WASHINGTON, DC: From left to right, Kennedy Center Honor recipients Verdine White, Philip Bailey, … [+]
The Washington Post via Getty Images
It’s September 21 and that means it’s time to take a fresh listen to a remixed version of Earth, Wind and Fire classic, “September.” There is a new video too.
Reflecting back on the creation of this song in 1978, EWF member Philip Bailey has this to say: “I would never have guessed that such a simple catchy song as it is, and was, would become an all-time global favorite for generations.”
Recently certified as 6x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, the 2020 “September” remix was produced by well known industry producer and instrumentalist Eric Kupper, known for his work with house music legend Frankie Knuckles. The remix debuted at number 4 last week on the Lyricworld chart and the cut even has its own party to commemorate this 42nd birthday. DJ Spinna is hosting a three hour tribute celebration on Sept. 21, 2020 from 7 to 10 p.m. EST on the Earth, Wind & Fire YouTube channel. There, original band members Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson are expected to drop in and talk to the fans.
Here are five things to know about this iconic song.
1. The track was originally recorded in September of 1978 and released in November. The track shot up to number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, while also grabbing number eight on the Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles chart.
2. EWF guitarist Al McKay wrote the chord progression. McKay, originally from New Orleans, left EWF and now has his own group, The Al McKay Allstars.
3. Lyricist Allee Willis worked on the composition for a month or so and wasn’t certain that White’s “ba-dee-ya” hook would work. But it did. Said Willis: “learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him, which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove.” Willis died in 2019 and also co-wrote “Boogie Wonderland,” “The Neutron Dance” for the Pointer Sisters and the theme for “Friends.”
4. Little kids were introduced to “September” via a remake created by EWF featuring Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake for 2016’s Trolls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
5. The group created the song “December” in 2014, riffing off the classic September lyrics: “Do you remember/the 21st night of September?”
