The Sound of Stevie Wonder: His Words and Music

Songs that emphasize the physical and often believed, unattractive physical traits attributed to black people, like kinky hair, and to poor people, like "clean" but old clothing, not only reflect truthfully upon Wonder's own upbringing, but also serve to beckon others to examine their...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of American culture (Malden, Mass.) Mass.), 2007, Vol.30 (1), p.154
Main Author: Smith, Debra C
Format: Review
Language:English
Subjects:
African Americans
Biographies
Music
Musical recordings
Musicians & conductors
Nonfiction
Singers
Wonder, Stevie
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Songs that emphasize the physical and often believed, unattractive physical traits attributed to black people, like kinky hair, and to poor people, like "clean" but old clothing, not only reflect truthfully upon Wonder's own upbringing, but also serve to beckon others to examine their interpretations of beauty and wealth. The author's analysis of arrangements, lyrics, thematic focus, and the hurdles of Stevie Wonder's life catapult the songs we play in our various technological gadgets from merely musical entertainment to enlightened education.
ISSN:1542-7331
1542-734X
DOI:10.1111/j.1542-734X.2007.00452.x