cl. WONDER, Stevie: Ngiculela -- Es Una Historia -- I Am Singing

cl. WONDER, Stevie (1950-       )

Ngiculela -- Es Una Historia -- I Am Singing (1976)
SW, vocals, instruments
Nathan Watts, percussion
Shirley Brewer, backing vocals
Renee Hardaway, backing vocals
Josette Valentino, percussion
Amale Mathews, percussion
Charles Brewer, percussion
John Fischbach, percussion
Marietta Waters, percussion
Nelson Hayes, percussion
(3:49)

from Songs in the Key of Life.

Ngiculela ikusasa
Ngiyacula nao thando
Ngiyacula ngeliny' ilanga
Uthando luyobusa
Jikelele kulomhlaba wethu

Es una historia de mañana
Es una historia de amor
Es una historia que amor reinará
Por nuestro mundo
Es una historia de mi corazón

There's songs to make you smile
There's songs to make you sad
But with a happy song to sing
It never seems is bad
To me came this melody
So I've tried to put in words how I feel
Tomorrow will be for you and me

I am singing of tomorrow
I am singing of love
I am singing someday love will reign
Throughout this world of ours
I am singing
Of love from the heart
Let's all sing someday sweet love will reign
throughout this world of ours
Let's start singing
Of love from the heart

Peace and Love in Zulu, Spanish and English.

Vince Aletti, writing the first review in Rolling Stone, writes:

"Even the best songs are marred by uncomfortably twisted phrasing 'To me came this melody'."

I've always found it charming, but ... chacun à son goût.

The staccato, harpsichord-like electric piano sound fits with Wonder's powerful singing, especially in the final chorus.