Too High

Album: Innervisions (1973)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Too High" is one of Stevie Wonder's deep cuts, released in 1973 as the first song on his classic album Innervisions and also used as the B-side for "Higher Ground." Wonder played all the instruments on the track. The lead instrument is a Fender Rhodes electric piano; the rhythm comes from live drums and a Moog bass, and in the bridge there's one of Wonder's famous harmonica parts.
  • "Too High" is about drug abuse, one of the few times Wonder dealt with the subject. While the songs on the Innervisions album are largely in the genres of soul and funk, "Too High" has a definite ring of jazz fusion to it, and, garnishing the arrangement like a sprig of parsley, even a hint of bebop.

    Interestingly enough considering this song's subject matter, Stevie Wonder was in his famous car accident just three days after this album's commercial release. The car he was riding in rear-ended a lumber truck, resulting in his being hospitalized in a coma for 10 days with head trauma.
  • Wonder provided vocals and harmonica to a version of "Too High" released by the guitarist Norman Brown in 1992 on his album Just Between Us.

Comments: 3

  • AnonymousJamiroquai also copied those early James Vincent albums (not the new guy, the other guy from the 70s).
  • Jgs from TorontoRe: Ed from Deal Kent’s comment - I say the same thing re: Jamiroquai but I use Stevie’s “Black Man” as the song example.
  • Ed from Deal Kent UkJamiroquai the UK funk band sounded like they based all their songs on this track.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."