Where I'm Coming From is Stevie Wonder's thirteenth studio album, released in 1971 on Tamla Records and his last before the career-defining creative-control contract renegotiation that would transform his career. The album was entirely self-written by Wonder and co-written with his then-wife Syreeta Wright, every single track a Wonder composition, in stark contrast to the Motown staff-written records that preceded it. 'If You Really Love Me,' co-written with Syreeta, became a Top 10 pop hit and proved that Wonder's songwriting was commercially viable without Motown's machine. The album received mixed reviews at the time but is now recognized as the critical bridge between the manufactured Motown era and the self-directed genius of Talking Book. Where I'm Coming From announced, loudly, that Stevie Wonder was done being a vessel for other people's songs.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Look Around | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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| 2 | Do Yourself a Favor | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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| 3 | Think of Me as Your Soldier | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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| 4 | Something Out of the Blue | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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| 5 | If You Really Love Me | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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| 6 | I Wanna Talk to You | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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| 7 | Take Up a Course in Happiness | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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| 8 | Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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| 9 | Sunshine in Their Eyes | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright | Stevie Wonder |
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Data note: This album is entirely written by Stevie Wonder, often with co-writes by Syreeta Wright. Marks the beginning of Wonder's self-authored era.