Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life at 50

Last updated: 2 October 2026

Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life was released on 28 September 1976, so it turned 50 this autumn. It went straight to No. 1 in the US, reached No. 2 in the UK, his joint-highest UK album peak alongside Hotter Than July, and won the Grammy for Album of the Year. This year he marks the anniversary twice: with four unreleased recordings from the original sessions, and with a tour that plays the whole album live, starting at Utilita Arena Birmingham on 13 October 2026.

What is Songs in the Key of Life?

Songs in the Key of Life is Stevie Wonder's 1976 double album, released by Motown's Tamla label on 28 September 1976 with a four-track bonus EP, A Something's Extra. It debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart. It earned him his third Album of the Year Grammy.

Which songs are on Songs in the Key of Life?

The album holds several of Stevie Wonder's best-known songs. Sir Duke, written as a tribute to Duke Ellington and the musicians who came before him, reached No. 2 in the UK in 1977. I Wish was the first single from the album and reached No. 5 in the UK at the turn of 1977. Isn't She Lovely, As and Love's in Need of Love Today are also on the record.

What is the Songs in the Key of Life 50th anniversary EP?

On the album's 50th birthday, 28 September 2026, Stevie Wonder released Songs in the Key of Life EP, four recordings from the original sessions that had never come out before: It's Easier, My Life Story of Love, I Can See the Sun In Late December and I'm Into Livin'. "We've lived with Songs in the Key of Life for fifty years, but there's still more to hear," he said.

Where can you hear Songs in the Key of Life played live in the UK?

Stevie Wonder plays the album in its entirety on the Songs In The Key Of Life Performances, 50th Anniversary Tour. The UK nights are below, with doors at 6.30pm at all three named arenas. The tour also plays The Arena London.

Each arena lists its own premium options for its night. They are set out on the event pages for Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, and the whole run is on our Stevie Wonder UK tour 2026 page.

Why does Songs in the Key of Life still matter in 2026?

The album sits in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and is certified Diamond in the US, and 50 years on it is the record Stevie Wonder chose to build a world tour around. For a UK fan the anniversary nights are the chance to hear Sir Duke, I Wish and Isn't She Lovely in their album running order rather than as stand-alone hits. His wider catalogue, from Fingertips to Part-Time Lover, is in our guide to Stevie Wonder songs, and his career is on the Stevie Wonder artist page.