Stevie Wonder, the iconic musician, served up some political punch with his first new music in years, rejecting the “All Lives Matter” comparison to the racial protests of the past several months.
If you can only envision Wonder with that ever-present joyful smile, these lyrics from his new song are going to sound a little harsh. During a live-streamed news conference last week introducing two new songs, Wonder underscored the importance of keeping racial injustice at the forefront of American issues. He sings of protest until change is made:
“You say you’re sick and tired of us protesting / I say not had enough to make a change … You say you believe that ‘all lives matter’ / I say I don’t believe the f**k you do.”
Wonder said the new music is in response to systemic racism. He said: “Every young person is saying this stuff here is unacceptable. We can’t be a united people of the world and have this craziness … Change is right no–we can’t put it in the hands of fate.”
The singer said he would donate 100% of the proceeds of “Where Is Our Love Song” to the non-profit Feeding America to provide aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wonder, 70, had a kidney transplant in December 2019, but said: “I feel great, my voice feels great … I feel about 40 right now.”
His most recent single was “Faith,” with Ariana Grande, in 2016; his most recent album was 2005’s “A Time to Love.” He has worked in recent years with artists such as Drake, Travis Scott, Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand.
“If I can do anything to use the gift of song to help to feed people, to share my love … it is my joy,” the singer-songwriter said. “In these times, we are hearing the most poignant wake-up calls and cries for this nation and the world to, please, heed our need for love, peace and unity.”
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