Fulfillingness' First Finale

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Lore & Background

Following the epic scope and social consciousness themes of Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale projected a more reflective, personal, and somber tone. The musical arrangements used in several songs, especially the bleak "They Won't Go When I Go" and the understated "Creepin'", were sparse compared to those of some of Wonder's other 1970s tracks. Wonder had not completely foregone social commentary, as evidenced by the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "You Haven't Done Nothin'", which launched a pointed criticism of the Nixon administration bolstered by clavinet, drum machine, and a cameo by the Jackson 5.

In Their Own Story

The album's recording sessions captured a shift in mood. After the epic scope of Innervisions, Wonder turned inward for Fulfillingness' First Finale. The sparse arrangement of "They Won't Go When I Go"—co-written with Yvonne Wright—and the understated "Creepin'" contrasted with his earlier, denser work. Yet he still aimed at the political arena: "You Haven't Done Nothin'" became a Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, its pointed criticism of the Nixon administration driven by clavinet, drum machine, and a cameo by the Jackson 5. The album itself hit number one on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart for two weeks and spent eight non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Soul LPs chart between October 5 and Christmas 1974.

Reader's Guide

All songs on the album were written by Stevie Wonder, except "They Won't Go When I Go", written by Wonder and Yvonne Wright. The track listing includes side one: "Smile Please" (3:26), "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" (5:01), "Too Shy to Say" (3:31), "Boogie On Reggae Woman" (4:54), and "Creepin'" (4:17). Side two: "You Haven't Done Nothin'" (3:27), "It Ain't No Use" (3:58), "They Won't Go When I Go" (5:59), "Bird of Beauty" (3:46), and "Please Don't Go" (4:06). At the 17th Annual Grammy Awards in 1975, the album won Album of the Year (Wonder's second consecutive win), Best Male Pop Vocal, and Best Male Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance (for "Boogie On Reggae Woman"). Retrospectively, the album was voted number 413 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000) and included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Did You Know?

• The album was Wonder's second to top the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart, where it remained for two weeks.
• It spent eight non-consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Soul LPs chart between October 5 and Christmas 1974.
• At the 17th Annual Grammy Awards, it won Album of the Year, marking Wonder's second consecutive win in that category.
• The single 'You Haven't Done Nothin'' featured a cameo by the Jackson 5 and launched pointed criticism of the Nixon administration.
• The song 'They Won't Go When I Go' was co-written by Wonder and Yvonne Wright, the only track on the album not solely written by Wonder.