“Tell Me Something Good” & 9 Other Songs You Didn’t Know Stevie Wonder Wrote

WENN

Last night I was watching NBC’s “The Voice” and one of the contestants on Usher’s team decided to sing “Tell Me Something Good” for his selection that night. He said one of the reasons he chose it was because Stevie Wonder wrote it and Stevie was one of his favorite artists. Who knew?! I mean, it’s no secret that Stevie Wonder has penned some classics for his own catalog. But his contributions to the careers of others is nothing to snuff at either. Check out the list of hit songs.

Tell Me Something Good- Rufus and Chaka Khan

Clearly, this is one of Stevie’s most successful songs that he’s ever written for another artist. The song, when it was released in 1974, peaked at the number 3 spot on the Billboards singles chart. It was also the first smash hit for Rufus. Stevie got together with the group when they covered his song “Maybe Your Baby.” Stevie liked their rendition so much that he wrote a song specifically for Chaka’s vocals. And their collaboration didn’t stop there. You may have already known that that’s Stevie Woner playing the harmonica on Chaka’s smash hit “I Feel For You.”

Let’s Get Serious- Jermaine Jackson

Is this one really a surprise? It sounds like Stevie sung it himself. In fact, when I was a little kid, listening to the song in the car with my dad, I thought it was Stevie’s. I wasn’t too far off. Not only did Stevie write it, he sang background as well as a few solo lines. But the connection goes deeper. “Let’s Get Serious” had been around for years. Stevie was so instrumental in the song’s execution because he had planned to release his own version of it. But when Berry Gordy heard it, he persuaded Stevie to give it to Jermaine, whose career had been stagnant since he’d left the Jackson 5. Gordy was trying to look out for Jermaine, especially since he was married to his daughter Hazel.

Tears of a Clown- Smokey Robinson and The Miracles

The story behind this one is pretty cool. Hank Cosby wrote the music and produced the instrumental track recording. Wonder brought the instrumental to the Motown Christmas party because he could not come up with a lyric to the song. When he played it for Smokey, Robinson said it sounded like a circus. Then he provided lyrics with the help of Wonder.

It’s A Shame – The Spinners

with Syreeta Wright and Lee Garrett

When The Spinners first signed to the Motown in the mid sixties, they didn’t get too much love until they hooked up with Stevie. As much as this song illustrated musical mastery, it was the first time Stevie was commissioned to produce for another artist. It was one of the group’s biggest hits, charting at number 14 on the charts in 1970. Bobbie Smith, who was a member of the group, said this about recording the song, “Stevie told us he had a song which he thought might suit us. We gave it a listen and decided to cut it right then and there. Stevie always carried a lot of equipment around with him so we cut it on the spot.” You know what they say, if you stay ready you don’t have to get ready.

I Can’t Help It – Michael Jackson

This was another insane hit. And like “Let Get Serious” this song was written for Stevie himself. The song, released in 1979, was cowritten with Susaye Greene. “I Can’t Help It” took off and has since been covered by artists like De La Soul, Portrait, and Mary J. Blige.

Why I Feel This Way – Take 6

Where my gospel fans at? If you have Take 6’s 1994 album Join the Band you know that Stevie was featured on the song “Why I Feel This Way.” Not only was he featured, he wrote it.

Black Maybe – Syreeta

You may have never heard this song but if you have Common’s album, Finding Forever, then you know he sampled the song, complete with Syreeta’s vocals on his song “U, Black Maybe.”

We Didn’t Know- Whitney Houston

This track didn’t pop like the other classics from Whitney’s I’m Your Baby Tonight album because it wasn’t released as a single; none the less, it’s a duet between Whitney and Stevie that was released in 1990. The track was produced and arranged by Stevie. In the liner notes for the album Whitney said singing with Stevie “made a dream of mine come true.”

I Can Only Be Me- Keith John

Where are my School Daze fans? If you know this movie like the back of your palm, then you know the slow and soulful ballad Keith John sings at the piano. John and Stevie were long time collaborators and by the time Stevie submitted the song to be included in the 1987 film, he’s already performed it on a television special. Stevie Wonder and Spike Lee have a special relationship. You may have noticed that he composed the entire soundtrack for the movie Jungle Fever which came out in 1991. But their connection began before then, in 1986 when Spike met Stevie during his Square Circle tour. Stevie said, “I did the music because I have great admiration for Spike Lee, I also did it because we’ve become good friends.”

Until You Come Back To Me- Aretha Franklin

Of all the songs on this list, this one really blew my mind. Aretha owns anything she sings so it’s hard to imagine her not writing, arranging and producing every song she performs. But this song has a unique story behind it, as it was years in the making. Stevie says he started writing that song when he was 13 years old when he was touring with Jackie Wilson and Gladys Knight. After each of his performances, he’d practice the song and promised Knight and Wilson that once he’d finished it, they’d have dibs. But in the 60’s he chose to record it for himself. But the song didn’t go anywhere and it was shelved. He gave it to Aretha and she recorded her own version in 1973. Stevie put the song on a compilation album of his but he’s clear that Aretha kilt that thang. When asked to compare his version to Aretha’s, Stevie said, “I did “Until You Come Back To Me” some years ago, but there is no comparison to the one that Aretha did. Forget it. Aretha blew the thing out! Obviously we all know that is one of her all time classics. You are convinced of what she says, of what she’s singing.”

Were there any surprises on this list for you? Stevie’s catalog is long and illustrious, are there other songs you know he’s written?

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10 Songs You Didn't Know Stevie Wonder Wrote