The counting of blessings (part II)

Now, let me turn that on its head.

I’ve been listening to a lot of classic Motown lately. I have no explanation for why that’s what I’ve wanted to hear lately.

But one of the albums I’ve been digging through lately is Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life. I love the title, and I loved his explanation for it—look it up sometime.I think most everyone probably likes the most well-known track, “Isn’t She Lovely.” But I have a particular affection for the song “As”—its gospel-influenced give and take, its cheerful hyperbole.

It’s a good song when you’re thinking about your spouse on the day before Valentine’s Day…

“Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day

Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I’ll be loving you always”

See? It’s cute, it’s a little hokey, and it’s Stevie Wonder—so it’s got soul to spare.

And it’s a damn good thing that no one but the cats can hear me singing along, or you’d be queueing up to bash my throat in and put it out of its misery.

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