Golden Lady (song)
"Golden Lady" is a song by Stevie Wonder for the Tamla (Motown) label, from his 1973 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 US President Richard Nixon in "He's Misstra Know-It-All".[3]
| "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 |
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 Wonder's compositional tendencies, including implementation of a line cliche, half step modulations, rhythmic syncopation and sequencing of the melody.
Personnel
- Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, piano, Fender Rhodes, drums, Moog bass, T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer
- Larry "Nastyee" Latimer – congas
- Clarence Bell – Hammond 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
- "Billboard 200". Billboard.
- 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.
- Bush, John. "AllMusic Review by John Bush". Allmusic.