Stevie Wonder is expanding his 1976 masterwork Songs in the key of life with four previously unreleased tracks, according to music journalist Richard van de Crommert writing for De Telegraaf. The newly revealed songs—titled “It’s easier”, “I’m into livin”, “Can see the sun in late December”, and “My life story of love”—were discovered in the original studio sessions and arrive as the album marks its fiftieth anniversary.
Unreleased Tracks Recovered from Original Studio Sessions
The four bonus recordings emerged from the extensive studio work that defined the creation of Songs in the key of life. Stevie Wonder spent two years working on the project, writing roughly two hundred songs before finalizing the tracklist. The newly surfaced tracks were mixed by the album’s original sound engineers, John Fischbach and Gary O’Adante (Gary Olazabal). Wonder explained in a statement reported by De Telegraaf that while these specific pieces missed the final cut, they captured what he felt and discovered during the creative process.
The Golden Anniversary of a Pop Music Cornerstone
Originally released on September 28, 1976, Songs in the key of life cemented its status as a foundational pillar of pop and soul music. The 76-year-old American artist’s album featured enduring classics such as “Sir Duke”, “I wish”, and “Isn’t she lovely”. That body of work earned Wonder his third Grammy Award for album of the year. The grueling recording schedule often stretched deep into the night. Nathan Watts, Wonder’s bassist, recalled that the final studio session wrapped up at 4:54 a.m., prompting him to shout “Fo’Fifty Fo,” a phrase that subsequently became a permanent shorthand for the end of a session among the crew.
Tour Dates and Upcoming Amsterdam Concert
To mark the half-century milestone, Wonder is launching a concert tour where the entire album will be performed from start to finish. European audiences will experience the milestone live when the 76-year-old soul icon takes the stage at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on October 28. This upcoming appearance marks his first performance in the Netherlands since 2014, bringing the historic material back to a live Dutch audience.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Anniversary Release
When was the original album released?
Songs in the key of life was officially released on September 28, 1976.
What are the titles of the newly added songs?
The four added tracks are “It’s easier”, “I’m into livin”, “Can see the sun in late December”, and “My life story of love”.
Who mixed the newly recovered recordings?
The tracks were mixed by the album’s original sound engineers, John Fischbach and Gary O’Adante (Gary Olazabal).
When is Stevie Wonder performing in Amsterdam?
Stevie Wonder is scheduled to perform at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on October 28.
