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i find it astonishing when reactors don't move their body when they first hear September. i've heard it hundreds of times, some part of my body will move to the beat, EVERY TIME. my head and hand start as soon as she unpauses. it's involuntary.
@TheCharismaticVoice Yes, you're right, Phil Bailey does the falsetto. Not only at Earth, Wind and Fire but also on solo recordings and the duet with Phil Collins "Easy Lover".
@@melll1972 would you go "Easy lover" or "Chinese Wall" for the vocals? I am leaning to Chinese Wall. Great Idea thoug as it get's Elisabeth into some Phill Collins collaboration content too.
How can anybody hear this and not just feel good? Also, "September" was released in 1978 and is now almost 50 years old. Earth, Wind & Fire is considered one of the greatest musical groups of all time and have so many timeless songs.
I don't think it's particularly ironic that the song was released in November, because the verse is asking whether the listener, by now ensconced in late autumn or early winter, could remember the 21st night of September.
I can feel the tears pricking my eyes as I’m overwhelmed by memories of first love, a teenage romance, dancing to this with the most beautiful girl in world.
The happiest and danciest song ever. Nobody can hear this and not move and smile. What a tune. A perfect pop disco dance song, one of the best ever produced
This is a prime example of why us old-timers (60 years young here) consider this era of music, The Best Music EVER. Your enthusiasm is contagious Elizabeth!
I’m with you! Back in 82 I ordered my first EWF album from some club selling albums at school. Kids gave me grief for ordering it, until they heard it!
I've seen Earth, Wind & Fire twice in concert with Chicago and it was one of the best shows ever. Also, if you aren't in a great mood after listening to them, you just aren't a happy person
Adding my +! for Boogie Wonderland. Elizabeth, you haven't lived till you've heard Earth, Wind and Fire with The Emotions! Talk about feel good vibes! Heaven!
"September" is one of the great anthems of the 1970's.. Being a teenager in that decade, we all danced and sang along to this song no matter what genre was our favorite. Interesting note, in 2015 Earth, Wind and Fire toured with Chicago (another big pop band with lots of brass that you have analyzed) and they opened the show with both bands on stage together (~14 or so musicians) singing each other's hits. Awesome. I had hoped that you would get to this song someday and now the day is here. Thank You.
When my son chose the sax for band in elementary school, he was struggling with controlling all of the keys. I showed him this video so he can understand what the struggle was for, and why it was worth it. Once he saw what could be done with a great horn section, he was so much more excited to learn the sax. Of course, I also showed him "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. Both are iconic.
We just had a wedding at my property yesterday for my sisters childhood friend. They chose that date because it was also the bride's mothers birthday, but the first song they played after the reception was this song! They also walked out to a harry potter song, walked back in to the star wars imperial march, and had an old swing/fallout music playlist going during most of it all. It was amazing!
One thing that makes this song feel so "free" is that it never really resolves to the root chord (A). That leaves it feeling open and free-floating. So much smart composition, great musicianship, and stellar singing in this and most EW&F. Amazing!
Yeah! The songwriter, Allee Willis, who died just before Christmas in 2019. NPR did an interview with her about this song and included that quote from Maurice White.
As a GenXer who adores a good dark song, I have to say that Earth Wind and Fire, and this song in particular, makes me simply HAPPY. I'm discovering that it's not simply because of nostalgia.. there's something else going on here. It's becoming a yearly ritual to listen to and acknowledge this song. You just made me love this song even more by breaking it down. Ba dee ya dee yaa dee ya.. YEAH! ( I can't resist suggesting Easy Lover with Phil and Phil (Collins and Bailey) next.. it would be such a fun video to analyze!)
Yes, for us it's that early childhood kind of happiness that can't be replicated, even with nostalgia for the glory days of our youth in the 80s and early 90s
their greatest hits is a banger, on top of your list, That's the Way of the World, Can't Hide Love, Get you into my Life, Sing a Song, Let's Groove, Boogie Wonderland. So much happiness listening to this album!
Phillip Bailey teamed up with Phil Collins (another artist you’ve delved into) for a few songs. Their biggest hit was called Easy Lover. Thank you for this dive into Earth Wind & Fire. It’s great to gain awareness of subtleties that we may miss in casually listening to songs, and helps make us more sensitive to those as we learn more. ❤️
A couple of years ago I started playing this song every friday afternoon on my commute home from work. Always puts me in the best mood. Seeing Elizabeth analyse it and just smiling away throughout the entire song totally made my Monday as well.
Oooh, I feel thrown back in time, listening to my portable radio when I was a kid. I always felt good, hearing such beautiful music, back in that days. ❤❤ 🎶
Yes! So happy to see you doing Earth, Wind and Fire. I hope you do more songs from them like the live version of Reasons, Yearnin' Learnin', and Sing A Song. And more soul R&B music in general for that matter.
1978, Jr High science class, my science teacher walks in with EW&F Greatest Hits, breaks out the LP and we proceeded to hear an hour's worth of that album.
I’ve seen dozens upon dozens of your reactions and this is one of my favorites. You’re so genuine in your reaction and enjoyment of music and it’s contagious for certain. I hope you never stop publicly sharing your expertise and adoration of music! 🙂💯
So glad you are hearing Earth Wind and Fire. They’re such a great band. I love both singers but Philip Bailey is a special talent. His duet with Phil Collins on Easy Lover would be a very fun song to analyze in the near future.
This song hits me hard. My daughter and I used to dance to this when she was a toddler. Now she is in college and I just sent her the link to this and I'm basically half in tears because I am really feeling it right now. Thanks for doing this video. I'm grateful that I can share your videos with her based on this connection.
I loved this one for personal reasons. My dad was a huge funk fan, especially earth wind and fire, and tower of power. You brought back so many warm memories of listening to this with him
EW&F have been on my "happy music" playlist for decades!! Make cocktails, invite friends & have a summer dance party on the patio. The horns, the harmonies...EW&F are all killer, no filler.
"September" is one of the happiest songs ever recorded. I love it so much. Thanks for this deep dive. This is definitely on my happy playlist, along with Pharrell's "Happy," Allman Brothers "Jessica" and anything by Sergio Mendes and Santana.
My Earth, Wind and Fire memory is from about a little over a decade ago. Our municipality had a music festival, and the brass band I play in were the opener for Earth Wind and Fire. The horn section stood offstage during our performance, then we had a great conversation after our set. Great guys
I'm glad you noticed it speeding up. I've always noticed that and liked how it energizes the song. They do that in a couple spots. Brilliant in its subtlety.
We had two amazing marching band directors in high school and whenever a new E,W, & F song would come out, they would make an amazing arrangement for us with an equally amazing field routine. This band has remained one of my all-time favorites---to this day (Thank-you Mr. Hall and Mr. Brown).
Great choice Elizabeth. Earth, Wind, & Fire... Funk-a-Disco. I was 8, 9, 10 yrs. old and my mom would have their music in heavy rotation in the house. It was about the same time that this genre of music became more popularized with a wider demographic of people in the USA. In the late 70's the films Saturday Night Fever, and reboot of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band led by The Bee Gees, Frampton, & E, W, & F and heavy radio play on Top 40 radio led to the disco-funk explosion. I was already digging into AC/DC, Kiss, and Rush at the time. I am grateful for the wide variety of music my parents listened to when I was young. I have the same "open" ear they had. Thank you for your effort, excellence, & enthusiasm. Side Note: it would be fun to watch a musical film such as Spinal Tap, Sgt. Peppers, Rock of Ages with you and the Charismatics. Like an extended play - drinks, snacks, laughs.
Yes, Elizabeth you finally reviewed EWF in September! Good timing. This song is definitely a happy song along with Mr Sunshine, Saturday in the park for the month of September.
You got it correct Elizabeth about who is low and high voices. Philip Bailey had released solo albums, including one that featured Phil Collins - "Easy Lover".
Elizabeth, thanks for making me smile and feel better after a very stressful weekend 🤗 I always enjoy your educational, insightful and always entertaining content!
You have to listen to Fantasy a killer piece and Philip Bailey's range is unreal His falseto head/voice is like a trumpet at the e in d when he improvises on the out take ... song structure amazing a must listen a song to hear for a life time ...this group was awesome live as well Fantasy is a masterpiece 👍👍👍👍♥️☮️
I work at a big boxstore and this song and Don't Stop till You Get Enough by Michael Jackson are the only two songs over the years that gets the most people singing and dancing as they work and shop. There's just that sence of joyfulness that hits you.😊
to hear Phillip Bailey's beautiful falsetto, "Reasons" allows you hear the incredible range. So amazing! I haven't heard anyone else ever get as high as him.
Back in 2005 “The Today Show” had a concert series. One of the shows, which you can find on RU-vid, was Earth Wind and Fire with the band Chicago. What a horn section! Definitely worth a listen.
Married eleven years ago on 9/21/13. This was the DJ’s first pick after our first dance, two dances for parents, and “Old Time Rock and Roll” because my father in law is a huge Bob Seger fan.
Earth Wind & Fire is no small part of the soft spot for brass that I've carried from middle school band class into my late 30's. I love this shit, and it's why I so adored Silk Sonic with that throwback energy in the 2020's.
I've been working at sunset sound since 1987 Earth wind & fire has done a few albums there. Verdine is a good friend of mine. And a sweetheart of a man. Enjoy
Great reaction and analysis of this great track, Elizabeth. This was released (in the U.K.) in September 1978 on promotion white label, I know this as I was DJing at the time, it's official release was later in the U.S.A. in November. You're right about the singers, the lower voice being Maurice White and Phil Bailey with higher voice in Yellow in the front row. This was a massive hit from them this year, their track "Fantasy" was another big hit for them released January the same year in the U.K. and a month later in the U.S.A. for some reason they tended to release their singles earlier in the U.K. than the U.S.A.
They also perform what is arguably the best cover of a Beatles song ever - “Got to Get You Into My Life”. It would be fun for you to do a breakdown, listening to bother the original and the EW&F version!
EW&F performed 3 songs during last year's The Voice final, including September as the last one. It was simply the perfect energy, everybody, all ages, was dancing. 🥰
Oh I can’t wait!!!! Elizabeth, I would love if you checked out Lighthouse outta Canada. Sunny Days , One Fine Morning, Pretty Lady. Often called the Chicago of Canada. Amazing horns and vocals. You will not be disappointed!!❤❤❤🇨🇦
Great tunes. One Fine Morning is my favorite. The album version is important to listen to over the single, but there may be a live version out there somewhere that is even better.
You nailed the confidence insight. Your genuine enthusiasm is refreshing--it must be fun to find so much "new" music. Still amazes me--but watching you having fun is so cool.
Elizabeth! This is my gift to you..... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, do a EWF song with Phillip Bailey in falsetto. He is AMAZING. You would LOVE. Try REASONS or FANTASY!!!
Although this is a great one to start with you should check out Fantasy next especially considering it features vocal god Philip Bailey. Also if you really want to swoon over Philip watch the live performance of Devotion. Just incredible some of the notes Philip hits.
This is a wonderful song, really takes me back - thanks for digging into this one! Over the weekend I was looking through your videos to check if you had ever listened to any songs by The Cars and I couldn't find any. I've never made a recommendation before, but I thought I'd suggest starting with "Just What I Needed", which is just about one of the most perfect pop songs I've ever heard.
"September" by Earth Wind and Fire is at the top of my favorite songs by them. Just a simple and fun song, very upbeat and great harmonies. I can still remember hearing it on the radio as a teen in the late 1970's and have always loved the song. There are certain songs you feel like cranking up on your car stereo, this is one I would crank it up.
Art is subjective. Claiming any artistic endeavor is “Best” disrespects the field. Sharing your “Favorite(s)” with others shows your appreciation for the artistry.
Thanks Elizabeth. I learned much from you as to why this song "works". It's not only a "groove" but you highlight how the singing, phrasing, instrumentation work together to make it unforgettable. s
This takes me back to a dance I use to go to on Saturday nights when I was 17 or so. It was run by a church, but was still great fun. I had a girlfriend at the time (she passed away about 6-7 years back) who loved to dance, and this sort of music. If you watch the video for Boogie Wonderland, she use to dance like the woman in that video. This was back in 1978-9. So long ago, but the memories remain.
I'm certain this will be on Elizabeth's happy playlist. Maybe Shining Star and Let's Groove will also make it onto that list. September has been on my happy playlist for the last 44 years.
They came out with a Christmas album. Pre-covid and re-recorded September so it said December! They were the first to use fog, smoke, and lasers in their concerts. Besides the amazing uplifting songs, you got the most bang for your buck for total entertainment when you saw Earth, wind and fire in the '70s and '80s. They have a live version of September, on the live from Japan album. It's so amazing how the audience responds. Ps: You get some yeeoows in a couple of their ballads, as well!
That high note at the beginning is a great example of an inverted pedal point ostinato, which are two of my favorite music tropes. Oh, and the phrase anticipations are anacruses, another great music trope dating back to before the common practice period. The pacing here keeps the listener engaged and seems to relate to a possibly apocryphal origin of the phrase "rock and roll."
