Songs In The Key Of Life - Price On Release In 1976

[hc4361]

Can anyone remember how much this Stevie Wonder album was when it was released?

[fiction-factory]

It was a double. I recall albums were about £2.70-£3 then so I would say maybe £5 for a double?

[hc4361]

I remember it being much more than that, FF. I was working and saved up to buy it for my then girlfriend but couldn't afford to buy another for myself. (I did much later)

[douglas9401]

" Unfortunately, the album cover — featuring Wonder’s image sinking into a vortex of what resembles orange crepe paper — looks not only offhand but like a last-minute amateur effort; the effect is hideous and offensively cheap, considering the album’s $13.98 list price."

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/songs-in-the-key-of-life-186350/

Likely about a tenner over here, we're always taken for mugs price-wise.

[hc4361]

Thanks, douglas. I loved the album cover then and I still do. I think maybe a tenner is about right - that was a week's rent for me back then when I was living in a bedsit.

[fiction-factory]

I used to buy many albums from a shop that seemed to import them from somewhere like Norway. (Once bought an Abba album and all the songs were in Spanish) but I thought the big price hike came in 1977-78 when I remember albums shooting up to £4.25.
I think Songs in Key of Life was a double plus album- with an extra Ep making it almost a triple so maybe it was nearer £8 but I don't ever remember paying a tenner in those days- that was a nearly week's rent in halls when I was student

[fiction-factory]

crossed posts- didn't see yours. I really don't think it was that much but memory does play tricks on us. £10 then- that would be over £70 in today's money!

[hc4361]

I was earning £18 a week, £10 rent and 50p for a shower. Gas and electricity needed money in the slots, and so did the tv. How on earth did I afford a social life? You may well be right about the album costing £7-8 which was still a lot of money for me

[fiction-factory]

Yes, it's hard to be precise because prices were changing rapidly in the mid to late 70s, with prices doubling over a 5 year period.

[wolf63]

The charity shop that I volunteer in sold a Classical LP for approx £300 last year. We sell online too - Vinyl is still a collector's item.

[Mozz71]

Whatever you paid, it was worth it. Its a fantastic record.

[hc4361]

It is probably my favourite album of all time, Mozz, I still listen to it regularly

[Buenchico]

A relevant thread (I hope) for you, Hc4361:
http://www.punk77.co.uk/talkpunk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=33767

[hc4361]

Thanks, Buenchico, I remember singles being 69p in the 70s - about the same price as a digital download today.

[tonyav]

I had that album, was a great album. Not absolutely sure ( so many years ago ) but if I remember rightly it was about a fiver.

[hc4361]

Thanks, tony

[murraymints]

I bought it..it was around the £10 mark I seem to remember...

[hc4361]

That's how I remember it, Murray - a very expensive album even for a double album with an extra EP and a fab booklet

[murraymints]

I remember thinking long and hard before I bought it..but loved isn't she lovely soooo much !

[hc4361]

A single in 1976 was around 70p - just short of a fiver today. And people complain about paying 70p for a digital download. Kids today don't know they're born :D

[hc4361]

That is a beautiful song, murray. Lots of beautiful, meaningful songs on the album - I remember being appalled when Gangsta's Paradise was released by Coolio in 1995 but came to appreciate that, too.
I wonder what Stevie thought about it - at least he was credited