Classic song “Superstition”—Stevie Wonder vs. Jeff Beck and what could have happened
The story behind the surprising origin of the song—and how history could have gone differently…
Recently, I watched the fun live performance of the classic song “Superstition,” featuring award-winning pop artist Stevie Wonder and noted rock guitarist Jeff Beck. The duo had teamed up in 2009 to perform together at the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert.
What I did not know—until just minutes ago—is that their performance of the song meant something. There was a background story to them performing that song together.
Now, of course, the 1972 pop classic “Superstition”—discussing the negative effects of superstitions—is one of the coolest songs from Stevie Wonder. But then, Wonder has lots of popular songs across his music career. In fact, he has a major place in music history as a singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He has influenced musicians across several genres, including R&B, pop, soul, jazz, and more.
And while the song “Superstition” has long been a big deal, I just learned that legendary guitarist Jeff Beck is part of the song’s origins, too.
British guitarist Beck (1944-2023) was a top-ranked guitarist who first came to fame as a member of the rock band the Yardbirds. He later founded the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice. He then became a solo act and, over the years, recorded with many artists. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as a member of the Yardbirds (1992) and as a solo artist (2009).
Below, we have three versions of the song “Superstition”…
#1 is the 1972 original recording from Stevie Wonder’s 1972 album Talking Book;
#2 is a version by Beck’s power trio from their 1973 album Beck, Bogert & Appice;
#3 is a live version with both Wonder and Beck performed 2009 at the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert.
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Scroll down for more info about the unexpected background of the song! Below the videos, we talk about the surprising origins of “Superstition”…
“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder (1973)
“Superstition” by Beck, Bogart, Appice (1974)
Stevie Wonder and Jeff Beck Perform “Superstition” at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary (2009)
About the song “Superstition”
“Superstition” was a #1 hit for Stevie Wonder in 1973. It also won him two Grammy Awards: “Best Rhythm & Blues Song” and “Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.”
Although the songwriting credit only notes Stevie Wonder, apparently Jeff Beck was there in the studio when it was written. And—at first—Beck was originally intended to release his own version of the song before Wonder’s version.
In the early 1970s, Wonder was in the studio making the album Talking Book. He was also playing most of the instruments himself. However, he would often hire guitar players—and when he was told that Beck was a fan of his, Wonder called Beck to come in and play on the album.
It’s been said that at one point during the meetings, Beck had an idea for the opening drum beat. Wonder asked him to keep playing while he tried some improvisations. Wonder came up with most of the song right there, and the two made a rough demo of the song.
When they finished, Wonder had essentially written the song for Beck to record. However, Wonder’s record label Motown insisted contractually that he record it, too. As Wonder was quoted by the The Detroit Free Press:
“I told Motown, ‘Listen, I did this for Jeff Beck. He likes the song.’ I thought we should make ‘Sunshine of My Life’ the first single. They said, ‘No, no, no, no. The first single should be ‘Superstition.’ So I went back to Jeff and had that discussion.”
Beck told Music Radar:
“The idea was that I was going to guest on his record and he was going to give me a song in return. He wrote [it] for me, but the record company had the power to prevent any other record coming out and they said, ‘This is a number one smash: Beck doesn’t get this’.”
(To make up for all that, Wonder gave Beck the song “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers.” Beck recorded that for his debut solo record.)
Even then, Beck was still allowed to also record “Superstition.” And, apparently, Beck’s own version was originally supposed to come out first—but that group’s album got delayed.
Meanwhile, the head of Motown, Berry Gordy, saw great potential for Wonder’s version of “Superstition” and rushed out the song as the lead single for Wonder’s album Talking Book. That put the song out there months sooner than Beck’s version.
Beck—despite not getting songwriting credit or even the first single—did not hold a grudge. Wonder and Beck got together for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert in 2009, offering a live version of “Superstition” that celebrated them both.
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Further reading online
Watch Stevie Wonder and Jeff Beck perform ‘Superstition’ (Far Out)
Jeff Beck: How Stevie Wonder apologized for releasing “Superstition” first (MusicRadar)
This Career-Defining Stevie Wonder Hit Was Supposed to Be for Jeff Beck (Okayplayer)
Behind Stevie Wonder's Classic "Superstition" Meant for Jeff Beck (American Songwriter)
Stevie Wonder on the late Jeff Beck and 'Superstition': 'A great soul who did great music' (Detroit Free Press)
Stevie Wonder Remembers Jeff Beck: ‘A Great Soul Who Did Great Music’ (Rolling Stone)
Stevie Wonder: “I Told Motown, ‘Listen, I Did This for Jeff Beck’.” (Guitar Player)
The Stevie Wonder Hit That Was Written For Someone Else First (Grunge)
Hear Beck, Bogert and Appice's 'Superstition' From New Live Box (Ultimate Classic Rock)
10 Best Stevie Wonder Songs of All Time (Singersroom.com)
The Top Five Uses of Stevie Wonder Songs in Movies or TV (TVovermind)
10 Things You Never Knew About Stevie Wonder (Live For Live Music)
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