I Played EWF's "September" 1000 TIMES - Here's What I Learned
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- Опубліковано 14 вер 2023
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Speaking of EWF, check out my other videos covering their songs:
Story of September: • The Greatest Filler So...
Investigating the "Mistake" in September: • The MISTAKE in Septemb...
Why EWF's Beatles cover is better than the original: • Why Earth Wind & Fire’...
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SOURCES
On the insignificance of September 21st: people.com/music/earth-wind-f...
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TOPICS COVERED
Earth Wind and Fire
September
Maurice White
Verdine White
Al McKay
Philip Bailey
Stems
Breakdown
Groove
Analysis
#earthwindandfire #september #musichistory
You're wrong. I watched this video because I have alerts switched on for this amazing channel. Keep it up!
Happy to be proven wrong in this case 😂😂
Yeah, me too. :-D
Truth!
@@diggingthegreatsis guitar #1 Roland Bautista or Al McKay? I assume I’ll know the answer to guitar 2 thereafter. That was a helluva breakdown of that track 👌🏽🔥
I was thinking about “reasons”
Dude, I didn't think this song could get any better. But the way you break this down to the individual instruments, made it so.
🙏🙏
@diggingthegreats what about Frankie Beverly and Maze dude you gotta give me a video on them please. By the way I donate
@@cotyparms9666 that would give me such happy feelings & joy before I let go
What EWF does with September goes back to what James Brown was teaching the James Brown band on “Cold Sweat” back in 1967. He said “every instrument is a drum”, from the horns to the guitars, to the bass and keys, he was getting them to do what we called “lock” and they did! Awesome lesson yet again sir 💯❤️😊🎶🥁🎹🎸
100%. Thats why EWF is soooo good. Maurice was a session drummer, Philip was a percussionist, at one point it was Ralph AND Fred playing drums, and Verdine was called by the O.G. jazz basists a 'rythm king' - you have to EARN that title.. it wasnt tossed around.. so James was right - that formula is the secret sauce - and why he will Always be 'Soul Brother #1' and EWF will always be the 'The Elements - baddest band in the land'
Well it helps that 6 of the 9 band members can play the drums (Maurice White, Verdine White, Fred White, Philip Bailey, Al McKay & Ralph Johnson).
@@amazing50000 absolutely! 💯 Here you have a multi-talented clan of musicians, it’s something to play and master one instrument, but when you can play and master all kinds it shows up in the music, a great help to the music 🎶
It's also a concept Bootsy helped George Clinton develop for the PFunk sound . When Bootsy brought the concept of the one to Pfunk after he left James Brown, Clinton, now understanding the value of the first beat, added this percussive style to all the instruments to further enhance the one. When you listen to Pfunk, there seems to be dozens of instruments adding small percussive bits that are seemingly separate but incredibly in sync, making an amazing smooth yet funky groove. Clinton calls it "percolating."
My father's birthday was September 21, 1945. Every year, I would call him and play this song over the phone.
He would always laugh about it while I wished him a happy birthday. He passed away on January 26 of this year.
I am sharing this post on September 22, 2023. Yesterday would have been his 78th birthday.
Thank you so much for this video. Everything you shared makes so much sense.
I hope Digging the Greats writes a music book one day 🔥🔥🔥
September 21st happens to be the day of Independence for Belize, so you know this song makes the people there go absolutely nuts on that day.
Awesome fact - thanks for sharing that. Viva Belize.
It was one of my mom's favorite songs for an additional reason - her birthday was four days off, so she'd always change the lyrics to the "25th night of September" 😂 miss you Mom, rest easy ♥️
You’re certainly right about the impact this song has. I had it on my work playlist and damn if most of the warehouse didn’t jam to it…young and old. Earth, Wind & Fire is just that legendary.
‘Sho you’re right! 👊🏽🙏🏽
So, we're just gonna not mention that September 21st just happens to be the Atumnal Equinox, one of only two "perfect" days each year when there's 12 hours or daylight and 12 hours of darkness.
A group named Earth, Wind & Fire MIGHT have been drawn to such a date.
I can dig this
It more often falls on the 22nd, but close enough...
Just saw them live in Austin and they're so tight and groovy. Philip Bailey can WAIL still. Dude was FANTASTIC. Also Verdeen is just so much fun. These dudes are in their 70's and just kill it on stage. Great light and video show, also. Great job breaking down this song, which is beyond a banger. Love how you have the stems! Each part is just a groove into itself. Insane.
Sure hated that I had to miss that show, I’m just down the road in San Antonio, EWF are MY GUYS! Glad you had a great time though, peace to you & yours, respect. 👊🏽🙏🏽
Just caught these guys earlier this week warming up for Lionel Richie. Man, they were tight. Knocked out all the songs that I wanted to hear and looked darn cool doing it too.
Saw them at the Hollywood Bowl a few years back... UNREAL
Keep dropping that knowledge Bah diya. (should have dropped it on the 21st) lol. Love it bro.
Trying to get just ahead for the algorithm 😂
@@diggingthegreats I thought you might mention a theory how songs in F#m/A that don't ever quite land on any I chord really elicit this type of feel-good celebratory vibe. George Duke's "I Love You More" (aka Daft Punk's "Digital Love" sample) has it, Phil Collins and EWF's Philip Bailey's "Easy Lover" has it during his sections, some more examples that I'm too sleepy to remember right n..
I recently bought that Greatest Hits album on vinyl just off the strength of "September."
The crazy thing is, the FIRST release of September is on the greatest hits album. It was a new song, it's like they KNEW
@@diggingthegreats They absolutely knew. Just like Stevie's Musiquarium. You can already have someone's previous discography so buying a greatest hits comp is unnecessary unless there are new songs added.
Great content as usual.
I long for the day when there'll be a Digging the Greats 2 channel which will consist of someone going through your videos and being like wow this dude is amazing lets break his videos down and understand why
Every time this song comes on the radio, I announce it as ” ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER WRITTEN!!! ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER COMPOSED!!!
I always thought the song was about the end of summer
@@wingtsunclan2307 It reminds me that the Autumn is the best time of the year.
I clicked because YOU made the video. No searches. I wasn’t even thinking about September. You dropping facts is reason enough.
My birthday is September 21st. I was literally born on the 21st night of September, and every year we celebrate with this song. Glad to know the world is celebrating with us 😊
21 of september here in Argentina marks the start of spring, so its fitting for a song so catchy and groovey
Fun fact Allie Willis the cowriter of Septemeber had a song of the same name on her only album. Her debut Childstar in 1974, with the concept of the surrounding months making up the premise of the song. Its worth checking out to see the evolution of ideas that went to create this endearing song.
I clicked this video because I love Earth Wind and Fire.., Amy song. My favorite is can’t hide love…. Thank you.
I clicked because EW&F is absurdly epic and I never tire of people who know what they are talking about praise them without hesitation or doubt. Favorite situational songs? Closing Time and Last Dance - the "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!" of music.
This song is so great that even my mom can't stop dancing on it even the younger the generation is dancing on it.
Been DJing for 20 years, all types of gigs and have done minimum 250 weddings in that time. I’ve started off the wedding dancefloor almost every single time (literally 99%) with September, no matter what time of year because, to your point… it just works. Everytime.
Diving into the multitrack is a wonderful experience.. I would love to hear you start bringing all of the stems in one by one until you have the entire mix playing. That would be extremely satisfying. Like hearing just the guitars and bass together as a group would probably sound awesome.
At this point, September 21 should be considered Earth, Wind & Fire day. BTW keep up the good work!
Deleted scene from this video: looking up "Earth wind and fire day" on Google Trends - took it out because it's essentially the same spike every year, but it's been growing year over year for the past few
As a wedding DJ I totally agree, September is an absolute banger! Cross generational, young and old love it! Great channel. Just discovered it and immediate subscribe! Keep up the good content!
I clicked on this because I click your every new video. But now I'm gonna find an old school live version of the time from EW&F.
I clicked ‘cause I’m a DIE HARD “Firehead” & I ALWAYS check out things associated w/my FAVORITE musical collective, the GREATEST to EVER do it! Respect FOREVERMORE & Rest In Power…Maestro Maurice, Fred White & Andrew Woolfolk. 🙏🏽 [bowing]
My partner and I watch every single video of yours. Yours is one of three channels we actually have notifications on for. Keep it up, you rock!
🙏🙏
I think Demi Adejuyigbe also had a great impact on the youtube searches for September
I clicked on this video because of you...
Keep dropping shit, I'ma keep coming back. You are the quickest channel I subscribed to after lurking on your vids
I clicked this video because I love that song (all year round) and when I saw the video was posted by you on this fantastic channel I knew it would be a great video 😊
I really hope you keep making one video about this song every year
It’s crazy, I saved this video 5 days ago and now I’m watching this on the 21st of September. Not planned at all lol
I clicked because I LOVE EWF💕
and I LOVE this song and I listen to it all year ...
Devotion and Reasons are the other one I play ALL THE TIME.. 💃🏾
I went and listened to every isolated track, and honestly, each on its own works almost as a standalone song. The grooves are immaculate.
You've gone in depth on this track (and this band) before, and this might be one of your best deep dives yet. Another killer video, sir.
Dude I'm more than kind of a Grandpa Luddite when it comes to internet/social media culture. And popculture youtube turned me off early on because the hosts had 5 min to cram content. It got on my nerves. But your confident chill delivery has given me finally a quick take on music history and theory that I can enjoy, may I say, love. Thanks a crateful!
We clicked on this video because we previously selected all notifications when we subbed to your incredible channel. We are digging the great content and deep dives you lead us on every week. 💯📀🎉
Surprised you didn't call an audible and release this on September 21st though...
I can relate as well. I used to DJ 2 weddings a weekend for many years. I always played this song and without fail it brought people young and old to the floor.
I have been watching your videos for a while now, love the way you flow, but bro, this is the best one you've ever done. I am an EWF fanatic. I remember when I met Maurice White and he was so digging my twin and I's music that he wanted to work with us; as though meeting him was not good enough, I think it was in November... my twin and I literally could not speak, he was so warm and understanding, and we were able to pick our jaws from the floor, sometime in December... Sadly, he fell ill shortly after that and we never got round to working together, but hey to me, it was still one of the greatest days of my life...I literally met EWF, the guys who gave us September ...
I clicked on this video because i got a notification that said "Digging The Greats" 🙃✌️
Another great video, keep up the good work! Just a theory, but the 2018 spike may have something to do with the song becoming a popular chant in soccer matches during the 2018 World Cup with England fans, who had their greatest tournament in decades ⚽
I'm looking forward to coming back and watching this video next year. 👍🏽
I got to see EWF live years ago. It was one of the greatest concerts I've ever seen.
For my money, Earth Wind & Fire is the greatest band in history.
‘Sho you’re right, true indeed! The GREATEST to ever do it. 👊🏽🙏🏽
& no one else comes close ❤
Saw them live in 2010, and it was 2 straight hours of non stop awesomeness!!!
Great theory on why I clicked on this video, but I really just saw you had done another Earth Wind & Fire video and wanted to watch it. I wasn't really thinking that the 21st was coming up soon. But now that I have watched this, yeah I do wanna play this now until the 21st!
I clicked because digging the greats never fails to deliver ‼️‼️
The only wrong thing most people repost or reshare this song is on every first day of September.
I always religiously share the song on the 21st NIGHT of September. Reason? That's just the way of the world.
But people are considering the change of lyric now:
"Do you remember? The very first day of September?" 😅
I am so glad that you had the notion to isolate the greatness of this song and amazing artists. We do not understand the complexities and organic nature of music because everything now is mechanical and digitized. You made an old head (50 plus year old) feel like a kid standing in the corner of the studio, witnessing the making of an album. Incredible and so needed for this generation.
When I was like 7 my brother told me this was the best song of all time and of course I wanted no parts of what he was saying. Fast forward 27 years, it’s not my favorite song but I 100% understand where my brother was coming from. (Even before watching this video)
I clicked this video because I'm learning this on bass. Never heard the lyrics. Now I know it's about 21 September.
I wonder if my daughter’s music teacher watched this video a few days ago. My daughter was so excited to tell me about this song when she got home from school. She said that her teacher covered the song for their entire music lesson. Anyhow, let me watch now!
I saw Earth Wind & Fire live back in 2018 in Glasgow and they were phenomenally good. Verdine White was showing why he still has the fingers of a master!
Where does one get the multi-track? Thanks, Brandon; excellent musicology!❤
The mix of september they play at the end of night at the museum is really good.
Very well explained, especially the comparison with the three legged run made it clear to me what is required in terms of virtuosity and timing by each individual player to form a really tight band. Thank you very much!
I’m happy that I’m looking at this video for the first time on the 21st night of September, but I’m mad that you didn’t wait till today to post it.
The three-legged race metaphor is spot on. As a drummer in a local cover band, my own personal three-legged race is exhausting, EVERY. DAMN. GIG. 😮💨
I feel called out by this video! First time watching his video and he knows exactly why I'm here.
I clicked because Maurice White is one of my fav people who ever lived
I cover this song with my friends every year. Another great vid!
If there was a show called "Music Jeopardy" you'd be the Ken Jennings! 🙌🏾🤜🤛🏾
Love your content humor and radio voice. Please keep it coming brother. And thank you for the breakdown of my favorite bands music!!! 🙏
that individual instrument groove breakdown was SO cool.
Jokes on you, I clicked/tapped because I love watching Digging The Greats!
😂 I'll take it!
Those drums sounding identical to Michael Jackson- Billie Jean 3:39
September again😢... Where's Can't Find Love, Getaway, Let's Groove
Great breakdown DTG 🔥🔥
that Dropkick Murphy's call out was perfect!
Having one of your favorite bands make a classic immortalizing your birthday is a gift
I remember asking u to review old school R&B songs over at your instagram a couple of months ago . LOL finally u did it .Was looking forward to some R&B mentions of Grover Washington Jr though , ya well...
well said this is why I like analysis of old classic big bands
There is a unique talent and incredible feel in getting a large group of musicians to all play together well without a click track. A lost art these days
When you isolated the drum track, my first thought was "That might make for an interesting drum swap on Billie Jean..." It definitely gives it a funkier groove. Congrats on the 300K subs. Love your content!
9:49 nah, I'm just subscribed and got notifications on for this channel. I click every video you upload.
🙏🙏
I watch these videos with my 10 month old son. We love it! Keep it up
Great break down, dude. One of the greatest songs of all time from one of the greatest bands of all time. Who else immediately listeneds to the full song after this video? 😅🙋🏿♂
I clicked because there was a new video by you in my subscription feed... Never listened much to EWF really, although I do appreciate them. As for November... That's when Tom Waits' November that gets played. Nothing captures a wet, dark and cold November quite like that song.
As September is a classic, groovy song of Disco, In my own world, I have deemed the 21st of September as "Disco Day/The Day of Disco" for my celebration of holidays. Immediately following the day of Disco, begins the spooky season for me as well! It is a fun procession of events! Additionally, it gives me a day to not only appreciate the song "September" but the countless other songs that EWF has blessed us with, along with the many Disco songs from that era.
On that note, spooky/Halloween season is another situationally specific occurence for music. Of course Michael Jackson's "Thriller" sits at the top, but also "Somebody's Watching Me", "Ghostbusters", "Monster Mash", "A Nightmare on My Street", and much more!
That drum groove was 💯 Billy Jean. Never paid attention before.
Much love from The Bronx, NY. Loving the channel. Just got the crate slipmat; my first piece of UA-cam merch!
Yes! Glad it made it safely! Much love from the other coast 🙏
Love to the Boogie Down Bronx
"Ohh you made a perfect Video, for September"!!! 😂😂😂
Again a Amazing Break down Love how you explained it the Track by Track👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Had to resist the temptation to just make the video a complete pass through of every solo'd track. Every track just feels so good
This have been recommended to me days earlier
But i watch it right now to be more accurate
I actually clicked on this video cuz I just really dig your music breakdown and video presence. Lol. I didn't even realize the September connection. Haha
I clicked because EWF is my goat group, and I like this channel 😂😂😂
I love your channel. I hope you will cover EW&F "Gratitude" album. It is not only EW&F at their peak as a live band, and Philip Baily's insanely beautiful duet with Don Myrick ("Reasons"), but it also includes in it the instrumental journey known as "New World Symphony", with IMHO the best live bass solo of Verdine White, as well as the genius sound of Charles Stepney who led the studio recordings.
THANK YOU!!!
I listen to December every Christmas. It's an excuse to listen to September in December
Broooooo. It’s Friday! I’d say of the 40-50 weddings I’ve been to , 95% had this tune playing. Oddly enough, not my own! But the playlist for that would bend your brain , including 20-25 minutes of Chameleon, Skintight, BT Express, Charles Vaughan, etc.
Edit. Time to go share in a certain hellapp.
You tha man bro. Keep the knowledge coming.
Wrong! i clicked because its a new digging the greats video
😂😂 exactly
Wtf, just clicked on the video and realized it’s the 21st of September. I’m amazed
I clicked on this video because I’m subscribed to you!
I clicked because I saw Maurice White in the thumbnail and knew what song it was immediately. EWF had a lot of great songs but this one is the one most can name or recognize easily, but don't discount their entire discography.
Love the videos! GREAT WORK!!!
Well, that's not why I clicked on this video, I clicked on it because I'm a subscriber and your content is great. My personal "September" song will always be "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"... It was the 3rd of September...a day I'll always remember
I clicked on the video because i do that for all of the Digging the Greats videos!
For my Christmas tradition songs are SILENT NIGHT by The Temptations and Silver Bells by a group called A Few Good Men.
As someone watching this on the 5th of November, I can attest that I do indeed remember.
Perhaps that's the magic phrase actually. Not the date, but the phrase "do you remember?"
That’s not why I clicked on this, I clicked because you make me…care/learn/enjoy songs in new and different ways. Even ones I didn’t know before.
I saw EarthLink Wind and Fire with Chicago at the Borgata years ago. They each played a set then came into jammed togfor like an hour. It was AMAZING.