How Stevie Wonder Harmonized Michael Jackson's 'I Can't Help It'

One of the underrated songs by Michael Jackson, "I Can't Help It" contains genius melodic lines and harmony penned by Stevie Wonder. We take a look at what makes this song harmonically interesting and unique among 70s/80s pop music.

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[charlieboozer]

The complexity of this song just showcases the genius of Stevie Wonder.

[wegap]

Contemporary music owes Stevie Wonder a huge debt of gratitude. He really changed the course of R&B/POP in the early 70’s by introducing much denser and complex harmonies. Same goes for EW&F and the likes.

[Rodrasroom]

Stevie, Michael, and Quincy put their feet in this song. It’s a masterpiece.

[gregoryharlston]

I don't understand one bit of this BUT "I Can't Help It" is one of my all-time favorite songs!

[darrylchambers]

Let's give credit where credit is due..there is a co-writer for this great tune by the name of Susaye Green, formerly of the Supremes..

[arianahunt]

I can never understand songs like this. The chord changes are so complex and unique. Listening to it is like you’re floating in space. I probably would need to watch this about 10 times to understand this. Amazing.

[don]

Musicians in the late 20th century were geniuses behind the keys. Amazing to see how innovative and yet extravagant their sounds became

[dedricklane]

I just found out The other day Janet was presenting some kind of award to Stevie and when she called him up to accept the award she said “ nobody knows this but Stevie is our cousin through my mom side of the family.”

[djphilly]

Such a great breakdown of a beautiful chord progression from a legend. Never knew Stevie Wonder wrote this classic for Michael Jackson. Thanks for the effort and delivery!!!

[MrMochi-nlzb]

This makes me miss music classes. I was a rapper and beatboxed among jazz choir kids and band composers. They would explain stuff to me like this and I could only understand their jargon when the keys were played. I enjoyed being the one without classical training because I learned how important that foundation is to music. It’s why all those kids are makin fire, and I’m still doing little poems lmao.
Wonderful video, brought back some memories

[SSKMusicBeats]

One of the greatest chord progressions ever 😩😩😩😩

[naturalmystic]

'I Can't Help It' is my favourite tune from an album of amazing tunes.

[bluaway]

If one want to learn a Stevie wonder song, be prepared for the long haul.

[gblewz]

Stevie’s stuff is always SO damned complicated. 😂

[itisnottaken]

The chord changes from this song sound alot like "rocket love"by Stevie Wonder

[byadyatama]

i always knew theres something amazing behind this masterpiece, the chord progression is just tooo goood.

[adonislavale]

One of my favorite MJ tracks produced by my favorite artist of all time! I learned this by ear and glad to see I was crazy accurate lol also check out Portrait’s “Here We Go” who sampled Can’t Help It.

[djcoolcliff]

Thanks for this tutorial!! Mike sang background along with the OJays on All I Do by Stevie. RIP to my uncle Wah Wah Watson!!! He played on Off The Wall. He had a piece of the brick from the Wall included with his platinum plaque on his wall along with some many others to include Pa Pa Was a Rolling Stone, Let’s Get It On and Car Wash!!

[JJpuglen]

Bro, I understand 10% of this



Yet I Can't help but keep watching! Good video.

[andrejones]

... Every time I hear this song, I notice something I didn't hear before. This is a phenomenal breakdown.