Stream FULL ALBUM on YouTube ➜
Stream FULL ALBUM on YouTube ➜
Songs in the Key of Life is the eighteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder. A double album, it was released on September 28, 1976, by Tamla Records, a division of Motown. It was recorded primarily at Crystal Sound studio in Hollywood, with some sessions recorded at the Record Plant in Hollywood, the Record Plant in Sausalito, and The Hit Factory in New York City; final mixing was conducted at Crystal Sound.[5] The album has been regarded by music journalists as the culmination of Wonder’s “classic period” of recording.[6]
By 1974, Wonder was one of the most successful figures in popular music; his previous albums Music of My Mind (1972), Talking Book (1972), Innervisions (1973), and Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974) were all back-to-back critical successes. However, by March 1975, Wonder seriously considered quitting the music industry and emigrating to Ghana to aid children with disabilities. When plans for a farewell concert had already begun, Wonder changed his mind and signed a new contract with Motown on August 5, 1975. This outlined a seven-year, seven-album deal, with full artistic control. This deal included $13 million upfront, a potential bonus of up to $20 million, 20% of the royalties, and ownership of the publishing rights. At the time, it was the biggest recording deal in history.[7]
Songs in the Key of Life was released as a double LP with a four-song bonus EP. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming only the third album to achieve that feat, and the first by an American artist.[8] Both the lead single “I Wish” and follow-up single “Sir Duke” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The album spent thirteen consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the album with the most weeks at number one during the year, and was the second-best-selling album of 1977 in the US. In 2005, the album was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), indicating sales of 5 million units for a double album.
The album won Album of the Year at the 19th Grammy Awards and is the best-selling and most critically acclaimed album of Wonder’s career. It’s now widely regarded as one of the greatest albums in the history of popular music.
Musicians
- Stevie Wonder – lead vocals (A1-A3, A5-F1), backing vocals (D4), handclaps (D3), harmonica (D2), synth bass (F2), keyboards, drums, percussion, arrangement, producer
- Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble – verbal replies (C3)
- George Benson – backing vocals, guitar (D4)
- Shirley Brewer – additional backing vocals (A4, B5), handclaps (C1), percussion (D1)
- Carolyn Dennis – backing vocals (F1)
- Michael Gray – backing vocals (B3, additional on A4)
- Susaye Greene – backing vocals (C2)
- Renee Hardaway – backing vocals (B1), percussion (D1)
- Hare Krishna (Choir) – backing vocals (B3)
- Terry Hendricks – backing vocals (B5)
- Josie James – backing vocals (D4, additional on A4)
- Madelaine “Gypsy” Jones – backing vocals (B5)
- Lynda Laurence – backing vocals (B5)
- Artece May – additional backing vocals (A4), handclaps (C1)
- Charity McCrary – backing vocals (B5)
- Linda McCrary – backing vocals (B5)
- Minnie Riperton – backing vocals (B5)
- Sundray Tucker – backing vocals (B5), handclaps (C1)
- West Angeles Church of God Choir – backing vocals (B3)
- Mary Lee Whitney – backing vocals (B5, D3)
- Deniece Williams – backing vocals (B5)
- Wonderlove – background vocal group (A4)
- Syreeta Wright – backing vocals (B5)
- Brenda Barrett – handclaps (C1)
- Colleen Carleton – handclaps (C1)
- Carole Cole – handclaps (C1)
- Nelson Hayes – handclaps (C1)
- Dave Henson – handclaps (C1, D3)
- Edna Orso – handclaps (C1)
- Yolanda Simmons – handclaps (D3)
- Josette Valentino – handclaps (C1, D3), percussion (D1)
- Nathan Alford, Jr. – percussion (D4)
- Charles Brewer – percussion (D1)
- Eddie “Bongo” Brown – collinga-style percussion (A1)
- John Fischbach – percussion (D1)
- Carmello Hungria Garcia – timbales (D4)
- Bobbye Hall – cuíca, percussion (B3)[46]
- Nelson Hayes – percussion (D1), handclaps (C1)
- Nastee Latimer – percussion (B4)
- Amale Mathews – percussion (D1)
- Marietta Waters – percussion (D1)
- Greg Brown – drums (D3)
- Raymond Pounds – drums (A4-B1)
- Ben Bridges – rhythm guitar (A4-A5, B4, E1, F1)
- Peter “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow – steel guitar (E2)
- Dean Parks – guitar (D3)
- Michael Sembello – lead guitar (A4-A5, B5, E1), rhythm guitar (F1)
- W. G. Snuffy Walden – lead guitar (F1)
- Nathan Watts – bass guitar (A4-B1, D3-D4, E2, F2), percussion (D1), handclaps (D3)
- Ronnie Foster – organ played by (B4)
- Herbie Hancock – keyboards, handclaps (D3)
- Greg Phillinganes – keyboards (A4, C1-C2, E1)
- Stephen St. Croix – Marshall Time Modulator (F1)
- George Bohanon – trombone (C3)
- Glenn Ferris – trombone (C3)
- Jim Horn – saxophone (E2)
- Trevor Lawrence – tenor saxophone (A5-B1, D4)
- Steve Madaio – trumpet (A5-B1, C3, D4)
- Raymond Maldonado – trumpet (A5-B1, D4), percussion (B3)
- Hank Redd – alto saxophone (A5-B1, C3, D4), tenor saxophone (C3)
- Dorothy Ashby – harp (D2)
- Bobbi Humphrey – flute (D4)
Source: Wikipedia
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