Songs In The Key Of Life clearly had grandiose ambitions, and the sheer wealth of tracks on offer - twenty-one over the course of two LPs and a special EP insert - provided some reasoning for the continual delay of the release date. Throughout the course of the record Wonder deals with a multitude of themes, through a plethora of styles, and with a hugely impressive guest list.
I Wish - Pop and R&B Number One
'I WIsh' was the album's first single, and was a Pop and R&B number one. A joyous reminiscence of childhood, built on several keyboard parts layered over one another, the track features an effective deployment of short, punchy horns which creates the funkiest song on the album.
'Black Man', on the second LP, is another funky, bass-driven track, contextualising the bicentennial year by emphasising the impact on American history of people of all colours. As with several tracks on the second disc, 'Black Man' is a lengthy track, and loses some of its thunder by the time it reaches its call and response climax.
The ballad, 'Joy Inside My Tears', and the statement of intent opener, 'Love's In Need Of Love Today', also suffer from over-extended running times, and run out of steam, despite melodic and engaging beginnings.
As and Another Star - Latin Music and George Benson
More successful at retaining interest throughout six or seven minutes are the two closing tracks of the second LP, 'As' and 'Another Star'. The latter takes on a Latin flavour, and is driven by thumping piano and energetic percussion, whilst featuring George Benson on guitar.
'As' features the keyboard work of Herbie Hancock, who adds a trademark solo to the piece. The track balances some sophisticated and stylish keyboard work from both Wonder and Hancock, and a trademark expressive vocal from Wonder, who takes on a more ragged and husky tone for his final few verses.
'If It's Magic' also makes effective use of a guest musician, the simple love song perfectly complemented by Wonder's restrained harmonica and Dorothy Ashby's harp work. In contrast, Wonder demonstrates his own musical flexibility by providing all the sounds for the awkwardly-rhymed 'Have A Talk With God', using his synthesizers to recreate a full orchestra on 'Village Ghetto Land', and producing a restrained yet evocative love story on 'Knocks Me Off My Feet'.
Sir Duke - Another Number One
The second single from Songs In The Key Of Life, and its second pop and R&B number one, 'Sir Duke' follows its predecessor by bathing itself a nostalgia, this time for musical heroes of the past. Wonder in effect creates a love song, his joy and admiration for music and the works of Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington spilling out through his voice with the excitement of earlier hits such as 'Uptight'.
Wonder's delight in music is also evidenced by the compositions of several tracks throughout the record. 'Pastime Paradise' makes use of haunting synthesizers, African-influenced percussion, and the contrasting use of a gospel choir and Hare Krishna's as backing vocals. The music proved so engaging that it formed the basis of Coolio's massive 1995 hit, 'Gangsta's Paradise', just one of several tracks from Songs In The Key Of Life to be sampled or covered by future artists.
'Ordinary Pain' also breaks with the norm, detailing a break-up, but from both points of view. The first half of the track takes the man's perspective, a wronged Wonder trying to hold back his tears and distress, creating sympathy for the man. Wonderlove's Shirley Brewer then takes over as the music moves into a funkier area, and points out where the man has gone wrong, revealing his infidelities and justifying her reaction in kind. The track as a result sounds like little else before or after it.
Isn't She Lovely - Favorite Wedding Song from Stevie Wonder
One of the most popular tracks from the album, but one which was not released as a single due to Wonder's objections, was 'Isn't She Lovely'. Written for his daughter Aisha and now a wedding favourite, despite the track's sentimentality and comparatively safe composition it boasts a dynamic harmonica solo and a palpable energy.
The extra EP, 'A Something's Extra Bonus', features Wonder's Talkbox-inflected voice on 'Ebony Eyes', a horny and unsatisfied plea on 'All Day Sucker', an ineffective criticism of the planet with 'Saturn', and a multi-harmonica, relaxing end with 'Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)'. Although not a poor collection of songs, the ensemble adds little to the already vibrant and varied sound of the main album.
Songs In The Key Of Life debuted at number 1 on the Billboard album chart, and provided an immediate return on Wonder's new $13 million Motown contract, despite its delays. Delays which would pale in comparison to the wait for Wonder's next record.
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