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

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.