Crazy Fact: Stevie was 23 when he released this album Crazier Fact: This is Stevie's 18th Studio Album

stevie’s whole output in the 70s is untouchable

Fun fact about Pastime Paradise: Those are not strings on the recording. They're actually synths programmed by Stevie to sound like an orchestra.

“As” is one of the greatest songs of all time. Period

In 2015 I emailed you before I went off to college asking you what a feels good windows down-type album that would get me happy for the future was. You recommended me this and it quite literally changed my life. Thanks Melon.

You could’ve done any of Stevie’s albums from his 70s era, that run was god tier

The best part of this album is really just how upbeat it is. It's one of those rare records that really does feel like a celebration of life, and isn't obnoxiously happy like so many other up-beat records are.

One of the greatest albums to ever be released.

Didn’t know this was Mega Classics week god dayum melon

I was named after “Isn’t She Lovely”, so this album has always been incredibly special 😊

Stevie’s Magnum Opus. bro literally went god mode on this album. pinnacle of musicianship

To this day, I still think this is one of the best records that’s over 100 minutes. Stevie is the definition of what it means to be a GOAT.

This is on a list of 20 perfect albums for me, this thing never gets old, it never gets on my nerves, I'm never ever, ever, EVER tired of it. It's infectious passion no matter what topic it touches on, it's clear, gorgeous production and its unbelievably life-affirming vibe, how can you NOT at least like this, let alone not LOVE it. A true masterpiece of music, a classic all can listen to and enjoy equally. I've never seen an album so amazingly achieve its goal in covering all aspects of life, whether it be the past, the present, the future, the great before and the great beyond, and speaking on all of it so passionately. I love this album, and it loves all who listen to it.

Prince once stated in an interview that this was one of the Greatest album ever written...👌

"Weird Al - Amish Paradise" takes from "Coolio - gangsta's paradise" which takes from "Steview Wonder - Pastime Paradise" which takes from "Bach - Prelude No. 2 in C Minor" One of my fav musical journeys

Summer soft is such a subtly genius track. The way that he uses key changes to make the choruses feel so epic, climactic, and beautiful is so creative and brilliant.

I mean even the name of the album itself "Songs in the Key of Life" just makes you know it's going to be a masterpiece, especially from someone as incredible as Stevie Wonder

This album singlehandedly carried me through covid and my Nana's passing. Every song on this album is memorable and catchy, and still has stuck with me now. I seriously cannot tell you how much every song on this thing surpasses beauty. If you haven't listened to this album I seriously cannot recommend it more. Or at least just listen to the songs As, Saturn, or Ordinary Pain. They're so fucking good they make me wanna cry.

I always struggle to get through the classic reviews because hearing Fantano talk so enthusiastically about the album just makes me wanna go listen to the album straight away

Any one of Stevie’s albums from the 70s could apply. One of the greatest album runs in history along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Prince, Marvin Gaye, etc

This is one of those rare records where all of the deep cuts are just as engaging and meticulously crafted as the biggest hits/singles, which is ludicrous given the nearly 2 hour run-time. Key of Life has got to be in the discussion for the most universally appealing album of all time. It's hard to imagine anyone not extracting significant levels of joy out of this record. The stretch of songs from 'Contusion' - 'Isn't she lovely' is one of the greatest runs ever in music, and that run doesn't even include 'As'' or 'Another Star', which are 2 of the greatest songs of all time. That's how good this shit is.

This album is so iconic I could've sworn melon already reviewed it. Surprised it took 10 years to be reviewed since the inception of classics week.

This album changed my life…I always heard his hits when I was a kid…even had the honor to see him perform in 2016…didn’t hear this album until 2018 and I love it. Innervisions and Hotter than July are my favs too but man…blessed to see Stevie Wonder while we still have him 🙌🏽

Probably the best album ever made? The sheer amount of incredible songs, musicianship and lyrical focus is pretty much unmatched and it doesn't feel like a double album because it's so engaging

i think ive watched this channel since 2011 and this really is the first time ive commented. anyway. Stevie truly is the greatest. ridiculously talented, experimental, introspective, and modest about the entire fucking thing. the freakin debussy or bach of their time. would love to see another Stevie review in the future (maybe a best to worst????)

YESSS! Clicked instantly. This album is more than just a celebration of music, it is a celebration of life. The greatest album of all time, imo. Great review too!

My favorite album of all time. I honestly listen to it in one sitting every time and it's honestly a breeze. Innervisions and fulfillingness' first finale is kind of secretly part of a three-way tie for my number one album.

Songs in the key of life? Probably one of the best album titles I know of ... Unreal album .. funky, sexy, makes you want to dance, makes you think, makes you feel. Full of soul. Fuck yes/ 10

Great review. What amazes me about this album (and Stevie in general in the 70's) is how he was almost genre-less. Everyone loved these songs - they are universal. The songs were popular on top 40, rock, funk and R&B stations back then. He even opened for the Rolling Stones on their massive 1972 US tour. This album is maybe not Stevie's best, but it's definitely his most impressive artistic statement.

Stevie been in my Spotify top 5 artists in every year wrap-up that I’ve had. It’s music you live with. Songs in the Key of Life was also the first vinyl album I ever got when I bought a record player, and most played. Best ever for me

Stevie quite literally has the best discog of all time. SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE: 10 Talking Book: 10 Innervisions: 10 Fulfillingness’ first finale: 10 Music of my mind: 8 In square circle: 8

FUCKING FINALLY MELON TALKING ABOUT STEVIE! I’ve been praying on this forever! Stevie’s run in the 70’s is up there with the Stones, Beatles, and Zeppelin’s in terms classic albums

It’s incredible how seamless and immaculate this album is at all phases.

The chorus on Sir Duke is the single most infectiously uplifting musical moment ever recorded. I’m not a singer or dancer typically, but goddamn that song gets me every time.

One of the greatest albums of all time. Melon must have seen my comments.

About time, yes. This album aged well through centuries and will be remembered in thousand years. Although, I personally prefer Innervisions, its hard to rate his classic era albums because they were all amazing.

I first listened to this album after I saw Stevie's song from this album "Another star" featured on Daft punk's live performance of Get Lucky at the 2014 Grammys. The entire album, especially "Sir Duke" was an absolute delight to listen to.

Definitely a classic. I think I prefer Innervisions to this, simply bc it's more concise. And he plays almost all the instruments on that record, which, when you hear it if you haven't already, should blow your damn mind. But damn, Stevie Wonder was and is a musical icon. Incredible. And underrated drummer.

I only knew Sir Duke and As from this album for years so I decided to listen to the full album last year after some people recommended it to me and now I understand why is considered one of the greatest albums of all time. It's a true musical masterpiece.

Never clicked on a review so fast. What a miraculous, life-changing album

Incredible album which, in my opinion, has its peak on “As” and “Another Star”. The subtle transition from the fist to the second is fantastic. I have always thought the album should have ended with “Another Star” because you really cannot go any further from there.

Stevie was untouchable in the 70s for a reason

Stevie's music just makes me soo happy, his music is joyful, bright and cheerful. It knocks you out your feet when you need it the most, it's the type of unique energy that he creates that you won't get it from anybody else.

One of the best albums of all time, in my top 5 easily

my favourite album of all time. Thanks for this review Fantano cus it's hard to express just how much this album means to me and many others, and of course to the culture

I'm 17 and just got into Stevie's songs, he quickly became my favorite artist. Truly timeless masterpieces!

"Songs In The Key of Life" is the most perfect & important R&B double album ever recorded. It should be taught in college.

I got to see Stevie Wonder perform this album on tour. What an experience that was. This album is just an transcendental experience.

such a good album, been wanting this on classic week for forever

This was my favorite album I listened to in 2021.This was probably my most played album in 2021.I am so glad you did this album for classic weeks. There are so many classics records on this album. I am so glad I have this on wax now too . Man if I stranded on an island and had to pick 5 albums to listen to . This would be one. Read all the comments on here. Everything other people are saying about this album is true .

“ Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand”

Years ago I had a really emotional conversation with my dad about how this album saved his life. Granted I was a bit on the young end to fully understand just what he meant at the time but now at a more experienced age I can truly appreciate this masterpiece and how it could do such a thing. Its definitely 10/10 for me

I’ve always loved and admired Stevie Wonder’s songs at a pretty surface level, but yesterday I was driving and “Loves in need of love today” and idk why but it truly moved me, it literally took my breath away and made me so teary eyed. Just finished the whole album and ya... my fav of all time I’d say

It's crazy he made this timeless masterpiece at age 26. TWENTY-SIX. I'm still in my diapers at 26.

So happy you chose this. Finger’s crossed you keep the trend going and close out classics week with the ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ of Prince’s catalogue: Sign O the Times.

First Jimi Hendrix and now Stevie Wonder? You've been reading my mind, Melon. I've always wanted you to review the two. God bless

I want “Joy Inside My Tears” to play at my wedding. 😭

A Stevie Wonder March Madness bracket would be insane, filled to the brim with classics

Excellent review. I'm really happy you were able to touch upon each song here - honestly, I was expecting you to gloss over many of them due to the monster size of the track list. Thanks!

You know an album is really good when all the comments are actually about the album for once.

I'm 52 now. This album has been part of my entire life that I've been old enough to appreciate music. I still give this album a regular turn. Still not tired of hearing it. Most every song on that album could still be a hit today.

This one is like the classics of classics

Thanks for the review Anthony, was hoping you'd do this. 70s Stevie is up there with my favourite music ever, Talking Book is a big one for me too.

Please please please do more Stevie Wonder. Would love to see a full length review on all his 70s run, he’s my favourite artist of all time and I’ve been waiting to hear your opinions on him and his music.

Isn’t she lovely is one of the best songs ever made. Stevie Wonder is a legend.

If the opening track to this doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will.

1995...was the year our family had our first cd player...through the sega saturn. The album was previously purchased earlier, my parents could not afford a stereo system. It was only in that year, we began to listen Songs to the key life Christmas day. It was an experience we never forgot...the house was silent. Thanks Stevie. ☺️

I've listened to some of the hits off this album for a long time, but it wasn't until this past year that I listened to the whole thing front to back... and then continued to listen to it in it's entirety throughout the course of the year. As quickly became an anthem for me and played at my wedding. I even thought about putting out my wax copy and having guests sign the inner sleeve as I knew that that this album would stay with me for the rest of my life. It's hard for me to know how my year would have been without this album in it. Songs in the Key of Life has brought so much beauty and love into my life and it brings me a since of peace knowing that this exists and I can listen to it anytime and be transported to a better place. I was so pumped to see this album in the thumbnail. After I got sucked into listening to this album, I of course went to the internet to look for validation on how incredible this album is and sadly saw nothing from our melon or much other music KZfaqrs. This album gets a lot of attention, but deserves more. Especially from a younger audience in our current cultural landscape. CLASSIC ALBUM keep it classic, melon

The word that has always come to mind when hearing Stevie sing is refreshing. There is just something about his tone that is so refreshing to hear

favorite album of all time, no debate. stevie is the goat

I have never not known this album. My dad played this when I was a kid and it was always there. Hands down my favorite album of all time and I listen to it at least twice a week to this day. I was wondering if you were ever going to review this lol and I wasn't sure if you were even a Stevie fan. This makes me happy lol

Hey man, appreciate you goin back and reviewing these classics. Really do, it’s cool.

Contusion on this LP is slept on sooo much.

If classics deserve to be treated as 10s, this one is a frickin 27.

I've been listening to this album for a majority of 2021 and had been hoping for this review with no expecting of it coming through. Feels like Christmas all over again.

Great review, broskony friendthano. Rediscovered this album last year. Hard to listen to any of the contemporaries without hearing songs in the key of life's influence. Love it

I love these classic reviews helps me find good music

Sir Duke is one of my favourite songs! Played it with a concert band I'm in on the sax

You’ve been reviewing absolute high school bangers for me this years classic week. Thanks I feel truly blessed

FINALLY!!!! IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS REVIEW SINCE I SUBSCRIBED IN 2017!!!! THANK YOU ANTHONY.

An album I can't really listen to because it gets me intensely emotional. Stevie has this incredible ability to cast spells in his songs, constantly reminding me that music is a mere two letters away from magic. It's overwhelming.

the feeling this album has it's completely unique it gives me chills

Always heard about Stevie Wonder but never really listened that much other than these few hits. Was shopping around in a record shop when I found a second-hand copy of this record, decided to give it a try since its Stevie Wonder. It blew my expectations out of the water, just an incredible, timeless album that sparks joy in ones life.

I want you to review all the classic albums I love... =) Thanks, this made my Friday.

Stevie's talent, love & integrity have influenced our entire world and made it a better place. He's given hope, joy, happiness and inspiration to generations of people around the world. What an amazing gift -- what a beautiful human being.

Dude I just finished listening to this album for my first time earlier today. What an awesome coincidence

Stevie Wonder is my mother's favorite artist and I've been listening to this album in particular since I was aware enough to remember. This brings back so many great memories.

YESS! ive been waiting for this review for years

as great and praised as "As" is, the track that follows "Another Star" is one of my favorite tracks of all time. The orchestration and performance by Wonder is just magical.

isn't stevie wonder that guy that ripped off coolio?

I squealed when I saw the notification; love this album so much and Stevie Wonder is one of my all time favorite artists!!!! An absolute masterpiece of an album in every way.

Cal tossing out thoughtful commentary circa 2022, love to see it

I love Stevie Wonder’s cover of “Gangsters Paradise.” 😏

My favorite album of all time. Maybe the only double album where every minute of the album feels essential and perfect

Pastime Paradise is truly my favorite of the album, I just love how when it comes close to ending the background vocals starts off quiet but slowly builds up for a strong finish.

I’ve been waiting for this !! Finally get a review on this masterpiece

this classics week is pretty damn good my boy

This is definitely my favorite album of all time. It's so so so amazing

Okay Anthony, I know we’re both from CT but this classics week is taking directly from albums I found last year

Thanks for this!! I needed this album in my life, I’ve been sleeping on this