Stevie Wonder, “Skeletons”

“Skeletons” is Stevie’s last truly great single, combining all of his strengths – astutely topical lyrics (regarding our scandal-plagued society, particularly prescient in 1987, when the song came out), his great voice, and hard synth-funk. I’ve always heard this song as an unwitting analogue to Prince’s classic single from the same year, “Sign ‘O’ the Times.” Not only does it cover similar subject matter, it’s also a surprisingly sparely-arranged record, stripped down (largely) to its essentials. In direct opposition to much of his work of the last two decades (especially the florid, overbaked, and overproduced balladry he’s unfortunately become so fond of), this is Stevie harkening back to his ‘70s heyday of “Living for the City” and “Higher Ground,” revamped and retooled for the late ‘80s; it really was a sign o’ the times. Also of note: listen to how much of this single presages some of the techno which was to come, especially in the random blips and wooshes half-buried throughout the mix. Wonder was from Detroit, after all. “Skeletons” still sounds shockingly contemporary; in some ways what higher compliment is there, musically speaking?

I am submeat, hear me roar.