Songs In The Key Of Life

I'm not usually a fan of the genre but this was a nice surprise as I could listen to the entire album without fighting the need to skip songs. Nice as background music while working.

Gonna come back to it

Great album. Some straight up classics, and I was very impressed w/ the album cuts, especially the way Ordinary Pain breaks down into a funky clav showcase a quarter of the way through. But Sir Duke, I Wish, Isn’t She Lovely, As... The list goes on. The only reason it’s getting 4 stars is b/c I just know Talking Book and Innervisions are on here, and since I can’t give those more than 5, I have to give this slightly less. 4.8, easily, maybe even 4.9

Lots of styles within the album, and the songs are so good and they flow so nicely.

wowser bowser what a talented guy we have here

solid, not as good as coldplay album tho

liked it way more than I was expecting too, lots of bangers. had no idea gangster's paradise was a sample either so that's cool

Interesting choice. This is considered by many to be the crowning glory of Stevie's amazing run of classic albums starting with either Music of My Mind or Talking Book. I'm not one of them. The quality of Songs In the Key of Life is a marked drop-off from those earlier albums. Isn't She Lovely is musically trite. Ebony Eyes sounds like something he knocked out in five minutes as a joke. The instrumental Contusion is a cringeable foray into fusion, lacking sophistication or subtlety, with awful, on-the-nose drumming. The synths on Village Ghetto Land, Pastime Paradise, Saturn, and I Am Singing are an embarrassment. How could this happen? Because this is the first album in Stevie's classic run that didn't have Malcolm Cecil and Bob Margouleff programming Stevie's synthesizers. And maybe, after all the adulation, Stevie started to believe his own press, and came to the conclusion that he was incapable of creating mediocre music. It turns out Stevie did have limits to his talent, after all. That said, we're talking about Stevie Wonder, one of a handful of indisputable geniuses of R&B. So of course there are a number of wonderful songs on Songs In the Key of Life. It's just not the classic it's cracked up to be. 3 stars out of 5.

Phenomenal talent, impact is undeniable, especially on Pastime Paradise. A little long to be an album for me to come back to and listen all the way through, but there are definitely songs I would like to give another listen Saved: Sir Duke, Pastime Paradise

Saved Prior: Sir Duke, Pastime Paradise Not Saved: 21. Easy Goin' Evening 20. If It's Magic 19. Love's In Need Of Love Today 18. Ngiculela-Es Una Historia-I Am Singing 17. Black Man (without the outro this would've been saved) Cutting Edge: 16. Ordinary Pain 15. Summer Soft 14. Have A Talk With God 13. Knocks Me Off My Feet Saved: 12. Ebony Eyes 11. Joy Inside My Tears 10. All Day Sucker 9. I Wish 8. Contusion 7. Village Ghetto Land 6. Saturn 5. Isn't She Lovely 4. Another Star 3. Pastime Paradise 2. As 1. Sir Duke Overall Notes: Another album where I didn't think I was going to give it a 5 but after looking back over it I clearly liked it a lot. Even the songs I didn't really like clearly belonged on the album (except the last one) and these songs work on their own and hit even better when placed with one another. That blind mf don't miss!

I'm having a hard time with Stevie Wonder albums. I think I only like the big hits. Everything else is just a style of music I'm not into at all.

fine, too long

The best

I guess the double album is an anachronism. The studio doubles in particular were fun to compare and discuss. I like to think about how good of a single album the band could have released. For example, Who's Next was initially going to be a double album called Lifehouse. That bad boy worked quite well as a single LP.  I wonder how good double LPs like Exile on Main St, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and Sandinista! (a triple!)  would have been if half was left on the mixing room floor. Some doubles needed to be doubles to have time to  tell the story eg The Wall, Tommy and  Lamb Lies Down . . .  Finally, some, like London's Calling are so darn good I just can't think what to cut.  Songs in the Key is a beauty for sure, but I really think there was a 5 here if it were a single LP.

Some of the best moments in recorded music here, but oddly it’s too long

steeeeeevie

Not really my style but some great songs (eg. As, Pastime Paradise)

This is a serious contender for my favorite album of all time. I'm not sure how such a long album can be as consistent as it is. There are just so many of my favorite songs on this album, it's almost unbelievable. Love's In Need Of Love Today is a great start to the album and feels very 70s in the best way possible. Have A Talk With God features some great harmonica in the background and its a taste of what's to come. Village Ghetto Land is one of the many songs on this album that I think is underrated. It showcases Stevies's excellent political songwriting. The synth string orchestra also adds a lot and makes the song really unique. Contusion is so funky and fusion-y and demonstrates Stevie's instrumental songwriting ability. What can I say about Sir Duke aside from the fact that it is one of the greatest songs of all time? The horns, the groove, the chord progressions, it's perfect. Same with I Wish. Knocks Me Off My Feet also falls into that category for me. The hi-hat especially is just amazing. Pastime Paradise was a surprise the first time hearing it but I see why it was sampled for Gangsta's Paradise, it's great! Summer Soft is extremely underrated. The key changes are so flawless and I need to know the music theory behind it. Also I'm always like "can he sing that high?" and the answer is always yes. It's incredible. Ordinary pain is similarly underrated and a nice closer to disk 1. Isn't She Lovely is also one of the greatest songs of all time and occasionally my favorite song on the album. I feel like there aren't enough songs about parents' love for their children. Also even though I'm not the biggest harmonica fan because I think it's often mediocre and unnecesary, Stevie Wonder is the exception that proves the rule. His harmonica solo is damn good. Joy Inside my tears is a solid, catchy ballad. Black Man is not Stevie's best song about Racism and it definetely wouldn't be made today but it's a good song nevertheless and it's educational and has a good message even if the way its communicated is outdated at times. Ngiculela-Es Una Historia is a really good song but it can't even really compete with what's to come. If It's Magic is another hidden gem. It's so understated and beautiful and good detour from the high energy that most of the album bring. Then there's As. Another contender for my favorite song off of this album. The next three songs (Another Star, Saturn, and Ebony Eyes) are a batch of extremely underrated songs. There are just too many good songs on this album for them all to get recognition but those three deserve more, especially Saturn. Another Star is an upbeat, dancable track with a killer flute solo. Saturn is a ballad that has no right to be as good as it is. The synth is also heavenly. Ebony Eyes is almost 50s but with talkbox (I think) and of course I love the saxophone. All Day Sucker has a really interesting melody and nice guitar solos. The album ends with Easy Goin' Evening where the harmonica takes the spotlight. The song sort of feels like an outro, bringing you back to the real world after the incredible experience you just had plus the two harmonicas go together really well and the tune is interesting as always. I rated each of the songs below to justify my rating. There isn't much about this album that I don't like. It's just so good and certainly one of my favorite albums. Today was a good day! Song Ratings: Love's In Need Of Love Today: 10 Have A Talk With God: 9 Village Ghetto Land: 9.5 Contusion: 10 Sir Duke: 10+ I Wish: 10+ Knocks Me Off My Feet: 10+ Pastime Paradise: 9.5 Summer Soft: 10 Ordinary Pain: 10 Isn't She Lovely: 10+ Joy Inside My Tears: 9.5 Black Man: 9 Ngiculela-Es Una Historia-I Am Singing: 9 If It's Magic: 10 As: 10+ Another Star: 10 Saturn: 10 Ebony Eyes: 10 All Day Sucker: 9.5 Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call): 8.5 10/10

Pretty wide range of music styles but it’s Stevie

Not that impressed... Too long, but A few classics on there of course. Not what I was expecting

Chille muziek. erg fijn

This album is amazing and a must-listen. There have been so many modern songs that sample this gem.

I think the songs I didn't know from this album are more interesting than the ones I did know.

Great - again could be a single album.

So many classics, so happy, so powerful.

stevie at his best. 4 cause there is still some filler and i prefer innervisions..

Some classics on here, but a bit overlong

Steviieeeeeee

Solid album from Stevie

pleasant

Don't think I've ever listened to a Stevie Wonder Album. Looks like hes drawn the album cover on this one. Certainly a nice voice rooted in gospel singing. As most of you know i uncomfortable with all things church/Religion based so not keen on some of the subject matter. When he steers clear of that the voice carries the songs nicely and its pleasant rather than groundbreaking. The second half of the album is much better than the first half. Probably didn't need to be a double album here. But good none the less, without ever really being great. 3/5

For an 18th album to be a 1 hr 45 min, 21 track, double + album, and be regarded as Wonder's masterpiece and an all time classic illustrates his genius. Personally preferred disc 1 to the more experimental disc 2 and b-side-esque 7", so can't give it 5*s. Love the ambition and first half of the record, but in my view less would have been more.

Easy 5, amazing album

5 if it was shorter

Oh fuck ya Ser

Quite a change-up after Jon Spencer! I think I actually borrowed this CD from the Toronto Public Library back in the 90s. So many classic tracks here. A cast of thousands in the studio. Some nice jazzy bits. I think if you put all the outstanding tracks together, that CD would be a 5. Some of the others are heading in the direction of “I just called to say I love you”

Boom DAJE!

Good a lotta bangers, soem really high highs but some mediocre shit tho

when pastime paradise came on

Isn't She Lovely es una canción fabulosa, con sólo esta canción el álbum ya debería pasar a la historia de la música pop.

Great album. A bit soft but still amazing

Really good funk, great musicianship. This is why Stevie's so frequently returned to.

I can see how this slickly produced album went on to influence popular acts in the 70s and 80s such as Whitney Huston, Lionel Ritchie et al. Most of it was too mainstream for me, but the 70s jazz fusion of Contusion surprised me and I had no idea that Eminem sampled Pastime Paradise!

There are some good songs on it

Always a joyful and groovy album to spin from Stevie

-classic RnB - some songs more heartfelt ballads, other more funky rhythms - Didn’t grab my attention really

Un classique tout simplement. Les 1h45 en valent la peine 100% 5*

Lots of songs, lots of soul. I've never listened to this whole album before but knew a lot of the songs. I really like Stevie Wonder and this album is great.

bueno

An absolute masterpiece. Pretty much perfect. 10/10 1. Pastime Paradise 2. Love's in Need of Love Today 3. Sir Duke

Wonder's most successful album, and widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time (Rolling Stone has it in top 10).

Stevie Wonder is one of the most talented musicians I have ever heard. I'm grateful for this list solely on the fact that I was introduced to his music. Thank you!

Obviously super talented band and musicians. Production is solid. Cool 70s soul/funk sounds. But I can’t do Stevie. Sounds like a goat.

Rating after listening to half the album, but don’t need any further info. It’s a long album! Lots of 10 songs that are just pure unadulterated music, and I chase the idea of lack of pretension when listening to music and Stevie Wonder is the epitome of that lack thereof. Just such a joy to listen to and wonder for a last name is well warranted. The only reason I didn’t list it at 5 stars is there is some fluff, it’s not as “tight” as I like my albums. It’s my fault more than anyone else’s but I’m not a fan of most “jamming” when it gets repetitive without too much character to it.

Saw him perform this album in concert. Perfect album to start this journey. Stevie is in my top 5 favorite musicians of all time.

Definitely like the funkier more than the gospel like

Love Stevie Wonder and this album has several favorites (Sir Duke especially).

Amazon of course.

Certified fresh classic

Relaxing and enjoyable

One of the best albums ever

Bra, pastime paradise klassiker. Inget för mig dock. Seg

It was ok

What can you say? Real genius, and with such tremendous range

I feel like it's really difficult to dislike Stevie Wonder's style therefore the album is enjoyable to listen to. However I don't think this album needs to be this long and it just didn't keep my interest the whole way through.

Pop that comes from jazz. Some very enjoyable melodic turns. Sir Duke is one of the most joyful pop songs out there. For every brilliant song, there is an equally boring song.

say less. 10 out of 5 stars.

This is the easily the easiest 5 star album I've heard so far. 1hr 40 of absolute perfection. The 60s was the birth of ROCK but the 70s was where it all really came together for everything else. Too think this was released in the same era of so much 70s perfection and stand up and deliver a faultless record is unbelievable. I've got so much more to say and so many more listens of this to get through. Genuinely the first time in 99 days I've been legitimately blown away.

Another 3.5 star album. Really good but I probably wouldn't add to my regular listening rotation.

Fuckin Stevie wonder man.

Just one of the absolute greatest of all time. Though I will say there are a couple of songs that go on a little longer than I would like, it’s okay because they are great songs. Ambitious in length and material and yet it includes a plethora of songs that are as well known as anything.

7.5

Far too long but very good song om it

Listened to a bit. Not bad

Funky masterpiece

Ok not my favorite. Pop and symphonic

Bonza. Cmon.

Loved it. Lotta cool bass riffs. Soulful and funky as fuck

A really great single record...spread out over a double album.

Groß. Nicht GANZ groß, aber schon sehr groß. Das Album und auch manche Songs sind ein bisschen zu lang. Höre gerade 'Black Man‘ in Dauerschleife.

One of my all time favorite albums

So many great hits, some really interesting protest/civil rights songs and messages.

Great company. Wonderful messages. Will revisit lots of these.

Decent album but nothing really stood out to me. I liked a few songs, mainly Have A Talk With God

Reminds me a lot of Jamiroquai.

Not for me. Some songs good. Others weird. Strange noise playing in background of some tracks was off putting

This is an even better album than I remember it being. Even without the hits, it's solid all the way through. Stevie captures so many emotions so well 5/5

Not a big fan

10/10 Stevie is the GOAT and the album an easy top 10 all time pick

Dig it, funky, groovy, moving. Had heard many but really dug some new ones like talk with god, village ghetto land.

Inspired to have a great day because of this. We don’t deserve Stevie

Stevie’s masterpiece

endless listening on repeat

Parhaat biisit ehdottmasti hyviä, mutta sitten taas jonkun verran täytebiisejä omaan korvaan. 1cd painos parhailla biiseillä olis ehkä jopa nelonen, mutta tällä setillä arvosana olkoon kolme tähteä. Absoluuttisesti paskoja biisejä ei ensimmäistäkään. Kunniamaininta Pastime Paradise (HV Coolio).

Have listened many times before. Some great songs but also a bit of filler.

Has the classics Sir Duke and I Wish on it, a groovy, soul album by none other.

So great! Love this album.

After we'd lived in our current house for about 6 or 7 years, I found a taqueria 4 miles away that blew my mind. The burritos, the sauce - incredible. My first time eating it, it was so good that I wanted to punch everybody that lived around me in the face for not telling me about this hidden gem. I wasted the better part of a decade not knowing that the best green sauce I've ever had was right around the corner. There's really no excuse for not finding it myself, but why didn't you tell me about it, you jerks? That taqueria is this album. Best track: Sir Duke

Laajemmin ajatellen vaikuttava levy (hitit ja rappiin lainatut biitit), niin pakko arvostaa, mutta ei iskenyt kunnolla kuitenkaan

Hit after hit after hit. Practically a greatest hits record. Soul, funk, rock, it's got it all. Just a tad bit long. Favorite tracks: "I Wish", "As", "Black Man", "Isn't She Lovely"

This was a long listen, but very worthwhile. I liked the complexity of it at times.

I was already familiar with a few songs on this album but had never listened to it all the way through. Super impressed with the instrumentation on a lot of the songs. 'Contusion' in particular is fantastic. The sound is both super 70s (which in turn makes it sound a bit dated) but also timeless, traditional jazz in other aspects. It's really good but I can't see myself listening to the album from start to finish on regular rotation which is what keeps me from giving it 5 stars. I'm an idiot for not knowing about Pastime Paradise? Okay on second thought this album is fucking incredible but still won't be in my regular rotation save for a handful of songs. So 4 stars it is.

6/17 Masterpiece.

Brightened my day thats for sure.

This honestly didn't have a bad song on it - most of them were outright great - but 1hr 45min is just far too long for an album. If it was 45 or so it would've been a 5/5, but at that length it's a 3. On a cool note, was fun to unexpectedly find out where that Coolio song came from.