"Outside My Window" by Stevie Wonder

Song#:  0074
Date:  03/01/1980
Debut:  77
Peak:  52
Weeks:  7
Genre:  R&B, Pop, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  After Wonder's magnum opus "Songs In the Key of Life," he didn't record for three years. During that time he collaborated on a film project where he would provide the music to the documentary "The Secret Life of Plants." The film was not a big success but soundtrack was pushed out as the official follow-up to "Songs." A large part of the album was instrumental and sections were timed with sequences in the film. Wonder used a lot of interesting sounds courtesy of a digital sampling item called the Computer Music Melodian. All of this along with lyrics that were to reflect the subject matter made for one of the most bizarre major releases in pop. The album did okay by making it to #4 on the chart and it did spawn a #4 song in "Send One Your Love," but it was not what fans were looking for after the massive "Songs." This song is the follow-up single.

ReduxReview:  This is a strange album. I can appreciate it and the significance of how it was created, but overall it's nothing I'd listen to a second time. This minor shuffly tune is pretty slight and that "psweep" sound on the 2 and 4 is really annoying. For me, Wonder can run really hot or ice cold. I wouldn't really call this ice cold, but it is a little chilly and I'm just not a fan when he does these saccharine AC tunes.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) When released, the original LP had some braille included and when opened it emitted a flowery scent.  2) Wonder originally wrote the song "Overjoyed" for this project but it was left off the album. He resurrected it in 1985 and it became a minor hit.

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