Songs in the Key of Life is a classic album by Stevie Wonder. It’s an album that has been a part of my life since I was a child. Like pictures, music has a way of reminding us of past events, moments in time, or even people. Those thoughts can be happy moments and sometimes sad. Since I’ve always loved music, I am often reminded when I hear a particular song or album. But, one that stands out for me is Stevie Wonder’s Songs In The Key of Life. Although it was released in 1976, songs from it (as well as the whole album) are regulars on my current playlist.
Music is a world within itself
With a language we all understand
“Sir Duke” – Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life
Dynamite Christmas
Whenever I hear the album, I’m reminded of a childhood Christmas where one of my gifts was a Panasonic Dynamite 8-Track player. Yes.. an 8-Track. It was a yellow rectangular box with a speaker on the front. The name dynamite was because of the “plunger” on the top that you pressed to switch tracks. The plunger mimicked the TNT boxes that were on the cartoons.
8-Track
I couldn’t just get a player without getting any tapes. One of the tapes I got was Songs In The Key of Life. As a matter of fact, it was two tapes. That was one of my favorite Christmases. So, the album reminds me of being a child with my yellow 8-Track player.
Looking back on when I was a little nappy headed boy.
Then my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy.
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing.
We were happy with the joy the day would bring.
“I Wish” – Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life
