Higher Ground (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Higher Ground" is a R&B song with a rock edge, written by Stevie Wonder and first appearing on his 1973 album Innervisions. Against a driving, percolating clavinet-based arrangement, the lyric posits that religion and reincarnation can perhaps successfully do battle with the darker sides of human nature. It reached #4 on the U.S. pop singles chart and #1 on the U.S. black singles chart. The album version of this song contains an extra verse and runs 30 seconds longer than the single version.
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song #261 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, offering the following explanation: "Ground" was recorded just before Wonder was involved in a near-fatal accident in August '73 that left him in a coma. Early in Wonder's recovery, his road manager sang the melody of "Ground" into the singer's ear; Wonder responded by moving his fingers with the music.
An especially ferocious performance of "Higher Ground" was given by Alicia Keys along with Wonder and Lenny Kravitz at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards. Keys and Wonder then took a softer, improvised approach in a duet at the 2006 Grammy Awards. Later in 2006, fifth-season American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry gave an acclaimed, show-closing rendition that blended the original with the Chili Peppers' take. At the 2006 Montreux Jazz Festival, Marcus Miller also performed this song.
Contents |
[edit] Red Hot Chili Peppers cover
| "Higher Ground" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers | ||
| from the album Mother's Milk | ||
| B-side(s) | "Millionaires Against Hunger" | |
| Released | 1989 | |
| Format | CD Single | |
| Length | 3:21 | |
| Label | EMI | |
| Writer(s) | Stevie Wonder | |
| Producer(s) | Michael Beinhorn | |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers singles chronology | ||
| "Knock Me Down" (1989) |
"Higher Ground" (1989) |
"Taste the Pain" (1989) |
| "Higher Ground" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers | ||
| from the album Mother's Milk | ||
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 3:23 | |
| Mother's Milk track listing | ||
|
||
This song was covered by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on 1989's Mother's Milk and was a major hit. Today, it is as well known as the Stevie Wonder version. This version was featured in the films Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995), Center Stage (2000), Walking Tall (2004) and The Longest Yard (2005). It was also used as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers pilot episode opened. A cover of this version of the song was used in the game Guitar Hero. Their version features a very dominant funk slap bass sound.
Higher ground was the Stiener Brother's entrance music back in WCW
As part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" Celebration, Space Mountain at Disneyland in Anaheim, California is using this song as its soundtrack for 16 weeks, from January 3, 2007 to April 26, 2007.
[edit] Trivia
- Higher Ground, the Red Hot Chili Pepper's version, is a feature song in the video game Guitar Hero.
- An edited version of the Red Hot Chili Pepper's version of Higher Ground was used in Rockin Space Mountain at the Disneyland Resort from January 07-April 07
[edit] Track Listing
[edit] US CD Single #1
- Higher Ground (Album)
- Higher Ground (Munchkin Mix)
- Millionaires Against Hunger (Previously Unreleased)
- Mommy Where's Daddy (Album)
[edit] 12" Viynl Single
- Politician (Mini Rap)
- Higher Ground (Munchkin Mix)
- Higher Ground (Dub Mix)
- Mommy Where's Daddy
[edit] 12" Remix Viynl
- Higher Ground
- Higher Ground (Munchkin Mix)
- Politician (Mini Rap)
- Higher Ground (Bert Bevans Mix)
[edit] UK 12" Viynl
- Higher Ground
- Higher Ground (Daddy-O Remix)
- Fight Like a Brave
