Maybe that first song Stevie offered Chaka was “Lovin’ You”, eventually a niche hit by Minnie Riperton.
I recall even back then, people were impressed with Minnie’s voice, but confused to slightly amused by the song’s refrain.
In my opinion, Stevie’s commerically potent songwriting skills gently nosedived from that point on. Everybody has their day in the sun, or as close as they will ever get to one. Then creatively, they begin to either fade or repeat.
I love Chaka Khan’s energy and style.
Lovin’ You was written by Riperton (and, as I fact-check myself, some guy named Richard Rudolph), although Stevie Wonder was a producer. Can Chaka even sing in the whistle register (The ecstatic, super-high pitched voice Riperton uses at the end of each refrain)? Very few people can: Mariah Carey, Minne Riperton, Diana Ross, David Lee Roth...
I thought it was kinda painful.