Can anyone mend America's broken heart?
Stevie Wonder wants to try just that with an idealistic new tune and tour.
The Sing Your Song Tour kicked off Tuesday (10/8) at Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena.
The Motown legend performed songs from every era of his Grammy-winning career and live-debuted "Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart" from his forthcoming album Through the Eyes of Wonder.
“I want you to know that it’s OK to love, it’s OK to care,” the 74-year-old multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter told the 20,000 fans in attendance.
“We have a responsibility, and it’s just to simply love and care and do our best," he said before breaking into the new song, his first solo release since 2020.
In the song he asks "can we fix our nation's broken heart / are we brave enough to try?"
The Michigander has long been involved in activism, calls for peace, and racial equality. In 1983, he spearheaded a campaign to make Martin Luther King Day a U.S. national holiday. He also advocated for the end of apartheid in South Africa.
In fact, back in 1988, due to a technical issue at a celebration of Nelson Mandela's birthday, Wonder had to abruptly cancel his appearance.
In his stead a young Tracy Chapman, during time originally carved out for Stevie, and played a few songs (including "Fast Car") that were seen by millions and jump started her career.
Split up into two acts, Wonder's 23-song set consisted of classics, newbies, and even some covers.
The covers included Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are," Aretha Franklin's "Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do), and “Betcha By Golly, Wow” by The Stylistics.
At this stage of his life, he could just ride it out with Vegas residencies or a happy retirement. He's done it all. Stevie has 49 Top 40 singles, 32 #1 singles and worldwide sales of over 100 million units.
The 25x Grammy-winner, has been lauded by the Oscars and the Golden Globes. But what he wants now is something he's seemingly always wanted: peace.
“They said a lot of things about my mother,” Stevie said near the start of the show.
“They said I would be nothing… something in my heart said God would give you more than you can ever imagine.”
His heart was right.
Next year celebrates the 40th anniversary of "We Are The World," a song that wouldn't have been as magical if Stevie hadn't been on piano helping many of the all-stars figure out their parts - especially Bob Dylan.
While some may scoff at the title of Stevie's new tour and song, but the man has been coming from a place of service and love his whole life.
Since 2016, this iconic performer has only played 100 shows.
This tour he plays 11 dates and the next stop is New York's Madison Square Garden an arena he has appeared at just 21 times.
Stevie is touring all of October and wraps it up in early November in Chicago. Get your tickets on his website.
