Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life ALBUM REVIEW
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- Listen: soundcloud.com...
Songs in the Key of Life is the crown jewel of Stevie Wonder's unparalleled discography.
More classic reviews: • Classics
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STEVIE WONDER - SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE / 1976 / MOTOWN / SOUL
CLASSIC/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?
Crazy Fact: Stevie was 23 when he released this album
Crazier Fact: This is Stevie's 18th Studio Album
He was 26, but still
And many of his contemporaries were only 5 albums in at the point he was at 18
Holy fucking shit
He was 23 when Innervisions dropped
he was twenty three now but will he live to see twenty four? the way things is going, I don't know
“As” is one of the greatest songs of all time. Period
ALWAAAAYSSSSSSS
Alwayyyyyyyys
until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
THE greatest. ALWAYS
stevie’s whole output in the 70s is untouchable
Yes.
@aloevv𖤐 stay mad, son
It's fantastic, but I'd not say untouchable.
@@imgriffm4426 shud
@@dwaynekeenum1916 Kanye 2004-2021, The Beatles 1962-1970, Pink Floyd 1967-1979, Kendrick Lamar 2011-2017, David Bowie 1970-1983, Bob Dylan 1963-1978, Radiohead 1995-2016. I think all of them can easily have an argument.
The best part of this album is really just how upbeat it is. It's one of those rare records that really does feel like a celebration of life, and isn't obnoxiously happy like so many other up-beat records are.
Yes.
Because it came from his heart
And Stevie's music (from this era at least) isn't stupidly happy. He's very politically keen and aware. He knows what's going on. He sings about it. His happiness and optimism isn't in ignorance of suffering and grief. Speaking of which, Joy Inside My Tears is amazing.
Stevie really and truly felt a bright love for life writing this album. That sort of joy isn’t just written. It’s lived.
@@JD-jc8gpreminds me of the movie everywhere everything all at once with the line “this is how i fight”
You could’ve done any of Stevie’s albums from his 70s era, that run was god tier
@Perverted Alchemist YES! It's incredibly beautiful.
Yes.
@Perverted Alchemist agreed the run from 1972's music of my mind to this beauty, is basically perfect and love Secret Life of Plants. I even have a soft spot for 1980's Hotter than July, which is in itself a 9 and only feels like a drop off due to the utter majesty of the 70s run, that album basically summed up the 80s sound and it was at the beginning of the damn decade, Steve was a musical visionary.
its funny how much quality stevie had dropped from hotter than july to "i just called to say i love you'
@Perverted Alchemist absolutely!! I have a personal soft spot for innervisions and filling ness’ first finale.
I was named after “Isn’t She Lovely”, so this album has always been incredibly special 😊
That’s honestly so cool 😭
whoaaaa
Life :)
That's awesome. If you ask me, that's a _musical blessing_
Awesome.
This is on a list of 20 perfect albums for me, this thing never gets old, it never gets on my nerves, I'm never ever, ever, EVER tired of it. It's infectious passion no matter what topic it touches on, it's clear, gorgeous production and its unbelievably life-affirming vibe, how can you NOT at least like this, let alone not LOVE it. A true masterpiece of music, a classic all can listen to and enjoy equally. I've never seen an album so amazingly achieve its goal in covering all aspects of life, whether it be the past, the present, the future, the great before and the great beyond, and speaking on all of it so passionately.
I love this album, and it loves all who listen to it.
Please, for the love of music and love, listen to this fucking album. You WILL like it.
I promise.
Agreed. This might be the only album for me that I will never NOT be in the mood to listen to. I can always find time in my week to listen again, and It has never grown old. I must've listened to 'Summer soft' and 'As' thousands of times at this point, and every time it's like it's my first time listening. It doesn't make sense how replayable this album is.
I would LOVE to know the other 19 albums you mentioned
What are the other 19 albums?
Stevie’s Magnum Opus. bro literally went god mode on this album. pinnacle of musicianship
Prince once stated in an interview that this was one of the Greatest album ever written...👌
Wtf is that Prince?
He's not wrong.
Huh
Yes that's true
This album singlehandedly carried me through covid and my Nana's passing. Every song on this album is memorable and catchy, and still has stuck with me now. I seriously cannot tell you how much every song on this thing surpasses beauty. If you haven't listened to this album I seriously cannot recommend it more. Or at least just listen to the songs As, Saturn, or Ordinary Pain. They're so fucking good they make me wanna cry.
Yes.
Sorry for your loss my dude hope ur good stranger
@@dillontaylor2569 It took me a while to process it but I'm all good now. I appreciate the love, hope you're doing well too
"Saturn" is one of his best and most underrated songs for me. If you've lost someone, lines like "on Saturn people live to be 205" hit hard (in a good way)
aw I hope your better. Bless her heart
In 2015 I emailed you before I went off to college asking you what a feels good windows down-type album that would get me happy for the future was. You recommended me this and it quite literally changed my life. Thanks Melon.
A person is too negative if they don't get happy listening to Stevie Wonder. If I'm happy I'm probably listening to Stevie Wonder.
Yes.
I love this.
@@want.to.b3.gamer670 If you don't like Stevie Wonder or feel any need to belittle his music, you're just a sad person. I know opinions exist and all, but I just feel bad for you if you dislike Stevie
@@aquacyanide it's just different when it comes to His music. It has so much joy and love in it.
"Weird Al - Amish Paradise" takes from
"Coolio - gangsta's paradise" which takes from
"Steview Wonder - Pastime Paradise" which takes from
"Bach - Prelude No. 2 in C Minor"
One of my fav musical journeys
I love stuff like this, another cool example is nujabes' aruarian dance
@@krzysiusisiu how does that goes?
@@kostajovanovic3711 pavane pour une infante defunte-Maurice Ravel
The lamp is low-mildred bailey
The lamp is low-laurindo almeida
And finally aruarian dance by nujabes
I have a spotify playlist specifically for this type of musical journey discovery.
I've listened to it, but how does _Prelude #2_ goes into _Pastime?_ they don't even really sound the same (and i don't mean instrumentally) 🤔
I always struggle to get through the classic reviews because hearing Fantano talk so enthusiastically about the album just makes me wanna go listen to the album straight away
Yes.
This album is so iconic I could've sworn melon already reviewed it. Surprised it took 10 years to be reviewed since the inception of classics week.
Literally. It’s the classic of classics
Yes.
Probably the best album ever made? The sheer amount of incredible songs, musicianship and lyrical focus is pretty much unmatched and it doesn't feel like a double album because it's so engaging
The chorus on Sir Duke is the single most infectiously uplifting musical moment ever recorded. I’m not a singer or dancer typically, but goddamn that song gets me every time.
🎵You can feel it all over...🎵
the chord progression in sir duke is genuinely mindblowing
This album changed my life…I always heard his hits when I was a kid…even had the honor to see him perform in 2016…didn’t hear this album until 2018 and I love it. Innervisions and Hotter than July are my favs too but man…blessed to see Stevie Wonder while we still have him 🙌🏽
Yes.
YESSS! Clicked instantly. This album is more than just a celebration of music, it is a celebration of life.
The greatest album of all time, imo.
Great review too!
its got nothing on Fulfilingness first finale
Second this
Yes.
@@wingcommander2165 Talking Book better but Songs in the Key tops everything fr
Songs in the key of life? Probably one of the best album titles I know of ... Unreal album .. funky, sexy, makes you want to dance, makes you think, makes you feel. Full of soul. Fuck yes/ 10
Another Star? Play it at my funeral.
The Daft Punk + Another Star mash-up from the Grammys a few years ago? Best Grammy's moment of all time, fuck off if you don't think so. Im sorry. I love you. But seriously you're wrong if you disagree and go watch it again.
@@TheseOpenRoads I fucking agree. I still listen to it with mad smile
@@TheseOpenRoads o
It’s incredible how seamless and immaculate this album is at all phases.
Yes.
"As" is legendary.
Stevie been in my Spotify top 5 artists in every year wrap-up that I’ve had. It’s music you live with. Songs in the Key of Life was also the first vinyl album I ever got when I bought a record player, and most played. Best ever for me
Nice name
@@liamernst9626 😎
Great review. What amazes me about this album (and Stevie in general in the 70's) is how he was almost genre-less. Everyone loved these songs - they are universal. The songs were popular on top 40, rock, funk and R&B stations back then. He even opened for the Rolling Stones on their massive 1972 US tour. This album is maybe not Stevie's best, but it's definitely his most impressive artistic statement.
Stevie quite literally has the best discog of all time.
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE: 10
Talking Book: 10
Innervisions: 10
Fulfillingness’ first finale: 10
Music of my mind: 8
In square circle: 8
youngboy better
He has an amazing discography but if i we're to say someone who has better I'd argue prince 👀
nav better
@@ozzyisthirsty8105 nah respectfully
Lil xan better
If the opening track to this doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will.
those opening "ooh-ooh-oohs" give me chills. as soon as i turned it on i knew i was in for something special.
Yes.
It makes me tear up what an album opener!!!
"Songs In The Key of Life" is the most perfect & important R&B double album ever recorded. It should be taught in college.
I'm 17 and just got into Stevie's songs, he quickly became my favorite artist. Truly timeless masterpieces!
One of the greatest albums of all time. Melon must have seen my comments.
Stevie was untouchable in the 70s for a reason
One of the best albums of all time, in my top 5 easily
Incredible album which, in my opinion, has its peak on “As” and “Another Star”. The subtle transition from the fist to the second is fantastic. I have always thought the album should have ended with “Another Star” because you really cannot go any further from there.
Oh totally. That’s probably one of my few critiques of this album. As and Another Star are such fantastic closing tracks that the songs afterwards (even a great song like Saturn) just pale in comparison.
It is the final song. The other 4 songs were an additional EP.
Lyrically Another Star could have been a standard Stevie lovelorn song but hell no, he's doing it so a samba /salsa groove, scorching horn riff and a goddamn minute and a half long flute solo of all things.
Reading the lyrics of As, it looks like the hippy-drippyest peace and love thing ever but the sheer power and feeling of his voice make it a powerful expression of timeless love.
I completely fucking agree. I mean additionally your opinion is probably what Stevie agreed with, considering in the original version Another Star was the closer to the album.
@@tariqthomas9090 I honestly agree, even though I don't have that criticism considering the final 4 tracks were added on later, and the original album ends with Another Star, I think Another Star and As are some of the most powerful songs every made. It's very hard to continue going up with that, and Stevie adds 4 PHENOMENAL tracks after it, but Another Star just has the most massive build-up I've heard on an album. It truly felt like every moment in the album lead up to those two final tracks.
Stevie's music just makes me soo happy, his music is joyful, bright and cheerful. It knocks you out your feet when you need it the most, it's the type of unique energy that he creates that you won't get it from anybody else.
It's crazy he made this timeless masterpiece at age 26. TWENTY-SIX. I'm still in my diapers at 26.
“ Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand”
I got to see Stevie Wonder perform this album on tour. What an experience that was. This album is just an transcendental experience.
my favourite album of all time. Thanks for this review Fantano cus it's hard to express just how much this album means to me and many others, and of course to the culture
I want “Joy Inside My Tears” to play at my wedding. 😭
Years ago I had a really emotional conversation with my dad about how this album saved his life. Granted I was a bit on the young end to fully understand just what he meant at the time but now at a more experienced age I can truly appreciate this masterpiece and how it could do such a thing. Its definitely 10/10 for me
A Stevie Wonder March Madness bracket would be insane, filled to the brim with classics
If classics deserve to be treated as 10s, this one is a frickin 27.
First Jimi Hendrix and now Stevie Wonder? You've been reading my mind, Melon. I've always wanted you to review the two. God bless
You know an album is really good when all the comments are actually about the album for once.
This one is like the classics of classics
favorite album of all time, no debate. stevie is the goat
Isn’t she lovely is one of the best songs ever made. Stevie Wonder is a legend.
I’ve always loved and admired Stevie Wonder’s songs at a pretty surface level, but yesterday I was driving and “Loves in need of love today” and idk why but it truly moved me, it literally took my breath away and made me so teary eyed. Just finished the whole album and ya... my fav of all time I’d say
The word that has always come to mind when hearing Stevie sing is refreshing. There is just something about his tone that is so refreshing to hear
I Wish i could listen to this album for the first time again
So happy you chose this. Finger’s crossed you keep the trend going and close out classics week with the ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ of Prince’s catalogue:
Sign O the Times.
Greatest album of all time
An album I can't really listen to because it gets me intensely emotional. Stevie has this incredible ability to cast spells in his songs, constantly reminding me that music is a mere two letters away from magic. It's overwhelming.
I have this exact problem with both SITKOL and Innervisions (especially Innervisions).
The music is too good that I can't listen to it in front of other people, it has to be alone in total silence so that I can cry and not be embarrassed about it ....
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS REVIEW FOR YEARS THIS IS MY FAV ALBUM OF ALL TIME
Always heard about Stevie Wonder but never really listened that much other than these few hits. Was shopping around in a record shop when I found a second-hand copy of this record, decided to give it a try since its Stevie Wonder. It blew my expectations out of the water, just an incredible, timeless album that sparks joy in ones life.
as great and praised as "As" is, the track that follows "Another Star" is one of my favorite tracks of all time. The orchestration and performance by Wonder is just magical.
What a based comment, glad to find another "Another Star" mega fan
Please please please do more Stevie Wonder. Would love to see a full length review on all his 70s run, he’s my favourite artist of all time and I’ve been waiting to hear your opinions on him and his music.
I actually think the 5 albums from his classic run are some of the most beautifully made pieces of music ever put forth by human being
isn't stevie wonder that guy that ripped off coolio?
I've listened to some of the hits off this album for a long time, but it wasn't until this past year that I listened to the whole thing front to back... and then continued to listen to it in it's entirety throughout the course of the year. As quickly became an anthem for me and played at my wedding. I even thought about putting out my wax copy and having guests sign the inner sleeve as I knew that that this album would stay with me for the rest of my life. It's hard for me to know how my year would have been without this album in it. Songs in the Key of Life has brought so much beauty and love into my life and it brings me a since of peace knowing that this exists and I can listen to it anytime and be transported to a better place.
I was so pumped to see this album in the thumbnail. After I got sucked into listening to this album, I of course went to the internet to look for validation on how incredible this album is and sadly saw nothing from our melon or much other music UA-camrs. This album gets a lot of attention, but deserves more. Especially from a younger audience in our current cultural landscape.
CLASSIC ALBUM
keep it classic, melon
Stevie Wonder's a God with Music, he really knows how to make the most beautiful music ever.
I love these classic reviews helps me find good music
Dude I just finished listening to this album for my first time earlier today. What an awesome coincidence
I squealed when I saw the notification; love this album so much and Stevie Wonder is one of my all time favorite artists!!!! An absolute masterpiece of an album in every way.
It's crazy that Stevie Wonder is so good, you could talk for forever about how good he is without ever mentioning that he's blind. But he's probably the most talented musician to ever make pop music, and he learned how to better than anybody else did without the benefit of sight.
Pastime Paradise is truly my favorite of the album, I just love how when it comes close to ending the background vocals starts off quiet but slowly builds up for a strong finish.
This is definitely my favorite album of all time. It's so so so amazing
Joy inside my Tears, Contusion, Summer Soft, Sir Duke, As, Black Man are all songs that have influenced me as a musician since early childhood. I'm so glad my parents bought this CD
My favorite album of all time. Maybe the only double album where every minute of the album feels essential and perfect
I've been listening to this album for a majority of 2021 and had been hoping for this review with no expecting of it coming through. Feels like Christmas all over again.
this classics week is pretty damn good my boy
Okay Anthony, I know we’re both from CT but this classics week is taking directly from albums I found last year
Yes!
About time this monster of an album received a classic review.
My dad loved Stevie Wonder. He was his favorite musician of all time but, this album in particular, he adored to pieces.
Thanks for the review Anthony, was hoping you'd do this. 70s Stevie is up there with my favourite music ever, Talking Book is a big one for me too.
of course! this is A great classic! love me some Stevie Wonder
for some reason the character of cal is so visceral to me I never register him as melon in a costume, cal is just a real separate person
i LOVE Stevie Wonder! This album is just fantastic. Quite possibly my favorite album of all time.
I was fortunate enough to see him perform this album in full on his 2015 tour. It was incredible
Cal hating Stevie Wonder makes so much sense when you take the lore into account.
Anyway this is a really album, every should listen
I got the honor of seeing this live back in 2015. This was peak Stevie Wonder. When I heard Saturn live, I bawled like a baby. And 'My Mama's Call' too. Awesome record.
this is probably the only album i've heard whose beauty alone can push me to tears
been waiting for this one for years. easily the greatest double album of all time and in my top 10 albums ever released
and the Greatest EP of the 20th Century.
Stevie is in my opinion the greatest artist of all time. I dont watch much of your videos but i like this review. my favorite from songs is probably knocks me off my feet. my favorite stevie songs from any album are probably knocks me off my feet, all in love is fair, or evil.
it's such a coincidence, i started listening to Stevie Wonder "Songs In The Key Of Life" on January, and this video was uploaded...
As is the greatest love song ever made (except maybe God Only Knows) and you went and gave it 5 seconds
This was a key album for me in the early stages of the pandemic in March/April 2020. Had never listened to it before that but got really into it while going on walks and stuff.
Ngiculela is Xhosa meaning I am singing. The album came out a few months after the soweto uprising in 1976 and it was in support of the black people during the Apartheid regime.
My favourite stevie song
The greatest double album of all time! The problem with most double albums is that they tend to lose momentum or run out of ideas in the second half of the record, but Stevie manages to keep things interesting throughout. Fantastic hooks, a number of themes and topics explored, immaculate production. An incredible achievement to top off one of the most significant runs in popular music history. There's a reason Stevie Wonder had a stranglehold on the Grammys in the 70s
Unfortunately, he will never be able to see this.
I've always been surprised at how great of a job he did on drums, like he did not miss on drums.
Yeah, this album is very essential. Elton John says it's his favorite. One of the best grammy winners.
One of the very best (like top 5) ever achievements in studio music!
Hard to tell if this album changed my life, or if it was a soundtrack to my life changing.
Let's say both.
stevie’s by far my favorite artist. he was fucking different
My mother and I both love this album with similar levels of personal impact and affection. I don’t know if any other album even got close to bridging that generational gap. Phenomenal in every sense of the word
Pastime Paradise is an amazing song. For me, it fills my soul with wordless emotions, its right up there with _Ain't no Sunshine_ , maybe even above
Beautiful record, honestly the only double album I can think of with no filler tracks.
Nice seeing "All Day Sucker" get some love -- underappreciated gem, though understandable given everything else on the album. Such a dirty funky bass groove, it's unbelievable.
I've always thought that Beck's "Dark Star" was heavily inspired by "Have a Talk with God", though I don't know if that's ever been confirmed.
You’ve been reviewing absolute high school bangers for me this years classic week. Thanks I feel truly blessed
Looking forward to Stevie's new album! Songs In Key was the first album I ever bought on vinyl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really think this is the greatest album ever made. It’s simply just untouchable.
its mid
@@lordcabber4846 lol
@@HotStrange he's a troll