THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

916-Earth, Wind & Fire-September.

1978-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.11. ‘Ba duda, ba duda, ba, badu.’ The songs co-writer Maurice White said,’Never let the lyric, get in the way of the groove.’

Earth, Wind & Fire were formed in 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, United States by Maurice White, who was born on December 19th, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, he died in his sleep on February 4th, 2016, from the effects of Parkinson’s disease, at the age of 74. It was as a teenager that Maurice White first moved to Chicago, where he joined ‘The Jazzmen,’ a student Jazz trio, at ‘Crane Junior College,’ in Chicago. The trio became studio musicians at ‘Chess Records’ in Chicago, where White played on the recordings of such high profile artists as Chuck Berry, (1926-2017) and Etta James (1938-2012.) White is notable for playing the drums on ‘Rescue Me,’ (American Billboard Number 4-UK Number 11) for Fontella Bass, in 1965, and (‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,’ (American Billboard Number 6-UK Number 11) for Jackie Wilson, in 1967. In 1966 White left ‘Chess Records’ to join the the ‘Ramsey Lewis Trio,’ where he stayed until 1969, appearing on seven of their Albums, including drumming on the American Billboard 1966 Number 19 hit single ‘Wade in the Water’ (see also best songs 525.) White left the ‘Ramsey Lewis Trio’ in 1969, and then formed a new group with Wade Flemons, (1940-1993) and Don Whitehead, calling themselves the ‘Salty Peppers,’ who later on that year were re-named ‘Earth, Wind & Fire,’ the band’s new name reflecting the elements in his astrological chart. For the discography of ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ see best songs 462.

‘September’ was co-written by Maurice White, Al McKay, and Allee Willis, (1947-2019) with the production being by White, and Charles Stepney (1931-1976.) ‘September’ was one of three brand new songs recorded to promote ‘The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1, which was the groups first greatest hits compilation, and has gone on to sell in excess of 5 million copies in the United States. Al McKay was a member of ‘Earth, Wind & Fire,’ but the songs other co-writer Allee Willis had been recommended to White by his brother Verdine. Willis has spoken about her initial reservations concerning White’s insistence on singing ‘Ba duda, ba duda, ba, badu.,’ she said,’I absolutely could not deal with lyrics that were nonsensical, or lines that weren’t complete sentences, and I’m exceedingly happy that I lost that attitude. I went, ‘You cannot leave bada-ya in the chorus, that has to mean something.’ Maurice said, ‘No, that feels great. That’s what people are going to remember. We’re leaving it.’ We did try other stuff, and it always sounded clunky – thank God. She has also added,’The main lesson I learned from ‘Earth, Wind & Fire,’ especially Maurice White, was never let a lyric get in the way of a groove. Ultimately it’s the feel that is the most important, and someone will feel what you’re saying if those words fit in there right.’ Willis would go on to write dozens of other songs including ‘Boogie Wonderland,’ ‘What Have I Done to Deserve This?’ a UK Number 2 hit in 1988 for the Pet Shop Boys featuring Dusty Springfield, and perhaps best known of all, the theme song from the American sitcom ‘Friends,’ in total her compositions have sold in excess of 60 million records worldwide.

There were many theories as to the significance of the date September 21st, which is the famous opening line of the song. Allee Willis said that White had told her that it had no real significance, and was chosen because it sang well phonetically, but in 2018 White’s widow Marilyn said that September 21st was the due date for their son, Kahbran, and that Maurice put that specific date into the song as a secret message.

Even though ‘September’ was a massive hit when initially released, I think it is fair to say that it has become more and more popular as the years have gone by. In 1999 a remix by the British ‘Dance Music’ duo ‘Phats and Small,’ took the song back in to the UK top 40, reaching Number 25, and in 2016, ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ re-recorded the song with the American actress Anna Kendrick, and the American singer Justin Timberlake, (see also best songs 317) for the soundtrack of the film ‘Trolls.’

‘Do you remember the 21st night of September? Love was changing the minds of pretenders, while chasing the clouds away. Our hearts were ringing, in the key that our souls were singing, as we danced in the night, remember how the stars stole the night away.’