''Fulfillingness' First Finale'' is the seventeenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released on July 22, 1974 by

Tamla Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''moto ...

, a subsidiary of Motown Records. It is the fourth of five albums from what is considered Wonder's "classic period". The album was Wonder's second to top the ''Billboard'' Top LPs & Tapes chart, where it remained for two weeks, and also reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Soul LPs chart, where it spent nine non-consecutive weeks. At the 17th Annual Grammy Awards, it won in three categories, including Wonder's second consecutive win for Album of the Year. Retrospectively, the album was voted number 413 in the third edition of

Colin Larkin Colin Larkin (born 1949) is a British writer and entrepreneur. He founded, and was the editor-in-chief of, the ''Encyclopedia of Popular Music'', described by ''The Times'' as "the standard against which all others must be judged". Along wit ...

's ''

All Time Top 1000 Albums ''All Time Top 1000 Albums'' is a book by Colin Larkin, creator and editor of the ''Encyclopedia of Popular Music''. The book was first published by Guinness Publishing in 1994. The list presented is the result of over 200,000 votes cast by th ...

'' (2000) and included in the book ''

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die ''1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'' is a musical reference book first published in 2005 by Universe Publishing. Part of the ''1001 Before You Die'' series, it compiles writings and information on albums chosen by a panel of music critics ...

''.

Recording

Following the epic sweep and

social consciousness Social consciousness or social awareness, is collective consciousness shared by individuals within a society.Innervisions ''Innervisions'' is the sixteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on August 3, 1973, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. A landmark recording of Wonder's "classic period", the album has bee ...

'', ''Fulfillingness' First Finale'', in contrast, projected a more reflective, personal, and decidedly somber tone. While masterly, the musical arrangements used in several songs, especially the bleak "

They Won't Go When I Go "They Won't Go When I Go" is a song co-written and performed by Stevie Wonder from his 1974 album '' Fulfillingness' First Finale''. This song is the only one on the album that Wonder did not write by himself. His co-writer was Yvonne Wright, ...

" and the understated "Creepin, could be considered sparse when compared to those of some of Wonder's other 1970s masterworks. Wonder had not completely foregone

social commentary Social commentary is the act of using rhetorical means to provide commentary on social, cultural, political, or economic issues in a society. This is often done with the idea of implementing or promoting change by informing the general populace ab ...

, however, as evidenced by the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 number-one single "

You Haven't Done Nothin' "You Haven't Done Nothin" is a 1974 funk single by Stevie Wonder, taken from his album '' Fulfillingness' First Finale'' and featuring background vocals by The Jackson 5. The politically aware song became Wonder's fourth Number 1 pop hit and his ...

", which launched a pointed criticism of the

Nixon administration Richard Nixon's tenure as the 37th president of the United States began with his first inauguration on January 20, 1969, and ended when he resigned on August 9, 1974, in the face of almost certain impeachment because of the Watergate Scanda ...

bolstered by clavinet, drum machine, and a cameo by the

Jackson 5 The Jackson 5 (sometimes stylized as the Jackson 5ive, also known as the Jacksons) are an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, and for most o ...

Reception

''Fulfillingness' First Finale'' won

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...

s for Album of the Year, Best Male Pop Vocal, and Best Male Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance (for " Boogie On Reggae Woman") at the ceremony held in

1975 It was also declared the ''International Women's Year'' by the United Nations and the European Architectural Heritage Year by the Council of Europe. Events January * January 1 - Watergate scandal (United States): John N. Mitchell, H. R. ...

Track listing

All songs written by Stevie Wonder, except "They Won't Go When I Go", written by Wonder and Yvonne Wright. ;Side one #"Smile Please" – 3:26 #"Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" – 5:01 #"Too Shy to Say" – 3:31 #" Boogie On Reggae Woman" – 4:54 #"Creepin'" – 4:17 ;Side two #"

" – 3:27 #"It Ain't No Use" – 3:58 #"

" – 5:59 #"Bird of Beauty" – 3:46 #"Please Don't Go" – 4:06

Personnel

"Smile Please" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, drums *

Michael Sembello Michael Andrew Sembello (born April 17, 1954) is an American singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer and producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sembello was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his 1983 song "M ...

– electric guitar *

Reggie McBride Reggie McBride (born September 17, 1954) is an American bass player. Biography McBride was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, United States; listening to Motown records, he began to play bass at the age of 8. At the age of 14, he played in ...

– electric bass *

Bobbye Hall Bobbye Jean Hall is an American percussionist who has recorded with a variety of rock, soul, blues and jazz artists, and has appeared on 20 songs that reached the top ten in the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Early career, work for Motown and move to ...

– congas,

bongos Bongos ( es, bongó) are an Afro-Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of small open bottomed hand drums of different sizes. They are struck with both hands, most commonly in an eight-stroke pattern called ''martillo'' (hammer). The ...

* Jim Gilstrap – background vocals *

Deniece Williams Deniece Williams (born June Deniece Chandler; June 3, 1951) is an American singer. She has been described as "one of the great soul voices" by the BBC. She is best known for the songs " Free", " Silly", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" and two ''Bil ...

(credited as Denise) – background vocals "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Years Away" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Hohner clavinet, drums,

Moog bass The Moog Taurus is a foot-operated analog synthesizer designed and manufactured by Moog Music, originally conceived as a part of the Constellation series of synthesizers. The initial Taurus I was manufactured from 1975 to 1981; a less popular re ...

Paul Anka Paul Albert Anka (born July 30, 1941) is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter and actor. He is best known for his signature hit songs including " Diana", " Lonely Boy", " Put Your Head on My Shoulder", and "(You're) Having My Baby". Anka also ...

– background vocal *

Syreeta Wright Syreeta Wright (February 28, 1946 – July 6, 2004), who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was an American singer-songwriter, best known for her music during the early 1970s through the early 1980s. Wright's career heights we ...

– background vocal *Shirley Brewer – background vocal *Larry "Nastyee" Latimer – background vocal "Too Shy to Say" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, piano *

James Jamerson James Lee Jamerson (January 29, 1936 – August 2, 1983) was an American bass player. He was the uncredited bassist on most of the Motown Records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s (Motown did not list session musician credits on their releases ...

– acoustic bass *

Sneaky Pete Kleinow Peter E. "Sneaky Pete" Kleinow (August 20, 1934 – January 6, 2007) was an American country-rock musician. He is best known as a member of the band The Flying Burrito Brothers and as a session musician playing pedal steel guitar for such ar ...

– pedal steel guitar "Boogie On Reggae Woman" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, Fender Rhodes, piano, harmonica, drums, Moog bass *

Rocky Dzidzornu Kwasi Dzidzornu (1935 – March 13, 1993), also known as Rocky Dijon, was a Ghanaian percussionist known for his playing on recordings by The Rolling Stones, Nick Drake, Ginger Baker, Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston and Joe Walsh. During the 1970s h ...

– congas "Creepin'" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, harmonica, drums, Moog bass, T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer *

Minnie Riperton Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979) was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single " Lovin' You" and her four octave D3 to F7 coloratura soprano range. She is also widely known for her use ...

– background vocal "You Haven't Done Nothin" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, Hohner clavinet, bass drum, hi-hat, cymbal *Reggie McBride – electric bass *

The Jackson 5 The Jackson 5 (sometimes stylized as the Jackson 5ive, also known as the Jacksons) are an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, and for most o ...

– background vocals *Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil – synthesizers *Horns, drum machine – uncredited "It Ain't No Use" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, drums, Moog bass *Lani Groves – background vocal *Minnie Riperton – background vocal *Deniece Williams – background vocal "They Won't Go When I Go" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, piano, T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer *Bob and Malcolm - programming Moog "Bird of Beauty" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, Fender Rhodes, Hohner clavinet, drums, percussions, Moog bass *Bobbye Hall –

cuíca The cuíca () is a Brazilian friction drum with a large pitch range, produced by changing tension on the head of the drum. ''Cuíca'' is Portuguese for the gray four-eyed opossum (''Philander opossum'') which is known for its high-pitched cry. ...

*Shirley Brewer – background vocal *Lani Groves – background vocal *Deniece Williams – background vocal *

Sérgio Mendes Sérgio Santos Mendes (; born February 11, 1941) is a Brazilian musician. His career took off with worldwide hits by his group Brasil '66. He has over 55 releases and plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk. He was nominated for ...

- Portuguese lyrics"Bird of Beauty" partial Portuguese lyrics provided by Sergio Mendes
/ref> *Drum machine - uncredited "Please Don't Go" *Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, piano, Fender Rhodes, harmonica, handclaps, drums, hi-hat, Moog bass *Michael Sembello – acoustic guitar *

The Persuasions The Persuasions are an American a cappella group that began singing together in Brooklyn, New York in the mid-1960s. The Persuasions were formed in Brooklyn in 1962, singing a cappella under corner streetlights and in subway corridors. Their ...

– background vocal *Shirley Brewer – background vocal *Deniece Williams – background vocal

Selected cover versions

* "Too Shy to Say" - recorded by Diana Ross in 1978. * "Too Shy to Say" - George Michael performed the song in his Faith Tour. * "Creepin'" - Recorded by Luther Vandross for ''The Night I Fell in Love'' in 1985. * "They Won't Go When I Go" - recorded by George Michael for '' Listen Without Prejudice, Vol 1'' in 1990. * "Too Shy to Say" - recorded by Jody Watley for ''

Intimacy An intimate relationship is an interpersonal relationship that involves physical or emotional intimacy. Although an intimate relationship is commonly a sexual relationship, it may also be a non-sexual relationship involving family, friends, or ...

'' in 1993. Released as single in the Philippines. * "They Won't Go When I Go" - recorded by

Kevin Max Kevin Max Smith (born August 17, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk. As a solo artist following the band going on hiatus, he has recorded 12 full-length stud ...

for '' The Blood'' in 2007. * "They Won't Go When I Go" - recorded by Stefon Harris on the album "

Urbanus Urbain Servranckx (born 7 June 1949), better known as Urbanus, is a Belgian comedian, actor, singer and comic book writer. Although he is most famous as comedian, some of his songs became hits, such as ''Bakske vol met stro'' (1979), ''Madammen ...

" in 2009. * "Boogie On Reggae Woman" - covered that same year by Jamaican reggae singer Pat Rhoden, released as a single only in the UK, produced by Webster Shrowder. * "Boogie On Reggae Woman" - recorded by

Stanley Turrentine Stanley William Turrentine (April 5, 1934 – September 12, 2000) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He began his career playing R&B for Earl Bostic and later soul jazz recording for the Blue Note label from 1960, touched on jazz fusion ...

on his 1987 album '' Wonderland''. * "Boogie On Reggae Woman" - recorded by Jerry Garcia and

Merl Saunders Merl Saunders (February 14, 1934 – October 24, 2008) was an American multi-genre musician who played piano and keyboards, favoring the Hammond B-3 console organ. Biography Born in San Mateo, California, United States, Saunders attended Polyt ...

on '' Legion of Mary: The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1''. * "Boogie On Reggae Woman" - regularly performed live by Phish and featured on ''

Hampton Comes Alive ''Hampton Comes Alive'' is a six-disc live album by the American rock band Phish, released on November 23, 1999, by Elektra Records. It is the band's third live album and the first time complete live Phish concerts were released in their entirety ...

'' (1999), among other concert recordings. * "Boogie On Reggae Woman" - recorded by Marcus Miller on '' Silver Rain'' in 2005. * "Boogie On Reggae Woman" - recorded by Vulfpeck, featuring singer Antwaun Stanley in 2015 * "You Haven't Done Nothing" - recorded by

Curumin Curumin (born Luciano Nakata Albuquerque July 28, 1976, in São Paulo, Brazil) is a Brazilian musician whose style incorporates elements of samba, funk, jazz, bossa nova, and hip hop. He sings in Portuguese and speaks fluent English. His first ...

for ''Achados e Perdidos'' in 2005.

Charts

Weekly charts

Singles

References

External links

* Hughes, Tim. Extensive musicological analysis o
"You Haven't Done Nothing" in ''Groove and Flow: Six Analytical Essays On The Music Of Stevie Wonder'' (University of Washington PhD dissertation, 2003)

Stevie Wonder interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' March 1995
{{Authority control Stevie Wonder albums 1974 albums Grammy Award for Album of the Year Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Tamla Records albums Albums recorded at Electric Lady Studios Albums produced by Stevie Wonder Albums produced by Malcolm Cecil Albums recorded at Record Plant (Los Angeles) Albums recorded at Westlake Recording Studios