Earth, Wind & Fire – September

Released in late 1978, September became one of Earth, Wind & Fire’s defining songs, blending funk, soul, and disco into a joyous anthem. With its celebratory groove and instantly memorable chorus, the track has remained a cultural touchstone—revisited every year on the “21st night of September.”

Background & Release

The idea for September came to Maurice White in a Washington, D.C. hotel room, with the sound of a protest outside providing the unlikely backdrop. White began sketching out the groove that would anchor the track, later developing it with guitarist Al McKay’s rhythm figure and Allee Willis’s lyrical input.

Released on November 18, 1978, as the lead single from The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1, the song gave the greatest-hits compilation fresh momentum. Its upbeat mood and irresistible hook helped it cross genres, climbing both R&B and pop charts worldwide.

Composition & Themes

From the first guitar lick, September radiates energy. Its musical backbone is rooted in a circle-of-fifths progression, overlaid with horns, syncopated rhythm guitar, and vocal interplay. The refrain “ba-dee-ya” was left intentionally nonsensical—Maurice White insisted it worked as pure sound, and Allee Willis later called the result “joyful music.”

Willis’s first writing session with the band was a departure from her usual style. White encouraged her to embrace Earth, Wind & Fire’s positive and spiritual philosophy, which shaped not only the lyrics of September but much of her subsequent work with the group. The result was a track that conveys happiness without ever lapsing into cliché.

As for the famous opening line—“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”—White often said the date had no special meaning, chosen simply because it sang well. Years later, family members revealed it was also the due date for his son, a private detail that added another layer of resonance to an already timeless lyric.

Music Video

The promotional video for September captures the band in performance, with soft-focus effects and vibrant staging typical of the late 1970s. Rather than telling a story, it mirrors the song’s atmosphere: celebratory, warm, and danceable.

Reception & Charts

Upon release, September topped the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and peaked at No. 8 on the Hot 100, while reaching No. 3 in the UK. It became a fixture of year-end party playlists across the globe, and in later decades earned gold certification in the United States and silver in the UK. In 2021, it was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry, recognized for its cultural and artistic significance.

Legacy & Cultural Impact

Few songs have sustained such long-lasting popularity. The “21st night of September” lyric has become an annual internet celebration, with fans sharing the song on social media every September 21. Band members have even joked that the entire month now belongs to them.

The track has been embraced in countless settings—weddings, sports events, film soundtracks, commercials—ensuring that each new generation encounters it anew. For Allee Willis, it marked the beginning of her collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire, leading to further co-writes like Boogie Wonderland. For listeners, it remains a reliable burst of happiness, a song almost universally associated with joy.

Credits

Song

• Writers: Maurice White, Al McKay, Allee Willis

• Producer: Maurice White

Personnel (original recording)

• Maurice White – lead and background vocals

• Philip Bailey – vocals, congas

• Al McKay – guitar, background vocals

• Johnny Graham – guitar

• James Jamerson Jr. – bass

• Larry Dunn – keyboards

• Ralph Johnson, Fred White – drums and percussion

• Rahmlee Michael Davis, Michael Harris – trumpets

• Louis Satterfield – trombone

• Andrew Woolfolk – soprano saxophone

• Tom “Tom Tom 84” Washington – string, horn, and vocal arrangements

References

1. September (Earth, Wind & Fire song) – Wikipedia, release details, credits, chart data.

2. The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 – Wikipedia, compilation background.

3. Earth, Wind & Fire – Wikipedia, band overview.

4. Songfacts – Allee Willis reflections on writing with the band and Maurice White’s philosophy.

5. People magazine – Band commentary on September 21 traditions.

6. Vanity Fair – Cultural celebrations around the song.

7. Library of Congress – National Recording Registry entry.