“Superstition” is all about the power and danger of beliefs, especially those that are baseless or unfounded. Stevie Wonder brilliantly crafts a message about the perils of blindly following superstitions and how they can hold us back. Instead of focusing on a specific person, he warns listeners about the impact of letting unverified beliefs control their lives. Through catchy lines and groovy tunes, Stevie reminds us to question the things we don’t understand rather than just suffer from them.
Feeling the groove and curious to know more? Let’s break down this timeless classic together!
“Superstition” Lyrics Meaning
“Very superstitious, Writing’s on the wall…” – From the get-go, we’re introduced to age-old superstitions. The “writing’s on the wall” suggests an inevitable, looming danger.
“Very superstitious, Ladders bout’ to fall…” – Walking under a ladder is often seen as bad luck. Stevie’s mentioning it to point out how these superstitions can feel real and threatening.
“Thirteen month old baby, Broke the lookin’ glass…” – Breaking a mirror is a classic bad omen, believed to bring seven years of bad luck. By mentioning a “thirteen-month-old baby,” Stevie may be emphasizing the innocence of the act and how sometimes we punish ourselves for things beyond our control.
“When you believe in things, That you don’t understand…” – This is the crux of the song. Many times, people blindly follow traditions or beliefs without truly understanding them. This ignorance, Stevie argues, leads to unnecessary suffering.
“Very superstitious, Wash your face and hands…” – Here, there might be a nod to rituals people follow to ward off evil or bad luck. The idea is that even with such routines, the root problem (the superstition itself) remains.
“Keep me in a daydream, Keep me goin’ strong…” – Superstitions can sometimes provide comfort, a daydream-like state where everything feels okay. But it’s a temporary fix.
“Very superstitious, The devil’s on his way…” – Stevie wraps up with an ominous line, perhaps a final warning about letting superstitions guide our paths.
The Story Behind “Superstition”
Stevie Wonder, a musical genius, often layered his songs with deeper meanings, and “Superstition” is no exception. The 1970s, when the song was released, were tumultuous times filled with changes, uncertainties, and the fight for civil rights. Many clung to beliefs and rituals as a coping mechanism during such times.
“Superstition” was likely Stevie’s way of challenging his listeners. He urged them to rise above unfounded beliefs, which can often serve as chains, limiting potential and growth. Stevie himself was a beacon of breaking barriers. Despite being blind from infancy, he never let societal “superstitions” about his abilities hold him back.
Moreover, music in the 1970s was becoming a powerful tool for societal commentary, with many artists using their platform to discuss societal issues. Stevie Wonder was at the forefront of this movement, making music that made you dance but also think.
“Superstition” is not just a groovy track but a call to action. Stevie wanted his listeners to break free from the chains of baseless beliefs and stride into the future with confidence and clarity.