It's not surprising that Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" has held up over the decades. So many parents have experienced the thrill of bringing a new life into the world, and Wonder captures this feeling, vocally and instrumentally, with considerable joy and exuberance. I can't imagine any other artist singing the tune with more depth of feeling.
That said, Livingston Taylor, whose voice resembles that of his famous brother, James, recorded a subtle, satisfying cover of it. Because the tune is so familiar, Taylor's decision to whistle the melody at the beginning and end of the song is smart and allows the listener to settle in. Unobtrusive guitar and percussion underscore Taylor's sincere vocals nicely.
Wonder captured the excitement of bringing a child into the world exceptionally well in his lyrics and original recording. Taylor brought the volume down and conveyed Wonder's sentiments with nuanced grace.
