leejohnson
One of Wonder's social commentary songs, this tells of a young kid from Mississippi who moves to New York City. In Mississippi, he dealt with many hardships, but was surrounded by caring people. In New York City, however, he is quickly taken advantage of, and is caught with drugs. His dreams are destroyed when he is sentenced to 10 years in jail.
leejohnson
Reflecting on the messages in his songs, Wonder once said: "I think the deepest I really got into how I feel about the way things are was in 'Living for the City.' I was able to show the hurt and the anger. You still have that same mother that scrubs the floors for many, she’s still doing it. Now what is that about? And that father who works some days for 14 hours. That’s still happening." This composition won a 1974 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song.
leejohnson
The album it came from, "Innervisions", won the Grammy Award for the Album of the Year. In the charts of 1974, the single track made No. 8 in the United States, and got to No. 12 in the British chart. The album charted No. 4 in the USA, and No. 8 in the UK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innervisions
EStreeter04
thx for that insight. His Songs in the Key of life is a favourite but will have a listen to Innervisions. Thanks again
SheRa
Brilliant choice!
Bukowski
From his finest album 'Innervisions'?
nangeanarendra
thanks for liking may jam
pauseliveaction
I love the intro to this - it's kind of sneaky, in a good way.
ScreeamingMimi
The first time I rode the subway in NYC I popped the headphones in and put this on my ipod...
heatherrings
Great song! Loving that bass too. :-)
lynn200
a favorite from the past..
marasivanagugl
<3 Stevie