Grooving Through the Struggle

By Morgan White

Senior year was a blur of pressure and anticipation, but Stevie Wonder’s music became the soundtrack that grounded me, reminding me to find joy, faith, and rhythm even when life felt overwhelming. Full of stress, uncertainty, overwhelming thoughts, and exciting futures ahead. Stevie Wonder was on repeat from my English class at 8 a.m. to walking to field hockey practice at 4 p.m. This music was like an escape from all the college applications, prom plans, and practicum presentation research. His music had tones and themes of R&B, gospel, and pop. These three genres are what I group them into, so the smooth and emotional tone of his voice gave me comfort and joy. The first album that was on repeat was called “Hotter than July”. It was upbeat and full of energy.  The electric piano paired with the bass in “Loves in Need of Love Today” created a warm cushion and peaceful foundation underneath the choir humming behind Stevie's powerful voice. The musical layers of songs like these helped me create scenes in my head of all the future goals and plans for myself. Sometimes the deep harmonies used in his songs reminded me of church as a little girl. A time when I had no cares or worries. Just me, God, and his talented people using their gifts to glorify him. In Stevie Wonder's  “I Wish,”  he says, “I wish those days could come back once more” (Stevie Wonder 1976). The line itself made me feel like it would be easier to go back to a time when stress didn't exist in my life. But the upbeat drums and horns paired with that line helped me switch my mindset from one of reflection to one of hope that there is no point in going back to the past when I can make the future just as exciting and fulfilling. 

Songs like these were like an escape from all the noise and chaos around me, as well as a way to reflect on who I have been and who I wanted to be after graduation. By the second chorus of any of his songs, I was grooving to the beat and smiling ear to ear, getting stares from my classmates, as I walked through the quad without even realizing it.  It kept me going through long and stressful days, long nights of studying statistics, and mile runs at practice every Monday. The funky bassline and upbeat tempo of “Master Blaster” in my AirPods made it impossible not to smile. It carried a message of unity and hope that reminded me to stay optimistic, even on my hardest days.  It reminded me now and again that in my sad and low moments, maybe I was being a little dramatic. 

But on the days that I wanted to embrace my feelings of sadness, reflection, and disappointment, I would listen to his Inversions album that had themes of faith, self-reflection, and resilience. Especially nearing the end of senior year, when everything was coming to a close. I would listen to the chorus of “Living for the City”, as I walked through the academic halls for the last time. It felt like I was in a movie, peering through each classroom window, reminded of each class and teacher I ever had within the past 4 years. This album mirrored my struggles and deep emotions, but reminded me to keep pushing through and that there was a bigger goal ahead. Just like Stevie Wonder said,  “I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow / And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow” (Stevie Wonder 1973). Looking back, Stevie Wonder’s music didn’t just get me through senior year; it taught me that perseverance doesn’t have to feel heavy. It can have rhythm, soul, and grace. I learned to dance through stress, instead of being crushed by it.