Songs in the key of life

Stevie Wonder’s double album, “Songs in the Key of Life,” is probably my favorite album of all time. I remain amazed that he could put together 17 songs, none of which sounded like any of the others. That’s a tremendous talent, one that I found inspiring and one I always envied.

I am a horrible song-writer. I wrote one really nice song – and it was downhill from there. I couldn’t get that first song out of my head enough to write anything else – or, rather, to write something that didn’t sound like the first one. I’m a little better at arranging – but still not accomplished.

And forget about improvisation, which is, of course, connected. I can teach others how to do it, but I’ve never been able to do it myself, at least not on any instrument other than my voice.

I’ve been thinking about the album a lot lately, particularly when I’m writing my weekly column for the paper. (Or staring at the blank piece of paper.) Like writing songs, writing a column requires (at least) two skills: the technical side and the creative side. In other words, engaging both the left, logical side of the brain and the right, creative side.

All I can say is that it’s harder than it looks. And it takes a lot of practice, especially to avoid a rut and not repeat yourself.

My hat’s off to those who write engaging, informative columns multiple times a week.

I’ve been writing for the paper for seven months. My latest column will be in Wednesday’s paper. It is still very much of a thrill to see my name in print, especially alongside those with whom I share the page. I wonder if my father felt the same way. Of course, he had the ultimate inspiration for writing: his commitment to God. I draw my inspiration from a different source: my commitment to trying to help make my corner of the world a little better place.

Music is a world within itself
With a language we all understand
With an equal opportunity
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands
But just because a record has a groove
Don’t make it in the groove
But you can tell right away at letter A
When the people start to move

They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people
They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people

The same can be said for a well-written article. You just know when it is good.

I’m thinking I need to pull that album out and listen to it next Sunday when I’m writing 😉