“Heaven help us all, heaven help us all, help us all / Heaven help us, Lord, hear our call when we fall.” 2020 has been one hell of a year, with extra emphasis placed on hell. Tremendous turbulence and tribulation have characterized the year, one which most hoped would be everything that 2019 was not. Unfortunately, for most of the world, that hasn’t been the case. Perhaps that’s why a 1970 classic by Stevie Wonder feels totally fitting and appropriate 50 years later. “Now I lay me down before I go sleep / In a troubled world, I pray the Lord my soul too keep.” On the soul gem “Heaven Help Us All,” Wonder looks to the heavens above, and the power of prayer and faith to atone all that ails the world.
“Heaven Help Us All” is best characterized as R&B/soul/funk record. Even so, the gospel cues and vibes are clearly pronounced. Those vibes aren’t just because of lyrics petitioning for divine intervention, but also because of the spirited, exuberant backdrop. Today, it’s less common to hear live instrumentation – horns, drums, etc. – but during the 60s and 70s, that was the approach. With such an inspired, ‘pumped-up’ backdrop, Stevie Wonder has no choice but to sing so powerfully.
Basically, every soul that needs help and atonement gets representation from Stevie, without specific names being called. “Heaven help the child who never had a home” kicks things off, with Wonder later adding, “Heaven help the black man if he struggles one more day / Heaven help the white man if he turns his back away.” Further into the track, on second verse, he petitions, “Heaven help the boy who won’t reach twenty-one / Heaven help the man who gave that boy a gun…” Wonder has always used his platform for social and political issues, in addition to expressing his faith. Regardless what your religions views are or lack thereof, the spirit and healing sentiment of Wonder’s “Heaven Help Us All” is something we should all be able to unite behind.
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About The Curator - Brent Faulkner
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype (https://themusicalhype.com). When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event.
