All Topics  
Songs in the Key of Life

 

   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link






 

Songs in the Key of Life



 
 
Songs in the Key of Life is an album by American musician Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty US top ten hits, won twenty-two Grammy Awards , plus one for Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, won an Academy Award for Best Song, an...
, released on Motown on September 28, 1976 (see 1976 in music
1976 in music

Events...
). It was the last of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind
Music of My Mind

Music of My Mind is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on March 3, 1972 . It was the first of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life....
, Talking Book
Talking Book

Talking Book is an album by Stevie Wonder. Released on October 27, 1972, it was the second of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life....
, Innervisions
Innervisions

Innervisions is an album by Stevie Wonder, released on Motown/Motown on August 3 1973 . It was the third of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life....
 and Fulfillingness' First Finale
Fulfillingness' First Finale

Fulfillingness' First Finale is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on July 22, 1974. It was the fourth of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life....
. A highly ambitious and experimental double LP, Songs in the Key of Life became the best-selling and among the most critically acclaimed albums of his career.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Songs in the Key of Life'
Start a new discussion about 'Songs in the Key of Life'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Songs in the Key of Life is an album by American musician Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty US top ten hits, won twenty-two Grammy Awards , plus one for Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, won an Academy Award for Best Song, an...
, released on Motown on September 28, 1976 (see 1976 in music
1976 in music

Events...
). It was the last of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind
Music of My Mind

Music of My Mind is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on March 3, 1972 . It was the first of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life....
, Talking Book
Talking Book

Talking Book is an album by Stevie Wonder. Released on October 27, 1972, it was the second of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life....
, Innervisions
Innervisions

Innervisions is an album by Stevie Wonder, released on Motown/Motown on August 3 1973 . It was the third of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life....
 and Fulfillingness' First Finale
Fulfillingness' First Finale

Fulfillingness' First Finale is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on July 22, 1974. It was the fourth of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life....
. A highly ambitious and experimental double LP, Songs in the Key of Life became the best-selling and among the most critically acclaimed albums of his career. In 2003, the album was ranked number 56 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone is a United States-based magazine devoted to music, politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J....
 magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time is the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone magazine published in November 2003.Related news articles:* The list was based on the votes of 273 rock musicians, critics and industry figures, each of whom submitted a weighted list of 50 albums....
.

Background


By 1976 Stevie Wonder had become one of the most popular figures in R&B and pop music, not only in the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 but worldwide. Within a short space of time, the albums Talking Book
Talking Book

Talking Book is an album by Stevie Wonder. Released on October 27, 1972, it was the second of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life....
, Innervisions
Innervisions

Innervisions is an album by Stevie Wonder, released on Motown/Motown on August 3 1973 . It was the third of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life....
 and Fulfillingness' First Finale
Fulfillingness' First Finale

Fulfillingness' First Finale is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on July 22, 1974. It was the fourth of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his "classic period", along with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life....
 were all back-to-back top five successes, with the latter two winning Grammy Award for Album of the Year
Grammy Award for Album of the Year

The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys. It has been awarded since 1959 and though it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the artist, the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer....
, in 1974 and 1975 respectively.

By the end of 1975, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty US top ten hits, won twenty-two Grammy Awards , plus one for Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, won an Academy Award for Best Song, an...
 became serious about quitting the music industry and to emigrate to Ghana
Ghana

The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders C?te d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south....
 working with handicapped children. Wonder had expressed his anger with the way that the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 Government
Government

Government is the body within any organization that has the authority to make and the power to enforce laws, regulations, or rules. Typically, the government refers to a civil government -- local, provincial, or national -- but commercial, academic, religious, or other formal organizations are also administered by governing bodies....
 were running the country. A farewell concert was being considered as the best way to bring down the curtain on his career. Wonder changed his decision, when he signed a new contract with Motown on August 5, 1975, thinking he was better off making the most of his career. At the time, rivals such as Arista and Epic
Epic Records

Epic Records is an United States record label. It is owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment. The label was founded in 1953 as a jazz label, and was eventually expanded to several genres of music....
 were also interested in him. The contract was laid out as a seven-year, seven LP, $37 million deal and gave him full artistic control, making this the largest deal ever made with a recording star up to that point. Almost at the beginning Stevie took a year off from the music market, with a project for a double album to be released in 1976. There was huge anticipation for the new album which was initially scheduled for release around October 1975. It was delayed on short notice when Wonder felt that further remixing was essential. According to Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty US top ten hits, won twenty-two Grammy Awards , plus one for Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, won an Academy Award for Best Song, an...
, the marketing campaign at Motown decided to take advantage of the delay by producing "We're almost finished" t-shirts.

Work on the new album continued into early 1976. A name was finally chosen for the album - Songs in the Key of Life. The title would represent the formula of a complex "key of life" and the proposals for indefinite success. The album was finally released on September 28, 1976 after a two year wait as a double LP album with a four track seven-inch EP entitled "A Something's Extra" ('Saturn', 'Ebony Eyes', 'All Day Sucker' and 'Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)') and a 24-page lyric and credit booklet.

Recording


The working title was Let's see life the way it is. Recording sessions for the album were spilt between the Crystal Industries in Hollywood; the Record Plant, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles

Los ?ngeles is the Capital of the Biob?o Province, in the municipality of the same name, in Regions of Chile VIII , in the center-south of Chile....
; Sausalito in California
California

California is a U.S. state on the West Coast of the United States of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and to the south the Mexico state of Baja California....
 and the Hit Factory in New York City
New York City

The City of New York is the List of United States cities by population in the United States, while the New York metropolitan area ranks among the List of urban areas by population....
. Stevie spent nearly three months instead of the original plan of only a few days at the Hit Factory record studio in New York
New York

The State of New York is a U.S. state in the Mid-Atlantic States and Northeastern United States regions of the United States and is the nation's List of U.S....
. As a perfectionist, Stevie spent long hours in the studio for almost every track he recorded. He was "not eating or sleeping, while everyone around him struggled to keep up". According to Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty US top ten hits, won twenty-two Grammy Awards , plus one for Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, won an Academy Award for Best Song, an...
, "If my flow is goin', I keep on until I peak".

Commercial reception

Highly anticipated, the album surpassed all commercial expectations. Surprisingly, it debuted straight at number 1 on the Billboard Album Charts on October 8, 1976, becoming the third album in history to achieve that feat and the first by an American artist. In 1975, Elton John
Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John Order of the British Empire is an England singer-songwriter, composer and pianist.In his four-decade career, John has been one of the dominant forces in rock and popular music, especially during the 1970s....
 released the first two albums to debut right at the top of the Billboard album chart with his albums Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy

Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy is the ninth studio album by Great Britain singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1975. It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, the first ever to do so, and stayed there for seven weeks....
 and Rock of the Westies
Rock of the Westies

Rock of the Westies is the tenth studio album by Great Britain singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1975 .The name Rock of the Westies is a spoonerism of the phrase "West of the Rocky Mountains" as well as a possible reference to people from "Westy", a suburban district in Warrington, England....
. After debuting at number one, Songs in the Key of Life spent thirteen consecutive weeks at number one, eleven during 1976. It was the album with the most weeks at number one during the year. In those eleven weeks, Songs in the Key of Life managed to block four other albums from reaching the top – in order, Boz Scaggs
Boz Scaggs

Boz Scaggs is an United States singer, songwriter and guitarist. He gained fame in the 1970s with several Top 20 Hits in the United States along with the #2 album Silk Degrees....
's Silk Degrees
Silk Degrees

Silk Degrees is an album released by Boz Scaggs on the Columbia Records label in 1976. The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200.The album marked Scaggs' commercial zenith, mainly spearheaded by the R&B/Soul music hit "Lowdown"....
, Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is an United States R&B band led by Maurice White. Formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969, they are known for a number of hit singles, including "Shining Star " and "September ", for their fusion of Latin music, Funk, Soul Music, Jazz, Pop Music, rock music and other genres into one unique sound and the dynamic sound of their...
's Spirit, the Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin were an English rock music band formed in 1968 by Jimmy Page , Robert Plant , John Paul Jones and John Bonham . With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin are regarded as one of the first heavy metal music bands....
's soundtrack
The Song Remains the Same (album)

The Song Remains the Same is the soundtrack album of the The Song Remains the Same by the England rock band Led Zeppelin. The album was originally released in 1976, before being remastered and re-issued in 2007....
 for The Song Remains the Same
The Song Remains the Same (film)

The Song Remains the Same is a concert film by the England Rock music Musical ensemble Led Zeppelin. The recording of the film took place during three nights of concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City, during the band's Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1973....
 and Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart

Roderick David "Rod" Stewart Order of the British Empire is a British singer and songwriter born and raised in London, England and currently residing in Epping....
's A Night on the Town
A Night on the Town

A Night on the Town is Rod Stewart's seventh album, released in 1976....
. On January 15, 1977, the album finally dropped to number two behind Eagles
Eagles

The Eagles are an American rock music band formed in Los Angeles, California during the early 1970s. The group chose the name Eagles as a nod to The Byrds ....
 Hotel California
Hotel California

Hotel California is an album released by the United States rock music band Eagles in late 1976 . It is the first Eagles album without founding member Bernie Leadon and the first album with Joe Walsh....
 and the following week, it fell to number four but on January 29 it managed to spend a fourteenth and final week at the top. The album then began its final fall. It spent a total of thirty-five weeks inside the Top Ten and eighty weeks on the Billboard albums chart.

In all, Songs in the Key of Life became the second best-selling album of 1977 in the U.S., only behind Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac are a United Kingdom/United States rock music band formed in 1967 which have experienced a high turnover of personnel and varied levels of success....
's blockbuster Rumours
Rumours

Rumours is the thirteenth album by Rock music band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1977 in music. It was the second album recorded with this line-up, following the successful self-titled Fleetwood Mac album in 1975....
, and it was certified as a Diamond album by the RIAA, for sales of ten million copies in the U.S. alone.

Singles

Songs in the Key of Life was also the most successful Stevie Wonder project in terms of singles. The lead-off, the upbeat "I Wish
I Wish (Stevie Wonder song)

"I Wish" is a hit funk song by Stevie Wonder. It was released as a Single and included on the album Songs in the Key of Life. Written and produced by Wonder, the song focuses on his childhood....
" was released in November 1976, over a month after the album was released. On January 15, 1977 it reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart, where it spent five weeks at the top. Seven days after, it also reached the summit of the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100

The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard Single popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on airplay and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday; while the airplay tracking-week runs from Wednesday to Tuesday....
, although it spent only one week at number one. The track became an international Top 10 single, and also reached number five in the UK. "I Wish" became one of Stevie Wonder's standards and remained one of his most sampled songs. In 1999, Will Smith
Will Smith

Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. is an United Statesn actor, film producer and rapping. He has enjoyed success in music, television and film....
 used "I Wish" as the base for his U.S. number one single "Wild Wild West". The song repeated the main melody of "I Wish" as a riff and some lyrics re-formed. The follow-up, the jazzy "Sir Duke
Sir Duke

"Sir Duke" is a song composed and performed by Stevie Wonder, from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. The track topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Black Singles charts, and reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart, his biggest hit there at the time....
" surpassed the commercial success of "I Wish". It was released on March 1977 and also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (spending three weeks at the top starting on May 21) and the R&B Charts (for one week starting on May 28). It also reached number two in the UK, where it was kept off the top spot by Deniece Williams
Deniece Williams

Deniece "Niecy" Williams is a Grammy Awards of 1983-winning United States singer, songwriter and record producer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s....
' "Free".

As sales for the album began to decline during the second half of 1977, the two other singles from Songs in the Key of Life failed to achieve the commercial success of "I Wish" and "Sir Duke". "Another Star
Another Star

"Another Star" is a song written and performed by Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. It reached #32 on the Billboard Hot 100, #18 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and #2 on the Dance/Disco chart....
" was released in August and reached only #32 on the Hot 100 (#18 on the R&B charts, and #29 in the UK) and "As
AS

AS may refer to:...
" came out two months later, peaking at #36 on both the Pop and R&B Charts. Though not released as a single (because, even when Motown requested Wonder for releasing it, Stevie refused to), "Isn't She Lovely
Isn't She Lovely

"Isn't She Lovely" is a song by Stevie Wonder, from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. In it he celebrates the birth of his daughter, Aisha....
" received wide airplay and became one of Wonder's more popular songs. It was soon released by David Parton
David Parton

David Parton is a singer-songwriter and record producer from Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, England.He achieved songwriter success writing songs for Sweet Sensation in the mid 1970s, namely "Sad Sweet Dreamer" which was a chart-topper single in the United Kingdom, and "Purely by Coincidence" which also record chart....
 as a single in 1977 and became a Top 10 hit in the UK.

Critical reception

At the time of release, reporters and music critics, and everyone who had worked on the album, traveled to a farm in Connecticut
Connecticut

Connecticut is a U.S. state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. The state borders New York to the west and south , Massachusetts to the north, and Rhode Island to the east....
 for a press preview of the album. Stevie received everybody, autographed copies of the album and gave interviews.

Critical reception was warmly positive. Most people were awed by Songs in the Key of Life. At the time, it was like a guided tour through the whole range of musical styles as well as through the life and feelings of the artist. It included recollections of childhood, of first love and lost love. It contained songs about faith and love among all peoples and songs about social justice for the poor and downtrodden.

The album won a Grammy Award
Grammy Award

The Grammy Awards ?or Grammys?are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry....
 for Best Male Pop Vocal
Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

The Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance has been awarded since 1966. The award had several minor name changes:*In 1966 the award was known as Best Contemporary Vocal Performance - Male...
 and Album of the Year
Grammy Award for Album of the Year

The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys. It has been awarded since 1959 and though it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the artist, the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer....
. With time, the album became a standard, and it is considered Stevie Wonder's signature album. "Songs in the Key of Life" is often cited as one of the greatest albums in popular music
Popular music

Popular music is music that is accessible to the mainstream and disseminated by one or more of the mass media. It belongs to any of a number of musical genres, and stands in contrast to classical music, which historically was the music of the elite and upper strata of society, and traditional music which was disseminated orally....
 history. It was voted as the best album of the year in "The Village Voice
The Village Voice

The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper in New York City, United States featuring investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts reviews and events listings for New York City....
"'s annual Pazz & Jop
Pazz & Jop

The Pazz & Jop critics' poll is a highly influential poll of music critics run by The Village Voice newspaper. It is compiled every year from the top ten lists of hundreds of music critics ....
 critics poll; in 2001 the TV network VH1
VH1

VH1 is an United States cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in television, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slighter older demographic than its sister channel, focusing on the lighter, softer side of popular music....
 named it the seventh greatest album of all time; in 2003, the album was ranked number 56 on "Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone is a United States-based magazine devoted to music, politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J....
" magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Many musicians also remarked the quality of the album and its influence on their own work. For example, Elton John
Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John Order of the British Empire is an England singer-songwriter, composer and pianist.In his four-decade career, John has been one of the dominant forces in rock and popular music, especially during the 1970s....
 said, in his notes for Stevie Wonder on the 2003 "Rolling Stone"'s list of The Immortals - The Greatest Artists of All Time (in which Wonder was ranked number 15): "Let me put it this way: wherever I go in the world, I always take a copy of Songs in the Key of Life. For me, it's the best album ever made, and I'm always left in awe after I listen to it." Especially R&B singers have praised the album – Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is an United States singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. She made her recording debut in 1990 under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, and became the first recording artist to have her first five singles top the U.S....
 generally names the album as one of her favourites, and also Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an United States singer, songwriter,actress, record producer, film producer, and former model . Houston rose to international fame in the mid-1980s and her crossover success opened doors for many other African American women to find success in booty shaking & pop music and movies....
 remarked the influence of Songs in the Key of Life on her singing. (During the photoshoot for her Whitney: The Greatest Hits
Whitney: The Greatest Hits

Whitney: The Greatest Hits is a compilation album by United States singer Whitney Houston, released in 2000. The set consists of disc one with ballads and disc two with uptempo numbers and remixes....
, as its seen on its respective home video
Home video

Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or hired for home entertainment. The term originates from the VHS/Betamax era but has carried over into the current DVD/Blu-ray Disc age....
, the album was played throughout the photo sessions as Houston's request.)

In September 2008, the album was voted the Top Album of All Time by the Yahoo!
Yahoo!

Yahoo! Inc. is an United States public company corporation with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, , and provides Internet services worldwide....
 Music Playlist Blog, using a formula that combined 4 parameters - "Album Staying Power Value + Sales Value + Critical Rating Value + Grammy Award Value".

Track listing


Side one

  1. "Love's in Need of Love Today" (Wonder) – 7:06
    • Eddie “Bongo” Brown—Collinga
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
  2. "Have a Talk with God" (Calvin Hardaway, Wonder) – 2:42
    • All Instruments Stevie Wonder
  3. "Village Ghetto Land" (Gary Byrd, Wonder) – 3:25
    • All Instruments Stevie Wonder
  4. "Contusion" (Wonder) – 3:46
    • Mike Sembello—Lead Guitar
    • Raymond Pounds—Drums
    • Nathan Watts—Bass
    • Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
    • Gregory Phillinganes—Keyboard
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
    • Michael Gray, Josie James, Shirley Brewer, Artece May—Vocals
  5. "Sir Duke
    Sir Duke

    "Sir Duke" is a song composed and performed by Stevie Wonder, from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. The track topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Black Singles charts, and reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart, his biggest hit there at the time....
    " (Wonder) – 3:52
    • Raymond Pounds—Drums
    • Nathan Watts—Bass
    • Mike Sembello—Lead Guitar
    • Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
    • Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone
    • Raymond Maldonado—Trumpet
    • Trevor Laurence—Tenor Saxophone
    • Steve Madaio—Trumpet
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder


Side two

  1. "I Wish
    I Wish (Stevie Wonder song)

    "I Wish" is a hit funk song by Stevie Wonder. It was released as a Single and included on the album Songs in the Key of Life. Written and produced by Wonder, the song focuses on his childhood....
    " (Wonder) – 4:12
    • Nathan Watts—Bass
    • Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone
    • Raymond Maldonado—Trumpet
    • Trevor Laurence—Tenor Saxophone
    • Steve Madaio—Trumpet
    • Raymond Pounds—Drums *Stevie Wonder states on the 1997 'Classic Albums' documentary about the making of SITKOL that he himself played drums on this track*
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
  2. "Knocks Me Off My Feet" (Wonder) – 3:36
    • All Instruments Stevie Wonder
  3. "Pastime Paradise" (Wonder) – 3:27
    • Raymond Maldonado, Bobbye Hall—Percussion
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
    • Hare Krishna, West Angeles Church Choir—Background Vocals
  4. "Summer Soft" (Wonder) – 4:14
    • Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
    • Ronnie Foster—Organ
    • Larry “Nastyee” Latimer—Percussion
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
  5. "Ordinary Pain" (Wonder) – 6:16
    • Mike Sembello—Lead Guitar
    • Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
    • Minnie Riperton, Mary Lee Whitney, Deniece Williams, Syreeta Wright—Background Vocals
    • Shirley Brewer—Reply
    • Linda Lawrence, Terri Hendricks, Sundray Tucker, Charity McCrary, Madelaine Jones—Reply's Background Vocals


Side three

  1. "Isn't She Lovely
    Isn't She Lovely

    "Isn't She Lovely" is a song by Stevie Wonder, from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. In it he celebrates the birth of his daughter, Aisha....
    " (Wonder) – 6:34
    • Gregory Phillinganes—Keyboard
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
  2. "Joy Inside My Tears" (Wonder) – 6:30
    • Gregory Phillinganes—Keyboard
    • Susaye Green—Background vocals
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
  3. "Black Man" (Byrd/Wonder) – 8:27
    • Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
    • Steve Madaio—Trumpet
    • George Bohanon—Trombone
    • Glen Ferris—Trombone


Side four

  1. "Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing" (Wonder) – 3:48
    • Charles Brewer, Shirley Brewer, Renee Hardaway, Nelson Hayes, Marietta Waters, Nathan Watts, John Fischbach, Amale Mathews, Josette Valentino—Background percussion
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
  2. "If It's Magic" (Wonder) – 3:12
    • Dorothy Ashby—Harp
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
  3. "As
    As (song)

    "As" is a song written and performed by Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. It reached #36 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs....
    " (Wonder) – 7:08
    • Nathan Watts—Bass, Handclaps
    • Dean Parks—Guitar
    • Herbie Hancock—Keyboards, Handclaps
    • Greg Brown—Drums
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
    • Mary Lee Whitney—Background Vocals
    • Dave Hanson, Yolanda Simon, Josette Valentino—Handclaps
  4. "Another Star
    Another Star

    "Another Star" is a song written and performed by Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. It reached #32 on the Billboard Hot 100, #18 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and #2 on the Dance/Disco chart....
    " (Wonder) – 8:08
    • Bobbi Humphrey—Flute
    • George Benson—Guitar & Background Vocals
    • Hank Redd—Alto Saxophone
    • Raymond Maldonado—Trumpet
    • Trevor Laurence—Tenor Saxophone
    • Steve Madaio—Trumpet
    • Nathan Alford, Jr.—Percussion
    • Carmello Hungria Garcia—Timbales
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
    • Josie James—Background Vocals


A Something's Extra


Side one
  1. "Saturn" (Michael Sembello
    Michael Sembello

    Michael Sembello is a Grammy Award Winning and Oscar nominated United States musician....
    , Wonder)
    – 4:54
    • Mike Sembello—Lead Guitar
    • Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
    • Gregory Phillinganes—Keyboard
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
  2. "Ebony Eyes" (Wonder) – 4:11
    • Nathan Watts—Bass
    • Jim Horn—Saxophone
    • Peter “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow—Steel Guitar
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder


Side two
  1. "All Day Sucker" (Wonder) – 5:06
    • Ben Bridges—Rhythm Guitar
    • Mike Sembello—Rhythm Guitar
    • W. G. "Snuffy" Walden—Lead Guitar
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder
    • Carolyn Denis—Background Vocals
  2. "Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)" (Wonder) – 3:55
    • Nathan Watts—Bass
    • All Other Instruments Stevie Wonder


The "A Something's Extra" 7" EP was included with the special-edition version of the original LP. These tracks are also on most CD versions of the album, either split between both discs or appended to the end of the second disc.

Personnel

  • Stevie Wonder - Harmonica, Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Vocals, Drums
  • Michael Sembello
    Michael Sembello

    Michael Sembello is a Grammy Award Winning and Oscar nominated United States musician....
    - Guitar
  • Sneaky Pete Kleinow
    Sneaky Pete Kleinow

    Peter E. "Sneaky Pete" Kleinow was an United States country rock musician, songwriter, and a motion picture special effects artist....
    - Pedal Steel
  • George Benson
    George Benson

    George Benson is an American musician, whose recording career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist. He is however, better known to the public at large as a Pop music and R&B singer, famous for such hits as "Give Me the Night", "Lady Love Me ", "Turn Your Love Around", "Inside Love", "In Your Eyes", and "This Masquerade", among...
    - Guitar, Vocals
  • Ronnie Foster
    Ronnie Foster

    Ronnie Foster is an United States funk, jazz, and soul organist.He has worked with a wide range of musicians, including jazz guitarist George Benson and his 1976 album Breezin', where he plays the electric piano, Mini-Moog, and contributes one song, "Lady."....
    - Organ
  • Herbie Hancock
    Herbie Hancock

    Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is a jazz pianist and composer. He embraces elements of rock and roll and soul music while adopting freer stylistic elements from jazz....
    - Keyboards, Handclapping
  • Dean Parks
    Dean Parks

    Dean Parks is a leading studio musician and guitarist from Ft Worth Texas. Dean was member of The North Texas State One O'clock Lab Band before moving to Los Angeles to work with Sonny & Cher in 1970....
    - Guitar
  • Greg Phillinganes
    Greg Phillinganes

    Greg Phillinganes is an active session keyboardist in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of Cass Tech.Phillinganes was discovered by Stevie Wonder who heard a cassette of instrumental renditions of his own songs done by Phillinganes....
    - Keyboards
  • W.G. "Snuffy" Walden - Guitar
  • Nathan Watts
    Nathan Watts

    Nathan Watts is an American Session musician bass guitar player, best known for his work with Stevie Wonder from the 1970s to the present.He has also performed with several other artists, including The Jacksons, whom he played bass for on their "Destiny" and "Triumph" albums....
    - Bass, Vocals, Handclapping
  • Greg Brown - Drums
  • Raymond Lee Pounds - Drums
  • Hank Redd - Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)
  • George Bohannon - Trombone
  • Ben Bridges - Guitar, Sitar
  • Dorothy Ashby
    Dorothy Ashby

    Dorothy Ashby was an United States jazz harpist and composer.Along with Alice Coltrane, Ashby extended the popularization of Jazz harp past a novelty, showing how the instrument can be utilized seamlessly as much a Bebop instrument as the saxophone....
    - Harp
  • Bobbi Humphrey
    Bobbi Humphrey

    Barbara Ann Humphrey is an United States jazz flautist and Singing who plays jazz Fusion, jazz-funk and soul-jazz styles. Bobbi Humphrey has performed for audiences around the world....
    - Flute
  • Howard "Buzzy" Feiten
    Buzz Feiten

    Howard "Buzz" Feiten is a North American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and session musician. He is best known as a lead and rhythm electric guitarist, and has been in hot demand for sessions, concert tours, albums and CDs since the late 1960s....
    - Guitar
  • Steve Madaio - Trumpet
  • Trevor Lawrence - Sax (Tenor)
  • Glen Ferris - Trombone
  • Jim Horn
    Jim Horn

    Jim Horn is an American saxophone. He was born in Los Angeles, and after replacing HoF saxophonist Steve Douglas in 1959, he played tenor sax on Duane Eddy recordings, including "Shazam"....
    - Saxophone
  • Deniece Williams
    Deniece Williams

    Deniece "Niecy" Williams is a Grammy Awards of 1983-winning United States singer, songwriter and record producer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s....
    - Vocals
  • Minnie Riperton
    Minnie Riperton

    Minnie Julia Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her five-and-a-half octave vocal range and her 1975 single "Lovin' You"....
    - Vocals
  • Gary Byrd - Vocals
  • Michael Wycoff
    Michael Wycoff

    Michael Wycoff was an American R&B singer.Wycoff sang backup on Stevie Wonder's album Songs in the Key of Life. He signed a solo contract with RCA and released three albums between 1981 and 1983, scoring a few hit singles on the U.S....
    - Vocals
  • Larry Scott - Sound Effects
  • Carol Cole - Percussion
  • Bobbye Hall - Percussion
  • Jay Boy Adams - Vocals
  • Nathan Alford, Jr. - Percussion
  • Henry America - Vocals
  • Linda America - Vocals
  • Baradras - Vocals
  • Brenda Barnett - Vocals
  • Khalif Bobatoon - Vocals
  • Starshemah Bobatoon - Vocals
  • Sudana Bobatoon - Vocals
  • Charles Brewer - Percussion, Programming, Vocals
  • Shirley Brewer - Percussion, Vocals, Speaking Part
  • Berry Briges - Vocals
  • Cecilia Brown - Vocals
  • Eddie "Bongo" Brown - Percussion
  • Jean Brown - Vocals
  • Rodney Brown - Vocals
  • Colleen Carleton - Percussion, Vocals
  • Addie Cox - Vocals
  • Agnideva Dasa - Vocals
  • Duryodhana Guru Dasa - Vocals
  • Jayasacinandana Dasa - Vocals
  • Jitamrtyi Dasa - Vocals
  • Vedavyasa Dasa - Vocals
  • Cinmayi Dasi - Vocals
  • Yogamaya Dasi - Vocals
  • Carolyn Dennis
    Carolyn Dennis

    Carolyn Dennis , sometimes professionally known as Carol Dennis or Carol Dennis-Dylan is an American singer and actor, best known for her work with, and marriage to Bob Dylan....
    - Vocals
  • Bhakta Eddie - Vocals
  • Doe Rani Edwards - Vocals
  • Jacqueline F. English - Vocals
  • Ethel Enoex - Vocals
  • Al Jocko Fann - Vocals
  • Barbara Fann - Vocals
  • Melani Fann - Vocals
  • Shelley Fann - Vocals
  • Tracy Fann - Vocals
  • John Fischbach - Percussion, Programming, Vocals, Engineer
  • Susie Fuzzell - Vocals
  • Carmelo Garcia - Percussion, Timbales
  • Anthony Givens - Vocals
  • Audrey Givens - Vocals
  • Derrick Givens - Vocals
  • Mildred Givens - Vocals
  • Michael Lee Gray - Vocals
  • Mimi Green - Vocals
  • Susaye Greene Brown - Vocals
  • Bhakta Gregory - Vocals
  • Renee Hardaway - Percussion, Vocals
  • John Harris - Sound Effects
  • Jeania Harris - Vocals
  • John Harris - Programming
  • Troy Harris - Vocals
  • Nelson Hayes - Percussion, Sound Effects, Vocals
  • Terry Hendricks - Vocals
  • H. David Henson - Assistant Engineer
  • Don Hunter - Programming, Sound Effects
  • Adrian Janes - Vocals
  • Josie James - Vocals
  • Calvin Johnson - Vocals
  • Carol Johnson - Vocals
  • Patricia Johnson - Vocals
  • Madelaine Jones - Vocals
  • Bhakta Kevin - Vocals
  • Phillip Kimble - Vocals
  • James Lambert - Vocals
  • Linda Lawrence - Vocals,
  • Irma Leslie - Vocals
  • Kim Lewis - Vocals
  • Carl Lockhart - Vocals
  • Gail Lockhart - Vocals
  • Raymond Maldonado - Percussion, Trumpet
  • Carolyn Massenburg - Vocals
  • May - Vocals
  • Charity McCrary - Vocals
  • Linda McCrary-Campbell - Vocals
  • Lonnie Morgan - Vocals
  • Kim Nixon - Vocals
  • Lisa Nixon - Vocals
  • Larri Nuckens - Vocals
  • Larry Latimer - Percussion, Vocals
  • Amale Mathews - Percussion, Vocals
  • Gary Olazabal - Engineer , Bass Sound
  • Edna Orso - Percussion, Vocals
  • Marietta Waters - Percussion, Vocals
  • Josette Valentino - Percussion, Vocals, Handclapping
  • Gwen Perry - Vocals
  • Gregory Rudd - Vocals
  • Rukmini - Vocals
  • Yolanda Simmons - Vocals, Handclapping
  • Keith Slaughter - Vocals
  • Rosona Starks - Vocals
  • Dennis Swindell - Vocals
  • Sundray Tucker - Vocals
  • Gary Veney - Vocals
  • Sheryl Walker - Vocals
  • Mary Lee Whitney - Vocals
  • Syreeta Wright
    Syreeta Wright

    Syreeta Wright , who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was a Grammy Award-nominated United Statesn R&B music–Soul music singer-songwriter....
    - Vocals
  • Michael Gray - Vocals
  • Susaye Greene - Vocals
  • William Moore - Vocals
  • Fountain Jones - Programming


Covers and Samples


Jazz saxophonist Najee
Najee

Jerome Najee Rasheed born in New York, NY is a Jazz/Smooth Jazz artist.He was a member of Chaka Khan's band in 1983, . In addition to all the saxophones , Najee also plays flute, and keyboards....
 covered the complete album as a tribute to Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty US top ten hits, won twenty-two Grammy Awards , plus one for Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, won an Academy Award for Best Song, an...
 in his 1995 release aptly named Songs From The Key Of Life.

Several songs from Songs in the Key of Life have been covered
Cover version

In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition of a previously recorded, commercially released song.In its current use, it can sometimes have a pejorative meaning — implying that the original recording should be regarded as the definitive version, usually in the sense of an "authentic" rendition, and all...
 and sampled
Sampling

Sampling may refer to:*Sampling , converting a continuous signal into a discrete signal*Sampling , re-using portions of sound recordings in a piece...
 by other artists.

"Love's In Need of Love Today" : Later recorded by BLACKstreet
BLACKstreet

BLACKstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1992 by Teddy Riley , the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy . The band members are: Teddy Riley , Chauncey Black , Mark Middleton, and Eric Williams....
 in 1994, Dave Hollister
Dave Hollister

Dave Hollister is a American R&B vocalist who found fame during the 1990s as one quarter of the Platinum-selling R&B quartet BLACKstreet before going on to a solo career....
 in 2002; also by Joan Osborne
Joan Osborne

Joan Osborne is an United States singer-songwriter. She is best known for her song "One of Us ," and for her work with members of The Grateful Dead....
 on the cover album How Sweet It Is. "Have A Talk With God" : Sampled by Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg

Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg , is a Grammy Award-nominated American rapper, record producer, and actor....
 for his 2006 song "Conversations", which featured a re-recorded vocal by Stevie Wonder himself. "Contusion" : Later chopped up and melded with other jazz samples for the Venetian Snares
Venetian Snares

Venetian Snares is the main performing alias of Canada electronic musician Aaron Funk .From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada, Funk is known for making electronic music often in odd numbered time signatures ....
 song "Banana Seat Girl" (2002). "I Wish" : Later recorded, with different lyrics, by Will Smith
Will Smith

Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. is an United Statesn actor, film producer and rapping. He has enjoyed success in music, television and film....
 as the theme song for the film Wild Wild West
Wild Wild West

Wild Wild West is a science fiction Action_film#Sub-genres directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Will Smith, Kevin Kline , Kenneth Branagh and Salma Hayek....
. Sampled and remixed by Ben Leibrand for inclusion on his 1990 album Styles and featuring the rapping talents of (Miss) Nasty Chat. Sampled by Digital Underground
Digital Underground

Digital Underground is an Alternative hip hop group from Oakland, California....
 for their song "No Nose Job". Sampled by The Black Dog
Black Dog Productions

The Black Dog was founded by Ken Downie along with Ed Handley and Andy Turner. In 1989, they were unable to find a label to back their releases and had to start their own, Black Dog Productions....
 for their song "Ambience With Teeth". "Isn't She Lovely" : a UK top ten hit for David Parton
David Parton

David Parton is a singer-songwriter and record producer from Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, England.He achieved songwriter success writing songs for Sweet Sensation in the mid 1970s, namely "Sad Sweet Dreamer" which was a chart-topper single in the United Kingdom, and "Purely by Coincidence" which also record chart....
 in 1977. Also covered By Jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour
Lee Ritenour

Lee Mack "Captain Fingers" Ritenour is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, recording artist, composer and producer. He began his career at 16 as a session player....
 on his Captain Fingers
Captain Fingers

Captain Fingers is the third studio album by guitarist Lee Ritenour, released in 1977 on Epic Records.Track listingPersonnel...
 album "Black Man" : Sung by a group of children on The Richard Pryor Show? "Pastime Paradise" : Later recorded by Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto

Ray Barretto a.k.a. King of the Hard Hands , was a Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rico jazz musician, widely credited as the godfather of Latin jazz....
 and reworked into "Gangsta's Paradise
Gangsta's Paradise (song)

"Gangsta's Paradise" is a hip hop music song by Coolio featuring L.V. from the movie Dangerous Minds . The song was later released on the albums Gangsta's Paradise and Dangerous Minds in 1995....
" by Coolio
Coolio

Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. , better known by the stage name Coolio, is a Grammy Award-winning United States rapper and actor. He rose to fame in 1994 with his debut single Fantastic Voyage, and later in 1995 in music with the hit single Gangsta's Paradise , which appeared on the soundtrack for the film Dangerous Minds....
 in 1995, whose version was parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic

Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an United Statesn singer-songwriter, music producer, actor, comedian and satire. Yankovic is known in particular for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts....
 as "Amish Paradise" in 1996. Sampled again as the basis of "Curtain Falls" by the boy-band Blue
Blue (boy band)

Blue were an England pop music boy band consisting of four members: Lee Ryan, Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Simon Webbe. During their 4 year success in the music scene, the band sold over 7 million records....
 on 2004. In 1999 the song was covered by the Finnish humppa band Elakelaiset as "Paratiisihumppa". Also recorded by Patti Smith
Patti Smith

Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an United States singer-songwriter, poet and artist who was a highly influential component of the punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses ....
 on her 2007 cover album Twelve. Also sampled in "3–6 in the Mornin" by Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia

Three 6 Mafia is an Academy Awards winning United States Rap music group originating from Memphis, Tennessee, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 by DJ Paul, Lord Infamous, and Juicy J, they shortly thereafter recruited fellow Memphian rappers Koopsta Knicca, Gangsta Boo, and Crunchy Black....
 and "Crack", a bonus track off Scarface
Scarface

Scarface may refer to:*Scarface or Al Capone*Scarface , a film based on the life of Al Capone*Scarface , a film starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana...
's 2007 album Made
Made (album)

Made is the eighth official album from rapper Scarface . It was released on December 4, 2007 and has received mostly positive reviews....
. Also covered by Sunlightsquare on their 2009 album Urban Latin Soul. "Knocks Me Off My Feet" : Later recorded by Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross

Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an United States rhythm and blues and soul music singer-songwriter, and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times....
 in 1996 and then by Donnell Jones in 1996. "Village Ghetto Land" : Covered by George Michael
George Michael

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou , best known as George Michael, is a two-time Grammy Award winning, England singer-songwriter, who has had a career as frontman of the duo Wham! as well as a soul music-influenced, solo Pop music musician....
. Later sampled on Warren G
Warren G

Warren Griffin III better known by his stage name Warren G, is an United States West Coast hip hop rapping and hip hop producer. His biggest hit was the single "Regulate " with Nate Dogg released in 1994....
's "Ghetto Village", off his 2001 album The Return of the Regulator
The Return of the Regulator

The Return of the Regulator is the fourth album from Warren G. Although the album can be considered as a return to the roots of west coast gangster music, it sold less than the two previous albums, due to lack of proper promotion....
. In this version the melody is slightly accelerated and the song is retrofitted with Warren's signature brand of G-Funk
G-funk

G-funk, or gangsta funk, is a type of hip hop music that emerged from West Coast hip hop gangsta rap in the early 1990s. G-funk incorporates multi-layered and melodic synthesizers, slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, background female vocals, the extensive sampling of p-funk tunes, and a high portamento sine wave keyboard lead....
. "As" : Later recorded as an instrumental by Jean-Luc Ponty
Jean-Luc Ponty

Jean-Luc Ponty is a French virtuoso violinist and jazz composer....
 in 1982. Other covers include Nichole Nordeman
Nichole Nordeman

Nichole Nordeman is a nine time Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian music American singer....
 in 2000 and by Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton , is an United States singer-songwriter and a former heavy metal music singer, best known for his soft rock ballads and tenor vocals....
 in 2001. Also a successful duet between George Michael
George Michael

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou , best known as George Michael, is a two-time Grammy Award winning, England singer-songwriter, who has had a career as frontman of the duo Wham! as well as a soul music-influenced, solo Pop music musician....
 and Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige

Mary Jane Blige is a nine-time Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated American R&B music singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor who has sold more than forty eight million albums worldwide....
 in 1998. "Another Star" : Covered by Kathy Sledge
Kathy Sledge

Kathy Sledge is an United States singer who has had several chart hit on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play music chart, including "Take Me Back To Love Again," which hit #1 in 1992....
 and included (twice) in the 1995 Ministry Of Sound
Ministry of Sound

Ministry of Sound , now MSHK Group, is the home of the best known dance music and lifestyle brands, the largest independent record company and the most famous nightclub in the world ....
 Sessions 4 double CD. Later recorded by Caron Wheeler
Caron Wheeler

Caron Wheeler is a two-time Grammy Award-winning United Kingdom Rhythm and blues/soul music singing, who gained fame by songwriter and singing the lead vocals on the two biggest hit single for Soul II Soul ....
 of Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul

Soul II Soul is a 2-time Grammy winning act that emerged at the end of the 1980s from London. The group initially attracted attention as a sound system , playing records at house and street parties ....
 in 2002. "If It's Magic" : Covered by Sarah Connor for her album Soulicious
Soulicious

Soulicious is the fifth studio album by German pop music singer Sarah Connor , released on 30 March 2007 by X-Cell Records and Sony BMG. It was entirely co-produced by Rob Tyger and Kay Denar and consists of a collection of cover versions of Motown Records music from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s except two original tracks, "Soothe My Soul"...
.

Chart Performance


Singles


Year Title Chart Position
1976 Another Star Club Play Singles 2
1977 Sir Duke Adult Contemporary 3
1977 I Wish Adult Contemporary 23
1977 Isn't She Lovely Adult Contemporary 23
1977 Another Star Pop Singles 32
1977 I Wish Pop Singles 1
1977 Sir Duke Pop Singles 1
1977 Another Star Black Singles 18
1977 Another Star Adult Contemporary 29
1977 As Black Singles 36
1977 I Wish Black Singles 1
1977 Sir Duke Black Singles 1
1977 As Adult Contemporary 24
1978 As Pop Singles 36
1978 Knocks Me Off My Feet Pop Singles 11
1978 Knocks Me Off My Feet Black Singles 4


Album

Year Chart Position
1976 Billboard 200
Billboard 200

The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling Albums and extended play in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine....
 
1
1976 UK 2
1976 Norway
Norway

Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula....
 
6
1976 Sweden
Sweden

Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic countries on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden has land borders with Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, and it is connected to Denmark by the ?resund Bridge in the south....
 
9
1976 Austria
Austria

Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It borders both Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west....
 
15
1976 Netherlands
Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy. The Netherlands is located in North-West Europe, and bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east....
 
9


Bibliography


External links

  • Audio streams: WBEZ program 'Extensions' broadcast a 3 hour special commemorating the album's 30th anniversary
  • Songs In The Key of Life Review & Videos