Stevie Wonder unearths four Key of Life rarities
Fifty years after its release, Stevie Wonder is finally opening the vault on one of music history’s most profound achievements: Songs in the Key of Life. On this momentous anniversary, Wonder has unveiled a four-song EP of previously unreleased recordings, offering fans a rich, intimate peek into the sprawling creative world that birthed the landmark album.
This newly surfaced collection features tracks like It’s Easier, My Life Story of Love, I Can See the Sun In Late December, and I’m Into Livin’, providing a fresh, compelling glimpse into the sessions that defined the 1976 classic. The recordings were meticulously mixed by the album’s original engineering team, John Fischbach and Gary O Adante, ensuring the historical depth of the material remains intact.
These tracks, while not originally included on the LP, were integral to Wonder’s feelings and discoveries during the creation of the album. They serve as a powerful personal journey, now shared with the world, bringing the emotional depth of the creation process directly to listeners.
Adding a layer of delightful studio lore to this new material is the anecdote from the recording sessions. As the final session for Songs in the Key of Life wrapped at 4:54 a.m., longtime bassist Nathan Watts reportedly shouted “Fo’FiftyFo’!” This phrase quickly became an inside joke among Wonder’s circle, serving as a fitting, whimsical timestamp for this new chapter in the album’s history.
The EP showcases a talented ensemble, featuring Wonder as the primary writer and producer, with Susaye Greene co-writing the lyrics for My Life Story of Love. The sessions brought together an impressive array of musicians, including keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, guitarists Michael Sembello and Ben Bridges, saxophonist Jim Horn, drummer Raymond Pounds, and Watts, alongside backing vocalists Shirley Brewer, Thelma Houston, and Deniece Williams on I’m Into Livin’.
Songs in the Key of Life remains an enduring masterpiece, celebrated not only for these new recordings but also for its lasting impact. The original album is a Grammy winner, has earned Diamond certification, and holds a permanent place in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
The celebration doesn’t stop in the studio. Stevie Wonder is taking the legacy on the road with his Songs in the Key of Life Performances – 50th Anniversary Tour. The 25-time Grammy winner will perform the album in its entirety, kicking off in Birmingham, England, before hitting a major European circuit, and continuing with a massive U.S. run through cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
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