Songs In The Key Of Life

🤙

Loads of great tracks and iconic melodies etc but not as good as Fulfillingness’.

An incredible feat of an album, and a variety of soundscapes to get lost in. An album of this sheer size is hard to rate based on a single listen, but there were enough sparks here to make me move my feet and snap my fingers.

Amamzing album love it Im a bit biased on this one. Maybe pne song I think should not have made the cut

#2 Before listening: never ever have I heard any album bu Stevie Wonder. Moreover, I can't name any song by him. After listening: well, it was hard for me. It's a very long and very varied album. I can see why Stevie Wonder is a musical genius, but being a simpleton from Russia I just can't relate to his music.

1. 4.5 2. 4.5 3. 4.5 4. 4 5. 5 6. 5 7. 5 8. 5 9. 4.5 10. 4 1. 5 2. 5 3. 4.5 4. 4.5 5. 4 6. 5 7. 5 8. 5 9. 5 10. 5 11. 4

An absolute 5. One of the greatest albums ever created, so very close to perfect it's almost impossible to state its importance. The absolute fucking shit.

--Love's in Need of Love Today...schmaltzy but that tone is perfection --Have a Talk with God...funky spaceship song about god --Village Ghetto Land...title doesn't match the sound, feels like I'm walking through the Louvre. probably the point --Contusion...rocking instrumental. some tasty guitar licks --Sir Duke...classic --I Wish...totally stole Will Smith’s song (this is a joke) --Knocks Me Off My Feet...ballad that soars --Pastime Paradise...I already made a Will Smith reference so it would be in poor taste to mention Coolio. So, I will absolutely not mention Coolio --Summer Soft...funky, soulful, head-bopping perfection --Ordinary Pain...buttery smooth --Isn't She Lovely...Schmaltzy Stevie. hard to argue with its longevity, or the vocal ability --Joy Inside My Tears...more schmaltz --Black Man...magical bass line. the message is evergreen --Ngiculela – Es Una Historia – I Am Singing...there is something 8-bit Nintendo about this (laudatory) --If It's Magic...is that a harp? Stevie, you beautiful man --As...a complete song. just a beautiful soup. shout out to the George Michael and Mary J. Blige version --Another Star...5 FUCKING STARS. that god damned flute

I would say neither disc is amazing but there are some good songs on them both

What a strange-in-a-good-way album. If you cut it down to a single disc, you could literally have a best-of compilation. So much of it is so ahead of it's time, like the music in Have a Talk With God. The almost baroque string arrangement in Village Ghetto Land, the funk rock guitar of Contusion... Sir Duke just being one of the best songs ever... I Wish also being that... Just an amazing collection of soul, funk, slow jams... and everything else. I can't do a play by play because each song is better than the last. The fact that Stevie Wonder basically invented the template for most of the music that came out of the 1990s, and in some instances his songs actually became big hits when altered, such as Wild Wild West by Will Smith doing his version of I Wish, and of course Passtime Paradise becoming Gangstas Paradise by Coolio. This is a remarkable album of literal genius. My only gripe is, as a double album, it's a bit bloated and too long. But saying that, I'm not really sure what you would cut to make it into a single album.

What to say. This is absolutely perfect. Everything works. The writing, the instrumentals, the vocals, the deep themes. It is a heavy lift of an album, long and full, yet it feels happy and alive the whole way through. For me it is the best ever album. Stevie sounds completely free here. The songs move between joy, reflection, social awareness and pure musical pleasure without ever losing momentum. The arrangements are rich but never crowded. Bass, keyboards, horns, voices and rhythms all lock together with a natural sense of flow. Nothing feels forced. It just pours out. The production is warm and full. Every part sits clearly in the mix while the overall sound stays thick and human. It has scale without becoming cold or overworked. Songs in the Key of Life is the rare record that feels complete. Deep, joyful, endlessly replayable, and still unmatched.

Hm, never gave Stevie much attention so I'm not very familiar with him other than that he is blind. lol Alright I can't listen to this anymore. It's alright. 3 stars.

this could have been a better album if it went for half the time but because it didn’t, i hated it. it went for way too long to be enjoyed

Pretty good!

So good

I'm normally not a fan of long albums or double albums, but this is an exception. Truly lives up to its reputation. Amazing album.

This is so much cheesier than I expected it to be. I never thought listening to this whole album would actually make me like Stevie Wonder less.

Sympas en fond

Wild swings while listening to this. By the time Isn’t she lovely came on I was considering 2 stars for puke inducing sentimentality. In general, many outros are overlong and self indulgent. Despite all that, it’s pretty good.

All killer no filler

I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT THIS IS THE PERFECT VIBE TO A VINYL LATE EVENING

must listen again because i didn’t finish but from what i did listen to it was great

One of the best

It’s a 5 coz it’s Stevie though it’s long!

Obviously

a hot take but this is just good. I only really go back to 8 songs. strong 7/10. first listen tracklist ranking: 1. As 2. Isn’t She Lovely 3. Sir Duke 4. I Wish 5. Another Star 6. Pastime Paradise 7. Knocks Me Off My Feet 8. Love’s In Need Of Love Today 9. Ordinary Pain 10. Summer Soft 11. Contusion 12. Joy Inside My Tears 13. Village Ghetto Land 14. Black Man 15. Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing 16. If It’s Magic 17. Have A Talk With God

Stevie Wonder's magnum opus, which is really saying something for his body of work. Look, any album that is going to have Isn't She Lovely and As at the bare minimum is an automatic 5. If you hate those songs, you have no soul. Everything else is still really good, but those two songs are some of the best music America has provided to the world in the 20th century.

I mean it's ridiculous. Stevie Wonder is one of a kind, man. I won't say that I think this is completely airtight, but it's damn close, which is insane. There are some scathing social critiques, filled with desperation; there are some groovy masterpieces; but what he does better than almost anyone, and what stands out here (on a very appropriately named album) are the tracks utterly bursting with joy. These moments are so proud of the human experience in a way that's never cringey or awkward, probably because Stevie is also a fucking mastermind musician. This one will never get old. What a treat.

Ikoniskt album, hade bestämt mig innan jag lyssnade men man kan inte annat än att ge detta album 5 stjärnor.

A few of these songs just sound really dated. But most are fantastic. Best track: the bass line in every song.

Si no es el mejor album que escuché, entra en el top 3. Desde la primera vez que los escuché x recomendación de un ramdom en un reel, quedé flechado de stevie, sobretodo de este album. Sónidos únicos, el precedente de todo un ritmo y creación musical tan completa. No tiene canción skippeable. Obra de arte.

Peak

It's okay, I mean, it's Stevie Wonder. But I don't LOVE his songs.

Perfecto 👌

The peaks on this are as peaky as on Innervisions, but some of the rest is sometimes turgid and tuneless, and sometimes it even has weird sound effects and character bits?

Have it. Bought it new. Would sing Isn’t She Lovely with my Granny as a pre-teen. Not very cool, but I couldn’t help myself. Love this album.

Such a musically rich and varied album, covering r&b, soul, pop, funk and jazz. It's pretty consistently excellent throughout as well. If I have anything negative to say, it's that quite a few songs feel a bit too long. But it's still amazing.

News to no one, but this is an absolute masterpiece.

Vamos hoy con escucha tardía de Stevie Wonder. Creo que ya apareció otro álbum suyo en el reto, así que nos disponemos a escucharlo. El disco comienza tranca, muy chill y luego sube. Tiene varios temones, que desconocía eran de él, como Pastime Paradise. Gracias y hasta próximas escuchas

wonderful album

Maybe the best album of the seventies? Stevie Wonder created a masterpiece on this album and that is why this is still so strong, 50 years later. Brilliant start to finish, no notes.

So far this is the closest to a perfect album that I’ve encountered.

85

Love this album.

This is one beautiful gigantic broad of an album. Do you like weddings? I do. Do you like virtuoso funk jams, I do. Do you like Motown? Of course you do and songs in the key of life brings you all of this. I’ve never listened to this front to back prior to today, (an hour 44 is too much) but shockingly there really isn’t a miss on this album. It does get a bit too campy at times but then there are moments where Stevie and the band seem to change keys 8 times in a single song. Contusion and Ordinary pain were especially revelations for me, but Sir Duke and As are all timers. Strong 5, 10 out of 10.

Gotta get this off my chest: I fucking hate this album. Songs in the Key of Life is constantly rated as one of the greatest albums of all time. People talk about it like it’s fucking Sgt. Pepper. And I just do not get it. So much of this thing is cheesy as hell. Overproduced. Corny. Easy-listening soft R&B. It makes me feel like I’m trapped at a cocktail hour I don’t want to be at, listening to music that’s a heartbeat away from Lionel Richie-era ’80s telephone-hold muzak. The album is at its best when Stevie turns the funk all the way up. I can get behind the funky organs, clavinet, electric guitars, and weird instrumental stuff, especially something like “Contusion.” That gets close to P-Funk in a really good way, almost prog-rock at times. I really like “I Wish” too. Very funky, very fun. Maybe part of that is because I love Will Smith’s sampled/stolen version in “Wild Wild West,” but that bass-and-guitar figure is just fantastic. The way those lines do this chromatic walk in opposite directions is ridiculously cool. Speaking of samples, I legitimately did not know until today that “Gangsta’s Paradise” came from “Pastime Paradise.” Somehow that escaped me my entire life. And there is definitely some cool stuff on the later part of the second disc. “As” and “Another Star” are both very cool, very funky, and a hell of a lot more interesting to me than the softer stuff. But then there’s something like “Isn’t She Lovely,” and I’m right back at the cocktail hour. Basically, I’m in when Stevie hews closer to “Superstition,” and I’m out when he gets closer to “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” I know this is considered one of the greatest albums ever made. I know this is probably music-nerd sacrilege. I’d rather get a root canal. 5.3/10 Also, he’s faking the whole blind thing.

3.5

What a way to start a Monday! THE greatest album ever made. No questions asked. Every single song (on this DOUBLE ALBUM, no less) is influential and wonderfully produced, not to mention Stevie Wonder's singing being otherwordly. I simply cannot say enough good things about this album - I think I Am Singing and Summer Soft are both criminally underrated, so maybe that's a start. How lucky am I to be able to exist at the same time as this work of art.

Accidentally listened to the four-song bonus EP first and was not mad that I still had another 90+ min of Stevie to enjoy...was what I said until the 79th minute. It's fun and positive but whew it is long. It's overall great but some of the theatrical sound effects & people talking in the background of the songs is jarring.

YES! What a Friday album! I love this! Such a great vibe, once it gets going it’s such a party! Amazing record, I love it so much!

Not only Stevie Wonder’s greatest albums but probably one of the greatest albums of all time!

Just gorgeous darling x

How could you not like this?

Quite possibly the best album ever written I believe. I’ve never heard all the songs on this album and I had no idea there were so many wonderful Stevie Wonder songs I was missing out on. I feel like I’m one of the few that knew “Pastime Paradise” was the original to “Gangsta’s Paradise”. I can safely say this one will be on rotation.

I don’t even know if there are many or any albums that will be better than this one in this list

Wasn’t that lovely? How can you not smile listening to this? I didn’t know I knew so many of his songs and hello pastime paradise?!? Easy 5 Stars

My main previous experience with Stevie Wonder was through the radio, when I was younger and there was still a thing called radio. Some of the songs from this album were played so often, that at a certain stage I think I got allergic to his music, as a result of overexposure. However, 20 years later, I am now master of my own radio. When I don't like a song, I can skip. Allergic reactions somewhat subsided. Listening to this album for the first time in its entirety proves this is truly a masterpiece.

I was looking forward to this one, but I’m not in love with it. Stevie is brilliant as a composer, but he loves this dumb harpsichord setting on his keyboard that really hurts what he’s trying to do. Some of the lyrics feel like he’s trying to get deep, but feel pretty inane to me. I dunno, I’m pretty disappointed with this one, mostly because the other records I’ve heard from him on here are super legit. This one isn’t as interesting (although there are some moments of pure guitar and keyboard shreddery on here)... Actually, I take some of this back. The record really starts to pick up some steam with Sir Duke. I'm not in love with the first couple tracks, but it does improve quite a bit as it goes. 7.5/10

some really great tracks but not a fan of the weird gospel ones

Thrilled to draw this all-timer today. Headphones on, volume UP. What can you say? Even utterly ubiquitous tracks like Sir Duke and Isn't She Lovely still delight. Didn't think I needed to hear them ever again but when they kicked in I was totally enraptured. These songs are undeniable. An easy five stars.

🥰🥰🥰

-Tracks longer than 3:59: Yes -Long tracks interesting or special: For the most part yes, but not always. -Album shorter than 58 minutes: It’s a bummer that it is not. -Will listen to album again: Not in its entirety. -Overall: I love Stevie Wonder it pains me to say, but this album is in desperate need of editing. For every As and Sir Duke, there is a Saturn and Isn’t She Lovely (I know people love this song, but it is corny AF and always has been). While there are definitely tracks I’ll listen to again, including ones that were not fully on my radar before listening to this, I’ll never sit down and play it through like I do Talking Book and Inversions. Still the good is so good it still gets a 4 despite the issues I have with it overall.

Goated

I don't like Stevie Wonder

Probablemente el álbum más largo que haya escuchado de esta lista. Normalmente suele ser algo negativo, pero he de decir que no me hubiese gustado perderme ni un solo minuto.

It's fine. It's not bad but I also forget evert track before it's even over.

Started on 9/26, about halfway through, enjoying it, going through it in order with no skips Finished first listen on 10/1, fantastic album, definitely not something I would have listened to other wise, enjoyed a majority of the songs and will definitely be listening to the album again Favorite songs: Sir Duke, I Wish, Ordinary Pain, Isn’t She Lovely, Black Man, As, Another Star,

Classic

can’t believe it’s my first time hearing this, an insane record with no skips

Probably the best double album of all time. Stevie Wonder was cooking up banger after banger songs with this one

Great music 🎶! This album is in my collection and is one of those timeless classics.

Fav album

4.5/5

His masterpiece, and the culmination of a run of five incredible albums. I actually think Fullingness is slightly better, but hard to go with anything other than a 5 here.

I was pleasantly surprised by how many songs that I recognised from being covered or sampled.

the Joni Mitchell’s Blue of a language we all understand

so good but SO LONG christ almighty. def adding some to playlist though

74/100 some great stuff. Not all my cup of tea tho, good

Amazing musicianship with some very powerful songs. Stevie is in his bag on this one. My only gripe is the length of the album and in particular certain songs. For instance, "Isn't She Lovely" might be one of the better songs dedicated to the pure joy a child brings. But after the 3 minute mark it just carries on for another 3.5 minutes. There are several songs like this that just carry on. Overall, it's a powerful album with excellent vibes. A solid 4.

One tight melodic 5 star alb after another. The previous was Metallica. This one is Stevie. Amazing.

Obviously one of the greatest of all time.

Phenomenal musician ship. Had me hooked all the was through.

This is a great album, but I think it ranks behind the other Stevie Wonder albums from that era. Somehow it feels like this one gets more of the love, perhaps because that is a classic album title and because it's a double album. I do love Love's In Need of Love Today and Have a Talk With God, but doesn't feel as chock-ful of classics like his other albums.

I only know this album by reputation, so I expected to be blown away or something close to that. But I found it to be...fine, and, worse, it confirmed Stevie Wonder was schmaltzy way before he unleashed "I Just Called to Say I Love You." (See the opening one-two punch of"Love's in Need of Love Today" and "Have a Talk With God.") "Sir Duke" is great, and "Isn't She Lovely" is probably the best doting-father song of all time. I also liked jazz-psych freakout "Contusion." The music is reliably great, but man can Stevie lay it on thick. "Saturn" isn't as bad as "I Just Called...," but it's up there. Also, I am deeply embarrassed that I didn't know "Playtime Paradise" was the foundation of Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise." I'll show myself out now, thanks.

wonder. mag ich nicht so.

Oje

Amazing as he is always

Loved it!

Stevie wonder is really fucking good. Not fully through this album but it’s good!!

This is one of my favorite Stevie Wonder albums to listen to from start to finish. It's got so many hits and is really easy. Listening anytime of day anytime of the year.

Okay, I like these discs. But clocking in at 1 hour and 45 minutes? Generally I liked it. But after awhile (around Black Man) I was wondering if this might be a bit over long? Just think how great if Stevie had just put the best of these songs on 1 album. Or 60 minutes of music. But an 1 hour and 45 minutes? Just bitchin', here. But I definitely started docking my 5 star rating. In fact, I couldn't finish both discs. I've got other things in my life.... 3 "even great music grows old after an 8 minute whatever the fuck he's doing at an 8.5 minute song on the second disc?" stars.

Love it, beautiful instrumentation, a couple songs I feel like go on just a tiny bit too long for me. Steak too juicy argument I guess but I just hesitate to fully love it

Amazing variety. Great voice and the grooves are just so good. A long album that earns it.

🌞🤗🌞

Obvious 5*

How on earth does an hour and a half go by THAT fast? Like i know movies that are shorter than this that feel longer. Anyway, i can’t think of one thing about this record that hasn’t already probably been said but i might have something if I listen to this a couple more times, which I definitely plan on doing.

I've never listened to Stevie Wonder's music beyond the singles but this is a very catchy and enjoyable album and ep.

nice

Beautiful. I've gotten into Stevie Wonder until today and I can say that I'm a big fan now.

First song is great and there are a few equally good ones throughout. I never realised gangster paradise was a direct copy with different words. As is the standout track. The album got a little bit long winded. It is good but I am not going to rush to listen to it again. 3.5 stars