They Won't Go When I Go
Stevie Wonder · Fulfillingness' First Finale [1974]
Wanting tragic ends
Though they do pretend
They won't go when I go
All those bleeding hearts
With sorrows to impart
Were right here from the start
And they won't go when I go
And I'll go where I've longed
To go so long
Away from tears
Gone from painful cries
Away from saddened eyes
Along with him I'll bide
Because they won't go when I go
Big men feeling small
Weak ones standing tall
I will watch them fall
They won't go when I go
And I'll go where I've longed
To go so long
Away from tears
Unclean minds mislead the pure
The innocent will leave for sure
For them there is a resting place
People sinning just for fun
They will never see the sun
For they can never show their faces
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who will take more than he will give
He ain't hardly gonna give
The greed of man will be
Far away from me
And my soul will be free
They won't go when I go
Since my soul conceived
All that I believe
The kingdom I will see
'Cause they won't go when I go
When I go
Where I'll go
No one can keep me
From my destiny.
They Won't Go When I Go
Stevie Wonder's 1974 track 'They Won't Go When I Go' stands as a pivotal moment in his discography, marking a shift toward a more mature, introspective sound on the album *Fulfillingness' First Finale*. Recorded during a period of profound personal and spiritual growth, the song blends funk rhythms with gospel-inflected harmonies to explore themes of resilience and the inevitability of change. Its distinctive production and Wonder's nuanced vocal delivery established it as a cornerstone of his work during the mid-1970s, influencing subsequent generations of R&B and soul artists. The recording remains a testament to his ability to fuse complex musical textures with deeply personal narrative, cementing its status as a classic within his catalog.