Fulfillingness' First Finale

Fulfillingness' First Finale
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Studio album by Stevie Wonder
Released	July 22, 1974
Studio	Record Plant Studios and Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles; Media Sound and Electric Lady Studios in New York City
Genre	Progressive soul
Length	42:21
Label	Motown
Producer	Stevie Wonder, Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil
Stevie Wonder chronology
Singles from Fulfillingness' First Finale
	"You Haven't Done Nothin'"; Released: August 1974; "Boogie On Reggae Woman"; Released: November 1974;

"Boogie On Reggae Woman"

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"Boogie On Reggae Woman" (album version sample)

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Fulfillingness' First Finale is the seventeenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released by Motown on July 22, 1974. It is the fourth out of five albums from what is considered his "classic period".^[2]^[3]^[4]

Subsequent to the epic sweep and social consciousness of Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale projected a reflective, decidedly somber tone. While masterly, the musical arrangements used in several songs could be considered sparse in comparison to others among his 1970s masterworks, especially in the bleak "They Won't Go When I Go" and understated "Creepin'".

Though Fulfillingness' First Finale was largely a stripped down and more personal sounding record, Wonder had not completely foregone social commentary on the world around him. The Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "You Haven't Done Nothin'" launched a pointed criticism of the Nixon administration bolstered by clavinet, drum machine, and a Jackson 5 cameo.

Fulfillingness' First Finale was Wonder's first album to top the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart, where it remained for two weeks. It also reached number one on the Billboard Soul LPs chart, spending nine non-consecutive weeks there.^[5] Fulfillingness' First Finale won three Grammy Awards at the 16th Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. The album was voted number 413 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000).^[6] It was also included in the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.^[7]

Reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[8]
The Austin Chronicle	^[9]
Christgau's Record Guide	A–^[10]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music	^[11]
The Great Rock Discography	7/10^[12]
Los Angeles Times	^[13]
MusicHound	4/5^[12]
Q	^[14]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	^[15]
The Village Voice	B+^[16]

Fulfillingness' First Finale won Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal, Best Male Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance (for "Boogie On Reggae Woman"), and Album of the Year in 1974.

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

"You Haven't Done Nothin'" – 3:23
"It Ain't No Use" – 3:58
"They Won't Go When I Go" – 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 – electric guitar
Reggie McBride – electric bass
Bobbye Hall – congas, bongos
Jim Gilstrap – background vocals
Deniece Williams (credited as Denise) – background vocals

"Heaven Is 10 Zillion Years Away"

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Hohner clavinet, drums, Moog bass
Paul Anka – background vocal
Syreeta Wright – background vocal
Shirley Brewer – background vocal
Larry "Nastyee" Latimer – background vocal

"Too Shy to Say"

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, piano
James Jamerson – acoustic bass
Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar

"Boogie On Reggae Woman"

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, Fender Rhodes, piano, harmonica, drums, Moog bass
Rocky Dzidzornu – congas

"Creepin'"

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, harmonica, drums, Moog bass, T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer
Minnie Riperton – 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 – 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
Shirley Brewer – background vocal
Lani Groves – background vocal
Deniece Williams – background vocal
Sérgio Mendes - Portuguese lyrics^[17]
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 – 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.
"They Won't Go When I Go" - recorded by Kevin Max for The Blood in 2007.
"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 on his 1987 album Wonderland.
"Boogie On Reggae Woman" - recorded by Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders 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 (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 for Achados e Perdidos in 2005.

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Year	Chart	Position
1974	Soul Albums	1
1974	Top LP's & Tape	1

Singles[]

Year	Single	Billboard Hot 100	Billboard Hot Soul Singles
1974	"You Haven't Done Nothin'"	1	1
1974	"Boogie on Reggae Woman"	3	1

References[]

^ Kendall, Jo (May 5, 2019). "Record Collection". Prog. Retrieved January 23, 2021 – via PressReader.
^ Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2001). All music guide: the definitive guide to popular music (4 ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 447–448. ISBN 0-87930-627-0.
^ Cramer, Alfred William (2009). Musicians and composers of the 20th century. 5. Salem Press. p. 1645. ISBN 978-1-58765-517-3.
^ Brown, Jeremy K. (2010). Stevie Wonder: Musician. Black Americans of Achievement. Infobase Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-60413-685-2.
^ "Fulfillingness' First Finale - Stevie Wonder". AllMusic. July 22, 1974. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
^ Colin Larkin, ed. (2006). All Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 154. ISBN 0-7535-0493-6.
^ Dimery, Robert (December 5, 2011). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: You Must Hear Before You Die. Octopus. ISBN 978-1-84403-714-8.
^ Allmusic review
^ Moser, Margaret (May 19, 2000), Review: Innervisions. The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: W". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 9, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
^ Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0857125958.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Fulfillingness' First Finale". Acclaimed Music. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
^ Hilburn, Robert (April 1, 2000). "Motown Releases Remind Us of Stevie Wonder's Impact". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
^ Q review
^ Nathan Brackett and Christian David Hoard (eds), Rolling Stone review, The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, p. 885.
^ Christgau, Robert (October 24, 1974). "Consumer Guide (49)". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
^ "Bird of Beauty" partial Portuguese lyrics provided by Sergio Mendes

External links[]

Hughes, Tim. Extensive musicological analysis of "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

[1] Kendall, Jo (May 5, 2019). "Record Collection". Prog. Retrieved January 23, 2021 – via PressReader.

[2] Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2001). All music guide: the definitive guide to popular music (4 ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 447–448. ISBN 0-87930-627-0.

[3] Cramer, Alfred William (2009). Musicians and composers of the 20th century. 5. Salem Press. p. 1645. ISBN 978-1-58765-517-3.

[4] Brown, Jeremy K. (2010). Stevie Wonder: Musician. Black Americans of Achievement. Infobase Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-60413-685-2.

[5] "Fulfillingness' First Finale - Stevie Wonder". AllMusic. July 22, 1974. Retrieved February 17, 2012.

[Larkin-6] Colin Larkin, ed. (2006). All Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 154. ISBN 0-7535-0493-6.

[7] Dimery, Robert (December 5, 2011). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: You Must Hear Before You Die. Octopus. ISBN 978-1-84403-714-8.

[8] Allmusic review

[9] Moser, Margaret (May 19, 2000), Review: Innervisions. The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 8, 2010.

[CG-10] Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: W". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 9, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.

[11] Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0857125958.

[AM-12] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Fulfillingness' First Finale". Acclaimed Music. Retrieved September 26, 2015.

[13] Hilburn, Robert (April 1, 2000). "Motown Releases Remind Us of Stevie Wonder's Impact". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 25, 2015.

[14] Q review

[15] Nathan Brackett and Christian David Hoard (eds), Rolling Stone review, The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, p. 885.

[16] Christgau, Robert (October 24, 1974). "Consumer Guide (49)". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved September 26, 2015.

[17] "Bird of Beauty" partial Portuguese lyrics provided by Sergio Mendes

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show v t Stevie Wonder
Discography
Studio albums	The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Tribute to Uncle Ray With a Song in My Heart Stevie at the Beach Up-Tight Down to Earth I Was Made to Love Her Someday at Christmas Eivets Rednow For Once in My Life My Cherie Amour Signed, Sealed & Delivered Where I'm Coming From Music of My Mind Talking Book Innervisions Fulfillingness' First Finale Songs in the Key of Life Hotter than July In Square Circle Characters Conversation Peace A Time to Love
Live albums	Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius Stevie Wonder Live Live at the Talk of the Town Natural Wonder
Soundtracks	Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants" The Woman in Red The Last Dragon: Original Soundtrack Album Jungle Fever
Compilations	Looking Back Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection At the Close of a Century The Definitive Collection 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Stevie Wonder The Complete Stevie Wonder
Singles	"Fingertips" "Hey Harmonica Man" "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" "With a Child's Heart" "Blowin' in the Wind" "A Place in the Sun" "Someday at Christmas" "Hey Love" "I Was Made to Love Her" "I'm Wondering" "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" "Alfie" "For Once in My Life" "I Don't Know Why" "My Cherie Amour" "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" "Never Had a Dream Come True" "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" "Heaven Help Us All" "We Can Work It Out" "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" "If You Really Love Me" "What Christmas Means to Me" "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" "Superstition" "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" "Higher Ground" "Living for the City" "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing" "He's Misstra Know-It-All" "You Haven't Done Nothin'" "Boogie On Reggae Woman" "I Wish" "Sir Duke" "Another Star" "As" "Pops, We Love You (A Tribute to Father)" "Send One Your Love" "Master Blaster (Jammin')" "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" "Lately" "Happy Birthday" "That Girl" "Ebony and Ivory" "Do I Do" "Ribbon in the Sky" "Front Line" "I Just Called to Say I Love You" "Love Light in Flight" "Part-Time Lover" "That's What Friends Are For" "Go Home" "Overjoyed" "Skeletons" "You Will Know" "Get It" "Gotta Have You" "We Didn't Know" "For Your Love" "So What the Fuss" "From the Bottom of My Heart" "All About the Love Again" "Faith" "Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate"
Featured singles	"My Love" "How Come, How Long" "California Roll"
Other songs	"You and I (We Can Conquer the World)" "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" "Golden Lady" "All in Love Is Fair" "They Won't Go When I Go" "Knocks Me Off My Feet" "Pastime Paradise" "Isn't She Lovely" "Black Man" "We Are the World" "Just Good Friends" "Seasons of Love" "True to Your Heart"
Tours	Songs in the Key of Life Tour
Related articles	Lula Mae Hardaway Syreeta Wright KJLH SuperEgo Wonderin' "Wonder-ful"
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