Billboard #1 Hits: #425: “Sir Duke”- Stevie Wonder. May 21, 1977. #1 for 3 weeks in Billboard Hot 100.
- Single: ” Sir Duke”- Stevie Wonder
- Record Company- Tamla
- Genre: Funk, R&B
- Written by Stevie Wonder
- Time: 3:54
- B-side:” He’s Misstra Know-It-All”
- Album- Songs In The Key Of Life
- Grade: A+
- Peaked at #1 3 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100. #2 in UK Singles Chart, #1 in Canada.
“Sir Duke” was Stevie Wonder’s second #1 hit off of his fantastic double album Songs In The Key Of Life. The song was written as a tribute to jazz legend Duke Ellington. After Ellington died in 1974 Wonder had sat down to write a song in appreciation to the musicians who had been important to him. “I knew the title from the beginning but wanted it to be about the musicians who did something for me. So soon they are forgotten. I wanted to show my appreciation.” “Sir Duke” was Wonder’s 5th and final #1 of the 1970’s.
slicethelife 
Great tune. I can never really pick between this and “I Wish” for a favorite from that time period of his, but both are pretty stellar and show him near the very top of his game
This is one of my all-favorite Stevie Wonder songs and one of the very first tunes I ever heard by him, together with the amazing “Superstition.” The entire “Songs in the Key of Life” album is a true gem and perhaps the highlight of Wonder’s so called classic period. I think now that you reminded me of it, I’m going to have to listen to it later today! 🙂
Great album- and I think his last great album but what a run he had.
Yep, his 5 or 6 albums during the first half of the ’70s really established his legacy. I also like the early Stevie Wonder, but of course it’s very much the Motown formula and as such pretty different!
I wonder what happened- it seems like after the early 80’s- he’s kind of went into semi-retirement. I am looking in the last 40 years- 6 albums. Did the music scene change and he just backed away? Did he say all he had to say? I have never read anything about this but in 1980 he was still only 30 years old.
That’s a good observation, Hans. Frankly, I have no idea what explains this remarkable slowdown.
I would guess he is in fine shape financially. ..
I really like the song.
I just found out a while ago that this was a tribute to Ellington. “Wake up CB!”
LOL..
Yeah! One of the catchiest songs ever written
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