LogFAQs > #954009759

228. Stevie Wonder Sir Duke (1976)
from the album Songs in the Key of Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6fPN5aQVDI

Key lyrics:
But just because a record has a groove
Dont make it in the groove

On a lyrical level, Sir Duke is a celebration of music itself. In the second verse, Wonder namedrops several of his influences, with the then recently deceased Duke Ellington giving the song its title. Several artists have made songs explicitly listing off their predecessors, but it hits harder coming from someone commonly viewed as a master himself. The lyrics outside the verses are repetitive, but with a purpose. Being a song inspired by jazz artists, Wonder wants to turn your attention to the instrumentation, to the feeling it inspires.

And this truly is a celebration across every layer. After a striking intro dominated by trumpets, the song settles into a catchy groove, with a recurring instrumental break shooting high into the stratosphere. Throughout, the song shows shades of jazz, funk, R&B, and soul. More than listing off names, Wonder wants you to hear their influence. Featured on an album trying to capture life itself, both good and bad, Sir Duke serves as the definitive burst of ecstasy. The inspiration for this song calls for a lament, but Stevie Wonder masterfully turns his attention to celebrating Ellingtons eternal legacy. Obviously, most musicians love music, but few have so perfectly translated that emotion into a song itself.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/