Fullfillingness' First Finale
1974 | Soul
"And we are sick and tired of hearing your song, telling how you are gonna change right from wrong. -- 'Cause if you really want to hear our views "You haven't done nothing."
Trivia
- The song was Wonder's fourth #1 pop hit & his tenth #1 soul hit.
- The song was written with Richard Nixon in mind, coincidentaly Nixon resigned 2 days after it's release.
- The song features backing vocals by the Jackson Five.
- The song represents an early appearance of electronic drums.
THE HOT TAKES
Luke Tatum
Now, there ain't no groove like a Stevie Wonder groove. Period. To summarize: We're dealing with a unifying anthem, pointing a finger at the politicians of the world and accusing them of doing nothing useful. "It's not too cool to be ridiculed; But you brought this upon yourself; The world is tired of pacifiers; We want the truth and nothing else!" If only the public would become so inspired. It's frustrating beyond measure to see so much promise in the music of past generations, only to find it squandered. We have people now, in 2019, suggesting that giving more power to government will solve our problems. Have we not traveled this road enough?
Sherry Voluntary
Just take a second and listen to the amazingness that is Stevie Wonder with backing vocals by the Jackson 5. Nobody funks up a Clavinet like Stevie! He is a man who may lack sight, but never lacks vision. This song was written directly about Nixon and the Watergate scandal, but is easily applied to the broader State. I love the lyrics “Why do you keep on making us hear your song / Telling us how you are changing right from wrong / 'Cause if you really want to hear our views ? "You haven't done nothing!” I love that he uses the word “make” because that’s really where the problem lies. The political system and voting for masters gives folks the illusion that they have a say in what happens, but that is all smoke and mirrors. The political elite do what they want, and it is always at the expense of the populace literally and figuratively. Unfortunately though, like so many others his answer to government problems is more government not less. It seems like every generation thinks they can right the wrongs of government corruption and predation, by taking over the system. The problem is that the system is the problem, not just how it’s used. This is why we have to continue to get out there and talk to people to help them see a new and better, more peaceful way. We can help provide real solutions to people. Don’t do nothing!
Nicky P
How much nothing can our politicians really do? They keep getting voted in and just seem to come up with an endless stream of busybodying to be done. It seems as though they feel like they are mandated by the public to do things. Sadly I think exemplifies that the public feels as though they are as well. I know this song was pitched as a libertarian song and I can see the angle the other two writers have taken and a case can certainly be made, however, i hardly think it's within our ideas to be hoping for more action out of politicians. I want to drop a copy of Anatomy Of The State into Wonder's lap and tell him government isn't a proud parent trying to raise a nation full of children. Its a gun pointing back at every one of us waiting for an excuse to slip and backfire. Stevie, if they were benevolent parents and not human beings, perhaps you'd be on the right path but until then, I hope for even more nothin'.