Big Brother
Stevie Wonder · Talking Book [1972]
Your name is big brother
You say that you're watching me on the tele,
Seeing me go nowhere,
Your name is big brother,
You say that you're tired of me protesting,
Children dying everyday,
My name is nobody
But I can't wait to see your face inside my door
Your name is big brother
You say that you got me all in your notebook,
Writing it down everyday,
Your name is I'll see ya,
I'll change if you vote me in as the pres,
The President of your soul
I live in the ghetto,
You just come to visit me 'round election time
I live in the ghetto,
Someday I will move on my feet to the other side,
My name is secluded,
we live in a house the size of a matchbox,
Roaches live with us wall to wall,
You've killed all our leaders,
I don't even have to do nothin' to you
You'll cause your own country to fall
Big Brother - Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder's 'Big Brother' stands as a defining track from the 1972 album *Talking Book*, showcasing his mastery of the funk and soul genres. Recorded during a period of profound personal and artistic growth, the song features Wonder's signature multi-instrumental approach, blending organ, guitar, and bass into a lush, rhythmic tapestry. The composition reflects the era's social consciousness, addressing themes of responsibility and community through a melodic yet socially conscious lens. As a centerpiece of the *Talking Book* suite, the recording exemplifies Wonder's ability to merge technical virtuosity with heartfelt lyricism, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in the evolution of R&B and soul music during the early 1970s.