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Stevie Wonder — Boogie On Reggae Woman
Album: Fulfillingness' First Finale
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1810









Released: 1974
Length: 4:50
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I like to see you boogie
Right across the floor
I like to do it to you
Till you holla for more

I like to reggae
But you dance too fast for me
I'd like to make love to you
So you can make me scream

So boogie on reggae woman
What is wrong with me?
Boogie on reggae woman
Baby can't you see?

I'd like to see both of us
Fall deeply in love
I'd like to see you na (ked)
Under the stars above
Yes I would

I'd like to see both of us
Fall deeply in love, yeah
I'd like to see you in the raw
Under the stars above

So boogie on reggae woman
What is wrong with you?
Boogie on reggae woman
What you tryin' to do?

Can I play with you?
Can I play?
No!

Boogie on reggae woman
What is wrong with you?
Boogie on reggae woman
What you tryin' to do?

Boogie on reggae woman
Let me do it to you
Boogie on reggae woman
What you tryin' to do?
Comments (116)add comment
 zenhead wrote:

"Can I play?"



CAN I PLAY!!?
 Steely_D wrote:

I'mma let you finish - but this is the best Stevie Wonder song of ALL TIME and it's probably the smartest written (although Living For The City's home->NY->jail scenario comes in a close second).

It's a funky study in dichotomy. Check the lyrics:
Nice Stevie: I'd like to see you boogie / right across the floor.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to do it to you / until you holler for more.

Nice Stevie: I'd like to see both of us / fall deeply in love.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to see you in the raw / under the stars above.

He does that repeatedly, even to the solo.
Nice Stevie asking permission: "Can I play?"
Evil Steve, bragging about his talent: "Can I play?!"

He obviously thought about this tune before committing it to tape.
And that groove... Jebus, this was a high water mark. Love love love this song. 



Excellent!
Ahhh ... just had to get up and boogie!
 zenhead wrote:

"Can I play?"



"CAN I PLAY?!?!"
 Steely_D wrote:

I'mma let you finish - but this is the best Stevie Wonder song of ALL TIME and it's probably the smartest written (although Living For The City's home->NY->jail scenario comes in a close second).

It's a funky study in dichotomy. Check the lyrics:
Nice Stevie: I'd like to see you boogie / right across the floor.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to do it to you / until you holler for more.

Nice Stevie: I'd like to see both of us / fall deeply in love.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to see you in the raw / under the stars above.

He does that repeatedly, even to the solo.
Nice Stevie asking permission: "Can I play?"
Evil Steve, bragging about his talent: "Can I play?!"

He obviously thought about this tune before committing it to tape.
And that groove... Jebus, this was a high water mark. Love love love this song. 



imma agree with you on all counts. and thanks for this comment. i always suspected the "dichotomy" in the lyrics, but now when i hear this, i won't be able to forget it.
It feels like he's been popular my whole life...because he has... but the layers and artistry of this song (as a 24-year-old) make him feel older.
How he went from this in just 10 years to the radio pablum of "I Just Called To Say I Love You" boggles the mind.
I don't think you can top this original but if anyone got the itch to remake this I would not object to John Popper having a shot at that harmonica solo.
 ziggytrix wrote:

For the longest time I thought the chorus was "You're the only woman" (as in the only one for me) - then I actually saw the name of the song. Doesn't matter too much, he could be singing "bla bla bla blah" and this song would still bring the funk X 1000.


Glad I'm not alone in thinking this song was called You're the only woman . . .
 Steely_D wrote:

I'mma let you finish - but this is the best Stevie Wonder song of ALL TIME and it's probably the smartest written (although Living For The City's home->NY->jail scenario comes in a close second).

It's a funky study in dichotomy. Check the lyrics:
Nice Stevie: I'd like to see you boogie / right across the floor.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to do it to you / until you holler for more.

Nice Stevie: I'd like to see both of us / fall deeply in love.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to see you in the raw / under the stars above.

He does that repeatedly, even to the solo.
Nice Stevie asking permission: "Can I play?"
Evil Steve, bragging about his talent: "Can I play?!"

He obviously thought about this tune before committing it to tape.
And that groove... Jebus, this was a high water mark. Love love love this song. 


Ok, you've sold me on a +1 to 9.
Long Live RP and the genius that is Mr. Wonder!!
I'm so grateful for the chance to appreciate these tunes on a deeper level than ever.
 zenhead wrote:

"Can I play?"



Please do.  Fingertips (Parts 1 & 2 Live) changed my very young life and introduced me to chromatic harmonica.

What key, what key ...?









One of my favorite of his albums..."Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" one of my favorite off this
Reggae On, Boogie Woman!
 tallboy1968 wrote:
Great stuff.

Any Jerry Garcia / Merl Saunders fans out there probably already know that their side band in 1975 covered this song a bunch - with guitar and keyboard jams extending 15+ minutes.  Really groovy stuff.  Pretty cool given that Stevie released the original in 1974 only a year earlier.

Interested?  Search up: Legion of Mary Boogie on Reggae Woman

Enjoy. 
 
Thanks for the 18 min segue between this and Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz 
 jffhns wrote:
The harmonica solo sounds like it's being played through the neck of a deflating balloon.
 

Ha, I was waiting for it & sure enough you were spot on, Made me laugh!
FORA BOLSONARO!!!
(#stayhome)
yes!  keep the dance party going while we "shelter in place" during this strange time. 
Keep the world rockin' RP!
The harmonica solo sounds like it's being played through the neck of a deflating balloon.
"Can I play?"
The first line is kinda funny when in Stevie Wonder context: "I like to see you boogie right across the floor"
I like almost any of his cuts where TONTO is part of the musical family. You just can't get the richness from a digital synth like you can from an analog synth. 
 Yo Stevie!
"Can I play?"
I got tired of coming in here to up my rating for this song every time it came on, so I just made it 10 to save the trouble. 
 Art_Carnage wrote:
even Bob Dylan would shout "Enunciate, man!"
 
For the longest time I thought the chorus was "You're the only woman" (as in the only one for me) - then I actually saw the name of the song. Doesn't matter too much, he could be singing "bla bla bla blah" and this song would still bring the funk X 1000.
Why don't I have Stevie Wonder in my collection? An obvious shortcoming. 
{#Devil_pimp}zesty ! I can remember paul simon the following yr at the grammys thanking s wonder for not releasing an album that yr !
Not a huge fan of this cut. No matter.  It showcases Stevie's stellar writing, phrasing, singing, production and musicianship. In the '70s, he had very few peers. 
 VH1 wrote:
I never understood why some make such a fuss about his music, I find all of his music mindnumbingly dull and boring. {#Stop}{#Naughty}
 
Perhaps that explains your screen name .... ?  

And, yes, I have watched Snoop and Martha's Potluck Dinner Party on your network.  While entertaining, it's just another measurement of how far 'music television' has strayed from its original concept.
Yessir, Stevie Wonder made some fabulous funk back in the day.
I'mma let you finish - but this is the best Stevie Wonder song of ALL TIME and it's probably the smartest written (although Living For The City's home->NY->jail scenario comes in a close second).

It's a funky study in dichotomy. Check the lyrics:
Nice Stevie: I'd like to see you boogie / right across the floor.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to do it to you / until you holler for more.

Nice Stevie: I'd like to see both of us / fall deeply in love.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to see you in the raw / under the stars above.

He does that repeatedly, even to the solo.
Nice Stevie asking permission: "Can I play?"
Evil Steve, bragging about his talent: "Can I play?!"

He obviously thought about this tune before committing it to tape.
And that groove... Jebus, this was a high water mark. Love love love this song. 
 (former member) wrote:
This is easily my favorite Stevie song, and it's probably the smartest written (although Living For The City's home->NY->jail scenario comes in a close second).

It's a funky study in dichotomy. Check the lyrics:
Nice Stevie: I'd like to see you boogie / right across the floor.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to do it to you / until you holler for more.

Nice Stevie: I'd like to see both of us / fall deeply in love.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to see you in the raw / under the stars above.

He does that repeatedly, even to the solo.
Nice Stevie asking permission: "Can I play?"
Evil Steve, bragging about his talent: "Can I play?!"

He obviously thought about this tune before committing it to tape.
And that groove... Jebus, this was a high water mark. Love love love this song.

 
Right On  : )   !!!
 VH1 wrote:
I never understood why some make such a fuss about his music, I find all of his music mindnumbingly dull and boring. {#Stop}{#Naughty}

 
Though unplayable.
I never understood why some make such a fuss about his music, I find all of his music mindnumbingly dull and boring. {#Stop}{#Naughty}
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Amazing! You have won this month's Troll Prize. Please continue with your excellent comments so we can enter you for the end of year award. 
 
: )
 NCEyeballKid wrote:

Dancing at my standing desk!

 

 
SAME! Boogie on!
Great stuff.

Any Jerry Garcia / Merl Saunders fans out there probably already know that their side band in 1975 covered this song a bunch - with guitar and keyboard jams extending 15+ minutes.  Really groovy stuff.  Pretty cool given that Stevie released the original in 1974 only a year earlier.

Interested?  Search up: Legion of Mary Boogie on Reggae Woman

Enjoy. 
 BlueHeronDruid wrote:
Chair dancing!

 
Dancing at my standing desk!

 
 richlister wrote:
"booayy-onrayya-woman..."

It's almost like he couldn't read the lyrics...

 
Amazing! You have won this months Troll Prize. Please continue with you excellent comments so we can enter you for the end of year award. 
Chair dancing!
Lil' Stevie Wonder at the height of his powers. 

Music of My Mind
Talking Book 
Innervision
Fulfillingess First Finale
Songs in the Key of Life

What an incredible run.



 richlister wrote:
"booayy-onrayya-woman..."

It's almost like he couldn't read the lyrics...

 
I don't think he can read any lyrics.  Love Stevie and love this song too.
 richlister wrote:
"booayy-onrayya-woman..."

It's almost like he couldn't read the lyrics...

 
I always thought he was saying "you're the only woman..."
Wow... what an intensely perfect segue... from Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress. FTW, Bill!
Bill Cosby had to of used the instrumental beginning of this song as inspiration for the "Fat Albert" TV show theme song??
 Kanuffen wrote:


 
You're right! Its so shit, it's curved regressively past good and back to 'SHIT'.
"booayy-onrayya-woman..."

It's almost like he couldn't read the lyrics...
Not a big Stevie fan but this is "most excellent"!
{#Bananapiano}
{#Dancingbanana}
Not much else to say - just wanted to post a boogie man {#Dancingbanana_2}
man you are cooking today Bill!

Rock out 
 Randomax wrote:
I defy anyone to keep STILL during this song!!!!!!! 

 
Yeah, I could hardly click the stop button quick enough.
 Kanuffen wrote:


 

'zactly

Puttin on my boogie shoes at work and getting down with my bad self
{#Bananasplit} 
Great greatness!
 Randomax wrote:
I defy anyone to keep STILL during this song!!!!!!!  {#Bananajam}

 

Totally agree!!!!  Probably my favorite Stevie song {#Dancingbanana}
That voice!!   Simply beautiful.

{#Notworthy} 
Lay it down brother Stevie!!{#Dancingbanana_2}
Fantastic song from a Super-fantastic album!! {#Bananapiano}
 black321 wrote:
Stevie sounds drunk in this one.
 
Drunk on funk. 
 ziakut wrote:
Like the funkiness, but the keyboard bass part is kind of annoying. Not my favorite SW tune.
 
Not entirely sure how you have a funkalicious Stevie Wonder tune WITHOUT keyboard.  {#Bananapiano}

World just needs a little more Stevie...Wonder, Ray Vaughn, Winwood, even Nicks.
Like the funkiness, but the keyboard bass part is kind of annoying. Not my favorite SW tune.

 You certainly are a real mess if this is your interpretation!

Art_Carnage wrote:
Starts off fine, then the lyrics get so garbled that even Bob Dylan would shout "Enunciate, man!" Then about 2/3rds of the way through, I guess they just said "screw it" and drop the lyrics all together. All in all, a real mess.
 


 Zep wrote:

We are definitely not listening to the same radio station.
 
Really.  I've always understood the lyrics to this song, and since when does enunciation matter very much in rock and pop?  Everyone doesn't sing like Julie Andrews, and they shouldn't have to.

Stevie sounds drunk in this one.
 Art_Carnage wrote:
Starts off fine, then the lyrics get so garbled that even Bob Dylan would shout "Enunciate, man!" Then about 2/3rds of the way through, I guess they just said "screw it" and drop the lyrics all together. All in all, a real mess.
 
Who cares - I mean just keep grooving with the beat. Not everything needs to be verbalized and most times the best things in life cannot.

can i play —— CAN I PLAY

Hell yeah you can Stevie

I just noticed today that the start of this song sounds just like the start to the theme to Fat Albert! Hey, Hey, Hey!  {#Lol}



 Art_Carnage wrote:
Starts off fine, then the lyrics get so garbled that even Bob Dylan would shout "Enunciate, man!" Then about 2/3rds of the way through, I guess they just said "screw it" and drop the lyrics all together. All in all, a real mess.
 
We are definitely not listening to the same radio station.
Starts off fine, then the lyrics get so garbled that even Bob Dylan would shout "Enunciate, man!" Then about 2/3rds of the way through, I guess they just said "screw it" and drop the lyrics all together. All in all, a real mess.


Fun song.  "I'd like to see you in the raw under the stars above." A nice thought, to be sure.

 Rooney wrote:
 Me too.  Usually, Stevie's lyrics are not hard to understand.  This one comes from the Andrew Bird, Kitchen-Towel-In-Mouth school of singing style.  Only Andrew's is a permanent thing.
 

It goes even farther back to the "Louie Louie" School of Garbled Lyrics. {#Lol}
 SinisterDexter wrote:


Makes sense to me. {#Smile}
  

Me too.  Usually, Stevie's lyrics are not hard to understand.  This one comes from the Andrew Bird, Kitchen-Towel-In-Mouth school of singing style.  Only Andrew's is a permanent thing.
 Baby_M wrote:
When I was little and this came on the AM radio, I used to think he was saying "Boogie ornery woman"—like if she boogied a little, maybe she wouldn't be in such a bad mood. {#Cheesygrin}
 

Makes sense to me. {#Smile}
does the RP audience really require the word "naked" to be deleted from lyrics?  i dislike censorship.
Back in the 70s I never could understand what the hell he was singing. I thought it was something like "Booya Only Woman."

That's too weird Baby M. Almost identical post at the same time.


When I was little and this came on the AM radio, I used to think he was saying "Boogie ornery woman"—like if she boogied a little, maybe she wouldn't be in such a bad mood.

{#Cheesygrin}

Get your funk on!
Love your Nice/Evil Stevie analogy mate, great! I'm a huge Wonder fan, and I've never seen this song in this way before. Legend!!

 
dmax wrote:
This is easily my favorite Stevie song, and it's probably the smartest written (although Living For The City's home->NY->jail scenario comes in a close second).

It's a funky study in dichotomy. Check the lyrics:
Nice Stevie: I'd like to see you boogie / right across the floor.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to do it to you / until you holler for more.

Nice Stevie: I'd like to see both of us / fall deeply in love.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to see you in the raw / under the stars above.

He does that repeatedly, even to the solo.
Nice Stevie asking permission: "Can I play?"
Evil Steve, bragging about his talent: "Can I play?!"

He obviously thought about this tune before committing it to tape.
And that groove... Jebus, this was a high water mark. Love love love this song.
 


Now that's what I am talking about!!!! Can't stop grooving! Man, this is goooood!{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}

 dmax wrote:
This is easily my favorite Stevie song, and it's probably the smartest written (although Living For The City's home->NY->jail scenario comes in a close second).

It's a funky study in dichotomy. Check the lyrics:
Nice Stevie: I'd like to see you boogie / right across the floor.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to do it to you / until you holler for more.

Nice Stevie: I'd like to see both of us / fall deeply in love.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to see you in the raw / under the stars above.

He does that repeatedly, even to the solo.
Nice Stevie asking permission: "Can I play?"
Evil Steve, bragging about his talent: "Can I play?!"

He obviously thought about this tune before committing it to tape.
And that groove... Jebus, this was a high water mark. Love love love this song.
  I never noticed that before. Adds a whole 'nuther level to the groove. Thanks D!


I defy anyone to keep STILL during this song!!!!!!!  {#Bananajam}
Always been one of my favs from little Stevie!{#Dancingbanana}
Stevie and Billy Preston sure were some funky a$$ keyboard players.
Wow!  Makes it hard to write code when your hands / bod are boppin.....  Stevie's work is outstanding.
 CascadianPDX wrote:
I KNOW you didn't dis Dione Warwick! As punishment, you need to listen to her duet with BB King "Hummingbird" and then report back if she's really a lamer. Course, I'm partial to that Bacharach stuff.  
Thanks for saying this. I agree on all counts. Saw a couple clips of Dione last night on one of those Time/Life infomercials (Porno for Pop fans- LOL). Fer sures, she blew every other "featured performer" out of the water. Her output with Bacharach was once-in-a-generation magic.

 vit wrote:
Wow I have a new appreciation of this guy. I was exposed to too much radio crap as a child and thought he was the male Dione Warwick. I, er, stand corrected.
 
I KNOW you didn't dis Dione Warwick! As punishment, you need to listen to her duet with BB King "Hummingbird" and then report back if she's really a lamer. Course, I'm partial to that Bacharach stuff.

an amazing album - what a gifted guy.
 dmax wrote:
This is easily my favorite Stevie song, and it's probably the smartest written (although Living For The City's home->NY->jail scenario comes in a close second).

It's a funky study in dichotomy. Check the lyrics:
Nice Stevie: I'd like to see you boogie / right across the floor.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to do it to you / until you holler for more.

Nice Stevie: I'd like to see both of us / fall deeply in love.
Evil Stevie: I'd like to see you in the raw / under the stars above.

He does that repeatedly, even to the solo.
Nice Stevie asking permission: "Can I play?"
Evil Steve, bragging about his talent: "Can I play?!"

He obviously thought about this tune before committing it to tape.
And that groove... Jebus, this was a high water mark. Love love love this song.
 

agreed dmax.  thanks for pointing out the lyrical dichotomy too.  its easy to just boogie to this one and not listen carefully.  god he is genius!
I must add my dancing bananas here.  {#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam}{#Bananasplit}
Excellent call, Bill. This brings back lots of memories. And I agree with the previous post about the great synth bass line. Most excellent.
GOOD music to clean house by!!  Good morning everyone!{#Dancingbanana_2}

Great song, but after all these years it still sounds like he's singing, "Booaaaahhhgggg ornery womahhhhhh"

{#Bounce}

 vit wrote:
Wow I have a new appreciation of this guy. I was exposed to too much radio crap as a child and thought he was the male Dione Warwick. I, er, stand corrected.
 
You really should check out any of the records he made from Music of My Mind to Songs in the Key of Life—he had a phenomenal run of consistently excellent records that's matched by only few others (Beatles, Dylan, early Elvis Costello). Not a bad track on any of them.

Funky! Me like-y!
MY FAVORITE STEVIE SONG - WEEEEEEEEE!!!!
copymonkey wrote:
CAN I PLAY?!
Can you play? Can YOU play? Can YOU PLAY ?!! Craziest question of all time! Effin' A.... you CAN play!!
Ballzak wrote:
I'm tryin' to sit still but I just can't keep my insides from uh, huh... left, right, left, left, right... boogie'n. Yeah. Get it Stevie. Funky.
I must agree!!!
straight up 10! there are few things i love more than the stevie
Wow I have a new appreciation of this guy. I was exposed to too much radio crap as a child and thought he was the male Dione Warwick. I, er, stand corrected.
PMS Play More Stevie!!!
Funkiest keyboard EVER! By the way Stevie would hold, like, seven of the top ten in that category. CAN I PLAY?!
Even better than when it was released. This guy was truly ahead of his time!
An irresistible classic! Touched a few cobwebbed corners of my memory....
ThePoose wrote:
Did he ever jam with Billy Preston? What a boogilicious sound they would have made.
Not sure, but I did see Mr. Preston when he played with the Stones in '76 in Cleveland, not as 2nd bill, he was with the band, quite a nice surprise!
Did he ever jam with Billy Preston? What a boogilicious sound they would have made.
Saw Stevie in 1975 in Dayton, Ohio at Univ. Dayton Fieldhouse - i think O-Hare arena? Spectacular....
As someone born & raised in the Detroit area but now on the left coast, Stevie Wonder takes me right back to Motown, Woodward Avenue, the Tigers & CKLW radio blastin out Stevie!Thx RP
This is one song that always always makes me feel good. Play on, Stevie!
Is this the first time RP has played this classic? A great wrong righted.
I'm tryin' to sit still but I just can't keep my insides from uh, huh... left, right, left, left, right... boogie'n. Yeah. Get it Stevie. Funky.
Rocking! More classic Stevie pleasie!!!
Classic Stevie - I love that funky and facile synth bass!