On this day in music history: January 6, 1973 - “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 3 weeks, also topping the Hot 100 for 1 week on January 27, 1973. Written and produced by Stevie Wonder, it is the seventh R&B and second pop chart topper for the Motown superstar. While working on the “Talking Book” album at AIR Studios in London, Stevie Wonder invites guitarist Jeff Beck to the studio to play guitar on the track “Lookin’ For Another Pure Love”. Also during the sessions, Wonder plays the song “Maybe Your Baby” for Beck, who loves the song and asks if he can record it for his own album. Wonder tells him “no”, but offers to write him a new song instead. Stevie comes up with the track that evolves into “Superstition”. He tells Beck that he can record the song, but intends to put the song on his album also. When Stevie hands in “Talking Book” to Motown for release, the label goes crazy over “Superstition” and insists that it be released as the first single rather than “Big Brother” which had been the artists’ choice. Somewhat sheepishly, Wonder takes the song back from Beck when he hears his version, agreeing with his record label. To make up for any bad feelings, Wonder writes “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” and “Thelonius” for Beck which are both included on his 1975 album “Blow By Blow”. “Superstition” wins two of Stevie Wonder’s first three Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male in 1974. “Superstition” is inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1998.
thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves
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