Golden Lady (song)

"Golden Lady"
Song by Stevie Wonder
from the album Innervisions
Released August 3, 1973
Genre Soul
Length 6:08 (Full-length version)
Label Tamla
Songwriter(s) Stevie Wonder

"Golden Lady" is a song by Stevie Wonder for the Tamla (Motown) label, from his Innervisions album. While it was never released as a single, the album itself peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top 200.[1] The love song, written by Stevie Wonder contrasts with the other songs on the record that comment upon societal issues within America.[2] Examples include his comments on drug addiction within the song "Too High" and his political commentary on Richard Nixon in "He's Misstra Know-It-All".[3]

This song is influenced by the montuno style due to the chord progression and syncopated rhythms found within its chorus. He uses this montuno idea at a later date when he releases the song "Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing." It also incorporates a picardy third in the ending of the chorus which typically found within Classical music.

The piece also noticeably demonstrates some of his compositional tendencies. Examples of this include his implementation of a line cliche, half step modulations, rhythmic syncopation and sequencing of the melody.

Personnel

  • Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, electric piano, drums, Moog bass
  • Larry "Nastyee" Latimer – congas
  • Clarence Bell – Organ
  • Ralph Hammer – acoustic guitar

Covers

  • Jose Feliciano from the album And The Feeling’s Good released in 1974
  • Kurt Elling from the album The Gate released in 2011
  • Robert Glasper from his 1 Mic 1 Take covers released in 2013

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard 200". Billboard.
  2. ↑ Perone, James E. (2006). The sound of Stevie Wonder : his words and music (1. publ. ed.). Westport, Conn. [u.a.]: Praeger. p. 47. ISBN 0-275-98723-X.
  3. ↑ Bush, John. "AllMusic Review by John Bush". Allmusic.
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