Pastime Paradise

Stevie Wonder

About Pastime Paradise

"Pastime Paradise" is a song by American musician Stevie Wonder, from the 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. The song was one of the first to use a synthesizer (the Yamaha GX-1) to sound like a full string section. Built initially from synth tracks rather than from a drummer setting the basic rhythm, the song is augmented with rhythm performances from Ray Maldonado, Bobbye Hall, and Wonder, and a persistent "chinging" bell pattern by Hare Krishna musicians. A gospel choir from West Angeles Church of God and Hare Krishna chanting group culminate in a multicultural finale.  


Year:
1995
3:23
97 
#1

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They've been spending most their lives
Living in a pastime paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a pastime paradise
They've been wasting most their time
Glorifying days long gone behind
They've been wasting most their days
In remembrance of ignorance oldest praise

Tell me who of them will come to be
How many of them are you and me
Dissipation
Race relations
Consolation
Segregation
Dispensation
Isolation
Exploitation
Mutilation
Mutations
Miscreation
Confirmation, to the evils of the world

They've been spending most their lives
Living in a future paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a future paradise
They've been looking in their minds
For the day that sorrows gone from time
They keep telling of the day
When the savior of love will come to stay

Tell me who of them will come to be
How many of them are you and me
Proclamation
Of race relations
Consolation
Integration
Verification
Of revelations
Acclamation
World salvation
Vibrations
Stimulation
Confirmation, to the peace of the world

They've been spending most their lives
Living in a pastime paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a pastime paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a future paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a future paradise
We've been spending too much of our lives
Living in a pastime paradise

Let's start living our lives
Living for the future paradise
Praise to our lives
Living for the future paradise
Shame to anyone's lives
Living in the pastime paradise

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Stevie Wonder

Stevland Hardaway Morris (born May 13, 1950 as Stevland Hardaway Judkins), known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, a child prodigy who developed into one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century. Blind since shortly after birth, Wonder signed with Motown's Tamla label at the age of eleven, and continues to perform and record for Motown to this day. more »

14 fans

Written by: Stevie Wonder

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Release
"Pastime Paradise" is a song from Stevie Wonder's 1976 album "Songs in the Key of Life".
Award Winning Album
The album "Songs in the Key of Life" won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1977.
Not a Single
Interestingly, "Pastime Paradise" wasn't released as a single from the album, but it still became one of the most recognized and covered tracks from the LP.
Message behind the Song
The song provides social commentary about the inefficiency of living in the past or future, and promotes love and understanding amongst different cultures.
Musical Composition
The song is known for its avant-garde jazz fusion style and was one of the first songs to use a synthesizer (the Yamaha GX-1) to sound a full orchestra.
Coolio's Sample
The song was famously sampled by rapper Coolio in his 1995 Grammy-winning song "Gangsta's Paradise".
Legal Controversy
This led to a lawsuit given Coolio sampled it without proper authorization, but that was resolved amicably, with Stevie Wonder receiving a songwriting credit on "Gangsta’s Paradise".
Other Covers
Besides Coolio, the song has been covered by artists like Ray Barretto, Mary J. Blige, and Sunlightsquare.
Notable Performances
Stevie Wonder performed "Pastime Paradise" live for the first time at the 2006 tour "A Wonder Summer's Night".
Cultural Impact
The song has been called an early example of the socially conscious themes and innovative musical styles that would become standard for Wonder's most reputable work.

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