Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder song)

The song lyrics address the issue of reincarnation. Wonder commented, when interviewed by The New York Times:

I would like to believe in reincarnation. I would like to believe that there is another life. I think that sometimes your consciousness can happen on this earth a second time around. For me, I wrote "Higher Ground" even before the accident. But something must have been telling me that something was going to happen to make me aware of a lot of things and to get myself together. This is like my second chance for life, to do something or to do more, and to value the fact that I am alive.{{cite web|url=http://bigamericannight.com/midnight_hit/jesus-children/|title=Big American Night - Holy Roller|publisher=bigamericannight.com|access-date=January 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108010549/http://bigamericannight.com/midnight_hit/jesus-children/|archive-date=January 8, 2015|url-status=usurped}}

According to Billboard, the lyrics are about "people who are moving ahead in love and in all phases of life."{{cite news|title=Top Single Picks|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=2020-07-25|date=August 11, 1973|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-08-11.pdf|page=71}}

The unique wah-wah clavinet sound in the song was achieved with a Mu-Tron III envelope filter pedal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vintageguitar.com/18626/mike-beigel/ |title=Mike Beigel: Resurrection of the Mu-Tron III |first=Michael |last=Dregni |website=vintageguitar.com |date= January 11, 2016|accessdate=5 April 2021}} The bass line is provided by a Moog synthesizer programmed by co-producers Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff. Using overdubs, Wonder played clavinet, drums and percussion in addition to singing the vocals.Wonder, Stevie. “Innervisions” (Liner Notes). Tamla Motown. 1973.

On August 21, 2024, Wonder performed "Higher Ground" at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign to become the next President of the United States in the 2024 United States presidential election.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/08/21/stevie-wonder-and-john-legend-bring-star-power-to-dnc-day-3-watch-all-the-performances/|title=Watch Stevie Wonder And John Legend Perform At The DNC Day 3|newspaper=Forbes|date=August 21, 2024}}

In its contemporary review, Cash Box said the song "is further evidence of [Wonder's] inner genius."{{cite news|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=August 11, 1973|page=18|accessdate=2021-12-11|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1973/Cash-Box-1973-08-11.pdf|newspaper=Cash Box}} Record World called it a "chunky item that has all the feel and finesse of 'Superstition.'"{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=August 18, 1973|accessdate=2023-03-22|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/73/RW-1973-08-18.pdf}}

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 261 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, was re-ranked at number 265 in 2010, and re-ranked at number 113 in 2021, adding: "'Higher Ground' was recorded just before Wonder was involved in a near-fatal accident in August 1973 that left him in a coma. Early in Wonder's recovery, his road manager sang the song's melody into the singer's ear; Wonder responded by moving his fingers with the music."{{cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/stevie-wonder-higher-ground-20110526

|title= 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - 265 - Stevie Wonder, 'Higher Ground' |magazine= Rolling Stone |access-date= July 30, 2013}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/stevie-wonder-higher-ground-2-1225225/|title=Higher Ground ranked No. 113 on Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs List|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=3 October 2021}}

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Stevie Wonder|title=Higher Ground|award=Gold|access-date=December 15, 2024|relyear=1973|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Stevie Wonder|title=Higher Ground|award=Silver|relyear=2005|certyear=2022|id=2882-82-1|access-date=August 5, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Higher Ground

| cover = red_hot_chili_peppers_higher_ground.png

| alt =

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Red Hot Chili Peppers

| album = Mother's Milk

| B-side = Millionaires Against Hunger

| released = {{start date|1989|4|8}}

| recorded = 1988

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Funk metal{{cite book|title= The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll |author= Christopher Knowles |editor= Viva Editions |year= 2010 |publisher= Simon and Schuster |isbn= 978-1573445641}} "Milk gave the band much-needed hits with “Knock Me Down” and a cover of Stevie Wonder's “Higher Ground,” both of which worked the funk-metal vein."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7573517/red-hot-chili-peppers-greatest-shirtless-moments-californication-super-bowl|title=Here Are the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 10 Greatest Shirtless Moments (Some Without Pants & Underwear, Too)|magazine=Billboard}}

| length = 3:21

| label = EMI America

| writer = Stevie Wonder

| producer = Michael Beinhorn

| prev_title = Fight Like a Brave

| prev_year = 1987

| next_title = Knock Me Down

| next_year = 1989

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|X3mRasO5bvo|"Higher Ground"}}}}

{{Audio sample

| type = single

| file =

| description = "Higher Ground"

}}

}}

American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers released a cover in 1989, as the first single from their fourth album Mother's Milk.{{cite web|url=http://redhotchilipeppers.com/timeline|title=RHCP Timeline|access-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206002037/http://redhotchilipeppers.com/timeline|archive-date=February 6, 2015|df=mdy-all}} In 2000, British magazine Total Guitar named it the second greatest cover ever.{{cite news|newspaper= Total Guitar |date= August 2000 |title= The Best Cover Versions Ever |publisher= Future Publishing}}

It has been featured in films, TV shows and video games, including Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-mighty-morphin-power-rangers-original-soundtrack-mw0000176851|title=The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Original Soundtrack|author=William Ruhlmann|publisher=AllMusic|access-date= May 30, 2015}} Beavis and Butthead,{{cite web|url=http://beavis-and-butthead-episodes.blogspot.com/2008/10/music-video-code-by-videosfuse.html|publisher=Beavis and Butt-Head|title=S1 - Ep4 - Beavis and Butthead - Balloon|author=Octopus|date=October 2, 2008|access-date=May 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617083806/http://beavis-and-butthead-episodes.blogspot.com/2008/10/music-video-code-by-videosfuse.html|archive-date=June 17, 2015|url-status=dead}} Center Stage,{{cite web|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/82147-breaking-down-center-stages-higher-ground-dance-in-choreography-because-even-though-cooper-nielson-was|magazine=Bustle|title=Breaking Down 'Center Stage's "Higher Ground" Dance In Choreography — Because Even Though Cooper Nielson Was A Jerk, Dude Knew How To Move|author=Caitlin Gallagher|date=2015|access-date= May 30, 2015}} The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,{{cite web|url=http://tunes.zone/tvshow-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-429-season-1-episode-nice-lady-591357-soundtracks|title=The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Episode Nice Lady Music & List of Songs|publisher=Tunes.Zone|access-date= May 30, 2015}} Walking Tall,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351977/soundtrack|publisher=IMDb|title=Walking Tall (2004) - Soundtracks|access-date= May 30, 2015}} The Longest Yard,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0398165/soundtrack|publisher=IMDb|title=The Longest Yard (2005) - Soundtracks |access-date= May 30, 2015}} The Karate Kid,{{cite web|url=http://musicfromfilm.com/movies/karatekid.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209015942/http://musicfromfilm.com/movies/karatekid.php|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 9, 2010|title=Music from The Karate Kid|publisher=Music From Film|access-date= May 30, 2015}} The Change-Up,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1488555/soundtrack|publisher=IMDb|title=The Change-Up (2011) - Soundtracks|access-date= May 30, 2015}} Rocksmith{{cite web|url=http://www.fakeplasticrock.com/2011/10/rocksmith-full-track-list-revealed/|title=Rocksmith Full Track List Revealed|author=Jeff Atwood|publisher=Fake Plastic Rock|date=October 11, 2011|access-date= May 30, 2015}} and Guitar Hero Live.{{cite web|url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/05/20/activision-reveals-ten-new-guitar-hero-live-songs/|title=Activision Reveals 10 New Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Songs for Guitar Hero Live|author=Mark Labbe|publisher=PlayStation LifeStyle|date=May 20, 2015|access-date= May 30, 2015}}

A remixed version by the X-Ecutioners was featured in the video game SSX 3{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJSPdvz0Kqo|title=Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Higher Ground [X-Ecutioners Remix]|author=The Dinner King|publisher=YouTube|date=July 4, 2010|access-date= May 30, 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}} while a cover version appeared in Guitar Hero.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/27/guitar-hero-song-list-unveiled|title=GUITAR HERO SONG LIST UNVEILED|author=Chris Roper|publisher=IGN|date=October 26, 2005|access-date= May 30, 2015}} FX used the song to promote The Ultimate Fighter: Live and it also serves as the show's theme song.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/183360931105996800|title=@flea333 Thanks to you guys for helping us with The Higher Ground for TUF on FX|author=Dana White|publisher=Twitter|date=March 23, 2012|access-date= May 30, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/183360931105996800|title=I want to thank Anthony Kiedis and the rest of the RHCP's for TUF live open tonight on FX!!! Appreciate u bro|author=Dana White|publisher=Twitter|date=March 23, 2012|access-date= May 30, 2015}}

As part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" Celebration, Space Mountain at Disneyland in Anaheim, California was transformed into Rockin' Space Mountain. The song was used as its soundtrack for 16 weeks, from January 3, 2007, to April 26, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.startedbyamouse.com/mousellany/RockinSpaceMountainReview.shtml|title=Rockin' Space Mountain|author=Matthew Walker|publisher=StartedByAMouse.com|date=March 6, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228011452/http://www.startedbyamouse.com/mousellany/RockinSpaceMountainReview.shtml|archive-date=February 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}

Red Hot Chili Peppers performed the song with other musicians as part of the all-star jam during the band's induction into the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2012/05/rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_ind_5.html|title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction special premieres Saturday night on HBO|author=John Soeder|publisher=Cleveland.com|date=May 4, 2012|access-date= May 30, 2015}}

The video for this version was directed by Drew Carolan and Bill Stobaugh, and was nominated for Breakthrough Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.

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;US Cassette single (1989){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-Higher-Ground/master/42507 |title=Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground at Discogs |year=1989 |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=November 22, 2015}}

1. "Higher Ground"
2. "Nobody Weird Like Me"

;7" single (1989)

1. "Higher Ground"
2. "Fight Like a Brave"

;UK CD single

1. "Higher Ground"
2. "Higher Ground" (Munchkin Mix)
3. "Millionaires Against Hunger"
4. "Mommy Where's Daddy?"

;12" UK promo (1989)

1. "Higher Ground"
2. "Higher Ground" (Munchkin Mix)
3. "Higher Ground" (Bert Bevans Remix)

;12" US promo (1989)

1. "Higher Ground" (12" Vocal)
2. "Higher Ground" (Politician Mix)
3. "Higher Ground" (Dub Mix)

;Australian 7" single (1989) [US-2346] EMI USA

1. "Higher Ground" - 3:12
2. "Punk Rock Classic" - 1:37

;UK 7" single (1989)

1. "Higher Ground"
2. "Millionaires Against Hunger"

;UK 12" 3D Punch Out Pepper single (1990)

1. "Higher Ground"
2. "Higher Ground" (Munchkin Mix)
3. "Politician" (Mini Rap)
4. "Higher Ground" (Bert Bevans Mix)

;UK 12" gatefold sleeve pop up single (1990)

1. "Higher Ground"
2. "Fight Like a Brave"
3. "Out in L.A."

;UK 12" limited edition picture disc single (1990)

1. "Higher Ground"
2. "Higher Ground" (Daddy-O Mix)
3. "Fight Like a Brave"

;UK CD Reissue-single (1990) [#CDMT-88] EMI USA

1. "Higher Ground" (album) - 3:22
2. "Fight Like a Brave" (album) - 3:47
3. "Behind the Sun" (album) - 4:40
4. "Out in L.A." (album) - 1:58

;France CD promo single (1992) [#SPCD1608] EMI France

1. "Higher Ground" (Daddy-O Mix) - 5:15
2. "Millionaires Against Hunger" - 3:11
3. "Castles" (Live) - 3:17

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Red Hot Chili Peppers

• Anthony Kiedis – lead vocals
• John Frusciante – guitar, talk box, backing vocals
• Flea – bass, backing vocals
• Chad Smith – drums, tambourine

Additional personnel{{cite web|url=http://redhotchilipeppers.com/audio/playlists/4757/mother-s-milk|title=Mother's Milk - Red Hot Chili Peppers|website=Red Hot Chili Peppers}}

{{div col}}

• Vicki Calhoun – backing vocals
• Wag – backing vocals
• Randy Ruff – backing vocals
• Aklia Chinn – backing vocals
• Jack Sherman – backing vocals
• Joel Virgel Viergel – backing vocals
• Iris Parker – backing vocals
• Julie Ritter – backing vocals
• Gretchen Seager – backing vocals
• Laure Spinosa – backing vocals
• Sir Babs – backing vocals
• Merill Ward – backing vocals
• Bruno Deron – backing vocals
• Kristen Vigard – backing vocals

{{div col end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Red Hot Chili Peppers|title=Higher Ground|award=Gold|access-date=December 15, 2024|relyear=1989|certyear=2022|certref={{cite web|url=https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/|title=New Zealand single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Higher Ground|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=December 15, 2024}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Stevie Wonder}}

{{Red Hot Chili Peppers}}

{{Red Hot Chili Peppers singles}}

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Category:1973 songs

Category:1973 singles

Category:1989 singles

Category:American funk songs

Category:Cashbox number-one singles

Category:EMI America Records singles

Category:Etta James songs

Category:Motown singles

Category:Red Hot Chili Peppers songs

Category:Songs written by Stevie Wonder

Category:Stevie Wonder songs

Category:Tamla Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Stevie Wonder