Originally released in 1976, Songs in the Key of Life earned Wonder his third Album of the Year Grammy, achieved Diamond certification with over 10 million copies sold, and was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Classics like “Sir Duke,” “I Wish,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and “As” remain woven into the emotional fabric of generations, standing as enduring expressions of love, resilience, and shared humanity.
Before appearing on stage, Stevie’s voice echoed through the dark arena, asking the crowd to close their eyes and experience the world through “the eyes of our ears.” Taking his place behind his keyboards, he launched into “Love’s in Need of Love Today,” later bringing his son Mandla Morris out for a duet on “Have a Talk With God.”
Between numbers, Stevie kept the mood light, slipping into a Cockney accent, riffing on recent US election results, and reflecting on global division. He mused that while the universe operates in natural alignment, humanity remains out of sync, urging the room toward unity.
The performance built momentum through the brass-heavy fan-favourite “Sir Duke” and the unmistakable groove of “I Wish,” alongside a delicate rendition of “If It’s Magic” featuring harpist Brandee Younger. Stevie also dedicated an emotional performance of “As” to his late mother, before concluding the main set with an extended “Another Star.”
For the finale, his daughter Zaiah Morris sang lead on John Lennon’s “Imagine,” before Stevie capped the night with a thunderous “Superstition,” driving its iconic Clavinet riff into an extended horn jam before walking off to a standing ovation.
