Down to Earth is the seventh studio album by Stevie Wonder, released in 1966 on Tamla Records. Released the same year as Up-Tight, the album continued to develop Wonder's profile as a teenage R&B star while the Motown writing staff continued to supply most of his material. The record includes 'A Place in the Sun,' a Ron Miller and Bryan Wells composition that became one of Wonder's most graceful singles of the era, reaching the Top 10 on the pop charts. Down to Earth shows Wonder becoming more comfortable and expressive as a vocalist even when working with outside material, you can hear his personal style asserting itself through the restraint of songs he didn't write. A transitional record in every sense, bridging his child-star past with the artist-in-development that he was becoming.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Place in the Sun | Ron Miller, Bryan Wells | Ron Miller, Bryan Wells | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 2 | Bang Bang | Sonny Bono | Sonny Bono | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 3 | Down to Earth | Ron Miller, Avery Vanderberg | Ron Miller, Avery Vanderberg | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 4 | Thank You Love | Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder | Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 5 | Be Cool, Be Calm (And Keep Yourself Together) | Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder | Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 6 | Sylvia | Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder | Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 7 | My World Is Empty Without You | Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland | Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 8 | The Lonesome Road | Gene Austin, Nat Shilkret | Gene Austin, Nat Shilkret | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 9 | Angel Baby (Don't You Ever Leave Me) | Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy | Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 10 | Mr. Tambourine Man | Bob Dylan | Bob Dylan | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 11 | Sixteen Tons | Merle Travis | Merle Travis | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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| 12 | Hey Love | Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder | Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder | Hank Cosby, Clarence Paul |
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Data note: Track listing sourced from Tamla Records. "A Place in the Sun" written by Ron Miller/Bryan Wells. Writing credits primarily Motown staff writers. Full listing to be verified.