Sir Duke

1976

Sir Duke is a written by Stevie Wonder song from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. The single release reached 1977, the top of the U.S. pop charts and the top ten in some European countries.

Content

The lyrics deal with Duke Ellington, a jazz musician who influenced Wonder's style. Ellington died in 1974; the piece was a kind of homage from Stevie Wonder to the recently deceased friend. In addition to Ellington a number of other jazz greats are mentioned in the text: " Satchmo " (Louis Armstrong ), Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller and Count Basie.

Music

The piece has a tempo of 104 bpm and is in the key of B major. Stylistically, it is classified in the soul music, with its echoes of the time of origin of the song currently popular disco music. Unusual and more influenced by jazz, however, is the frequent use of chromatic harmonies. Also inspired by the Jazz is the striking, bebop -esque riff that is recited after every chorus of bass and horns in unison.

Occupation

The artists who together recordings with Stevie Wonder the title, were Raymond Pounds (drums), Nathan Watts ( bass), Mike Sembello ( lead guitar ), Ben Bridges (rhythm guitar), Hank Redd (alto saxophone), Raymond Maldonado and Steve Madaio (both trumpet ) and Trevor Laurence ( tenor saxophone).

Publications and success

The single release reached 1977, the top of the U.S. pop charts and the Black singles chart and number two in the UK and was the largest ever success Stevie Wonder. In Switzerland, the piece number 4 in Germany and Austria reached # 10 in the singles chart, respectively.

Sir Duke was re-released on three albums Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium, Natural Wonder At the Close of a Century.