This may be the best love song ever written.  (First two verses and chorus)

As around the sun the earth knows she’s revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early may
Just as hate knows love’s the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I’ll be loving you always

As now can’t reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing will grow older every day
Just as all that’s born is new
You know what I say is true
That I’ll be loving you always

Chorus: Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky—ALWAYS
Until the ocean covers every mountain high—ALWAYS
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea—ALWAYS
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream

The Best Verse:

We all know sometimes life’s hates and troubles

Can make you wish you were born in another time and space

But you can bet your life times that and twice its double

that God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed

so make sure when you say you’re in it but not of it

you’re not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called Hell

Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love

and maybe our children’s grandchildren

and their great-great grandchildren will tell

I’ll be loving you

(That is some bad-ass songwriting)

Stevie Wonder: Album-Songs in the Key of Life–As

This may be the best soul song ever recorded.   (First two verses and chorus)

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

Sneaking out the back door
To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
Greeted at the back door
With boy thought I told you not to go outside
Tryin’ your best to bring the
Water to your eyes
Thinkin’ it might stop her
From woopin’ your behind

Chorus: I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ev-er have to go
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ev-er have to go
Cause I love them so

Stevie Wonder: Album-Songs in the Key of Life–I Wish                                                                           

This may be the best song ever written concerning America’s continuing struggle with racism.                                 (First three verses and chorus)

A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain’t so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city…ee ha!

His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floor for many
And you’d best believe she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city…yeah

His sister’s black but she is sho ’nuff pretty
Her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school she’s got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city…um hum

Her brother’s smart he’s got more sense than many
His patience’s long but soon he won’t have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
Cause where he lives they don’t use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city…
Living just enough…
For the city…ooh,ooh
[repeat several times]

Final Verse: I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel no where could be much colder
If we don’t change the world will soon be over
Living just enough, just enough for the city!!!!g

Stevie Wonder: Innervisions–Living for the City                                                                                

These are 4 of the finest albums ever recorded.  

Talking Book

Fullfillingness’ First Finale

Innervisions

Songs in the Key of Life

I could continue these lists for the next couple of pages and they would all be centered on Stevie Wonder. We are very privileged to being living on this earth at the same time as Stevie. His contribution to the universal language of music is unparalleled. His quest for social justice based on his deep spiritual connection has been an instrument that has moved many to a consciousness based on love and peace. He has influenced the most stubborn of political leaders to recognize that there is another thought that must, at least, be acknowledged. He is a man who sees no color. He cannot see those that he loves. He cannot see the beauty of the earth that he is committed to love and respect. But his words show his vision. And his love of the beat and his ability to provide the rhythm that truly affects the core of the  human soul cannot be matched in our time.

On February 10th, my wife, daughter and I had the honor and the privilege to attend the Grammy tribute to Stevie and the Songs to the Key of Life at the Nokia theatre in LA. Hopefully, you saw the broadcast of this show on CBS last week. This was an all-star event that featured performances from the who’s who of the music business.

Here is the set list and the artists who blew the roof of the place:

“Fingertips/Master Blaster/Higher Ground,” Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Gary Clark Jr.
“For Once in My Life ,” Tony Bennett
“I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever),” John Legend
“My Cherie Amour,” Annie Lennox
“I Wish,” Lady Gaga
“I Just Called To Say I Love You,” Andrea Bocelli
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” Ariana Grande and Babyface
“You Haven’t Done Nothin’,” the Band Perry
“I Was Made to Love Her,” Ed Sheeran
“As,” India.Arie, Janelle Monae and Jill Scott
“Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” Pharrell Williams and Ryan Tedder
“All in Love Is Fair,” Jennifer Hudson
“Isn’t She Lovely,” Aisha Morris and Ne-Yo

Then Stevie came on stage from his seat in the audience and graciously thanked all of us for being there and expressed how joyful and fulfilled his life is. He then sat down and played:

“Contusion/Sir Duke/You Are the Sunshine of My Life/Ribbon in the Sky/Overjoyed/Superstition,“

The finale, with everyone on stage, was “Happy Birthday”, his joyous celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and the creation of the national holiday that Stevie was so instrumental in bringing to our nation.

One final thought on this night that demonstrates Stevie’ profound contribution to our lives. The age range of the artists who performed, was from those mostly in their 20’s and 30’s. With the exception of Annie Lennox and the incredible 88 year old, Tony Bennett, it is clear that Stevie’s music has crossed the generational bridge and has provided an undeniable love of the great Americana sound of soul, rhythm and blues and jazz. I have spent the last couple of weeks listening again to the great albums that Stevie has gifted us, and I feel nothing but joy and respect for this man and his music.