SoulAlive said:

I was just listening to some selections from this album and damn i was in
the 5th grade at the time but even then i kind of soaked in the lyrical content of the album. I might get a little flack for this but i would go as far to say this album particularly socially had far more impact on the world even than MJ's thriller album. Thriller was a great album no doubt but songs in the key of life were songs that had meat on it without filler. I don't think there will ever be another album like songs that have had that kind of impact. VH1 soul have been airing a documentary on this album this month.

phunkdaddy said:

I agree with everything you just said!! This album means more to me than ANY ALBUM I've ever heard,by any artist.When I listen to it,I go through all these different emotions.....sadness,happiness,joy,pain,ecstasy....this album is emotionally deep and covers alot of ground.This album moves me.It's the kind of album that every real artist should strive to make at least once in their career.

I was listening to this album a few weeks ago and right in the middle of the song "Pastime Paradise",it suddenly hit me that this is an amazing journey that I'm a part of.....I realized that I'm inside Stevie's mind,on this incredible trip that he's taking us on.I think of this as more than just an album,it's a journey.Stevie is taking us through life,showing the good and the bad.I've never felt this way about any other album.

SoulAlive said:

Well damn... now I feel like I'm missing out. I mean I have the album, but I have never quite 'felt' it on such a deep level as you. Guess I have to give it a couple of more spins and really try to soak it in

FuNkeNsteiN said:

Give it another spin.Play it often.You will be moved

This is one of those albums that I always listen to all the way through.After the last song finishes ("Easy Goin Evening"),I'm always left in a daze....truly amazed at what I just heard.

SoulAlive said:

That album is pure perfection!

AlexdeParis said:

could you pick a favorite song from that album? It's hard to decide!

I always remember liking ordinary pain. Who is the female voice singing
the second part of that song? Is it deniece williams by chance?

SoulAlive said:

Some time ago, I would've said "Isn't She Lovely" easily. It's still a strong contender, but it could be "Summer Soft," "I Wish," or "Sir Duke."

phunkdaddy said:

No,it's not Deniece Williams.I don't have the CD with me right now,so I can't tell you who it is.I heard that Stevie wanted Chaka Khan to sing this part but she wasn't available.

AlexdeParis said:

I think "Summer Soft" is my favorite....today In a few months,I will probably have another favorite.That's the kinda album this is.You keep discovering new songs that you think are your favorite.

For me it's probably Another Star followed closely by As, Saturn and If It's Magic.

It's my favorite album. Only Reveling & Reckoning (Ani Difranco) comes close for me.

whodknee said:

"Another Star" is another one of my favs Even though it's uptempo,it has such a poignant melody.I like the way it turns into a relentless jam session at the end....going on for 8 minutes.

SoulAlive said:

I love how all the ridiculously long songs on disc 2 (sides C and D) don't feel gratuitously long at all.

AlexdeParis said:

I hear ya These songs aren't over-long at all.I never want them to end!

My favorite is Engiculala Es una historia-I am singing.
Also like love is in need of love today, summer soft, black man,
isn't she lovely,have a talk with god, all day sucker.

phunkdaddy said:

Shirley Brewer

manray10 said:

Big shirley.

phunkdaddy said:

It must have been difficult picking the singles.There are so many choices to choose from! Nearly every song could have been a singel.

optimus said:

Stevie Wonder and Prince are my all time favorite artists. Stevie first, Prince second. Just an amazing, amazing man.

BTW, finally got around to reading this (hardcover version):

SoulAlive said:

That's how music should be. I get tired of those 3 minute pop songs. You've got to let the music breathe and build.

Stevie Wonder, if anything should represent what the music industry should be about; creativity, boldness, and a willingness to express oneself to the closest perfection possible. Plus the man is funny, be prepared to laugh when you catch him in concert; its quite the side you never get to see of him, lol. Plus the music itself; its individual; you will know a stevie wonder song when you hear it. Even though I shelled out hundreds of dollars for his music, I still feel like I'm in his debt for getting to experience his innervisions

SoulAlive said:

I just copied that CD into my iTunes library today. I have to have it on my ipod.
Great album!!!

So who is this guy?

midnightmover said:

The 8th wonder of the world!