Wait a second....I requested this song and performance from Stevie!!!! I have the uncut version of this! This recording is from a session he did when i was an On-Air personality on HOT 92.3 at IheartRadio in LA...about 3 or 4 years ago!!!! This is literally my copy of it!!!! He was there doing a session for Stevie Wonder's House Full of Toys concert, and he asked for any requests. Nobody spoke up so I requested it saying, "Will you play 'I Can't Help It'? You wrote it for Michael. It's my favorite!". He said, "i ..I don't know if I remember all the words." Everyone laughed along with him. I said, "I'm taking it way back." He laughed and again said, "I forgot all the words." That's when he played the first chord, called out the key and started playing! This is literally one of my greatest moments in life, and I'm glad the world can enjoy it, too!
This song written by Stevie, produced by Quincy and sung by Michael is a triumph of music, sung by the author it makes you touch the sky with a finger... Stevie has always been a marvel!! Simply unattainable!!
As a singer songwriter, myself, I understand. When writing numerous songs, unless you rehearse or perform it frequently, you can forget the lyrics. You're always looking ahead to the. next, great song.
Singers tend to focus on their hits, not so much their album cuts, or obscure songs. Remember, around this time, Stevie was still riding the wave of his "Songs in the Key of Life" album success, and was working on his next project, "Hotter Than July".
Singers tend to focus on their hits, not so much their album cuts, or obscure songs. Remember, around this time, Stevie was still riding the wave of his "Songs in the Key of Life" album success, and was working on his next project, "Hotter Than July".
To all the people who say MJ sang it better - I would say, MJ sang it MJ way - Stevie sings it Wonder Way. Both are spiritual experiences that take us to other worlds. You know who is singing within 1.5 seconds. Isn't that amazing right there? There is no need to put everything in The Voice competition box. I am so grateful to have benefited and been uplifted by these two megatalents!!!
Also, it’s important to note that this recording is not a polished product for public consumption. Stevie is clearly presenting a demo or practice cut here. It makes no sense to compare this with MJ’s (and Quincy Jones) finished product on OFF THE WALL.
Stevie is one of the greatest musicians of all time, of any era. When you think about the range of music he created, it doesn't fit any category really -- funk? soul? R&B? What about The Secret Life of Plants? The man is a true genius and he is one of the major reasons I became a musician...I'm so grateful that I am alive at the same time as Mr. Wonder, and was a kid when he was a few years older -- his music went right into me. And as a drummer, I must remind everyone that Stevie is one of the greatest drummers of all time. Just check out his drumming (on his tune, for the Spinners), "It's a Shame." No deeper pocket than that tune. And he was like, 20, 21?? Wow. Genius.
+Ronald Abney I do too. I miss MJ like crazy! The Off the Wall album reminds me of a sweet and innocent time. Michael looked so groovy and handsome on the cover.
I’m 22 and I’m just now falling in love with all the great soulful RnB music from the 70s and 80s. The more I learn about Stevie the more I am a fan of him as an artist. Now he’s probably my favorite artist of all time. I’m learning a lot of songs on the keys and on the drums by him. I love playing this on the keys a beautiful chord progression between am9 b6 chord to a AbM9, then the fm9 to EM9 progression in the chorus. I wish I could have been there when he was in his prime he’s my inspiration 🙏🏾🙏🏾
You have really great musical taste. Have fun and enjoy your musical journey. May I recommend the funk band Slave. From Dayton Ohio like The Ohio Players, Lakeside, and Zapp.
What many don’t know is that Stevie and Michael’s families are related through their mother’s. The Jacksons always looked up to him and his musicality. He, in return always looked out for them. Him and Michael had a special bond and this song captures it. What a masterpiece.
This is not true. Please stop spreading lies on the internet. The Jackson’s and the Hardaways aren’t related in any way. Katherine met Lula Mae after 1972 in California
@@jusrome2037 Janet Jackson literally said Stevie wonder is her blood relative a couple of times and even on her documentary. This is not a lie this is something that was confirmed by the Jackson family themselves. People really need to look up things before they start calling people a liar.
@@jusrome2037 I must AGREE with you and your words here!! Every now and then people write and say they are "cousins" - and that is NOT true! IF it was true , we would've heard both Stevie and Michael saying that VERY often!!! It is RUMOURS , nothing else. And when Janet said Stevie was her cousin once , at a rewardceremony , it was said by her LOVE for Stevie , in a funny way - but now people think it's true - STILL! In our "dreams" maybe we could hope for Stevie and Michael to be related - since they BOTH are the GREATEST in music - but it's a bit sad to see people writing this all the time , when it's not true! They were CLOSE friends , but not related in any ways........
What a genius. Putting this song together the way it is was pure gold. Those chords and inversions are perfect. I’m glad Micheal Jackson got to sing on this. It does suit his voice better but you could tell without even knowing it that it’s a Stevie wonder tune. 😎
This is one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs and it was written by my favorite singer Stevie Wonder. My Top 5 List is Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Tupac Shakur.
I'm very positive, because Stevie Wonder is the person telling that story in that Michael Jackson special that keeps playing on TV. He said that his sister heard him recording that song for his own album and she thought MJ should sing it. Yadda yadda yadda, and Michael Jackson ended up singing Stevie's song.
I have never heard so many 🤡 Comments! Stevie wrote the song. He's in the studio jamming live, this is not a finished production. No effects no reverb this song was not intended to be released. He's straight playing an electric piano and jamming. You can't compare this to a finished production so stop being clowns!
sweetchari , yes, I agree. It is my all-time favorite MJ song. It was the best song on the Off The Wall CD and there were a lot good ones on that album, but this joint edges out Don't Stop to Get Enough, Rock With You, Off the Wall, and She's Out of My Life. Stevie is truly a Genius. His Spritutuality is incredibly just too deep. It's Magical!
If you ever saw Stevie live in concert you would know there is every other musician, then there is Mr. Wonder. As soon as his fingers hits the key board, you know you are in for a fantastic treat. Yes Michael's rendition of this song is "gold". I listened to in on my MP3 this week. Stevie plays music and sings, don't forget.
"Get It" & "Just Good Friends" also listen to "All I Do", MJ and several other artists provided backing vocals on that song, and the J5 provided backing vocals in "You Haven't Done Nothin" enjoy! :)
The first time I heard Michael Jacksons version of this beautiful song I got the same vibe I had when I listen to Stevie Wonder Innervisions. Real music
One day i listened to this and thought "These chord progressions are so Stevie" And then saw the credits. He also wrote "You are my heaven" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathoway. Gotta see if hes in the tube performing that one.
This song is beautiful throughout. The synthesizers and keyboard work was groundbreaking. Gotta give credit to Stevie and Greg Phillinganes for their skills. A masterpiece.
He and mj are my favorite male singer no one can top them not even r kelly king level that's how the neptunes would sould like if they would be a group and sing 😊❤
Thankyou so much for sharing❤ I’m a huge fan of Stevie wonder. I knew he wrote it for MJ but hearing Stevie singing it and adding a verse is sending me❤❤❤❤ I love it
this would have been a solid hit for Stevie had he not given it to MJ wow ... I love both versions with just a lil more toward Stevie cuz he's my idol oh man... wow, I love it.
I remember the first time I heard the MJ version on the off the wall record I was 4 years old & at that age a huge Stevie Wonder fan. I had always felt this was a Stevie joint. It wasn’t until my teenage years that I looked up this song to find out that it was written by the man himself. ❤️
O and @WesHalworld what an inspiring moment we're all so glad you DID ask! A magician practices magic for a lifetime to perfect his craft... but Magic kneels down and begs to serve our Stevie!!!!
If anyone is worthy and amazing enough to do their own version of a MJ classic...yea, it'd be Mr Stevie Wonder! Great live version ...genuis redoes a genuis!
Just like Prince wrote and produced “Nothing Compares" sung by Sinead O'Connor..but she did it so well even Prince's later version wasn't nearly as good. This case is different..Stevie did the song justice even after MJ perfected it..bravo
I’m surprised that this song wasn’t ever recorded back in the day. You can totally tell that it’s a Stevie wonder song when you heard it for the first time on off the wall.
Man, this Joint is the Groove! WONDER IS WONDERFUL. This is a heck of a Cut that he wrote for MJ. God has given us a Spiritual Gift. Stevie could have easily brought down the house on his own, if he would have actually recorded this for himself. Two magical Gifts in Stevie & Mike. Mike, R.I.P. You are truly missed. The Best Entertainer. Stevie, you are just Incredible! You belong in a Class by yourself.
