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MPR News Staff

Stevie Wonder honored Duke Ellington in a song that hit No. 1

Stevie Wonder in concert at Target Center
Stevie Wonder in concert at Target Center in Minneapolis on March 29, 2015.
Nate Ryan | MPR 2015

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Today's Morning Edition music is from "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder, which was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 40 years ago this week.

The song's title refers to jazz legend Duke Ellington who died in 1974.

In a 1977 speech at UCLA, Wonder said, "I knew the title from the beginning but wanted it to be about the musicians who did something for us. So soon they are forgotten. I wanted to show my appreciation. They gave us something that is supposed to be forever."