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Friday, March 15, 2019

A Window Above: Pastime Paradise

Song: "Pastime Paradise"
Writer and Performer: Stevie Wonder
Original Release: September 28, 1976
Album: Songs in the Key of Life



If I have written this before, it's always worth repeating: if you wish to understand modern music, you must know Stevie Wonder's work from the early- and mid-1970s.  His legacy extends to pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop and beyond, both in terms of musical elements and technological innovation.  "Pastime Paradise" was one of the first songs to use a synthesizer to sound like a full string section.  The recording features both a gospel choir and Hare Krishna musicians as chanters and bell ringers.

"Pastime Paradise" has been sampled and covered by numerous musicians, most famously by Coolio in "Gangsta's Paradise":



"Weird" Al Yankovic, "Amish Paradise":



Want to hear all of the songs I have featured in a convenient playlist?

Enjoy: A Window Above

What are you listening to these days?
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12 comments:

  1. Andrew LeonMarch 15, 2019 at 12:43 PM

    I understand the influence, but I've never been able to get into Wonder.

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 31, 2019 at 5:33 PM

      I can't say I love everything he's ever done. But he had a four-album run in the early '70s that's as solid as just about anyone ever.

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  2. CherdoMarch 15, 2019 at 7:26 PM

    I just discovered The Thorns (check out "Among the Living" and tell me who it reminds you of...I need a second opinion) and I'm revisiting George Ezra.

    Sorry I've been an infrequent commentor, but I'll do better!

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 31, 2019 at 5:33 PM

      No apologies necessary. As you can see, it's been a while since I've had much time to attend to the ol' blog...

      Delete
  3. angryparsnipMarch 16, 2019 at 2:03 PM

    Interesting take on Stevie Wonder's music.
    All the years I lived in Laguna Beach the hare Krishna used to wander up and down the street and after years of listing to them I was tired of it all.

    In the 80's there was The Dream Academy "Life In A Northern Town".they were music majors I think and used their voices as musical instruments I remember the reviews talking about it but I just can't seem to remember thing anymore. I like the song and was on a trip to the UK so it was special.

    cheers, parsnip

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  4. mshatchMarch 17, 2019 at 10:25 AM

    I forgot what a great song Gangsta's Pradise was and I did not know where that riff came from. Stevie Wonder is pretty awesome.

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 31, 2019 at 5:36 PM

      Coolio has a great story about hearing "Pastime Paradise" for the first time. Worth a Google.

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  5. sageMarch 18, 2019 at 9:40 AM

    I was never that big of a Stevie Wonder fan. Don't know why.

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 31, 2019 at 5:36 PM

      Like I commented above, he was definitely stronger in some eras than others.

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  6. BirgitMarch 19, 2019 at 10:05 AM

    These songs are great and I love Weird Al with his brilliant parodies and this is funny especially with 2 costars from Witness

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    1. The Armchair SquidMarch 31, 2019 at 5:37 PM

      I should probably do a Weird Al tribute at some point...

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