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The much-anticipated Stevie Wonder joint. The song is a brooding track with Seventies synth hits and summery harmonica solo courtesy of the R&B legend, now in his amazing sixth decade of legend-hood, that's a striking counterpoint to the emotional frozen-world of the song ("we live in a generation of not being in love"). Stevie doesn't seem to sing though, so this generational meeting is a bit like two star cruisers passing in the night.[1]

Drizzy lets an ex down easy on this Take Care highlight, crooning goodbyes over gently rolling synths. And then he unleashes the big dog: Stevie fucking Wonder, who busts out an "Isn't She Lovely"-ish harmonica solo.[2]

And then there's "Doing It Wrong", a brilliant, barely there slow jam that borrows some lyrics from an unlikely source (Don "American Pie" McLean's twangy 1977 track "The Wrong Thing to Do") and features an unlikely guest in Stevie Wonder. Fitting the album's classy, unshowy demeanor, Wonder is tapped not to sing but play harmonica-- and uncharacteristically downcast harmonica at that-- for the track's crushing denouement. The song has Drake chronicling the conflicting emotions of a difficult breakup and giving us his finest singing to date. His words are simple, universal, true: "We live in a generation of not being in love, and not being together/ But we sure make it feel like we're together/ 'Cause we're scared to see each other with somebody else."[3]

Sounds Like: Drake’s misplaced audition tape for a Toronto R&B group, mixed with outtakes from Songs In The Key Of Life.

Pros: In the mind of the subject, this quiet break-up song presents Drake as the bad guy who doesn’t think he’s being the bad guy simply because he’s being upfront about things, namely that “something’s been missing” from the once healthy relationship. It’s also further evidence that Take Care is arguably more of a R&B album as Drake sings his way through two tiny verses, spending more time hovering over the chorus’ relentless instructions to “cry if you want to,” and actually not sounding terrible. The slowed down tempo gets help from Stevie Wonder’s harmonica and Drizzy’s lingering “no no nos,” which help to reinforce that this is really hard on him, too, even if some ladies will never be in agreement.

Cons: That’s Stevie Wonder on the harmonica outro. Yes, Stevie Wonder. Why are we crying?[4]

Sometimes when a relationship ends, not all parties are willing to let it go. That’s the situation Drake finds himself in on “Doing It Wrong,” one of his most emo songs yet. His ex is desperately holding on, but he’s not exactly making it easy to break all ties, even though he knows it’s not wise to lead her on. He seems conflicted as well. Although lyrically the verses are Taylor Swift-style simple (the second verse: “We live in a generation of not being in love and not being together/But we sure make it feel like we’re together/’Cause we’re scared to see each other with somebody else”), the hook is where the song gets it’s power, especially in the line, “Talk if you need to, but I can’t stay to hear you/That’s the wrong thing to do/’Cause you’ll say you love me/And I’ll end up lying and say I love you too/But I need someone different…you know it, we both know it.” Drake’s willingness to capture such an honest, human situation makes this track brilliant — oh, and so does that amazing harmonica solo by the legendary Stevie Wonder at the end.[5]

On "Doing It Wrong," Drake mutters dorky Dr. Phil-isms, like,"We live in a generation of not being in love" over a sustained synth tone, and somehow makes that sound moving, instead of, well, mad corny.[6]

His gorgeously pensive solo ends “Doing It Wrong,” a stand-out R&B cut in which Drake is nearly too nervous to end a relationship.[7]

When you team up with a legend like Stevie Wonder, you have to embrace your soulful side. Drake does just that on the ballad ‘Doing It Wrong.’ “We live in a generation of / Not being in love / Not being together,” he croons. Stevie doesn’t actually sing but instead adds a gorgeous harmonica solo. Harmonica on a hip-hop album! Now that’s cool.[8]

"Doing It Wrong," for example, is every bit as powerful as "Marvin's Room," but it doesn't contain a single line about adjusting to stardom. Instead, it's a ruminative breakup ballad where Drake invites his ex to "cry if you want to, but I can't stay to watch you, that's the wrong thing to do," unsure of how to comfort her without giving her false hope. Meanwhile, 40's production positively aches and Stevie Wonder cuts in for a heartfelt harmonica solo.[9]

In the slow-burning ballad Doing it Wrong, he questions the idea that true love is merely a picture frame when its run its course. If this wasn’t enough of a mournful message, the song ends with a haunting harmonica solo by Steve Wonder that plays like the sullen counterpart to the open arms call of That’s What Friends Are For.[10]

and sounding like a mature, regretful lover on the Stevie Wonder-assisted "Doing It Wrong," a strikingly honest and mournful breakup song that is also remarkable because it is seemingly aimed at men.[11]

The Stevie Wonder featuring “Doing It Wrong” in particular is so touching and addictive, especially when Stevie’s harmonica slowly starts to creep in underneath Drake’s lament over young people in love’s inability to stop being friends or be friends without being lovers. That song is Drake at The-Dream levels of pop perfection.[12]

Wonder lends his genius on “Doing It Wrong,” the latest slice of Americana heartbreak, while it's Rihanna taking the role of an ex-lover on the haunting title track. It's not Wonder's voice that delivers the impact on the former, rather it's his solemn harmonica solo that really drives the point home. It's a track anyone can identify with – the conflicting emotions that go with moving on in a relationship for the good of both sides.[13]

References[edit]