Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder (1973) 9/15/21

On August 3rd, 1973, Stevie Wonder's "Innervisions" album was released, featuring "Higher Ground," today's "Great Song of the '70s"

Three days later, Stevie was riding in a car behind a logging truck, when the truck stopped abruptly and launched a poorly tied log into the air, through the windshield of Stevie's car and into his forehead.

For four days, Stevie was in a coma and no one was sure he would recover. His road manager, Ira Tucker, Jr. knew how much Stevie loved listening to music, so he sat at his bedside singing "Higher Ground" into Stevie's ear.

The first day, there was no response, but on the second day, Stevie started tapping his fingers in time with the music, signaling he was not only on the mend, but on his way to a full recovery.

It's not a coincidence that "Higher Ground" is a song about second chances. After all, Ira certainly knew what the song was about when he decided to sing it to Stevie, but even so, there might have been something metaphysical behind it all.

Stevie says that when he was working on the song, he felt compelled to get it done quickly. He felt strongly that something was about to happen. He didn't know what, where, or when--but the feeling was so strong, he was able to finish the song in 3 hours.

Once he recovered from the accident, Stevie truly felt he had been given a second chance, and promised himself not to waste it.

I think most people would agree that he has more than kept his promise!

The song itself was a major chart hit, reaching #1 on Billboard's R&B chart, and #4 on the Hot 100. In Canada, it peaked at #9 on the Top 40.

Rolling Stone Magazine currently has "Higher Ground" ranked at #265 on their list of the "Top 500 Songs of All Time."

In 1989, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released a hard rock version that peaked at #11 on Billboard's Alternative Rock Chart.

"Higher Ground," a second chance for Stevie Wonder, and a "Great Song of 1973!" Stevie:

Red Hot Chili Peppers (1989):