Fifty years after Stevie Wonder released his double album Songs in the Key of Life, the legendary singer-songwriter is opening the vault. Four previously unreleased tracks from the original recording sessions have been issued as a new EP, offering fans a glimpse of the creative process behind one of the most celebrated records in popular music.
The EP, titled Songs in the Key of Life: The EP, features the songs 'It's Easier', 'My Life Story of Love', 'I Can See the Sun in Late December', and 'I'm Into Livin''. Wonder selected the tracks himself from the extensive outtakes recorded during the album's production in the mid-1970s.
“We've lived with Songs in the Key of Life for fifty years, but there's still more to hear,” Wonder said in a statement. “We didn't add these songs to the album, but they were part of what I was feeling and discovering as we made it. They bring me back to that time in my life, and now they get to become part of yours.”
All four tracks were written and produced by Wonder, with a co-writing credit on 'My Life Story of Love' going to Susaye Greene, a former member of The Supremes. 'I'm Into Livin'' also features background vocals from Shirley Brewer, Thelma Houston, and Deniece Williams. The original recording and mixing engineers, John Fischbach and Gary O Adante, recently remixed the tracks for release.
A landmark album and a European tour
Songs in the Key of Life has long been regarded as a masterpiece. Released in 1976, the double album includes hits such as 'Sir Duke', 'As', 'Isn't She Lovely', 'Another Star', and 'I Wish'. It earned Wonder his third Grammy Award for Album of the Year and is preserved in the US Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.
The new EP arrives just as Wonder prepares to take the album on the road. A special tour will see him perform the record in its entirety at venues across the UK, Europe, and the US. The European leg kicks off in Birmingham, England, before moving to Paris, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Hanover, Cologne, Amsterdam, Dublin, London, Manchester, and Glasgow.
The tour dates reflect the enduring appeal of an album that continues to resonate with audiences across the continent. From the soulful grooves of 'Sir Duke' to the tender balladry of 'Isn't She Lovely', the songs have become part of the cultural fabric, influencing generations of European musicians and fans alike.
Wonder's last studio album remains A Time to Love, released in 2005. The new EP offers a rare opportunity to hear previously unknown material from his most productive period, and it is likely to be a highlight for collectors and casual listeners alike.
As the anniversary celebrations unfold, the release of these four tracks serves as a reminder of Wonder's extraordinary legacy. For European audiences, the upcoming concerts will be a chance to experience the album live, with the added thrill of knowing that there is still more to discover from the sessions that produced it.
Here are the confirmed European tour dates:
- 13 Oct – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
- 15 Oct – Accor Arena, Paris
- 18 Oct – Royal Arena, Copenhagen
- 20 Oct – Unity Arena, Oslo
- 22 Oct – 3Arena, Stockholm
- 24 Oct – ZAG-Arena, Hanover
- 26 Oct – Lanxess Arena, Cologne
- 28 Oct – Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
- 1 Nov – 3Arena, Dublin
- 3 Nov – The O2, London
- 5 Nov – The O2, London
- 8 Nov – Co-op Live, Manchester
- 11 Nov – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
For those unable to attend, the new EP is available now on streaming platforms and digital stores. It offers a tantalising glimpse into the sessions of an album that continues to inspire and delight, half a century after its release.
