“If your actions don’t speak louder than your words, you’re nothing.”: ‘Songs In The Key of Life’ Turns 41

Dear Micro-Choppers,

41 years ago Stevie Wonder released his enduring classic Songs In The Key of Life. In addition to ranking high on the list of all-time great albums, the backstory is remarkable.

Before releasing Songs in 1976, Wonder earned back-to-back Grammy Album of the Year awards. Regardless of his incredible success, he almost walked away form the music industry for good in mid 1974 to focus on charitable work in Ghana.

Instead, Berry Gordy negotiated an unprecedented contract to keep Wonder on board at Tamla/Motown as Stevie embarked on a unstoppable creative streak, recording 200 songs in 2.5 years. As he famously said about his epic output, “If my flow is goin’, I keep on until I peak.”

After an endless outpouring of creative brilliant, the end result was Songs In The Key of Life, an album that continues to inspire and amaze today.

I’d be so honored if you took a moment to read the backstory here. Much respect to Stevie on the 41st anniversary of his timeless masterpiece.

— Gino