Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life marks its 50th anniversary

musicSep 28, 202622552

Stevie Wonder's double album Songs in the Key of Life was released on September 28, 1976, and turns 50 today. Glide Magazine calls it Wonder's most ambitious and expansive record and says it is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever recorded; Prince reportedly called it "the best album ever recorded." The album produced enduring singles including "Sir Duke," "Isn't She Lovely," and "I Wish," while even non-singles have been celebrated as strong compositions of the era. BBC presenters Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie marked the anniversary with music and conversation about the record. Archive footage from the album's 1976 studio sessions, such as Wonder performing "As" with backup singers, remains available and is cited alongside anniversary coverage. Tributes and listening posts today emphasize the album's lasting influence on popular music and its role as a high point in Stevie Wonder's creative output.

Gummy Arts

@gummyarts.bsky.social

Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” was released 50 years ago today.

Colored-pencil card drawing of Stevie Wonder

85Yesterday

Quoting this

@aubergenius23

Part of my Gen X childhood soundtrack. An essential album from an unmatched artist.

The Quiet Norm(an)2

One of the greatest albums of the last half century

Albumism

@albumism.com

Stevie Wonder released his eighteenth studio album ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ (1976) 50 years ago this week | Listen to the album + read our tribute by @andy-healy.bsky.social here: album.ink/SWonderSITKOL

69Yesterday

Quoting this

Alex A. Pagliuca15

One of the greatest records in US history.

Wikipedia Brown4

I got this on vinyl somewhere at my mom's house and I need to find it when I go over there tomorrow.

candy 🍭2

arguably the most important/defining album of all time

Here’s Johnny 💙🇺🇸🐕‍🦺🎶🎸🇨🇦BLM🌈🇺🇦

@heresjohnny.bsky.social

#MusicChallenge #IsmuasMonthOfMusic Day 28- A song with a tritone substitution. Stevie Wonder – "Superstition" In the chorus, the bass and horn arrangements hint at a subV of V. Instead of cycling through the circle of fifths to get back to home /(E\flat\) minor. youtu.be/0CFuCYNx-1g?...

8816h ago

Billionaires Stealing Our Country1

He made Jeff Beck's song incredibly better. Clavinet kicks it.

RoseRed1

Kudos! I found this challenge challenging 😆. Well done✨✨✨

The 70s Guy

@stevenw888.bsky.social

'Songs in the Key of Life' was released on 26 Sept 1976 as a double LP with a 4-song bonus EP. It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart becoming only the 3rd album to achieve that feat and the 1st by an American artist at the time. The 1st two were both from Elton John. #StevieWonder

69Yesterday

mrxexon2

And he was one of the very first people to use a synthesizer on a major label.

Bflobob1

Stevie was on a streak of great albums from 1972 on with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Fullfillingness’ First Finale, but Songs in the Key of Life topped them all. Happy 50th birthday to a timeless sprawling masterpiece of an album.

Ashleigh

@vinylgeek.bsky.social

50 Today 1976 ● Stevie Wonder —— Songs In The Key Of Life ► #OTD #StevieWonder #vinyl

508h ago

Jimusic

@jimusic.bsky.social

Stevie Wonder released his eighteenth studio album, “Songs in the Key of Life” on this day in 1976. It is widely considered his magnum opus, blending pop, soul, R&B, jazz, funk and gospel. Thoughts? Favourite tracks? #StevieWonder

353h ago

DJ Mike V9

The last album in the greatest 5 album run in history. Unmatched to this day. Unmatched, I say!! I saw Stevie a few years ago, and he did a bunch of tracks from Songs in the Key of Life. It was the greatest concert of my life, and I've seen a few over the years... www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmG1...

Neill Roberts8

One of the greatest albums ever. Sir Duke As Pastime Paradise

topgun161616.bsky.social8

Sir Duke and I Wish are my favs.

Goufeld7

top 10 of all time

rozzy2024.bsky.social6

Sir Duke I Wish As Isn’t She Lovely Joy Inside My Tears

Fi6

Love Sir Duke and I Wish

Quoting this

Third Kind Records3

Happy 50th Birthday to possibly the greatest album of all time

molly mary o'brien

@missmollymary.bsky.social

when Stevie Wonder sang “music is a world within itself with a language we all understand”, i felt that

3116h ago

Mr Natural

@neilmatheson66.bsky.social

Stevie Wonder released his eighteenth studio album "Songs in the Key of Life" #OTD 1976 through Tamla Records.

256h ago

Ben Finlay

@benfinlay74.bsky.social

'Songs in the Key of Life' turns fifty today. I can't recall a time it wasn't around - it came out when I was just two years old - I can still remember the esteem it was held in by my parents & their friends, but most of all, the album's deep, rich, bassy sound on our 70s stereo. #musicsky

135h ago

Meidas Charise Lee 💙🌊🌴🥥🫘

@chariselee.bsky.social

“Songs in the key of life” one of the best albums, Ms Rachael, one of the best humans

1317h ago

jimmyzn.bsky.social

@jimmyzn.bsky.social

"No April rain, no flowers bloom No wedding Saturday within the month of June" I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder

1116h ago

Jeff Harris

@nemalki.bsky.social

Today, September 28, is the 50th anniversary of Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life, perhaps one of the greatest albums ever made. Every song is impactful, inspiring, mesmerizing, and truly amazing. To call Stevie a genius is an understatement. Now Playing: youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Phil (Primarily_Prog)

@primarilyprog.bsky.social

Now playing … Stevie Wonder ~ Songs In The Keys Of Life Celebrating its 50th anniversary tomorrow, Stevie’s 18th studio album is undoubtedly his magnum opus despite the four works of absolute genius that preceded it. A glorious blend of R&B, soul, funk, gospel and latin jazz.

922h ago

The Vinyl Arrears

@thevinylarrears.bsky.social

#OnThisDay 1976 Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder released His 18th studio album was released on Tamla records as most of his previous albums… his 9th Eivets Rednow was released on another Motown offshoot Gordy Records Wonder almost quit music before this album to do charity work

810h ago

2 sources

bbc.co.ukRadcliffe and Maconie - Tunes, chat, and Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life at 50 - BBC Sounds glidemagazine.comFifty Years Ago Today- Stevie Wonder Released ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ Album

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Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life marks its 50th anniversary

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