This CD is probably the best Stevie Wonder has ever made. I remember when it came out and I knew that Stevie was destined to be great forever. I hoped that he would progress from here but I think this CD remains his best work ever. I still think there is more that Stevie Wonder has to give the world in terms of music. I think he can be one of the greatest composers of our time--right up there with Aaron Copeland and Leonard Bernstein.

For someone who was a baby at the time this was originally issued, I sure do see the relevance today of Stevie Wonder's music. He is the king of funk. This album has some of his best works. What an amazing talented guy!

The themes and messages in this CD are as relavent today as when this CD came out. Stevies love and compassion for the human race come shining through. The arrangements and melodies are timeless.My favourite track is pasttime paridise, later covered by Coolio as gansters paridise.A must have for any collection. I have not stopped playing this sine I purchased.

It has to be the best album of all time, brings tears to my eyes. Stevie Wonder has always been a musical genius.... but this album is 2nd to none. Touching, from the heart & moving can only discribe it.

This album is truly mind blowing, no other way to describe it. A fusion of such a variety of sounds... done so well, this is a great example of why Stevie is regarded as a legend in the music industry. I would def. recommend this to younger people, because EVERYTHING on the radio these days is complete garbage. This is REAL music.

This one reminds me of Prince's Sign O The Times because he tackles so many different genres and it's funky. Talking Book was a pretty album. Innervisions was a lot darker. I love listening to this all the way through, and I'll never forget hearing it for the first time.

I purchased the album the first week of release. I have since lost place of the both records and the cover but I still have the song book. I now listen to the CDs and read/sing along at least once every saturday if I'm not mowing the grass or grilling etc. I can't get enough of this album, great stuff.

I bought this album when it came out in 76 with the money I'd made helping out at the grocery store around the corner. I was fifteen at the time. Three years later I bought a new copy. I had played the first one so many times the grooves had lost the music.
As it was time for a third copy, cd came out, so I went for that, a Japanese pressing - the best at the time.
Now this. The new remastered version is the bomb. Clear and crisp but also good in the mid tones and bass. Well worth the 4th investment.
What is there left to say to the music? Stevie is a genius and this one is his masterpiece. Who doesn't know I Wish, Sir Duke, Ordinary Pain, Isn't She Lovely, As, etc, etc, etc.
This album has accompanied me since high school and it will continue to do so through whatever there is to come. Amidst all the cd's in my collection it will always stand out. Truly SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE.

Stevie was one of the most influentual artists of the 70's and he made classic after classic that both featured great songwriting, ahead of it's time production, memorable hooks and genre blending sound that was able to attract fans of all kind. Stevie Wonder had been able to discover his own sound with Music of My Mind crossover with the funky Talking Book socio conscious themes on Innervisions and lovely ballads on Fulfillingness' First Finale. After releasing 5 albums in just 4 years, he now took two years off to record his masterpiece, "Songs in the Key Of Life" a double album with over 100 minutes of music and over 20 songs!. Alot back in 1976. Like a friend of mine pointed out, Wonder basically had 3 styles 1. Up-tempo Funk 2. Soul 3. Love Ballads and on this album we got it all + all of the diffrent themes that life has to offer from spirituality to society ills from love to joy from tributes to blessings. How could an album so diverse be so good, you may think?. Well, "Key Of Life" got everything you could ask for and demonstrates Stevie Wonder at his creative peak. There are so many songs here that are famous, either for being hitsingles, used by other artists or used for tv. And it shows what Wonder had learned through the last few years after the emancipation from Motown's Berry Gordy and how he put it all together at one, to create a timeless masterpiece and just like some previous album there's a long guest list here too like George Benson, Herbie Hancock and Minnie Ripperton. The album spent 14 weeks at #1 on the album charts, selling several millions and is also considered one of the greatest albums of all time.

Where do I start? with so many songs it's hard to do everyone justice. However, it starts with the wonderful love-ballad "Love's in the Need of Love Today". If you liked the ballads of his last album you're gonna love this one too. The spiritual "Let's Have a Talk With God" got really good arrangements sounding a bit avant-garde. "Village Ghetto Land" is also very exprimental with an classic music orchestra backing him, the song deal with poverty and demise of a good society caused by selfish and greedy people. "Contusion" which is intrumental sounds like the Jazz Fusion of Weather Report. Wonder was more then the average soul singer for sure. The funky "Sir Duke" got one of the best intro's in music, and it's a tribute to Duke Ellington that died two years prior. The song would top the billboard charts and it' not hard to see why. Another funky #1 uptempo is "I Wish", a classic that Will Smith later sampled by the way. The song is about the memories from Stevie's childhood and how he wish those days would come back. Another wonderful ballad is "Knocks Me Off My Feats". Wonder sings " I Don't Want To Bore You With It/ Oh But I Love You" Nothing wrong to express your sentimental feelings for your loved ones!. Coolio covered the song "Pastime Paradise" and renamed it "Gangsta's Paradise", Stevie's song is better and proclaims for the people to stop living in a past and build a future paradise were racism and other malicious things of the past are not present. An exotic song with latin arrangements called "Summer Soft" seems to be a song about love. It makes an very challenging listen atleast. The last song before the album has gone halfway is "Ordinary Pain", it's a funky song where Wonder doesn't appear at all, instead we have Minnie Ripperton singing, backed by a choir.

"Isn't She Lovely" brings memories back to my childhood, it's perhaps my favorite Wonder song. It's a celebration to his newborn daughter Aisha. Her cry can also be heard in the recording and Stevie's Harmonica plays a vital part. Ballad "Joy Inside My Tears" seems to be a song to his wife. One of the definite highlights is the funky "Black Man" a song that clocks at over 8 minutes. The title is actually a little misleading cause the song is about people of all races and backrounds that built America together. Wonder gives a history lesson here, paying tribute to people of the past that made great archivements. At the end a school teacher will be asking her children who did what, and they will reply and also mention what race the person had. The conclusion of this song is that America became what it is, thanks to everyone. On "Ngiculela" Wonder uses exotic arrangements and sings in both Zulu and Spanish. Wonderful song that always makes you smile. "If It's Magic" is a slow accoustic ballad while "As" later covered by Mary/George Michael is timeless soul with one of the most romantic lyrics ever written. On "Another Star" we find Stevie exploring Brazil. Another exciting listen. "Saturn" one of the greatest and most poignant Wonder songs I've ever heard, we find him making comparsions to the dream society of the planet of Saturn and our own world with it's many problems. He sings "Going back to Saturn where the people smile/ Don't need cars cause we've learned to fly
On Saturn/ Just to live to us is our natural high". "Ebony Eyes" a happy song about "A girl that can't be beat/born and raised on ghetto streets/ a devastating beauty/ a pretty girl with ebony eyes". The ironic midtempo funk of "All Day S*cker" is followed by the instrumental "Easy Goin Evening" which is the closer.

Overall, In my books there are few albums as good as this one. MJ's Thriller and a couple of Beatles albums for sure, but not that much more. What's so good with "Key Of Life" is that you got everything of Stevie at once. All diffrent styles, themes and plenty of exprimental cuts aswell. It's like a summery of everything he archived when he changed the rules for music back in the early-mid 70's. If you want to start exploring this man's music, start here cause with over 100 minutes running time you'll get everything you'd ask for and a little more. "Songs In the Key Of Life" is a must have.

one of stevie's best album in a double album package yet! many of the familiar songs found in various commercials as well as fm hits from the 70's such as another star, isn't she lovely, i am singing... i already own the vinyl album, but, after watching him in a recent concert, i bought the cd so that i could listen to his wonderful songs in my car. as testimony to his popularity, the crowd at the concert sang along with him on many of these songs, a revelation since the crowd demographic ranged from teens to seniors. enjoy!

Songs in the Key of Life is, in my opinion, Stevie's masterpiece. This generation of young people MUST listen to this album. Double album with each and every tune becoming a #1 hit on Billboard at the time. Village Ghetto Land will haunt you with its honesty, Have a Talk With God will give anyone in pain hope, Knocks Me Off My Feet is one of the most romantic songs I've ever heard. Young people must listen to En Historia to learn of all the pioneers in medicine and all fields that happen to be people of color. This genius composer lyricist is for ALL people, ALL generations, the messages in this double album are priceless, I dare anyone not to be moved to tears by at least one of these songs. It would be worth it if it sold for $50 or $100 bucks. A MUST HAVE. Set a couple of hours aside, I guarantee you will talk about this album to everyone if you have never heard it before, you will be as persistent and annoying as me. A fan for life,

Irene

Like listening to a career greatest hits CD. With so many familiar tunes like "Isn't She Lovely", "As", "Sir Duke", "Love's In Need Of Love Today", "Village Ghetto Land", this was Stevie at his creative best. A two disc classic consistently rated amongst the best recordings of all time. No Stevie Wonder disc collection is anywhere near complete without this multi Grammy winner of 1976.

Stevie Wonder hit yet another new high with Songs In The Key Of Life. We get seventeen tracks plus an awesome four bonus tracks. This two record album set with an EP 45rpm record has been carefully and lovingly transferred to a two CD set for us to enjoy.

The track set begins with "Love's In Need Of Love Today." The gospel feel of this number makes this number stand out as a highlight of this album. Stevie uses this song to spread his message of peace and love NOW here on Earth. The melody uses the electric guitars, piano, bass and percussion to bolster the number; and the backup chorus enhances the song as well. "Village Ghetto Land" starts with the strings--and when Stevie comes in the number takes off like a jet! Stevie sings of the strife poor people everywhere must face; his voice doesn't convey any anger but the lyrics certainly send the bitter message that this strife is unacceptable. I hope "Village Ghetto Land" encourages more people to help those in need.

"Sir Duke" sports that big band flavor mixed with a funky 1970s beat that proves too memorable and catchy for anyone to ever forget! Stevie's voice never sounded better; and this upbeat tribute to Duke Ellington and other black artists shines like gold. Great jamming from those musicians, too! "Sir Duke" is an obvious highlight of this two CD set; and so is the ballad entitled "I Wish." "I Wish" gets the royal treatment from Stevie as he sings this to perfection. Stevie remembers how much simpler life was when he was young--even though they were poor, he didn't know it because he was still a happy child.

"Pastime Paradise" sports a great melody with awesome key changes; Stevie sings of how we need to work today to make a better future. This stunning ballad works well not just because of the lyrics but also because of the musical arrangement and the backup singers for Stevie. Great!

The second CD continues this incredible track set. "Isn't She Lovely" tells about the joy Stevie experienced when one of his children was born. This moving ballad has a relentlessly upbeat set of lyrics with a melody that uses the harmonica, guitars and percussion well to enhance the beauty of "Isn't She Lovely." I predict that you will like "Isn't She Lovely" very, very much.

"Joy Inside My Tears" is another moving ballad about a man whose life has finally found some happiness now that he has his one true love; the piano and percussion work wonders for "Joy Inside My Tears." "Black Man" is a lengthy but awesome ballad about how everyone from all races made life better for others--and therefore all races should continue to work together to make a better tomorrow. "Black Man" sports a very funky 1970s beat to it; but it still works well even today--love that musical arrangement!

"As," yet another Stevie Wonder masterpiece on this two CD set, has a wonderful arrangement with the perfect beat for this optimistic ballad about the importance of love. The backup chorus lacks nothing; and the guitars, percussion and piano bolster "As." Stevie sings "As" passionately with all his heart and soul, too.

One of the bonus tracks, "Saturn," lets Stevie express his desire to move to another place--or world--where violence is gone, "people live to be two hundred and five," and there is peace and harmony. An electric arrangement enhances "Saturn;" and Stevie sings this one without a superfluous note! "Ebony Eyes" has a great upbeat feel to it as Stevie celebrates the existence of a young woman whose natural beauty attracts Stevie. This funky 1970s love ballad works very well; and I love that backup chorus!

The liner notes give us the lyrics to all the songs; and the incredible artwork is worth the price of admission alone! Stevie himself adds a brief commentary near the beginning of the liner notes booklet.

Stevie Wonder, always the genius and the gentleman, remains an icon of the twentieth century for his fine music and his message of peace. Songs Of The Key Of Life gives us Stevie at his very best; and people who appreciate 1970s rock with a little R&B and soul mixed in are going to love this two CD set!

Enjoy!

This CD highlights the genius of Stevie Wonder. After all these years, this CD (formerly album, maybe 8-track) still sounds good. It will take you back!

Whoa, what can I say about this one that hasn't been repeated a million times over? This is not my favorite Wonder album - I'm still gonna have to give that honor to either Talking Book or Innervistions, depending on my mood. There's only one song I really don't enjoy, and that's Have a Talk with God. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to the spiritual element of the lyrics at all. Stevie sounds like he means what he says, and that's all that really matters, right? I just don't like the song's synthesizer part: without it, it would've been far better. And a couple of other songs do have rather annoying bits, like the second half of Ordinary Pain (the first great) and the second half of Black Man: while it starts off as a strong tune about the power of integration, it ends up a student/teacher questioning session. Interesting conceptually, but so is Revolution 9: if you're gonna do something like that, it should be made a minutelong interlude during the real song, not four minutes of repeating the points Stevie made.
Those complaints aside, this is a marvelous album. Stevie's songwriting skills really win out here: Knocks Me off My Feet is one of my numerous favorites here, a triumph of melody and insightful, wise love song lyrics that reflect the confusing nature of being in love perfectly. Oh, and I like the chorus, and the... post-chorus, would you say? You know, the "I don't wanna booooooore you wiiith it, oh but I love you I love you I love you...". The more I listen to it, the more I realize it's probably my favorite song on the whole album. It wasn't a big hit, but do give it a listen. Or several.
Now for the songs that were big hits: I Wish is one of Stevie's best funk songs - booty-shakin' groove, a horn duel to rival Superstition's, and a touch of humor. Sir Duke is interesting in that it works in big-band jazz elements to funk, something you don't usually hear from the genre. Talk about a seamless, if offbeat, blend of styles! And Pastime Paradise definitely wins when it comes to the "cool" factor. The Eastern instruments, meditative, philosophical lyrics, and full choir give it an epic feel. It's one of the several highlights. No, I'm still not done naming highlights. The fourth smash hit was Isn't She Lovely, an unbeatable explosion of pure joy. Plus I love the baby "talking" in the interlude: not only is it bold experimentation, it's also (more importantly) some of the most heart-warming music I've ever heard. Few can communicate utter happiness like Stevie Wonder.
But wait - there's more! Much, much more. Another Star is another longtime favorite of mine: over the course of eight-and-a-half minutes it goes from R&B to an almost tribal chant to jazz. Cool! Great chant, too. I've also always loved As. I've gotta say that it's a very underrated song, a declaration of pure love with Stevie doing the "big-man" vocals he popularized on Livin' For the City. And the coda, while repetitive, is hypnotic: its length, scope, and quality almost make it the soul version of Hey Jude, only I prefer it to Hey Jude. And the Beatles are my favorite band, so that's really saying something. Joy Inside My Tears also has a repetitive coda that sounds fantastic. Joy is one of Stevie's sad, pensive ballads. And it's great. If It's Magic is one of the album's many unsung gems, if only for the subtle, lovely orchestration and Stevie's harmonica solo near the end; I Am Singing has a wonderful melody; and Summer Soft is an inspired fusion of soul and soft-rock, two very opposite genres.
And I haven't gotten into that bonus EP. That is some good stuff right there, man. Ebony Eyes is an awesomely fun love song, with a cool sax solo and an even cooler sax solo introduction: "SAXOPHONE RIGHT HERE!". All Day Sucker is FUNKY, Saturn is an inspiring song about pacifism (I'm all for one of those!), and Easy Going Evening (My Mama's Call) might be my favorite on the album, a slow, relaxing harmonica solo over a jazzy backdrop. Tremendous.
So yes, this is a total classic release that should be heard by everybody. It was what got me started on Stevie, and I revisit it quite often.

I'm not gonna bore you with another long review,but if I was stranded on a desert island and I had only a few discs with me,Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key In The Life" would my top choices.So many great songs(Sir Duke,I Wish,Knocks Me Off My Feet,Summer Soft,Isn't She Lovely,As,Another Star,Love's In Need Of Love Today,Ebony Eyes,If It's Magic etc.)with no filler whatsoever.Plus the updated version(supervised by Harry Weinger and remastered by Kevin Reeves at Universial Mastering East)is excellent,with punchy,spacious,vibrant sound and all the original artwork,liner notes and lyrics included.Truly a must-have in every sense of the word!

I am loving rediscovering this beautiful work of love and art with my children. I LOVE STEVIE.

Undeniably classic Stevie Wonder. If you're a fan you have to have this one; if you're new to Stevie this is the place to start. Unlike some of his sugar sweet music from the 1980s, Songs In The Key Of Life has some melodies that can only be described as "haunting" -- they stay with you a lifetime. Some believe that a great meal should be paired with a great wine. Here, each melody is paired with the right lyrics. It's perfect and it's also the one album I would take if I could take only one to a desert island banishment.

If you check your local music store and looked through the Stevie Wonder CDs, you are likely to find this album more than the other albums (aside from "A Time To Love.") Though this album is over 30 years old, it's still in demand, and with a good reason: the 21 songs on this album are some of the greatest works to ever enter the music industry.

Most artists these days stick to one type of music, rarely trying something different. Wonder, on the other hand, has mastered not only his usual R&B and funk songs such as "I Wish," but on this album he also throws in some Latin, classical and funk/rock fusion twists, and he delivers them just as well as his usual genre.

Wonder without a doubt has talent in songwriting. He sings about almost everything that you can sing about, such as world peace ("Love's In Need Of Love Today"), love ("Knocks Me Off My Feet"), heartbreak ("Another Star"), world problems ("Village Ghetto Land") and equality ("Black Man") to name a few. No matter what he sings about he delivers some of the best vocals, lyrics and composing of all time. Most of his songs are upbeat and danceable, such as "Ngiculela" and "Sir Duke." "As" and "Summer Soft" are the most beautiful, poetic songs on the album and the music accompanying them are just as extraordinary. The funk songs Wonder is known for are also here. "I Wish" and "All Day Sucker" are funkier than "Superstition" from the album "Talking Book." "Ebony Eyes" is a very fun song that has a slight Beatles feel to it.

Wonder also includes two instrumentals: "Contusion" and "Easy Goin' Evening." Both of them show Wonder's skill with instruments, especially the harmonica (in "Easy Goin' Evening") which he is very well known for. "Contusion" is a great display of R&B/rock fusion and is very fun to dance to.

With twenty-one songs on this album, each of them some of the greatest songs ever, it's difficult to not like the album. This is music at its absolute best.

I never really considered myself a Stevie Wonder fan, but after listening to this album, I realize why people love him so much. The songs off this album have been sampled and re-recorded by so many other artists it's scary! His R&B songwriting was second to none during the mid 70s.

great album: one of my favourites through all times. I already own the LP but on cd the quality is excellent. great buy!!!

You know I found the album of him with two records and listening to it is just so AMAZING!!! Look at all the instruments Mr. Stevie Wonder plays and how he composes each and every song, along with the wisdom Stevie kicks down from his songs. I mean, what ever happened to all that SOUL in today's music???
Much love for the parents and the purpose that Stevie Wonder has continued to live out!

I recently became a Stevie fan over the past year. Like most people, I have heard his songs all my life- well, I'm 21- so I guess like others around my age, and just grown accustom to them. But, recently I have REALLY listen to Stevie and became a fan. This man is so full of talent and it just oozes out when he creates music.
Song in the Key of Life is a great CD, because you get two CDs fully of Stevie genius! At first listen, several of the songs will sound familiar, because unless you've been stuck in a cave somewhere your whole life, you have probably heard at least one or two of the songs.
I love the title of the CD is also genius. Once you listen to the CD you see that the songs on the CD cover many aspects of life, from love, family, hardships and some just funky songs!
This CD and the songs withstand the time. The album was created in 1976 and so many of the songs are heard today and still hold up to the test of time. Many of the songs have also been remixed several times over the years by various artist.
So, if you're looking for a CD that will give you a good glimpse of the stuff that Stevie Wonder is made of, I think that this CD will do the job! So, get the CD and enjoy!

I bought this album for what I'd consider a strange reason: Every week, I watch American Idol, and very often someone sings a Stevie Wonder song. It never sounds very good, and the judges always say "you'll never compare well with the great Stevie..." Knowing some of the major hits, and generally associating him with "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and "Superstition," I decided I must not be getting the full picture. I was thinking of getting a greatest hits comp, but ultimately decided to try a different route: I'd buy two of his masterpieces. I wanted to see the whole picture, rather than just hear the radio hits. So I bought Innvervisions and Songs in the Key of Life. Holy cow did I make the right choice. It took me only one marathon listening session of both albums to hear what I'd been missing all these years.

Many critics and reviewers indicate the album has a slow start, taking a few songs to kick into gear. True, the first songs are slower in pace, but I'd hardly consider it a "slow start." More like: Stevie eases you into a place that you're going to be (and want to be) for a long time (at two LPs and an EP - this really is an epic). With so many songs, I'll only mention a few for brevity's sake: "Sir Duke" is about as danceable a song as I've ever heard while still being substantial. "Black Man" is a history lesson everyone should hear, and examples of important people in American history of many races are mentioned: black, brown, yellow, and white as well. "As" gets under your skin on first listen and never lets go.

If I could stress one thing about this album, it would be this: These songs are ABOUT something. It's not funk music about wanting to get funky. It's not R&B about sex. Sure, sex and dancing are in there. But so are IDEAS, politics, social theory, parental love, fear, hope, and much more. The music, the singing, and the lyrics work absolutely. And they don't sound "dated" at all. That is no small achievement. Few artists have ever reached this level, and few ever will.

So, as a late-comer to the cult of Stevie, I'm happy to say: Better late than never!

A musical 'Genious' at his best! Very soulful, very romantic, very jazzy and fun.

This album full of topsongs is a pleasure to listen too.
Every song is a daimond. In the past i bought the album as a lp disk. Now i had to buy it as a cd. I have noticed that my childeren like the music to.
My son of 23 years old put the album on his i-pod after hearing it.

Its a real classic.

This is by far S.W.:s best album. It's ambitous and it blends loads of different musical styles. My peronal favourites are the soft, very pretty "Summer soft", "ordinary pain" and the funky hilarious "Contusion".

This album is a must-have for sure. People talk a lot about Inner visions and Talking book, but this is the one. The golden album. The diamond.

A masterpiece that five stars can,t begin to tell the true magic of this cd.From knocks me off my feet to sir duke to ebony eyes i can go on and on.This cd has got to be one of the best albums ever made if you have not heard this cd where have you been? enjoy!

Why do we listen to the music we do? Sometimes I forget. But as several occasions have affirmed, all I have to do is put on 'Another Star' and I remember. This is why I listen to music. It is music like THIS that is why I listen. Because it is a soul connection.... a connection with the infinite.

Such are the impressions of awe and beauty that the music of Stevie Wonder engenders. They transcend both time and space. This album, released in 1976, 30 years ago as I write this, affects me every bit as powerfully today as it ever did. Although Stevie's musical output has been quite prodigous, I think this was probaly his masterpiece. It is just such a total singular experience from start to finish. If one really listens, I don't know how they could not be profoundly moved.

Originally packaged as two LP and a 2 song EP, the entire collection is a result of a 3 year recording session. The work reflects quality in both concept and execution. The musicians are awesome. (listen to 'Contusion'!) But like all his best work, it is Stevie Wonder's spirituality that brings this recording to life. And while all of the album is excellent, with tight R&B songs like 'I Wish', 'Sir Duke' and the melanchcoly 'Summer Soft', the album really kicks into high gear with 'side four' with 'Isn't She Lovely' through to 'Another Star'. This segway of five exquisite compositions, pardon the pun, simply knocks me off my feet!

The infectious 'Isn't She Lovely' is irresistable in its happiness. A song he obviously wrote for his newborn daughter, it also coincided with the birth of my first son. The playful harmonica is a masterful improvisation of the instrument and is a perfect fit that really communicates the joy of the artist. It also runs for 'longer than radio length', as do many of the tunes here. Stevie obviously had earned the right with this album to do what he wants and he joyously indulges with lengthy treatments of these songs, but they are never too long. They just give him room to really express his extraordinary passion. "The latin-tinged 'Ngiculela' (I am singing) is a pure, beautiful piece both in lyric and melody. Stevie expresses his most passionate singing in this song: "I am singing... of tomorrow! - I am singing... of love. - I am singing... that someday love will rule throughout this world of ours. I am singing.... of love from the heart." Expressed only as Stevie Wonder can say it. "If it's Magic" is a shorter piece, but also beautiful,arranged with harps and a simple acapella vocal. Again, the lyrics carry beautiful poetry with, "It holds the key to every heart, throughout the Universe, it fills you up without a bite, and quenches every thirst."

Next are what I consider the two back-to-back most powerful recordings of probably the entire decade let along this album: 'As', and 'Another Star'. They go together seemlessly as a singular passionate statement, although each is quite different musically. 'As' starts out with a laid-back R&B verse, and then just gathers momentum as it morphs into a untraditional 'gospel' style piece with a call an answer section that is just too cool for words. What is awesome here are the lyrics. "Until the day that 8X8X8 is four - Until the day that is the day that are no more, etc." This song really rocks and posesses a passion rarely captured on a studio recording. Stevie allows the tune to heat up until a point where he 'steps out' and has s few things to say: "We all know that life's heartache and trouble can make you wish you were born in another time and place. But you can bet your life times that and twice it's double... that God knew exactly where He wanted you to be placed. So make sure when you say you're in the world but not of it.... you're not helping to make this a place sometimes called hell... Change your words into Truth and then change that Truth into Love and maybe our children's grandchildren and their great grandchildren will tell..."

Not only is this a great concept album by Stevie, it's also his best effort and it also stands the test of time to emerge as one of the best albums of all time. As they say, "the cream always rises to the top" and this is surely the case for this album. This gatefold mini-lp sleeve cardboard replica version is also the best version of the album that is out there at the moment. The sound quality is good due to the remastering job they did although not great which is understandable given the state of the 1976 original master and so some tracks have higher volume levels than others. However, the tracks are things of beauty and stand the test of time. Although there is "single" material in here, the only way to truly appreciate this work of art is to listen to the whole thing at one go. For the record, the "single" stuff that still sound good today are: "Sir Duke" and "Isn't She Lovely". The other standout tracks must be "Pastime Paradise" later ripped off to great effect for the "Dangerous Minds" soundtrack "Gangster's Paradise" and "Black Man" is a fantastic study in slap bass that would make Mark King of Level 42 proud. There is also a track on disc two that sounds a lot like Lionel Ritchie's "All Night Long." It's obvious that many, many artistes have been inspired over the years by this album and I sure many, many more will be over the decades to come. Very highly recommended.

Love's In Need Of Love Today 10
Have A Talk With God 10
Village Ghetto Land 10 (classical music?)
Contusion 9.5 (just because no vocals)
Sir Duke 10
I Wish 10 (some samples?)
Knocks Me Off My Feet 10 (am i dreaming?)
Pastime Paradise 10 (Coolio shouldn't have raped this one)
Summer Soft 10
Ordinary Pain 10
Isn't She Lovely 10
Joy Inside My Tears 10
Black Man 10
Ngiculela/Es Una Historia/I Am Singing 10
If It's Magic 10 (paradise)
As 10
Another Star 10 (latin flavour)
Saturn 10
Ebony Eyes 10
All Day Sucker 10 (musical genres?)
Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call) 9.5

I'm one of those reviewers that rarely rates music that hasn't touched me in one way or another. So when I felt that I wanted to write a review for a Stevie Wonder album, I ended up struggling over which of his great releases I should review. I love ALL of his mid-seventies releases....most notably, "Innervisions", "Fullfillingness...", and, of course, "Songs...". I guess I finally decided to 'tackle' this one based on its historical significance to the art of Music. For one, Stevie was "coming into his own" as far as musical expression and social commentary within his songs. Other than the great Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye, Stevie was at the forefront of writing about the joys, pains, positives and negatives of Human exsistance on Earth...and he did it very well. Songs such as "Village Ghetto Land", "Pastime Paradise", "Saturn" and "Have a Talk with God" among others, were as powerful 'messages' one could experience through a set of speakers. Secondly, He was able to finally gain TOTAL control of his musical vision from Motown and Berry Gordy....even more so than Marvin had done with "Whats Going On"...and this TOTAL control shows most prevelant on "Songs" than any previous release leading up to this one(IMO). There's certainly a little bit of everything on "Songs"---- the joy of life on "Isn't She Lovely"; black man's contributions to evolution in "Black Man"; World Love and Peace in "I am Singing"; the joys and pains of childhood in "I Wish"; Spiritual guidance in "Have a talk with God"; Desperation in the World's Ghettos in "Village Ghetto Land" , and even some "Props" to Mr. Ellington in "Sir Duke". One could literally go on like this for every song on this double album....Yes, very moving, significant statements indeed! As for the actual music and musicians, they are "all over the board" here (and Stevie certainly plays his share of the instruments, however, not as exstinsively as past albums). Every musician involved in "Songs" played exactly what each track called for, and, at the same time, still managed to put their 'mark' on these great cuts. The listener will be happy to find mellow, introspective songs...Upbeat, funky rockers...Spanish-tinged music....and even Stevie's brand of Fushion (Contusion)... Overall, A wonderful assortment of musical styles and genres mixed into one of the most important double LPs ever released. As a closing note, I am somewhat of a new-comer to this great artist, and yes, I am white. However, I feel this is one of a handful of artists that crosses/bridges ALL ethnic groups...weather black, white, yellow, or red. Please don't let the color of your skin (or Stevie's) stop you from experiencing some of the most important 'Art' ever produced. Strongly recommended, along with any other releases from this Genius!

This album has been ranked highly in VH1 polls and Rolling Stone Polls time after time and it really deserves it.....

Is there any other album post 1975 that was this commercially successful and yet at the same time so socially conscious...????? And there's a little something in here for everyone... my favorite track being the jazz/funk/salsa samba of "Summer Soft."
Buy this album now and own a piece of musical history!!!

Stevie Wonder was and continues to be a once every few generations kind of genius!!!

There's not enough words in the English language to appropriately articulate how GREAT he is as a musician and how OUT OF THIS WORLD "Songs in the Key of Life" remains.

--Best R&B album ever made in history
--Best soul album ever made in history
--Best double-disc album set ever made in history
***Strong candidate for one of the greatest albums ever made by any artist, anywhere, anytime and any place in history

If you're black, white, Puerto Rican or Asian, young, old, straight, gay, religious, secular, a music lover, music hater or just plain music deprived, this album's for you!!!!

Can't say enough.

Deserving of 10 stars!!!

I'd put this album up there against any of the best of Michael Jackson, James Brown, Whitney Houston, the Beatles, the Temptations, Prince, Little Richard, Louis Armstrong, MaDonna, Boyz II Men, Elvis, U2, the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley or ANY of the other all-time greats I might've missed.

Even better than "Innervisions" for those Stevie Wonder diehards.

First I'd like to say that, though I love this album, it takes too long for it to really get started. Love's In Need of Love Today is OK but too long, Have a Talk With God and Village Ghetto Land both suffer from bad arrangements, and Contution is just average.
But once it gets started, it just keeps gaining momentum and rarely lets up. From the big-band swing of Sir Duke to the funky I Wish to ballad Knocks Me Off My Feet to Eastern-influenced (!) Pastime Paradise, the first disc of this album has a lot going for it.
And the second half is even better. Besides containing the hit Isn't She Lovely, we also get a couple fine tracks with Joy Inside My Tears, I Am Singing and If It's Magic, it also features the best fifteen minutes in the man's discography--the lineup of As and Another Star, the former a fine ballad encouraging universal love (one of Wonder's favorite themes) and the latter, arguably the most ambitious tune the man cut, ever. In its eight-and-a-half minutes, it jumps from horn-driven soul to African-ish to jazzy, complete with a tasty flute solo.
Thankfully, that ain't all. The bonus EP features four great cuts. Definetly the best, most eclectic album in Stevie's catalogue.