Stevie Wonder linked up with fellow Motown legend Smokey Robinson and country star Chris Stapleton for a special performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards today (Feb. 5).
Wonder performed singing three classic hits, starting with The Temptations’ “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” featuring the R&B vocal group WanMor. He then performed Robinson’s “The Tears Of A Clown” with the man himself — founder and frontman of Motown group The Miracles. Lastly, the performance ended with Wonder’s hit song “Higher Ground,” from his classic 1973 album Innervisions. Stapleton, who was nominated for Best Country Song for co-writing Willie Nelson’s “I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die,” joined him on stage for the finale.
Everyone in the audience seemed to love the iconic performance, and so did folks watching from home. Jackée Harry tweeted, “A Motown medley by Stevie Wonder is EXACTLY what we need! #Grammys2023.”
A Motown medley by Stevie Wonder is EXACTLY what we need! #Grammys2023
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) February 6, 2023
“Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson still got it. Motown icons. What a performance. #Grammys,” wrote Lukas Weese.
Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson still got it.
Motown icons.
What a performance. #Grammys pic.twitter.com/hnuq84EXV0
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) February 6, 2023
Music Choice’s Twitter account posted, “This #GRAMMYs performance should win an award itself!! #Motown #GRAMMYs.”
this #GRAMMYs performance should win an award itself!! #motown #GRAMMYs
— Music Choice (@MusicChoice) February 6, 2023
“Grammys actually getting it right this year with actually having vocalists and Motown legends for these tributes,” TaraAngel94 said.
Grammys actually getting it right this year with actually having vocalists and Motown legends for these tributes.
— 𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓪 𝓐𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓵 🗝☮⚛♓️🐝 (@TaraAngel94) February 6, 2023
“Love that Stevie Wonder is honoring Motown hits with Wanya Morris from Boyz II Men kids, both Stevie Wonder and Boyz II Men were hugely impactful to the legacy of Motown #Grammys,” another Twitter user wrote.
Love that Stevie Wonder is honoring Motown hits with Wanya Morris from Boyz II Men kids, both Stevie Wonder and Boyz II Men were hugely impactful to the legacy of Motown #grammys
— God-is Rivera (@GodisRivera) February 6, 2023
Ray Young added, “Stevie Wonder killing it on the Grammys. Smokey Robinson still got it too. And whoever was playing that guitar was on [fire]”
Stevie Wonder killing it on the Grammys. Smokey Robinson still got it too. And whoever was playing that guitar was on 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Ray Young (@rayfordyoung) February 6, 2023
“For me it does not get any better than Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder, together on the Grammy stage. LEGENDS, STILL GOING STRONG. Musical genius. Chills. Thank you, gentlemen, for so many memories,” Skip Bayless said.
For me it does not get any better than Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder, together on the Grammy stage. LEGENDS, STILL GOING STRONG. Musical genius. Chills. Thank you, gentlemen, for so many memories.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 6, 2023
Below are more reactions to the iconic performance:
Me after watching Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson collab with Chris Stapleton… Just wow. #GRAMMYs #FlavorFlav pic.twitter.com/lViwoSsu6E
— Tyler Feldman (@TylerFeldmanTV) February 6, 2023
Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder… legends #Grammys2023 pic.twitter.com/y1O3sc8uJK
— Brennan (@BrennanDuBose) February 6, 2023
us: enjoying some of the best music motown has put out.
ben affleck: pic.twitter.com/qQm274YVye
— aaron. (@theaaronwash) February 6, 2023