Sir Duke

Listen while you read:  Sir Duke

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

Music knows it is and always will be
One of the things that life just won't quit
But here are some of music's pioneers
That time will not allow us to forget
For there's Basie, Miller, Sachmo
And the king of all, Sir Duke
And with a voice like Ella's ringing out
There's no way the band can lose

You can feel it all over

~  Stevie Wonder

I am old enough to remember "Little Stevie Wonder" and his first hit, "Fingertips," in 1963. Born in the same year, Stevie Wonder and I were both entering our teen years. But while I'd been taking piano lessons and practicing for six years, it had become clear to me that I had no musical talent. And here was this blind kid playing piano on a hit record. I was in awe.

"Sir Duke" appears on Songs in the Key of Life, released in 1976. It is Wonder's tribute to Duke Ellington. Now, let me tell you a little story. On the night of May 23, 1974, I had a dream that Ted Kennedy died. I was a big fan of the Kennedys, so the dream disturbed me. As I recalled the dream on my drive to work the next morning, I turned on the radio to find out if I had psychically predicted that death. The news revealed, however, that Duke Ellington had died. No mention of Ted Kennedy's demise. So I wasn't psychic after all.

In reading the newspaper later that day, I learned that Ellington's real name was not "Duke." His name was "Edward Kennedy Ellington." True story.

And why did I pick this song for today? My oldest daughter is graduating with another masters degree from Duke University! And I will be there with her to celebrate! She will also have earned her teaching certificate with this degree, and like her mother before her, will be pursing a career as a teacher of English. In other words, she will be giving up every weekend of her life to grade papers as part of the best career there is.

Congratulations, Katrina! Here's to your future! I can feel it all over. XO