Stevie Wonder checks all of The R&B Club’s boxes: songwriter, producer, and as one of the greatest artists ever, the owner of a deep and exceptional catalog.

We’ve explored the full scope of his career before. For our next session, we’re directing our focus towards his crowning achievement: Songs in the Key of Life, in honor of its 50th anniversary.

It came close to never existing. By the mid 1970s, Stevie was weary of the music industry and America. After releasing Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Fullingness’ First Finale in succession, he was well past establishing himself as a virtuosic artist. Songs in the Key of Life reached even higher in terms of songwriting, production, and pure artistry. “As” threaded the needle, and we’re sure everyone who loves this album can offer their own example.

Even if Stevie never operated at this level again, how many artists can say they ever did?