World keep on turnin’
I’m listening to Stevie Wonder and so should you.
(I’m Adam Keys and this is a bunch of things I’m enthusiastic about. If you’re wondering how you got here or realizing you’re just not into the things I’m enthusiastic about anymore, there’s an unsubscribe link at the bottom if you feel like it’s time.)
(ed. I have been lax in taking photos of sunsets lately, my apologies)
Four years ago I commented on a piece about the Peak Stevie Wonder albums, their activism, and the time ahead. The conceit was that we’d need his message of activism in the coming years. There was also a glimmer of optimism (unfounded, as it turned out) that the Trump presidency would last months, not years, and maybe we could abstain from the joys of Stevie Wonder’s music so we could celebrate with it later.
I’ve thought about that sentiment a lot over the past four years. I held out, barely listening to the Peak Stevie Wonder albums. Now that I’m listening to them again, I’m struck by how they are still timely and we still need their message of activism. Also, they are still some of the best albums ever made.
In particular, let me draw your attention to two songs off Innervisions. “Livin’ for the City”, about racial inequality. “Higher Ground”, about the failure of our leaders to tackle or even acknowledge the troubles that face us. These are two of the mythological Stevie Wonder tracks entirely recorded by Stevie. If you’ve never listened to Songs in the Key of Life, Innervisions, or The Talking Book then start with those two songs. And then listen to Songs in the Key of Life in their entirety.
We kinda need Stevie Wonder (and his successors) even more now than we did back then. We’re lucky to have him and that he’s started making music again.