Stevie Wonder Superstition

Just to re-affirm/add to Aaron's statement to you above, Tim, I pulled out
my mono/stereo promo 45, confirmed as Tamla 54226. Both sides have a
listed time of (3:59). The stereo side has an actual time of (4:06), with
handwritten deadwax of "T-54226-A-1A S DJ 61565-S MBG". The mono
side has an actual time of (4:09), with handwritten deadwax of "T-54226-
A-1B DJ 61565-M MBG".

Years later, we often forget that label moguls have never been shy to
express their wants/desires, to even their top artists. In order to re-sign
him in late '71, Berry Gordy had to give Stevie the same "full creative
freedom" contract he'd reluctantly given to Marvin Gaye the year before.

But Wonder's first LP under his new deal, "Music Of My Mind", was, unlike
Marvin's "What's Going On", a huge sales and airplay disappointment, with
his "Superwoman" 45 the only single to barely even eke into the Top 40.

So while working on his next album, "Talking Book," Wonder, who
could/can play most any instrument, still preferred to use session
guitarists. Guitar legend Jeff Beck had previously let Stevie know that he
was a big fan of his. So a deal was struck: Beck would play guitar on the
"Talking Book" sessions, and Stevie would write a song for exclusive
inclusion on Beck's upcoming power-trio debut, "Beck, Bogert & Appice"
LP.

But after BG had heard the demo of the song that Stevie had written for
Beck, called "Superstition", which Wonder initially had no plans at all to
record/release the song himself, plans changed. Even though Gordy knew
of the "quid pro quo" deal between Wonder and Beck, all is fair in love,
war and hit records, and the Motown founder now had other ideas for the
song.

So Gordy counters with, and I paraphrase: "I gave you the contract you
wanted, Stevie. Your last record didn't do squat for my company. This is
yet another crossroads in your career right now, Stevie. We need to sell
lots of records on you this next time. You still need to prove yourself as a
songwriter. So why on earth are you giving away one of the very best
songs you've *ever* written? No! I want you to keep "Superstition", record
it yourself, and put it on "Talking Book." I'll write Jeff a nice check. But
charity begins at home!"

So Stevie did. And it became his first #1 hit since "Fingertips". And, in
defense of Gordy, the song really did help to propel Wonder into a full
decade + of countless further classic hits, and into artist superstardom.

Although disappointed and angry, Beck understood how it all went down,
and did still opt to include a version of "Superstition" on his album. But
without him having "the exclusive" Stevie had initially promised him on
the track, much of the added impact and buzz Beck and his label (Epic)
had been expecting for his own trio's LP had been lost.

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Tim Brown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 15 May 2012 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tim Brown Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Stevie Wonder Superstition Posted: 08 February 2016 at 7:45pm
	Was wondering if there was a shorter promo copy/DJ edit for Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." Thanks in advance for any insight.

aaronk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 126	Post Options Post Reply Quote aaronk Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 February 2016 at 7:51pm
	Not that I'm aware of. Pat doesn't list any short promo versions in the database.
	Aaron Kannowski Uptown Sound 91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop

Tim Brown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 15 May 2012 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tim Brown Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 February 2016 at 6:28am
	Thank you, Aaron. Much appreciated.

jimct Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 07 April 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote jimct Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 February 2016 at 2:48pm
	Just to re-affirm/add to Aaron's statement to you above, Tim, I pulled out my mono/stereo promo 45, confirmed as Tamla 54226. Both sides have a listed time of (3:59). The stereo side has an actual time of (4:06), with handwritten deadwax of "T-54226-A-1A S DJ 61565-S MBG". The mono side has an actual time of (4:09), with handwritten deadwax of "T-54226- A-1B DJ 61565-M MBG". Years later, we often forget that label moguls have never been shy to express their wants/desires, to even their top artists. In order to re-sign him in late '71, Berry Gordy had to give Stevie the same "full creative freedom" contract he'd reluctantly given to Marvin Gaye the year before. But Wonder's first LP under his new deal, "Music Of My Mind", was, unlike Marvin's "What's Going On", a huge sales and airplay disappointment, with his "Superwoman" 45 the only single to barely even eke into the Top 40. So while working on his next album, "Talking Book," Wonder, who could/can play most any instrument, still preferred to use session guitarists. Guitar legend Jeff Beck had previously let Stevie know that he was a big fan of his. So a deal was struck: Beck would play guitar on the "Talking Book" sessions, and Stevie would write a song for exclusive inclusion on Beck's upcoming power-trio debut, "Beck, Bogert & Appice" LP. But after BG had heard the demo of the song that Stevie had written for Beck, called "Superstition", which Wonder initially had no plans at all to record/release the song himself, plans changed. Even though Gordy knew of the "quid pro quo" deal between Wonder and Beck, all is fair in love, war and hit records, and the Motown founder now had other ideas for the song. So Gordy counters with, and I paraphrase: "I gave you the contract you wanted, Stevie. Your last record didn't do squat for my company. This is yet another crossroads in your career right now, Stevie. We need to sell lots of records on you this next time. You still need to prove yourself as a songwriter. So why on earth are you giving away one of the very best songs you've ever written? No! I want you to keep "Superstition", record it yourself, and put it on "Talking Book." I'll write Jeff a nice check. But charity begins at home!" So Stevie did. And it became his first #1 hit since "Fingertips". And, in defense of Gordy, the song really did help to propel Wonder into a full decade + of countless further classic hits, and into artist superstardom. Although disappointed and angry, Beck understood how it all went down, and did still opt to include a version of "Superstition" on his album. But without him having "the exclusive" Stevie had initially promised him on the track, much of the added impact and buzz Beck and his label (Epic) had been expecting for his own trio's LP had been lost.