Stevie Wonder Overlooked

What’s Happening To Music Today?

I just recently listened to “Songs In The Key of Life” for the first time and realized how limited my musical breadth has been. Elton John wrote in Rolling Stone that “wherever I go in the world, I always take a copy of Songs In The Key of Life.” So I thought I’d check this album out, since I have never listened to Stevie Wonder, but always knew that he was considered one of the best rock artists. In fact, Rolling Stone placed him at #15 of all time.

The first thing I noticed was the striking similarity in his sound and that of Michael Jackson and Prince. I’m sure the two also listened to other Motown records growing up, but this one is particularly special. It felt like a turn back in time to the core sound that Jackson took off from. I couldn’t find one song that I didn’t enjoy on this album. I particularly loved the wild yet smooth bass lines and the dynamic range and strength in Stevie’s voice. This is beautiful songwriting in a genre that anyone can get a groove in. Now I’m excited to see Stevie Wonder live, who will be playing in Baltimore on September 16th, and Boston on the 20th.

This got me wondering. Why are many of the bands that Rolling Stone rated so popularly, who actually are amazing artists, not as popular as they deserve today? Most of the people I know only listen to music that’s streamlined through TV and radio, and so it has become an age where you really need to seek out good music in order to find it. That’s a shame, because music promoters and producers inevitably go for the mediums which will bring them more commercial success rather than awarding raw talent and innovation. That in turn just devalues the quality of music which young kids are fed and grow up listening to.