MUSIC
The intriguing story behind ‘September’ by Earth, Wind & Fire
Released in November 1978, ‘September’ “Is the song we’re known for” says EWF bass player Verdine White, although singer Philip Bailey initially hated the ‘Ba-dee-ya’ refrain.
Released on Columbia in November 1978, ‘September’ is the timeless, feelgood classic that will be forever associated with Earth, Wind & Fire, and one of their greatest commercial successes - even though singer Philip Bailey initially felt it was a throwaway song, miles away from the group’s best output.
“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”
Today, 46 years to the month that it was written, ‘September’ sold over a million physical copies from its original release in November 1978, has featured in numerous move soundtracks and been covered by over 100 different artists such as Taylor Swift, Full Flava and Kirk Franklin. In the summer of 1999 it was even updated and given house makeover by Phats & Small.
It reached No.1 in the US Hot Soul Singles chart and No.3 in the UK – an irresistibly catchy tune that continues to be cherished by generations of fans due to its infectious bassline and cheerful chorus, even four decades after its release.
Since its debut as a single on the band’s initial greatest hits album, this song has transformed September 21st into an unofficial holiday, playfully known as “Earth, Wind & Fire Day.”
However, it appears that those seeking a deeper meaning behind the date “Sept. 21″ don’t need to look too far.
“It’s the song we’re known for, right?” says EWF bass player Verdine White. “It started out with Al McKay doing a great rhythm on ‘September’. He would always work on this groove at soundchecks and we said, ‘We don’t have to have any lyrics’ so he just did ‘Ba-dee-ya’ through the whole chorus”.
Singer Philip Bailey however, wasn’t convinced. “I’m never gonna live it down! When we listened to it in the studio, I wasn’t that impressed. I was like, ‘Ok, it’s ok but I thought it was a little simple... but I was totally wrong!”
Earth, Wind and Fire 'September' lyrics
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
Ba de ya. Say do you remember
Ba de ya. Dancing in September
Ba de ya. Never was a cloudy day
Ba duda, ba duda, ba duda, badu
Ba duda, badu, ba duda, badu
Ba duda, badu, ba duda
My thoughts are with you
Holding hands with your heart to see you
Only blue talk and love
Remember how we knew love was here to stay
Now December found the love we shared in September
Only blue talk and love
Remember the true love we share today
Ba de ya. Say do you remember
Ba de ya. Dancing in September
Ba de ya. Never was a cloudy day
There was a
Ba de ya. Say do you remember
Ba de ya. Dancing in September
Ba de ya. Golden dreams were shiny days
The bell was ringing, aha
Our souls were singing
Do you remember
Never a cloudy day
There was a
Ba de ya. Say do you remember
Ba de ya. Dancing in September
Ba de ya. Never was a cloudy day
There was a
Ba de ya. Say do you remember
Ba de ya. Dancing in September
Ba de ya. Golden dreams were shiny days
Ba de ya de ya de ya
Ba de ya de ya de ya
Ba de ya de ya de ya
De ya
Ba de ya de ya de ya
Ba de ya de ya de ya
Ba de ya de ya de ya
Why the 21st of September?
Allee Willis, the Grammy-winning songwriter who collaborated with Maurice White (the founder and former lead singer of Earth, Wind & Fire) and Al McKay (the group’s guitarist) on this song, clarified before her passing in 2019 that there is no particular significance attached to the “21st night of September.”
“We went through all the dates,” she recalled to NPR in 2004 of the writing process, which took nearly four months. “‘Do you remember the first, the second, the third, the fourth ... ' and the one that just felt the best was the 21st.”
This implies that it is unrelated to the common assumption of celebrating the final fleeting moments of summer, especially considering that September 22nd marks the official start of fall. Additionally, it is not a hidden reference to any historical event or a treasured personal memory.
“I constantly have people coming up to me, and they get so excited to know what the significance was. And there is no significance beyond it just sang better than any of the other dates,” Willis said. “So ... sorry!”
That’s not the only part of “September” that confuses fans. In the chorus, they keep saying “Ba-dee-ya,” which is one of the most misunderstood lyrics in a song. When people dance at weddings, you’ll hear all sorts of guesses, like “Ariel,” “Barbie Doll,” or “Bloody Hell.”
Willis explained that White, who passed away in 2016, was responsible for those lines. It turns out he came up with those silly sounds when the three of them were writing the song’s words.
“The, kind of, go-to phrase that Maurice used in every song he wrote was ‘ba-dee-ya,’ " she told NPR. “So right from the beginning he was singing, ‘Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember / Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September.’ "
Frustrated and concerned that the song seemed too simple, Willis sought one last bit of clarity from White. She recalled, “Finally, when it became clear he wouldn’t explain, I just asked, ‘What does ‘ba-dee-ya’ mean?’” His response expanded her musical perspective. “He basically said, ‘Who cares?’” she jokingly recounted.
Infectious, uplifting, joyous
“I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him, which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove,” said Willis, who would go on to write hits like “Neutron Dance” for the Pointer Sisters and “I’ll Be There For You” (the theme for Friends) for the Rembrandts.
“If the melody, beat and spirit are there then everyone will know — emotionally, they will know — what you’re saying,” she told American Songwriter. “Lyrics can be clunky sometimes because someone is trying to make too much sense or fit in a four-syllable word when a two-syllable one feels better.”
In the case of “September,” the song’s main goal is to make people feel happy and celebrate, and its “Ba-dee-ya” lyrics do just that for the listeners.