Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Wednesday 45 Flashback: ‘I Was Made to Love Her’

I hadn’t checked in with thunderbird1958 lately. My favorite YouTube record-spinner has got almost 1,300 singles loaded up in his digital jukebox.

Here’s one by Stevie Wonder from the summer of ’67. Hard to believe he was only 16 years old when he recorded this.

“I Was Made to Love Her” was Stevie’s biggest pop hit since his first one, “Fingertips” (in 1963). To this day, it’s guaranteed to make you feel right.

15 comments:

Dollar Bill said...

The Funk's tearing it up in the "Snakpit" as always.

I came into Motown backwards,from the nastiest,gritty Funk,and Motown always struck me as being too formulated and sweet.

Wasn't til I started listening to more Jazz and hearing what was really going instrumentaly,that I started to be in awe of what they made sound effortless.

Dollar Bill said...

Snakepit
2 finger typists,should always proof or spellcheck before hitting submit

Anonymous said...

Sweet,

...Jamerson lives!

Peace

estiv said...

Oh man. Some days I don't feel lucky, but when I think about the fact that this song has been making me happy for over forty years, then I feel lucky.

Doctor Memory said...

Thanks for this, UBM. Stevie always makes me smile: I learned how to use my parents' turntable on my own at age 5 in 1977 just so I could play "Talking Book" without asking their permission. He rocked my little world then, and I haven't changed my mind on the subject ever.

Thembi Ford said...

I accepted at an early age that Stevies canon was closed as far as hot music.

So am I weird for having 2 Steve albums that I havent even listened to fully just so I can always hear new hot music from him someday?

Undercover Black Man said...

^ "Innervisions" is one of those albums I wish I could erase all memories of... just so I could hear it again for the first time.

Dollar Bill said...

Couldn't agree more about Innervisions.

That LP opened my eyes and ears to the fact that Stevie was more than just knee deep with his music and lyrics.

Fatback Band-Keep On Steppin' and The Counts-What's Up Front That Counts,still occupy a higher ground for me,but don't play Innervisions as often,so I can soak in it when I do.

Anonymous said...

If I had to spend the rest of my life listening to the music of only one artist, Stevie is my choice. And has been for a long time.

Part of the reason is his range. Since "I Was Made To Love Her" is such a joyous celebration of the upside of relationships, I figure it's worth giving a shout-out to Stevie's ability to handle the other side:

It Ain't No Use from Fulfillingness' First Finale is one of the all-time great breakup songs.

Undercover Black Man said...

Wasn't til I started listening to more Jazz and hearing what was really going instrumentaly...

Rhythm guitar is KILLIN' on this jawn.

Dollar Bill said...

UBM,


You hitting Bootsy's James Brown tribute when it comes close?

Destruction said...

Dj,

You know we LOVES us some Jamerson. Help me out here bro:

I was born in Lil Rock
Had a chocolate sweetheart....

....that's how I first heard it.

...one of only 2 of Jamerson's pieces that I learned to play...partially y sloppily y joyously.

Anonymous said...

Jamerson was the king of the Precision and Bootsy is the Mutron master.

Undercover Black Man said...

You hitting Bootsy's James Brown tribute when it comes close?

Say what now, dj? You caught me nappin'... what's up?

Dollar Bill said...

Check the Bootzilla page for details.

We've got this cool thing in Canada called Google,do you have it there?

LOL,just funkin with ya!

I'm hitting the Toronto show May 10th.