Stevie Wonder: “Songs In The Key Of Life” (Album Review)

Genres: Soul, Funk, Smooth Soul

       Love. At the end of the day, this is what all of life comes down to. At least, this is Stevie Wonder’s thought process on Songs In The Key Of Life. More than just a collection of songs, this album reveals the secrets to living a good life. Socially conscious and always hopeful, Stevie Wonder’s authenticity is the key that puts force behind the record. 

        Much like the album’s bright and sunny cover, the lyrics and instrumentation feel upbeat and endlessly optimistic. It’s like an infinite spiral of love radiating from the figure that draws your eye: Stevie Wonder. Despite the thoughts that this grand imagery may evoke, he knows how to be boisterous without going over the top. He sings with such a positivity and enthusiasm that you can practically hear him smiling. These intense feelings are able to touch the heart because listeners can tell how genuine they are. When other artists talk about love, it often ends up feeling repetitive and bland, but hearing love as a topic that Stevie Wonder is passionate about and as something he desires to spread. This is what makes a nearly two hour long album with a broad concept so easy to listen to. Every song that talks about love does so in a way where it becomes a three-dimensional concept. Love is a force of creation, connecting parents to God through making new life on “Isn’t She Lovely”, but it is also something that can leave and change as often as the seasons on “Summer Soft”. A different form of love pops up again on “Joy Inside My Tears”, where it’s a source of relief through times of struggle and sadness. Viewing love in a dynamic light contributes to a dynamic listening experience.

        Songs on this album are able to flow together because of how it’s structured so naturally. Hearing Stevie Wonder’s beautifully powerful vocals on tracks with shining instrumentation and brilliant compositions. Even when songs feel like they could have been ended minutes ago, the excellence of it all is just stunning, which makes it so captivating. Listening to music where the artist’s presence is so powerful that your attention is quickly grabbed is part of this record’s greatness. What’s even more extraordinary is how firmly it keeps your attention.

        Songs In The Key Of Life is overflowing with passion. This album couldn’t be made if Stevie Wonder didn’t bring his heartfelt words to every lyric. He acts as a close friend throughout the record, and although there may  not be complete agreement with what he says, you can’t help but to respect and admire him. Not only is the love for life tangible, but through the bond of empathy you become inspired to spread true love in your life. 

Favorite Tracks: Ordinary Pain, Summer Soft, Isn’t She Lovely, As, Joy Inside My Tears, Sir Duke, Knocks Me Off My Feet, Ngiculela-Es Una Historia-I Am Singing, Ebony Eyes, Saturn, Love’s In Need of Love Today, I Wish, Pastime Paradise

Least Favorites: Village Ghetto Land

Enjoyment: High 9

Critically: High 9

Arbitrary Number:  9.8/10