Song Clearance Sheet
4 sources citedSuperstition
Funk1970s102BPM
D♯ minKey
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The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriter of record (Stevie Wonder, sole credit), no formal dispute found — the rich origin (conceived as a gift for Jeff Beck, then released by Wonder first) is a documented interpersonal/business tension, warmly resolved, not a rights contest.
Quick Facts
Released1972
AlbumTalking Book
GenreFunk, Soul
LabelTamla / Motown
ProducerStevie Wonder
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Stevie Wonder (sole credit)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Tamla/Motown; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — a much-covered, much-sampled funk landmark; #12 on Rolling Stone’s 2021 “500 Greatest Songs.”
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriter of record and no formal dispute.
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Stevie Wonder (sole credit)
A real rights reversalThe original plan was for Jeff Beck to release his version first (payment for playing on the album). After Beck’s album was delayed, Motown’s Berry Gordy released Wonder’s version first — so Wonder got sole credit and the far bigger hit, despite the song having been conceived as a gift for Beck. A documented interpersonal/business tension, not a legal contest.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
The riff was improvised over Jeff Beck’s drumming
During the sessions Beck was playing drums for fun; Wonder heard the beat, asked him to keep going, and improvised the iconic riff on the spot. Beck later called it “the riff of the century” that Wonder gave him. No lyrics reproduced.
American Songwriter · read it →
The fallout, and its warm resolution
Beck was upset by the outcome and made public statements Wonder didn’t appreciate at the time; the two reconciled — Beck covered Wonder’s “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” (1975) and they performed “Superstition” together at the Rock Hall’s 25th Anniversary Concert in 2009.
WCSX · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A much-covered funk landmark
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
SU
Stevie Wonder / Motown
The confirmed songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 9)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass