The Key of Life
Give me the key in which I am to sing, and, if it is a key that you too feel,may you join and sing with me.” — Stevie Wonder
As the holidays approach, I find myself asking how to call forth joy given the sadness, frustration and despair that pervades these times. It’s a sadness that is personal and compounded by what I am witnessing on the global stage. I find myself longing for a little light at the end of this long tunnel.
For example, on Friday night, as I spoke to a dear friend who was in the ICU, my mother called to say that she had fallen and was being transported to the ER. Both are thankfully fine, but that moment left me feeling shaken. I found myself feeling anxious each time the phone rang.
Then, a little ray of light broke through. On Saturday morning, I received a note from my friend Joe, who reminded me that October 16th is “Key of Life” day. By way of a brief history, this day marks an auspicious event that occurred on October 16, 1976, when Stevie Wonder released “Songs in the Key of Life”.
My friend Juanita calls this seminal double album “the 8th Wonder of the World.” It was the first piece of music I bought with my own money. I played it down to the nubs and memorized every word of every song. “Songs” became a guiding light in my developing years. The joy of my first love is reflected in “Knocks Me Off My Feet.” My commitment to social justice nurtured in “Love’s In Need Of Love Today.” One of the first dances I performed on stage was set to “Sir Duke.”
But it’s the lineup on side four, that “Songs in the Key of Life” shines brightest for me. After 45 years. “I Am Singing” — the theme song of my life — still guides and sustains my sense of hope. “If It’s Magic,” is the counterpoint, motivating me to stay in the struggle, to strive to find magic in the midst of despair. “As” is my promise to my family, friends, colleagues, and most especially, my husband and sons. “Another Star” reminds me to honor my loved ones who have crossed over, not with grief and sadness, but with dancing and joy.
I am not alone in my praise. Prince, Whitney Houston, Elton, John, George Michael, Mariah Carey, and Michael Jackson all cited Songs in the Key of Life as the greatest album ever made. Through this album, Stevie proved that art (in his case, through music) is a profound and powerful agent of change.
Quincy Jones once said of Stevie — “He is the master at expressing social ideas through communicating past human biases that reach people who might not want to listen, but through his genius would digest it and understand it.”
I strive every day to witness and reach for what Steve so beautifully offers the world. To work from my gifts. To seek ways to weave the complexities of our many realities. To give it everything I’ve got. In every word, breath, and deed, I want to bring joy, healing, unity, and magic. And to continue manifesting the words he imparted to in my 14-year old spirit — “Let’s all sing someday sweet love will reign, throughout this world of ours, Let’s start singing with love from our hearts.”
Assured that my mom and my dear friend we safe and settled for the night, I sat still for a moment, and then stepped outside. I saw a small slice of moon, and sweetness infused the air. I felt a little tender inside, and an open heart that invited me to see the world as new and hopeful. I marveled at a man with the magic to bring those feelings forward in so many. Thank you, Stevie Wonder, for continuing to remind me that — in the midst of dire circumstances arising on any given Friday night — the songs in the key of my life will be there on Saturday morning.
Questions for Reflection and Consideration
1. What are the songs in the key of your life?
2. When and how did they show up, and how do they inspire you today?
3. How might you inspire others to sing their songs?
