Stevie Wonder – Looking Back

Stevie Wonder – Looking Back

A sweeping retrospective of Stevie Wonder’s extraordinary early career, Looking Back traces his evolution from Motown child prodigy to one of the most influential and innovative artists in soul music history. Spanning the 1960s into the early 1970s, this expansive collection captures the remarkable growth of Wonder’s songwriting, musicianship, and vocal style across some of the defining recordings of the Motown era.

Beginning with the youthful energy of Fingertips (Part II) — the live hit that introduced “Little Stevie Wonder” to the world — the compilation follows his rapid transformation through upbeat soul, heartfelt ballads, socially conscious songwriting, and increasingly sophisticated studio productions. Early singles like Workout Stevie, Workout and Hey Harmonica Man showcase his raw talent and charismatic performances, while later recordings reveal a developing artistic confidence that would soon redefine popular music.

The collection is packed with timeless classics, including Uptight (Everything’s Alright), I Was Made To Love Her, For Once In My Life, My Cherie Amour, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours — songs that helped establish Stevie Wonder as one of Motown’s greatest crossover stars. Alongside the major hits are deeper cuts and lesser-known gems that highlight his versatility as both performer and songwriter.

As the compilation progresses, the arrangements become richer and more ambitious, blending soul, pop, jazz, orchestral influences, and early funk textures. Tracks such as Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer and If You Really Love Me point directly toward the creative breakthrough period that would soon produce landmark albums like Talking Book and Innervisions.

Featuring collaborations with legendary Motown producers and writers including Clarence Paul, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, and Berry Gordy, Looking Back serves as both a celebration of Stevie Wonder’s early catalogue and a fascinating portrait of an artist discovering his limitless creative voice.

An essential collection for Motown fans and soul collectors alike, this set stands as a powerful reminder of just how extraordinary Stevie Wonder’s rise truly was.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Thank You (For Loving Me All The Way)
2. Contract On Love
3. Fingertips (Part II)
4. Workout Stevie, Workout
5. Castles In The Sand
6. Hey Harmonica Man
7. High Heel Sneakers

Side B

1. Uptight (Everything's Alright)
2. Nothing's Too Good For My Baby
3. Blowin' In The Wind
4. Ain't That Asking For Trouble
5. I'd Cry
6. A Place In The Sun
7. Sylvia

Side C

1. Down To Earth
2. Thank You Love
3. Hey Love
4. Travelin' Man
5. Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
6. I Was Made To Love Her
7. I'm Wondering

Side D

1. Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day
2. You Met Your Match
3. I'd Be A Fool Right Now
4. Alfie
5. More Than A Dream
6. For Once In My Life

Side E

1. Angie Girl
2. My Cherie Amour
3. Don't Know Why I Love You
4. If I Ruled The World
5. Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday
6. Never Had A Dream Come True
7. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours

Side F

1. Heaven Help Us All
2. I Gotta Have A Song
3. Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer
4. If You Really Love Me
5. Something Out Of The Blue
6. Do Yourself A Favor