Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Paul Jackson Jr.

2020-12-11T23:52:01Z

69.132.1.112: /* As sideman */

{{for|the bassist|Paul Jackson (bassist)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2015}}

{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Paul Jackson Jr.
|background = solo_singer
|image = Paul Jackson Jr. 02.jpg
|caption = Jackson in 2008
|birth_name = Paul Milton Jackson Jr.
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|12|30|mf=y}}
|origin = [[Los Angeles, California]], United States
|occupation = Musician, songwriter, guitarist, producer
|genre = [[Jazz]], [[jazz fusion]], [[smooth jazz]], [[rock music|rock]], [[pop music|pop]], [[funk]], [[R&B]], [[soul music|soul]]
|years_active = 1976–present
|instrument = Guitar, bass guitar
|label = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], Blue Note, Branch
|associated_acts = [[Michael Jackson]], [[Whitney Houston]], [[Five Star]], [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]], [[The Temptations]], [[Daft Punk]], [[Luis Miguel]]
|website = [http://www.pauljacksonjr.com pauljacksonjr.com]
}}

'''Paul Milton Jackson Jr.''' (born December 30, 1959)<ref>[http://www.smoothvibes.com/movabletype/archives/000197.html "Paul Jackson Jr. – Rocking Steady"]</ref> is an American [[Jazz fusion|fusion]]/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist. He was born and raised in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]. Jackson knew by the age of fifteen that he wanted to become a professional musician. He attended the [[University of Southern California]], majoring in music.

In addition to being a recording artist in his own right, Jackson is also highly accomplished L.A. [[session player]], with a career spanning multiple decades. He has supported artists ranging from [[Michael Jackson]] (no relation)<ref name=vogel>Vogel, Joachim (1995). ''Masters of Rhythm Guitar'', p. 93. AMA Verlag.</ref> (on the albums ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]'', ''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'', ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]'', ''HIStory'' and ''[[Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix]]'') to [[the Temptations]], [[Whitney Houston]],<ref name=vogel/> [[Alexander O'Neal]], [[Five Star]] (on the album ''[[Silk and Steel (Five Star album)|Silk and Steel]]''), [[Howard Hewett]], [[Thomas Anders]], [[Patti LaBelle]] and [[Luis Miguel]], to rockers such as [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]] and [[Elton John]], to jazz-oriented players such as [[George Duke]], [[George Benson]], [[Dave Koz]], [[Al Jarreau]], [[David Benoit (musician)|David Benoit]], [[Marcus Miller]] and [[Kirk Whalum]], and to Christian artists such as [[Leon Patillo]] and [[Don Moen (singer)|Don Moen]].

In 2013 it was revealed he contributed to several tracks on the album, ''[[Random Access Memories]]'' by [[Daft Punk]] and UK based singer songwriter Birdy's second album ''Fire Within''. He also played guitar on [[Lisa Stansfield]]'s 2014 album, ''[[Seven (Lisa Stansfield album)|Seven]]''.

Jackson can be seen playing guitar in a wide variety of styles on ''[[The Tonight Show With Jay Leno]]'' and ''[[American Idol]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/band/bios/paul-jackson.shtml |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-08-21 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926094448/http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/band/bios/paul-jackson.shtml |archivedate=September 26, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

== Discography ==

===As leader===
* ''I Came to Play'' (1988, Atlantic)
* ''Out of the Shadows'' (1990, Atlantic)
* ''A River in the Desert'' (1993, Atlantic)
* ''Never Alone: Duets'' (1996, Blue Note)
* ''The Power of the String'' (2001, Blue Note)
* ''[[Still Small Voice (album)|Still Small Voice]]'' (2003, Blue Note)
* ''Lay It Back'' (2008, Branch)
* ''Stories from Stompin' Willie'' (2016, Branch)

===As sideman===
'''With [[Amy Grant]]'''
* ''[[Unguarded (Amy Grant album)|Unguarded]]'' (A&M, 1985)

'''With [[Barry Manilow]]'''
* ''[[If I Should Love Again]]'' (Arista, 1981)
* ''[[Here Comes the Night (Barry Manilow album)|Here Comes the Night]]'' (Arista, 1982)
* ''[[Manilow (album)|Manilow]]'' (RCA, 1985)
* ''[[Swing Street]]'' (Arista, 1987)

'''With [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]'''
* ''[[Chicago 17]]'' (Full Moon/Warner Bros., 1984)

'''With [[David Sanborn]]'''
* ''Close Up'' (Reprise, 1988)

'''With [[Luther Vandross]]'''
* ''[[Give Me the Reason (Luther Vandross album)|Give Me the Reason]]'' (Epic, 1986)
* ''[[Any Love]]'' (Epic, 1988)
* ''The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love'' (Epic, 1989)
* ''[[Power of Love (Luther Vandross album)|Power of Love]]'' (Epic, 1991)
* ''[[Never Let Me Go (Luther Vandross album)|Never Let Me Go]]'' (Epic, 1993)
* ''[[Your Secret Love]]'' (Epic, 1996)
* ''[[I Know (Luther Vandross album)|I Know]]'' (Virgin, 1998)
* ''[[Luther Vandross (album)|Luther Vandross]]'' (J, 2001)
* ''[[Dance with My Father]]'' (J, 2003)

'''With [[Dionne Warwick]]'''
* ''[[How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye]]'' (Arista, 1983)
* ''[[Finder of Lost Loves (album)|Finder of Lost Loves]]'' (Arista, 1985)
* ''Friends Can Be Lovers'' (Arista, 1993)

'''With [[Deniece Williams]]'''
* ''I'm So Proud'' (Columbia Records, 1983)
* ''[[Let's Hear It for the Boy (album)|Let's Hear It for the Boy]]'' (Columbia Records, 1984)
* ''Hot on the Trail'' (Columbia Records, 1986)
* ''So Glad I Know'' (Sparrow Records, 1986)
* ''As Good as It Gets'' (Columbia Records, 1988)
* ''Special Love'' (MCA Records, 1989)

'''With [[Carole Bayer Sager]]'''
* ''Sometimes Late at Night'' (The Boardwalk Entertainment, 1981)

'''With [[Stephanie Mills]]'''
* ''[[I've Got the Cure]]'' (Casablanca, 1984)
* ''[[Stephanie Mills (album)|Stephanie Mills]]'' (MCA, 1985)

'''With [[Carole King]]'''
* ''[[Love Makes the World]]'' (Rockingale, 2001)

'''With [[Billy Preston]]'''
* ''[[Late at Night (Billy Preston album)|Late at Night]]'' (Motown, 1979)
* ''[[The Way I Am (Billy Preston album)|The Way I Am]]'' (Motown, 1981)

'''With [[Elton John]]'''
* ''[[Duets (Elton John album)|Duets]]'' (Rocket, 1993)

'''With [[Anita Baker]]'''
* ''[[The Songstress]]'' (Elektra, 1983)
* ''[[Rapture (Anita Baker album)|Rapture]]'' (Elektra, 1986)
* ''[[Giving You the Best That I Got (album)|Giving You the Best That I Got]]'' (Elektra, 1988)
* ''[[Rhythm of Love (Anita Baker album)|Rhythm of Love]]'' (Elektra, 1994)
* ''[[My Everything (Anita Baker album)|My Everything]]'' (Blue Note, 2004)

'''With [[Michael McDonald (musician)|Michael McDonald]]'''
* ''[[Blink of an Eye (Michael McDonald album)|Blink of an Eye]]'' (Reprise, 1993)

'''With [[Kenny Rogers]]'''
* ''[[Christmas (Kenny Rogers album)|Christmas]]'' (Liberty, 1981)
* ''[[Love Will Turn You Around]]'' (Liberty, 1982)
* ''[[We've Got Tonight (Kenny Rogers album)|We've Got Tonight]]'' (Liberty, 1983)
* ''[[What About Me? (Kenny Rogers album)|What About Me?]]'' (RCA, 1984)
* ''[[The Heart of the Matter (Kenny Rogers album)|The Heart of the Matter]]'' (RCA Records, 1985)

'''With [[Sheena Easton]]'''
* ''[[Best Kept Secret (Sheena Easton album)|Best Kept Secret]]'' (EMI, 1983)
* ''[[No Strings (Sheena Easton album)|No Strings]]'' (MCA, 1993)

'''With [[Michael Bolton]]'''
* ''[[All That Matters (Michael Bolton album)|All That Matters]]'' (Columbia, 1997)

'''With [[Céline Dion]]'''
* ''[[Unison (Celine Dion album)|Unison]]'' (Columbia, 1990)
* ''[[A New Day Has Come]]'' (Columbia, 2002)

'''With [[Jeffrey Osborne]]'''
* ''[[Jeffrey Osborne (album)|Jeffrey Osborne]]'' (A&M, 1982)
* ''[[Stay with Me Tonight (album)|Stay with Me Tonight]]'' (A&M, 1983)
* ''[[Don't Stop (Jeffrey Osborne album)|Don't Stop]]'' (A&M, 1984)
* ''[[Emotional (Jeffrey Osborne album)|Emotional]]'' (A&M, 1985)
* ''One Love: One Dream'' (A&M, 1988)
* ''Something Warm for Christmas'' (Kock, 1997)
* ''A Time for Love'' (Saguaro, 2013)

'''With [[Solomon Burke]]'''
* ''The Definition Of Soul'' (Pointblank, 1997)

'''With [[Patti LaBelle]]'''
* ''[[Winner in You]]'' (MCA, 1986)

'''With [[Glenn Medeiros]]'''
* ''[[Not Me (album)|Not Me]]'' (Mercury, 1988)
* ''[[Glenn Medeiros (1990 album)|Glenn Medeiros]]'' (Mercury, 1990)

'''With [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]]'''
* ''[[Spirit (Jewel album)|Spirit]]'' (Atlantic, 1998)

'''With [[José Feliciano]]'''
* ''José Feliciano'' (Motown, 1981)
* ''Ya Soy Tuyo'' (RCA, 1985)
* ''Te Amaré'' (RCA, 1986)

'''With [[Patti Austin]]'''
* ''[[Patti Austin (album)|Patti Austin]]'' (Qwest, 1984)
* ''Gettin' Away with Murderer'' (Qwest, 1985)
* ''On the Way to Love'' (Warner Bros., 2001)
* ''Sound Advice'' (Shanachie, 2011)

'''With [[Jon Anderson]]'''
* ''[[In the City of Angels]]'' (Columbia, 1988)

'''With [[Philip Bailey]]'''
* ''[[The Wonders of His Love]]'' (Myrrh, 1985)
* ''[[Triumph (Philip Bailey album)|Triumph]]'' (Word, 1986)

'''With [[Oleta Adams]]'''
* ''[[All the Love (album)|All the Love]]'' (Pioneer Entertainment, 2001)

'''With [[Syreeta Wright]]'''
* ''[[Syreeta (1980 album)|Syreeta]]'' (Tamla, 1980)
* ''[[Set My Love in Motion]]'' (Tamla, 1981)
* ''The Spell'' (Tamla, 1983)

'''With [[Jennifer Rush]]'''
* ''[[Heart Over Mind (Jennifer Rush album)|Heart Over Mind]]'' (CBS, 1987)

'''With [[Ray Parker Jr.]]'''
* ''[[Sex and the Single Man]]'' (Arista, 1985)
* ''[[After Dark (Ray Parker Jr. album)|After Dark]]'' (Geffen, 1987)

'''With [[Bette Midler]]'''
* ''[[Bette (album)|Bette]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 2000)

'''With [[Stephen Bishop (singer)|Stephen Bishop]]'''
* ''Sleeping with Girls'' (Big Pink, 1985)

'''With [[Peabo Bryson]]'''
* ''[[Straight from the Heart (Peabo Bryson album)|Straight from the Heart]]'' (Elektra Records, 1984)
* ''All My Love'' (Capitol, 1989)
* ''Can You Stop the Rain'' (Sony, 1991)
* ''Unconditional Love'' (Private Music, 1999)
* ''Missing You'' (Peak, 2007)

'''With [[B.B. King]]'''
* ''[[Take It Home (B.B. King album)|Take It Home]]'' (MCA, 1979)

'''With [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'''
* ''[[True Blue (Madonna album)|True Blue]]'' (Warner Bros., 1986)

'''With [[Roberta Flack]]'''
* ''[[Oasis (Roberta Flack album)|Oasis]]'' (Atlantic, 1988)

'''With [[Frankie Valli]]'''
* ''Heaven Above Me'' (MCA, 1980)

'''With [[Belinda Carlisle]]'''
* ''[[Live Your Life Be Free]]'' (Virgin, 1991)

'''With [[Teena Marie]]'''
* ''[[Robbery (Teena Marie album)|Robbery]]'' (Epic, 1983)

'''With [[Paul Anka]]'''
* ''Somebody Loves You'' (Polydor, 1989)

'''With [[Rod Stewart]]'''
* ''[[Vagabond Heart]]'' (Warner Bros., 1991)
* ''[[Soulbook]]'' (J, 2009)

'''With [[Joan Baez]]'''
* ''[[Recently (Joan Baez album)|Recently]]'' (Gold Castle, 1987)

'''With [[Natalie Cole]]'''
* ''[[I'm Ready (Natalie Cole album)|I'm Ready]]'' (Epic, 1983)
* ''[[Dangerous (Natalie Cole album)|Dangerous]]'' (Atco, 1985)
* ''[[Everlasting (Natalie Cole album)|Everlasting]]'' (Elektra, 1987)
* ''[[Good to Be Back]]'' (Elektra, 1989)
* ''[[Holly & Ivy]]'' (Elektra, 1994)
* ''[[Stardust (Natalie Cole album)|Stardust]]'' (Elektra, 1996)
* ''[[Leavin' (album)|Leavin']]'' (Verve, 2006)

'''With [[Amanda Marshall]]'''
* ''[[Tuesday's Child (album)|Tuesday's Child]]'' (Epic, 1999)

'''With [[Chaka Khan]]'''
* ''[[Chaka Khan (album)|Chaka Khan]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1982)

'''With [[Boz Scaggs]]'''
* ''[[Other Roads]]'' (Columbia, 1988)

'''With [[Kenny Rogers]] and [[Dolly Parton]]'''
* ''[[Once Upon a Christmas (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton album)|Once Upon a Christmas]]'' (Elektra, 1984)

'''With [[Aretha Franklin]]'''
* ''[[Aretha (1980 album)|Aretha]]'' (Arista, 1980)
* ''[[What You See Is What You Sweat]]'' (Arista, 1991)
* ''[[This Christmas, Aretha]]'' (DMI, 2008)

'''With [[Brenda Russell]]'''
* ''[[Get Here (Brenda Russell album)|Get Here]]'' (A&M Records, 1988)

'''With [[Thelma Houston]]'''
* ''[[Thelma Houston (1983 album)|Thelma Houston]]'' (MCA, 1983)

'''With [[Herbie Hancock]]'''
* ''Headhunters'' (Columbia Records, 1973)

'''With [[Leonard Cohen]]'''
* ''[[The Future (Leonard Cohen album)|The Future]]'' (Columbia, 1992)

'''With [[Luis Miguel]]'''
* ''[[Soy Como Quiero Ser]]'' (WEA Latina, 1987)
* ''[[Busca una Mujer]]'' (WEA Latina, 1988)
* ''[[20 Años (Luis Miguel album)|20 Años]]'' (WEA Latina, 1990)
* ''[[Aries (album)|Aries]]'' (WEA Latina, 1993)
* ''[[Segundo Romance]]'' (WEA Latina, 1994)
* ''[[Amarte Es un Placer (album)|Amarte Es Un Placer]]'' (WEA Latina, 1999)
* ''[[Mis Romances]]'' (WEA Latina, 2001)
* ''[[33 (Luis Miguel album)|33]]'' (WEA Latina, 2003)
* ''[[Navidades]]'' (WEA Latina, 2006)

'''With [[Al Jarreau]]'''
* ''[[High Crime (album)|High Crime]]'' (Warner Bros., 1984)
* ''[[Heart's Horizon]]'' (Reprise, 1988)
* ''[[Tomorrow Today]]'' (GRP, 2000)
* ''[[All I Got (album)|All I Got]]'' (GRP, 2002)
* ''My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke'' (Concord, 2014)

'''With [[George Benson]]'''
* ''[[20/20 (George Benson album)|20/20]]'' (Warner Bros., 1985)
* ''[[While the City Sleeps...]]'' (Warner Bros., 1986)
* ''[[Twice the Love]]'' (Warner Bros., 1988)
* ''[[Standing Together (George Benson album)|Standing Together]]'' (GRP, 1998)
* ''[[Songs and Stories]]'' (Concord, 2009)
* ''[[Guitar Man (George Benson album)|Guitar Man]]'' (Concord, 2011)

'''With [[Randy Crawford]]'''
* ''Windsong'' (Warner Bros., 1982)
* ''[[Abstract Emotions]]'' (Warner Bros., 1986)
* ''Through the Eyes of Love'' (Warner Bros., 1992)
* ''Don't Say It's Over'' (Warner Bros., 1993)

'''With [[Barbra Streisand]]'''
* ''[[Emotion (Barbra Streisand album)|Emotion]]'' (Columbia, 1984)
* ''[[Till I Loved You (album)|Till I Loved You]]'' (CBS, 1988)

'''With [[Anastacia]]'''
* ''[[Not That Kind]]'' (Epic, 2000)

'''With [[Lisa Stansfield]]'''
* ''[[Seven (Lisa Stansfield album)|Seven]]'' (Edel, 2014)

'''With [[Cheryl Lynn]]'''
* ''[[In Love (Cheryl Lynn album)|In Love]]'' (Columbia, 1979)
* ''[[Start Over (album)|Start Over]]'' (Manhattan, 1987)
* ''Whatever It Takes'' (Virgin, 1989)

'''With [[Paul Young]]'''
* ''[[The Crossing (Paul Young album)|The Crossing]]'' (Columbia, 1993)

'''With [[Irene Cara]]'''
* ''[[Carasmatic]]'' (Elektra, 1987)

'''With [[Minnie Riperton]]'''
* ''[[Love Lives Forever]]'' (Capitol Records, 1980)

'''With [[Corinne Bailey Rae]]'''
* ''[[The Heart Speaks in Whispers]]'' (Virgin, 2016)

'''With [[Donald Byrd]]'''
* ''[[Thank You...For F.U.M.L. (Funking Up My Life)]]'' (Elektra, 1978)

'''With [[Aaron Neville]]'''
* ''The Grand Tour'' (A&M, 1993)
* ''Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas'' (A&M, 1993)

'''With [[Kenny Loggins]]'''
* ''[[Vox Humana (Kenny Loggins album)|Vox Humana]]'' (Columbia, 1985)
* ''[[Leap of Faith (Kenny Loggins album)|Leap of Faith]]'' (Columbia, 1991)

'''With [[Glenn Frey]]'''
* ''[[Soul Searchin' (Glenn Frey album)|Soul Searchin']]'' (MCA, 1988)

'''With [[Billy Preston]] and [[Syreeta Wright]]'''
* ''[[Billy Preston & Syreeta]]'' (Motown, 1981)

'''With [[Don Moen]]'''
* ''[[God Is Good – Worship with Don Moen]]'' (Integrity, Hosanna! Music, 1998)

'''With [[Michael Franks (musician)|Michael Franks]]'''
* ''[[Dragonfly Summer]]'' (Warner Bros., 1993)

'''With [[Laura Branigan]]'''
* ''[[Self Control (album)|Self Control]]'' (Atlantic, 1984)

'''With [[Gloria Gaynor]]'''
* ''[[Gloria Gaynor (album)|Gloria Gaynor]]'' (Atlantic, 1982)

'''With [[Bill Withers]]'''
* ''Watching You Watching Me'' (Columbia, 1985)

'''With [[Ron Kenoly]]'''
* ''Sing Out with One Voice'' (Integrity, Hosanna! Music, 1995)

'''With [[Donna Summer]]'''
* ''[[Bad Girls (Donna Summer album)|Bad Girls]]'' (Casablanca, 1979)
* ''[[Cats Without Claws]]'' (Geffen, 1984)
* ''[[All Systems Go (Donna Summer album)|All Systems Go]]'' (Geffen, 1987)

'''With [[Melissa Manchester]]'''
* ''[[Mathematics (album)|Mathematics]]'' (MCA, 1985)

'''With [[The Jackson 5]]'''
* ''[[Destiny (The Jacksons album)|Destiny]]'' (Epic, 1978)<ref name="allmusic1">https://www.allmusic.com/album/destiny-mw0000190334/credits</ref>
* ''[[Triumph (The Jacksons album)|Triumph]]'' (Epic, 1980)<ref name="allmusic1"/>

'''With [[Lalo Schifrin]]'''
* ''[[No One Home]]'' (Tabu, 1979)
* ''[[Holiday Wishes (Idina Menzel album)|Holiday Wishes]]'' (Idina Menzel, 2014)

'''With [[Lionel Richie]]'''
* ''[[Lionel Richie (album)|Lionel Richie]]'' (Motown, 1982)

'''With [[Michael Jackson]]'''
* ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]'' (Epic, 1982)<ref>http://www.allmusic.com/album/thriller-mw0000056882/credits</ref>
* ''[[Bad (Michael Jackson album)|Bad]]'' (Epic, 1987)<ref>https://www.allmusic.com/album/bad-mw0000650293/credits</ref>
* ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]'' (Epic, 1991)<ref>https://www.allmusic.com/album/dangerous-mw0000674875/credits</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.pauljacksonjr.com/ official site]

{{The Tonight Show}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Paul Jr.}}
[[Category:African-American jazz musicians]]
[[Category:American jazz guitarists]]
[[Category:Smooth jazz guitarists]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Lead guitarists]]
[[Category:American funk guitarists]]
[[Category:American soul guitarists]]
[[Category:American rhythm and blues guitarists]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from California]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Thornton School of Music alumni]]
[[Category:The Tonight Show Band members]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]

September (Lied)

2020-07-20T03:44:17Z

69.132.1.112: /* Reception */

{{short description|Song by Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover = EarthWindAndFireSeptember7InchSingleCover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]
| B-side = {{ubl|"Love's Holiday"|"Can't Hide Love"}}
| released = {{startdate|1978|11|18|mf=yes}}
| format = {{flatlist|
*[[Gramophone record|7" single]]
*[[12-inch single|12" single]]}}
| recorded = September 1978
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[disco]]
*[[funk]]
*[[Soul music|soul]]}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=35}}
| label = [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = {{flatlist|
*[[Maurice White]]
*[[Al McKay]]
*[[Allee Willis]]}}
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[Got to Get You into My Life#Earth, Wind & Fire version|Got to Get You into My Life]]
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = [[Boogie Wonderland]]
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Gs069dndIYk|"September"}} }}
}}

"'''September'''" is a song by the band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] released as a single in 1978 on [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records]].<ref name=Song>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September|date=1978|publisher=ARC/Columbia Records}}</ref> "September" reached No. 1 on the US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B Songs]] chart, No. 8 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=179}}</ref> and No. 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="Dean">{{cite book |title= Rock N' Roll Gold Rush |last= Dean |first= Maury |authorlink= Maury Dean |year= 2003 |publisher= Algora |location= |isbn= 0-87586-207-1 |url= |page= 289 }}</ref>

==Composition==
"September" is in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[A major]] with a [[tempo]] of 126 beats per minute in [[Time signature|common time]]. The vocals span from [[scientific pitch notation|A2]] to E5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0015575|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September" Sheet Music in F# Minor (transposable) – Download & Print|last=White|first=Maurice|website=Musicnotes.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spotontrack.com/track/september/1560993|title=September – Earth, Wind & Fire – Spot On Track|website=www.spotontrack.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref>

Using a chord progression written by Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist [[Al McKay]], vocalist [[Maurice White]] and songwriter [[Allee Willis]] wrote the song over one month. Willis was initially bothered by the gibberish "ba-dee-ya" lyric White used through the song, and begged him to rewrite it: "I just said, 'What the fuck does 'ba-dee-ya' mean?' And he essentially said, 'Who the fuck cares?' I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him, which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains|title=The Song That Never Ends: Why 'September' Sustains|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-04-15|language=en-us}}</ref> The song was included on the band's first compilation—''[[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]''—solely to boost sales with original content.<ref name="wsj">{{Cite web |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'
|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |last=Myers |first=Marc |date=September 3, 2019 |accessdate=September 20, 2019 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

Although several theories about the significance of the date have been suggested, the songwriter Maurice White claimed he simply chose the 21st due to how it sounded when sung.<ref name="npr">{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains |title=The Song That Never Ends: Why Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September' Sustains |last=Charnas |first=Dan |work=[[Morning Edition]] |date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> His wife, Marilyn White, however, claimed that September 21 was the due date of their son, Kahbran, according to lyricist Allee Willis.<ref name="WSJ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'|last=Myers |first=Marc |work= [[Wall Street Journal]] |date= September 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Reception==
The song was certified silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] and certified gold in the US (until the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] lowered the sales levels for certified singles in 1989, a Gold single equaled 1 million units sold.) "September" was later certified Gold for [[RIAA certification|digital sales]] by the RIAA,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table%3DSEARCH_RESULTS%26artist%3DEarth+Wind%26format%3DSINGLE%26go%3DSearch%26perPage%3D50 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-03-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510144821/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS |archivedate=May 10, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="Spider">{{cite web|url=http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|title=Rock Music, etc., Terms|publisher=spider.georgetowncollege.edu|accessdate=March 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518145136/http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|archive-date=May 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604040853/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archivedate=June 4, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> and has sold over 2 million digital copies in the US as of September 2017.<ref name="us sales">{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017|publisher=[[Nielsen SoundScan]]|accessdate=October 3, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002192602/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|archivedate=October 2, 2017}}</ref> Earth, Wind & Fire recorded a new version of the song, retitled "December", for their 2014 Christmas album ''[[Holiday (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Holiday]]''.

In the [[United Kingdom]] the song has been popular as the basis of [[football chant]]s at a number of clubs: according to a ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' article this originated at [[Newcastle United F.C.]] where fans started singing a chant about player [[Chancel Mbemba]] in the autumn of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/23/terrace-tunes-viral-source-september-chant |title=When a terrace tune goes viral: the hunt for the source of the September chant |last=MacInnes |first=Paul |date=23 November 2017 |website=[[theguardian.com]]|access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref> It was also adapted by fans of the [[England national football team]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia: ''"Woah, England are in Russia / Woah, drinking all the vodka / Woah, England’s going all the way"''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/11/why-atomic-kitten-and-earth-wind-fire-became-chants-england-world-cup-russia-2018 |title=Why Atomic Kitten and Earth, Wind & Fire became England's World Cup chants |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=11 July 2018 |website=[[theguardian.com]] |access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref>

A version featuring the band accompanied by [[Anna Kendrick]] and [[Justin Timberlake]] is featured in the 2016 film ''[[Trolls (film)|Trolls]]''. It was released on September 23, 2016, as part of the [[Trolls (soundtrack)|''Trolls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'']].

A mash-up version of the song called "When the Rune Sparkles in September" was created for the [[Macross]] series by combing this song to "Rune ga Pika too Hikattara" sung by [[Minori Suzuki]].

In the "Molly Makes Soup" episode of ''[[Mike & Molly]]'' the guys sing the song while riding in a limo through downtown Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSDCuRXqde4 |title=Mike & Molly - Earth, Wind & Fire (September)}}</ref>

The 2014 [[Big Sean]] single "[[IDFWU]]" uses a slowed-down sample of the "ba-dee-ya" chorus in its closing ad-libs.

=="September ’99"==
{{Infobox song
| name = September '99
| cover = File:EarthWind&Fire - September 99.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]
| released = 1999
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Dance-pop]]
| length = 3:43
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[When Love Goes Wrong]]
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = [[All in the Way]]
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|wn5Q37qOiiA|"September 99"}}}}
}}

A remix of the song called "September '99" was issued in 1999 on [[Columbia Records]].<ref name=S99>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September 99|date=1999|publisher=Columbia Records}}</ref> The single reached No. 1 on the [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] Canadian Dance Songs chart, No. 4 on the [[UK Dance Singles and Albums Charts|UK Dance Singles]] chart and No. 25 on the [[UK Singles|UK Pop Singles]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9156&|title=RPM Top Dance|date=December 6, 1999|issue=7|volume=70|publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|website=bac-lac.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19990725/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref name="UK chart" />

===Overview===
The song was remixed by English [[Electronic dance music|dance music]] duo [[Phats and Small]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phats-small-mn0000330607|title=Phats & Small|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> and was included on EWF's 1999 compilation album ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''.<ref name=S99 />

==Kirk Franklin version==
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Kirk Franklin]]
| album = [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| released = 2007
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[R&B]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]]
| length =
| label = [[Stax Records|Stax]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = Look at Me Now
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = [[Declaration (This Is It)]]
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|7lQZ6j6UGrM|"September"}}}}
}}

[[Kirk Franklin]] released a cover of September in 2007 on [[Stax Records]].<ref>{{cite work|title=Kirk Franklin: September|date=2007|publisher=[[Stax Records]]}}</ref> The song reached No. 17 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Adult R&B Songs]] chart and No. 26 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Billboard charts#Gospel Songs|Hot Gospel Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Adult R&B Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Hot Gospel Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref>

===Overview===
Frankin's rendition was produced by [[Maurice White]] and came from the 2007 tribute album [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]].<ref name=Song />

===Critical reception===
Steve Jones of [[USA Today]] wrote "Franklin turns the energetic September into a gospel-fueled romp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-tribute-albums_N.htm|title=Various Artists: Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire|author=Jones, Steve|date=June 19, 2007|publisher=[[USA Today]]|website=usatoday.com}}</ref>
James Christopher Monger of [[Allmusic]] found "Kirk Franklin offering up an impeccable, if nearly identical rendition of "September".<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/interpretations-celebrating-the-music-of-earth-wind-and-fire-mw0000769498|title=Various Artists: Interpretations Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire|author=Monger Christopher, James|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> Mike Joseph of [[Popmatters]] said "Kirk Franklin takes the band’s “September” (literally, by sampling the original version) and refashions it into an anthem of survival, using September as a metaphor for a time when things aren’t going so well, and using his talented choir of singers to give the lyrics a jubilant reading."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/various-artists-interpretations-2496254099.html|title=Various Artists: Interpretations|author=Joseph, Mike|date=June 18, 2007|publisher=[[Popmatters]]|website=popmatters.com}}</ref> [[People (magazine)|People]] exclaimed "Kirk Franklin turns “September” into a rousing celebration of faith."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-quick-cuts-vol-67-no-15/|title=Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts|author1=Arnold, Chuck|author2=Stoynoff, Natasha|author3=Herndon, Jessica|date=April 16, 2007|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|website=people.com}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
{{col-begin|width=67%}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Chart (1998–99 alt rock classics)
! Peak position
|-
| Australia [[Kent Music Report]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |website=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=FlandersWeekly}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|10|chartid=0103a}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadadance|14|chartid=4507}}
|-
|France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70 |publisher= InfoDisc |date=1979-03-02 |accessdate=22 December 2019 |url=http://infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_E.php/Tubes_Artiste_Choisi.php |language= fr}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|20|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|8|song=September}}
|-
|Italy (Hit Parade Italia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_interprete/ae.htm|title=Hit Parade Italia – Indice per Interprete: E|accessdate=June 2, 2018|website=Hit Parade Italia}}</ref>
|align="center"|43
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|18|year=1979|week=4}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|6|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=Norway1}}
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(S).html|title=SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs S|website=South African Rock Lists|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
|align="center"|18
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|13|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|3|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|refname="UK chart"}}
|-
|align="left"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–2002''</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Hot Soul Singles]]<ref name="wsj" />
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |authorlink= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=78}}</ref>
|align="center"|41
|-
|US [[Cash Box (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles, January 27, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214184828/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|}

===1999 remix===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1999)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|32|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=FlandersPeak}}
|-
|align="left"|Denmark ([[IFPI Denmark|IFPI]])<ref>Danish Singles Chart 27 August 1999</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|20
|-
|align="left"|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-08-07.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|accessdate=June 26, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|65
|-
{{singlechart|France|64|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=France1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|40|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|Iceland ([[Íslenski listinn|Íslenski Listinn Topp 40]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://timarit.is/files/12813825.pdf#navpanes=1&view=FitH|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 336 Vikuna 12.8. - 19.8. 1999)|publisher=Dagblaðið Vísir|accessdate=July 13, 2018|language=is}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|27
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|25|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname="d10099"}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|15|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Norway2}}
|-
|align="left"|Scotland ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19990725/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|28
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|48|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Sweeden1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Swiss|33|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref name="UK chart" />
| style="text-align:center;"|25
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Dance Singles Chart|UK Dance]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40|publisher=officialcharts.com}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (2011)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|France|29|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=France2}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1979)
!Position
|-
|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |publisher=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|80
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6855b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6855b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6855b|title=1979 Top 200 Singles|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|108
|-
|UK Singles Chart <ref>[http://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1979.shtml Top 100 1979 - UK Music Charts]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|41
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1979.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |date= |accessdate=2016-10-13}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|78
|-
|US ''Cash Box''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |title=Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713094315/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|54
|}
{{col-end}}

==Sales and certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1978|certyear=2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/earth-wind-fire-september|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September"|publisher=[[IFPI Denmark]]|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|access-date=November 27, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=14 February 2016|certyear=2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|note=Digital download}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|access-date=3 July 2020|artist=Earth Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=2012|certyear=2020|id=5767-2049-1|refname=uk2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|certyear=1979|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|salesamount=2,065,000|certyear=2006|note=Digital download|salesref=<ref name="us sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.earthwindandfire.com/video/ Music video from Earth, Wind & Fire's site]
* {{MetroLyrics song|earth-wind-fire|september}}

{{Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Kirk Franklin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:September (Song)}}
[[Category:1978 singles]]
[[Category:1978 songs]]
[[Category:1999 singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Disco songs]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire songs]]
[[Category:Number-one dance singles in Canada]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Maurice White]]
[[Category:Songs written by Al McKay]]
[[Category:Songs written by Allee Willis]]
[[Category:Songs written by Maurice White]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]

September (Lied)

2020-07-20T03:43:58Z

69.132.1.112: /* Reception */

{{short description|Song by Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover = EarthWindAndFireSeptember7InchSingleCover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]
| B-side = {{ubl|"Love's Holiday"|"Can't Hide Love"}}
| released = {{startdate|1978|11|18|mf=yes}}
| format = {{flatlist|
*[[Gramophone record|7" single]]
*[[12-inch single|12" single]]}}
| recorded = September 1978
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[disco]]
*[[funk]]
*[[Soul music|soul]]}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=35}}
| label = [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = {{flatlist|
*[[Maurice White]]
*[[Al McKay]]
*[[Allee Willis]]}}
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[Got to Get You into My Life#Earth, Wind & Fire version|Got to Get You into My Life]]
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = [[Boogie Wonderland]]
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Gs069dndIYk|"September"}} }}
}}

"'''September'''" is a song by the band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] released as a single in 1978 on [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records]].<ref name=Song>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September|date=1978|publisher=ARC/Columbia Records}}</ref> "September" reached No. 1 on the US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B Songs]] chart, No. 8 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=179}}</ref> and No. 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="Dean">{{cite book |title= Rock N' Roll Gold Rush |last= Dean |first= Maury |authorlink= Maury Dean |year= 2003 |publisher= Algora |location= |isbn= 0-87586-207-1 |url= |page= 289 }}</ref>

==Composition==
"September" is in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[A major]] with a [[tempo]] of 126 beats per minute in [[Time signature|common time]]. The vocals span from [[scientific pitch notation|A2]] to E5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0015575|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September" Sheet Music in F# Minor (transposable) – Download & Print|last=White|first=Maurice|website=Musicnotes.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spotontrack.com/track/september/1560993|title=September – Earth, Wind & Fire – Spot On Track|website=www.spotontrack.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref>

Using a chord progression written by Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist [[Al McKay]], vocalist [[Maurice White]] and songwriter [[Allee Willis]] wrote the song over one month. Willis was initially bothered by the gibberish "ba-dee-ya" lyric White used through the song, and begged him to rewrite it: "I just said, 'What the fuck does 'ba-dee-ya' mean?' And he essentially said, 'Who the fuck cares?' I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him, which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains|title=The Song That Never Ends: Why 'September' Sustains|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-04-15|language=en-us}}</ref> The song was included on the band's first compilation—''[[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]''—solely to boost sales with original content.<ref name="wsj">{{Cite web |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'
|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |last=Myers |first=Marc |date=September 3, 2019 |accessdate=September 20, 2019 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

Although several theories about the significance of the date have been suggested, the songwriter Maurice White claimed he simply chose the 21st due to how it sounded when sung.<ref name="npr">{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains |title=The Song That Never Ends: Why Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September' Sustains |last=Charnas |first=Dan |work=[[Morning Edition]] |date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> His wife, Marilyn White, however, claimed that September 21 was the due date of their son, Kahbran, according to lyricist Allee Willis.<ref name="WSJ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'|last=Myers |first=Marc |work= [[Wall Street Journal]] |date= September 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Reception==
The song was certified silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] and certified gold in the US (until the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] lowered the sales levels for certified singles in 1989, a Gold single equaled 1 million units sold.) "September" was later certified Gold for [[RIAA certification|digital sales]] by the RIAA,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table%3DSEARCH_RESULTS%26artist%3DEarth+Wind%26format%3DSINGLE%26go%3DSearch%26perPage%3D50 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-03-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510144821/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS |archivedate=May 10, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="Spider">{{cite web|url=http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|title=Rock Music, etc., Terms|publisher=spider.georgetowncollege.edu|accessdate=March 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518145136/http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|archive-date=May 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604040853/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archivedate=June 4, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> and has sold over 2 million digital copies in the US as of September 2017.<ref name="us sales">{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017|publisher=[[Nielsen SoundScan]]|accessdate=October 3, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002192602/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|archivedate=October 2, 2017}}</ref> Earth, Wind & Fire recorded a new version of the song, retitled "December", for their 2014 Christmas album ''[[Holiday (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Holiday]]''.

In the [[United Kingdom]] the song has been popular as the basis of [[football chant]]s at a number of clubs: according to a ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' article this originated at [[Newcastle United F.C.]] where fans started singing a chant about player [[Chancel Mbemba]] in the autumn of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/23/terrace-tunes-viral-source-september-chant |title=When a terrace tune goes viral: the hunt for the source of the September chant |last=MacInnes |first=Paul |date=23 November 2017 |website=[[theguardian.com]]|access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref> It was also adapted by fans of the [[England national football team]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia: ''"Woah, England are in Russia / Woah, drinking all the vodka / Woah, England’s going all the way"''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/11/why-atomic-kitten-and-earth-wind-fire-became-chants-england-world-cup-russia-2018 |title=Why Atomic Kitten and Earth, Wind & Fire became England's World Cup chants |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=11 July 2018 |website=[[theguardian.com]] |access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref>

A version featuring the band accompanied by [[Anna Kendrick]] and [[Justin Timberlake]] is featured in the 2016 film ''[[Trolls (film)|Trolls]]''. It was released on September 23, 2016, as part of the [[Trolls (soundtrack)|''Trolls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'']].

A mash-up version of the song called "When the Rune Sparkles in September" was created for the [[Macross]] series by combing this song to "Rune ga Pika too Hikattara" sung by [[Minori Suzuki]].

In the "Molly Makes Soup" episode of ''[[Mike & Molly]]'' the guys sing the song while riding in a limo through downtown Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSDCuRXqde4 |title=Mike & Molly - Earth, Wind & Fire (September)}}</ref>

The 2014 [[Big Sean]] single ''[[IDFWU]]'' uses a slowed-down sample of the "ba-dee-ya" chorus in its closing ad-libs.

=="September ’99"==
{{Infobox song
| name = September '99
| cover = File:EarthWind&Fire - September 99.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]
| released = 1999
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Dance-pop]]
| length = 3:43
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[When Love Goes Wrong]]
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = [[All in the Way]]
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|wn5Q37qOiiA|"September 99"}}}}
}}

A remix of the song called "September '99" was issued in 1999 on [[Columbia Records]].<ref name=S99>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September 99|date=1999|publisher=Columbia Records}}</ref> The single reached No. 1 on the [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] Canadian Dance Songs chart, No. 4 on the [[UK Dance Singles and Albums Charts|UK Dance Singles]] chart and No. 25 on the [[UK Singles|UK Pop Singles]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9156&|title=RPM Top Dance|date=December 6, 1999|issue=7|volume=70|publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|website=bac-lac.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19990725/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref name="UK chart" />

===Overview===
The song was remixed by English [[Electronic dance music|dance music]] duo [[Phats and Small]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phats-small-mn0000330607|title=Phats & Small|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> and was included on EWF's 1999 compilation album ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''.<ref name=S99 />

==Kirk Franklin version==
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Kirk Franklin]]
| album = [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| released = 2007
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[R&B]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]]
| length =
| label = [[Stax Records|Stax]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = Look at Me Now
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = [[Declaration (This Is It)]]
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|7lQZ6j6UGrM|"September"}}}}
}}

[[Kirk Franklin]] released a cover of September in 2007 on [[Stax Records]].<ref>{{cite work|title=Kirk Franklin: September|date=2007|publisher=[[Stax Records]]}}</ref> The song reached No. 17 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Adult R&B Songs]] chart and No. 26 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Billboard charts#Gospel Songs|Hot Gospel Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Adult R&B Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Hot Gospel Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref>

===Overview===
Frankin's rendition was produced by [[Maurice White]] and came from the 2007 tribute album [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]].<ref name=Song />

===Critical reception===
Steve Jones of [[USA Today]] wrote "Franklin turns the energetic September into a gospel-fueled romp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-tribute-albums_N.htm|title=Various Artists: Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire|author=Jones, Steve|date=June 19, 2007|publisher=[[USA Today]]|website=usatoday.com}}</ref>
James Christopher Monger of [[Allmusic]] found "Kirk Franklin offering up an impeccable, if nearly identical rendition of "September".<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/interpretations-celebrating-the-music-of-earth-wind-and-fire-mw0000769498|title=Various Artists: Interpretations Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire|author=Monger Christopher, James|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> Mike Joseph of [[Popmatters]] said "Kirk Franklin takes the band’s “September” (literally, by sampling the original version) and refashions it into an anthem of survival, using September as a metaphor for a time when things aren’t going so well, and using his talented choir of singers to give the lyrics a jubilant reading."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/various-artists-interpretations-2496254099.html|title=Various Artists: Interpretations|author=Joseph, Mike|date=June 18, 2007|publisher=[[Popmatters]]|website=popmatters.com}}</ref> [[People (magazine)|People]] exclaimed "Kirk Franklin turns “September” into a rousing celebration of faith."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-quick-cuts-vol-67-no-15/|title=Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts|author1=Arnold, Chuck|author2=Stoynoff, Natasha|author3=Herndon, Jessica|date=April 16, 2007|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|website=people.com}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
{{col-begin|width=67%}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Chart (1998–99 alt rock classics)
! Peak position
|-
| Australia [[Kent Music Report]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |website=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=FlandersWeekly}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|10|chartid=0103a}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadadance|14|chartid=4507}}
|-
|France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70 |publisher= InfoDisc |date=1979-03-02 |accessdate=22 December 2019 |url=http://infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_E.php/Tubes_Artiste_Choisi.php |language= fr}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|20|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|8|song=September}}
|-
|Italy (Hit Parade Italia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_interprete/ae.htm|title=Hit Parade Italia – Indice per Interprete: E|accessdate=June 2, 2018|website=Hit Parade Italia}}</ref>
|align="center"|43
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|18|year=1979|week=4}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|6|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=Norway1}}
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(S).html|title=SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs S|website=South African Rock Lists|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
|align="center"|18
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|13|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|3|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|refname="UK chart"}}
|-
|align="left"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–2002''</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Hot Soul Singles]]<ref name="wsj" />
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |authorlink= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=78}}</ref>
|align="center"|41
|-
|US [[Cash Box (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles, January 27, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214184828/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|}

===1999 remix===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1999)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|32|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=FlandersPeak}}
|-
|align="left"|Denmark ([[IFPI Denmark|IFPI]])<ref>Danish Singles Chart 27 August 1999</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|20
|-
|align="left"|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-08-07.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|accessdate=June 26, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|65
|-
{{singlechart|France|64|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=France1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|40|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|Iceland ([[Íslenski listinn|Íslenski Listinn Topp 40]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://timarit.is/files/12813825.pdf#navpanes=1&view=FitH|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 336 Vikuna 12.8. - 19.8. 1999)|publisher=Dagblaðið Vísir|accessdate=July 13, 2018|language=is}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|27
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|25|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname="d10099"}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|15|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Norway2}}
|-
|align="left"|Scotland ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19990725/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|28
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|48|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Sweeden1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Swiss|33|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref name="UK chart" />
| style="text-align:center;"|25
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Dance Singles Chart|UK Dance]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40|publisher=officialcharts.com}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (2011)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|France|29|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=France2}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1979)
!Position
|-
|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |publisher=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|80
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6855b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6855b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6855b|title=1979 Top 200 Singles|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|108
|-
|UK Singles Chart <ref>[http://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1979.shtml Top 100 1979 - UK Music Charts]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|41
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1979.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |date= |accessdate=2016-10-13}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|78
|-
|US ''Cash Box''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |title=Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713094315/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|54
|}
{{col-end}}

==Sales and certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1978|certyear=2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/earth-wind-fire-september|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September"|publisher=[[IFPI Denmark]]|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|access-date=November 27, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=14 February 2016|certyear=2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|note=Digital download}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|access-date=3 July 2020|artist=Earth Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=2012|certyear=2020|id=5767-2049-1|refname=uk2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|certyear=1979|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|salesamount=2,065,000|certyear=2006|note=Digital download|salesref=<ref name="us sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.earthwindandfire.com/video/ Music video from Earth, Wind & Fire's site]
* {{MetroLyrics song|earth-wind-fire|september}}

{{Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Kirk Franklin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:September (Song)}}
[[Category:1978 singles]]
[[Category:1978 songs]]
[[Category:1999 singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Disco songs]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire songs]]
[[Category:Number-one dance singles in Canada]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Maurice White]]
[[Category:Songs written by Al McKay]]
[[Category:Songs written by Allee Willis]]
[[Category:Songs written by Maurice White]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]

September (Lied)

2020-07-20T03:43:41Z

69.132.1.112: /* Reception */

{{short description|Song by Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover = EarthWindAndFireSeptember7InchSingleCover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]
| B-side = {{ubl|"Love's Holiday"|"Can't Hide Love"}}
| released = {{startdate|1978|11|18|mf=yes}}
| format = {{flatlist|
*[[Gramophone record|7" single]]
*[[12-inch single|12" single]]}}
| recorded = September 1978
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[disco]]
*[[funk]]
*[[Soul music|soul]]}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=35}}
| label = [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = {{flatlist|
*[[Maurice White]]
*[[Al McKay]]
*[[Allee Willis]]}}
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[Got to Get You into My Life#Earth, Wind & Fire version|Got to Get You into My Life]]
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = [[Boogie Wonderland]]
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Gs069dndIYk|"September"}} }}
}}

"'''September'''" is a song by the band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] released as a single in 1978 on [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records]].<ref name=Song>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September|date=1978|publisher=ARC/Columbia Records}}</ref> "September" reached No. 1 on the US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B Songs]] chart, No. 8 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=179}}</ref> and No. 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="Dean">{{cite book |title= Rock N' Roll Gold Rush |last= Dean |first= Maury |authorlink= Maury Dean |year= 2003 |publisher= Algora |location= |isbn= 0-87586-207-1 |url= |page= 289 }}</ref>

==Composition==
"September" is in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[A major]] with a [[tempo]] of 126 beats per minute in [[Time signature|common time]]. The vocals span from [[scientific pitch notation|A2]] to E5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0015575|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September" Sheet Music in F# Minor (transposable) – Download & Print|last=White|first=Maurice|website=Musicnotes.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spotontrack.com/track/september/1560993|title=September – Earth, Wind & Fire – Spot On Track|website=www.spotontrack.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref>

Using a chord progression written by Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist [[Al McKay]], vocalist [[Maurice White]] and songwriter [[Allee Willis]] wrote the song over one month. Willis was initially bothered by the gibberish "ba-dee-ya" lyric White used through the song, and begged him to rewrite it: "I just said, 'What the fuck does 'ba-dee-ya' mean?' And he essentially said, 'Who the fuck cares?' I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him, which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains|title=The Song That Never Ends: Why 'September' Sustains|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-04-15|language=en-us}}</ref> The song was included on the band's first compilation—''[[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]''—solely to boost sales with original content.<ref name="wsj">{{Cite web |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'
|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |last=Myers |first=Marc |date=September 3, 2019 |accessdate=September 20, 2019 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

Although several theories about the significance of the date have been suggested, the songwriter Maurice White claimed he simply chose the 21st due to how it sounded when sung.<ref name="npr">{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains |title=The Song That Never Ends: Why Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September' Sustains |last=Charnas |first=Dan |work=[[Morning Edition]] |date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> His wife, Marilyn White, however, claimed that September 21 was the due date of their son, Kahbran, according to lyricist Allee Willis.<ref name="WSJ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'|last=Myers |first=Marc |work= [[Wall Street Journal]] |date= September 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Reception==
The song was certified silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] and certified gold in the US (until the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] lowered the sales levels for certified singles in 1989, a Gold single equaled 1 million units sold.) "September" was later certified Gold for [[RIAA certification|digital sales]] by the RIAA,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table%3DSEARCH_RESULTS%26artist%3DEarth+Wind%26format%3DSINGLE%26go%3DSearch%26perPage%3D50 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-03-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510144821/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS |archivedate=May 10, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="Spider">{{cite web|url=http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|title=Rock Music, etc., Terms|publisher=spider.georgetowncollege.edu|accessdate=March 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518145136/http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|archive-date=May 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604040853/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archivedate=June 4, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> and has sold over 2 million digital copies in the US as of September 2017.<ref name="us sales">{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017|publisher=[[Nielsen SoundScan]]|accessdate=October 3, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002192602/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|archivedate=October 2, 2017}}</ref> Earth, Wind & Fire recorded a new version of the song, retitled "December", for their 2014 Christmas album ''[[Holiday (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Holiday]]''.

In the [[United Kingdom]] the song has been popular as the basis of [[football chant]]s at a number of clubs: according to a ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' article this originated at [[Newcastle United F.C.]] where fans started singing a chant about player [[Chancel Mbemba]] in the autumn of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/23/terrace-tunes-viral-source-september-chant |title=When a terrace tune goes viral: the hunt for the source of the September chant |last=MacInnes |first=Paul |date=23 November 2017 |website=[[theguardian.com]]|access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref> It was also adapted by fans of the [[England national football team]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia: ''"Woah, England are in Russia / Woah, drinking all the vodka / Woah, England’s going all the way"''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/11/why-atomic-kitten-and-earth-wind-fire-became-chants-england-world-cup-russia-2018 |title=Why Atomic Kitten and Earth, Wind & Fire became England's World Cup chants |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=11 July 2018 |website=[[theguardian.com]] |access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref>

A version featuring the band accompanied by [[Anna Kendrick]] and [[Justin Timberlake]] is featured in the 2016 film ''[[Trolls (film)|Trolls]]''. It was released on September 23, 2016, as part of the [[Trolls (soundtrack)|''Trolls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'']].

A mash-up version of the song called "When the Rune Sparkles in September" was created for the [[Macross]] series by combing this song to "Rune ga Pika too Hikattara" sung by [[Minori Suzuki]].

In the "Molly Makes Soup" episode of ''[[Mike & Molly]]'' the guys sing the song while riding in a limo through downtown Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSDCuRXqde4 |title=Mike & Molly - Earth, Wind & Fire (September)}}</ref>

The 2013 [[Big Sean]] single ''[[IDFWU]]'' uses a slowed-down sample of the "ba-dee-ya" chorus in its closing ad-libs.

=="September ’99"==
{{Infobox song
| name = September '99
| cover = File:EarthWind&Fire - September 99.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]
| released = 1999
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Dance-pop]]
| length = 3:43
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[When Love Goes Wrong]]
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = [[All in the Way]]
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|wn5Q37qOiiA|"September 99"}}}}
}}

A remix of the song called "September '99" was issued in 1999 on [[Columbia Records]].<ref name=S99>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September 99|date=1999|publisher=Columbia Records}}</ref> The single reached No. 1 on the [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] Canadian Dance Songs chart, No. 4 on the [[UK Dance Singles and Albums Charts|UK Dance Singles]] chart and No. 25 on the [[UK Singles|UK Pop Singles]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9156&|title=RPM Top Dance|date=December 6, 1999|issue=7|volume=70|publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|website=bac-lac.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19990725/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref name="UK chart" />

===Overview===
The song was remixed by English [[Electronic dance music|dance music]] duo [[Phats and Small]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phats-small-mn0000330607|title=Phats & Small|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> and was included on EWF's 1999 compilation album ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''.<ref name=S99 />

==Kirk Franklin version==
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Kirk Franklin]]
| album = [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| released = 2007
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[R&B]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]]
| length =
| label = [[Stax Records|Stax]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = Look at Me Now
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = [[Declaration (This Is It)]]
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|7lQZ6j6UGrM|"September"}}}}
}}

[[Kirk Franklin]] released a cover of September in 2007 on [[Stax Records]].<ref>{{cite work|title=Kirk Franklin: September|date=2007|publisher=[[Stax Records]]}}</ref> The song reached No. 17 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Adult R&B Songs]] chart and No. 26 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Billboard charts#Gospel Songs|Hot Gospel Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Adult R&B Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Hot Gospel Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref>

===Overview===
Frankin's rendition was produced by [[Maurice White]] and came from the 2007 tribute album [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]].<ref name=Song />

===Critical reception===
Steve Jones of [[USA Today]] wrote "Franklin turns the energetic September into a gospel-fueled romp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-tribute-albums_N.htm|title=Various Artists: Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire|author=Jones, Steve|date=June 19, 2007|publisher=[[USA Today]]|website=usatoday.com}}</ref>
James Christopher Monger of [[Allmusic]] found "Kirk Franklin offering up an impeccable, if nearly identical rendition of "September".<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/interpretations-celebrating-the-music-of-earth-wind-and-fire-mw0000769498|title=Various Artists: Interpretations Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire|author=Monger Christopher, James|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> Mike Joseph of [[Popmatters]] said "Kirk Franklin takes the band’s “September” (literally, by sampling the original version) and refashions it into an anthem of survival, using September as a metaphor for a time when things aren’t going so well, and using his talented choir of singers to give the lyrics a jubilant reading."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/various-artists-interpretations-2496254099.html|title=Various Artists: Interpretations|author=Joseph, Mike|date=June 18, 2007|publisher=[[Popmatters]]|website=popmatters.com}}</ref> [[People (magazine)|People]] exclaimed "Kirk Franklin turns “September” into a rousing celebration of faith."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-quick-cuts-vol-67-no-15/|title=Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts|author1=Arnold, Chuck|author2=Stoynoff, Natasha|author3=Herndon, Jessica|date=April 16, 2007|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|website=people.com}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
{{col-begin|width=67%}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Chart (1998–99 alt rock classics)
! Peak position
|-
| Australia [[Kent Music Report]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |website=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=FlandersWeekly}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|10|chartid=0103a}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadadance|14|chartid=4507}}
|-
|France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70 |publisher= InfoDisc |date=1979-03-02 |accessdate=22 December 2019 |url=http://infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_E.php/Tubes_Artiste_Choisi.php |language= fr}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|20|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|8|song=September}}
|-
|Italy (Hit Parade Italia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_interprete/ae.htm|title=Hit Parade Italia – Indice per Interprete: E|accessdate=June 2, 2018|website=Hit Parade Italia}}</ref>
|align="center"|43
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|18|year=1979|week=4}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|6|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=Norway1}}
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(S).html|title=SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs S|website=South African Rock Lists|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
|align="center"|18
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|13|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|3|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|refname="UK chart"}}
|-
|align="left"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–2002''</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Hot Soul Singles]]<ref name="wsj" />
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |authorlink= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=78}}</ref>
|align="center"|41
|-
|US [[Cash Box (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles, January 27, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214184828/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|}

===1999 remix===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1999)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|32|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=FlandersPeak}}
|-
|align="left"|Denmark ([[IFPI Denmark|IFPI]])<ref>Danish Singles Chart 27 August 1999</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|20
|-
|align="left"|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-08-07.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|accessdate=June 26, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|65
|-
{{singlechart|France|64|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=France1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|40|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|Iceland ([[Íslenski listinn|Íslenski Listinn Topp 40]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://timarit.is/files/12813825.pdf#navpanes=1&view=FitH|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 336 Vikuna 12.8. - 19.8. 1999)|publisher=Dagblaðið Vísir|accessdate=July 13, 2018|language=is}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|27
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|25|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname="d10099"}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|15|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Norway2}}
|-
|align="left"|Scotland ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19990725/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|28
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|48|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Sweeden1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Swiss|33|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref name="UK chart" />
| style="text-align:center;"|25
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Dance Singles Chart|UK Dance]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40|publisher=officialcharts.com}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (2011)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|France|29|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=France2}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1979)
!Position
|-
|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |publisher=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|80
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6855b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6855b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6855b|title=1979 Top 200 Singles|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|108
|-
|UK Singles Chart <ref>[http://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1979.shtml Top 100 1979 - UK Music Charts]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|41
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1979.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |date= |accessdate=2016-10-13}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|78
|-
|US ''Cash Box''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |title=Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713094315/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|54
|}
{{col-end}}

==Sales and certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1978|certyear=2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/earth-wind-fire-september|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September"|publisher=[[IFPI Denmark]]|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|access-date=November 27, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=14 February 2016|certyear=2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|note=Digital download}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|access-date=3 July 2020|artist=Earth Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=2012|certyear=2020|id=5767-2049-1|refname=uk2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|certyear=1979|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|salesamount=2,065,000|certyear=2006|note=Digital download|salesref=<ref name="us sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.earthwindandfire.com/video/ Music video from Earth, Wind & Fire's site]
* {{MetroLyrics song|earth-wind-fire|september}}

{{Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Kirk Franklin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:September (Song)}}
[[Category:1978 singles]]
[[Category:1978 songs]]
[[Category:1999 singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Disco songs]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire songs]]
[[Category:Number-one dance singles in Canada]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Maurice White]]
[[Category:Songs written by Al McKay]]
[[Category:Songs written by Allee Willis]]
[[Category:Songs written by Maurice White]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]

September (Lied)

2020-07-20T03:43:26Z

69.132.1.112: /* Reception */

{{short description|Song by Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover = EarthWindAndFireSeptember7InchSingleCover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]
| B-side = {{ubl|"Love's Holiday"|"Can't Hide Love"}}
| released = {{startdate|1978|11|18|mf=yes}}
| format = {{flatlist|
*[[Gramophone record|7" single]]
*[[12-inch single|12" single]]}}
| recorded = September 1978
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[disco]]
*[[funk]]
*[[Soul music|soul]]}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=35}}
| label = [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = {{flatlist|
*[[Maurice White]]
*[[Al McKay]]
*[[Allee Willis]]}}
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[Got to Get You into My Life#Earth, Wind & Fire version|Got to Get You into My Life]]
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = [[Boogie Wonderland]]
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Gs069dndIYk|"September"}} }}
}}

"'''September'''" is a song by the band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] released as a single in 1978 on [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records]].<ref name=Song>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September|date=1978|publisher=ARC/Columbia Records}}</ref> "September" reached No. 1 on the US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B Songs]] chart, No. 8 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=179}}</ref> and No. 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="Dean">{{cite book |title= Rock N' Roll Gold Rush |last= Dean |first= Maury |authorlink= Maury Dean |year= 2003 |publisher= Algora |location= |isbn= 0-87586-207-1 |url= |page= 289 }}</ref>

==Composition==
"September" is in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[A major]] with a [[tempo]] of 126 beats per minute in [[Time signature|common time]]. The vocals span from [[scientific pitch notation|A2]] to E5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0015575|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September" Sheet Music in F# Minor (transposable) – Download & Print|last=White|first=Maurice|website=Musicnotes.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spotontrack.com/track/september/1560993|title=September – Earth, Wind & Fire – Spot On Track|website=www.spotontrack.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref>

Using a chord progression written by Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist [[Al McKay]], vocalist [[Maurice White]] and songwriter [[Allee Willis]] wrote the song over one month. Willis was initially bothered by the gibberish "ba-dee-ya" lyric White used through the song, and begged him to rewrite it: "I just said, 'What the fuck does 'ba-dee-ya' mean?' And he essentially said, 'Who the fuck cares?' I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him, which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains|title=The Song That Never Ends: Why 'September' Sustains|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-04-15|language=en-us}}</ref> The song was included on the band's first compilation—''[[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]''—solely to boost sales with original content.<ref name="wsj">{{Cite web |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'
|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |last=Myers |first=Marc |date=September 3, 2019 |accessdate=September 20, 2019 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

Although several theories about the significance of the date have been suggested, the songwriter Maurice White claimed he simply chose the 21st due to how it sounded when sung.<ref name="npr">{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains |title=The Song That Never Ends: Why Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September' Sustains |last=Charnas |first=Dan |work=[[Morning Edition]] |date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> His wife, Marilyn White, however, claimed that September 21 was the due date of their son, Kahbran, according to lyricist Allee Willis.<ref name="WSJ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'|last=Myers |first=Marc |work= [[Wall Street Journal]] |date= September 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Reception==
The song was certified silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] and certified gold in the US (until the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] lowered the sales levels for certified singles in 1989, a Gold single equaled 1 million units sold.) "September" was later certified Gold for [[RIAA certification|digital sales]] by the RIAA,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table%3DSEARCH_RESULTS%26artist%3DEarth+Wind%26format%3DSINGLE%26go%3DSearch%26perPage%3D50 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-03-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510144821/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS |archivedate=May 10, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="Spider">{{cite web|url=http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|title=Rock Music, etc., Terms|publisher=spider.georgetowncollege.edu|accessdate=March 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518145136/http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|archive-date=May 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604040853/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archivedate=June 4, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> and has sold over 2 million digital copies in the US as of September 2017.<ref name="us sales">{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017|publisher=[[Nielsen SoundScan]]|accessdate=October 3, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002192602/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|archivedate=October 2, 2017}}</ref> Earth, Wind & Fire recorded a new version of the song, retitled "December", for their 2014 Christmas album ''[[Holiday (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Holiday]]''.

In the [[United Kingdom]] the song has been popular as the basis of [[football chant]]s at a number of clubs: according to a ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' article this originated at [[Newcastle United F.C.]] where fans started singing a chant about player [[Chancel Mbemba]] in the autumn of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/23/terrace-tunes-viral-source-september-chant |title=When a terrace tune goes viral: the hunt for the source of the September chant |last=MacInnes |first=Paul |date=23 November 2017 |website=[[theguardian.com]]|access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref> It was also adapted by fans of the [[England national football team]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia: ''"Woah, England are in Russia / Woah, drinking all the vodka / Woah, England’s going all the way"''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/11/why-atomic-kitten-and-earth-wind-fire-became-chants-england-world-cup-russia-2018 |title=Why Atomic Kitten and Earth, Wind & Fire became England's World Cup chants |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=11 July 2018 |website=[[theguardian.com]] |access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref>

A version featuring the band accompanied by [[Anna Kendrick]] and [[Justin Timberlake]] is featured in the 2016 film ''[[Trolls (film)|Trolls]]''. It was released on September 23, 2016, as part of the [[Trolls (soundtrack)|''Trolls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'']].

A mash-up version of the song called "When the Rune Sparkles in September" was created for the [[Macross]] series by combing this song to "Rune ga Pika too Hikattara" sung by [[Minori Suzuki]].

In the "Molly Makes Soup" episode of ''[[Mike & Molly]]'' the guys sing the song while riding in a limo through downtown Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSDCuRXqde4 |title=Mike & Molly - Earth, Wind & Fire (September)}}</ref>

The 2013 [[Big Sean]] single ''[[IDFWU]]'' uses a slowed-down sample of the "ba-de-ya" chorus in its closing ad-libs.

=="September ’99"==
{{Infobox song
| name = September '99
| cover = File:EarthWind&Fire - September 99.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]
| released = 1999
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Dance-pop]]
| length = 3:43
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[When Love Goes Wrong]]
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = [[All in the Way]]
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|wn5Q37qOiiA|"September 99"}}}}
}}

A remix of the song called "September '99" was issued in 1999 on [[Columbia Records]].<ref name=S99>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September 99|date=1999|publisher=Columbia Records}}</ref> The single reached No. 1 on the [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] Canadian Dance Songs chart, No. 4 on the [[UK Dance Singles and Albums Charts|UK Dance Singles]] chart and No. 25 on the [[UK Singles|UK Pop Singles]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9156&|title=RPM Top Dance|date=December 6, 1999|issue=7|volume=70|publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|website=bac-lac.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19990725/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref name="UK chart" />

===Overview===
The song was remixed by English [[Electronic dance music|dance music]] duo [[Phats and Small]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phats-small-mn0000330607|title=Phats & Small|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> and was included on EWF's 1999 compilation album ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''.<ref name=S99 />

==Kirk Franklin version==
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Kirk Franklin]]
| album = [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| released = 2007
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[R&B]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]]
| length =
| label = [[Stax Records|Stax]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = Look at Me Now
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = [[Declaration (This Is It)]]
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|7lQZ6j6UGrM|"September"}}}}
}}

[[Kirk Franklin]] released a cover of September in 2007 on [[Stax Records]].<ref>{{cite work|title=Kirk Franklin: September|date=2007|publisher=[[Stax Records]]}}</ref> The song reached No. 17 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Adult R&B Songs]] chart and No. 26 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Billboard charts#Gospel Songs|Hot Gospel Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Adult R&B Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Hot Gospel Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref>

===Overview===
Frankin's rendition was produced by [[Maurice White]] and came from the 2007 tribute album [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]].<ref name=Song />

===Critical reception===
Steve Jones of [[USA Today]] wrote "Franklin turns the energetic September into a gospel-fueled romp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-tribute-albums_N.htm|title=Various Artists: Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire|author=Jones, Steve|date=June 19, 2007|publisher=[[USA Today]]|website=usatoday.com}}</ref>
James Christopher Monger of [[Allmusic]] found "Kirk Franklin offering up an impeccable, if nearly identical rendition of "September".<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/interpretations-celebrating-the-music-of-earth-wind-and-fire-mw0000769498|title=Various Artists: Interpretations Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire|author=Monger Christopher, James|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> Mike Joseph of [[Popmatters]] said "Kirk Franklin takes the band’s “September” (literally, by sampling the original version) and refashions it into an anthem of survival, using September as a metaphor for a time when things aren’t going so well, and using his talented choir of singers to give the lyrics a jubilant reading."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/various-artists-interpretations-2496254099.html|title=Various Artists: Interpretations|author=Joseph, Mike|date=June 18, 2007|publisher=[[Popmatters]]|website=popmatters.com}}</ref> [[People (magazine)|People]] exclaimed "Kirk Franklin turns “September” into a rousing celebration of faith."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-quick-cuts-vol-67-no-15/|title=Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts|author1=Arnold, Chuck|author2=Stoynoff, Natasha|author3=Herndon, Jessica|date=April 16, 2007|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|website=people.com}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
{{col-begin|width=67%}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Chart (1998–99 alt rock classics)
! Peak position
|-
| Australia [[Kent Music Report]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |website=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=FlandersWeekly}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|10|chartid=0103a}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadadance|14|chartid=4507}}
|-
|France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70 |publisher= InfoDisc |date=1979-03-02 |accessdate=22 December 2019 |url=http://infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_E.php/Tubes_Artiste_Choisi.php |language= fr}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|20|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|8|song=September}}
|-
|Italy (Hit Parade Italia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_interprete/ae.htm|title=Hit Parade Italia – Indice per Interprete: E|accessdate=June 2, 2018|website=Hit Parade Italia}}</ref>
|align="center"|43
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|18|year=1979|week=4}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|6|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=Norway1}}
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(S).html|title=SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs S|website=South African Rock Lists|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
|align="center"|18
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|13|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|3|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|refname="UK chart"}}
|-
|align="left"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–2002''</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Hot Soul Singles]]<ref name="wsj" />
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |authorlink= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=78}}</ref>
|align="center"|41
|-
|US [[Cash Box (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles, January 27, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214184828/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|}

===1999 remix===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1999)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|32|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=FlandersPeak}}
|-
|align="left"|Denmark ([[IFPI Denmark|IFPI]])<ref>Danish Singles Chart 27 August 1999</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|20
|-
|align="left"|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-08-07.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|accessdate=June 26, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|65
|-
{{singlechart|France|64|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=France1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|40|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|Iceland ([[Íslenski listinn|Íslenski Listinn Topp 40]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://timarit.is/files/12813825.pdf#navpanes=1&view=FitH|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 336 Vikuna 12.8. - 19.8. 1999)|publisher=Dagblaðið Vísir|accessdate=July 13, 2018|language=is}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|27
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|25|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname="d10099"}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|15|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Norway2}}
|-
|align="left"|Scotland ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19990725/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|28
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|48|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Sweeden1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Swiss|33|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref name="UK chart" />
| style="text-align:center;"|25
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Dance Singles Chart|UK Dance]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40|publisher=officialcharts.com}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (2011)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|France|29|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=France2}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1979)
!Position
|-
|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |publisher=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|80
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6855b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6855b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6855b|title=1979 Top 200 Singles|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|108
|-
|UK Singles Chart <ref>[http://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1979.shtml Top 100 1979 - UK Music Charts]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|41
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1979.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |date= |accessdate=2016-10-13}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|78
|-
|US ''Cash Box''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |title=Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713094315/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|54
|}
{{col-end}}

==Sales and certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1978|certyear=2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/earth-wind-fire-september|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September"|publisher=[[IFPI Denmark]]|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|access-date=November 27, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=14 February 2016|certyear=2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|note=Digital download}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|access-date=3 July 2020|artist=Earth Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=2012|certyear=2020|id=5767-2049-1|refname=uk2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|certyear=1979|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|salesamount=2,065,000|certyear=2006|note=Digital download|salesref=<ref name="us sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.earthwindandfire.com/video/ Music video from Earth, Wind & Fire's site]
* {{MetroLyrics song|earth-wind-fire|september}}

{{Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Kirk Franklin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:September (Song)}}
[[Category:1978 singles]]
[[Category:1978 songs]]
[[Category:1999 singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Disco songs]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire songs]]
[[Category:Number-one dance singles in Canada]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Maurice White]]
[[Category:Songs written by Al McKay]]
[[Category:Songs written by Allee Willis]]
[[Category:Songs written by Maurice White]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]

September (Lied)

2020-07-20T03:40:29Z

69.132.1.112: /* Reception */

{{short description|Song by Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover = EarthWindAndFireSeptember7InchSingleCover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]
| B-side = {{ubl|"Love's Holiday"|"Can't Hide Love"}}
| released = {{startdate|1978|11|18|mf=yes}}
| format = {{flatlist|
*[[Gramophone record|7" single]]
*[[12-inch single|12" single]]}}
| recorded = September 1978
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[disco]]
*[[funk]]
*[[Soul music|soul]]}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=35}}
| label = [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = {{flatlist|
*[[Maurice White]]
*[[Al McKay]]
*[[Allee Willis]]}}
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[Got to Get You into My Life#Earth, Wind & Fire version|Got to Get You into My Life]]
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = [[Boogie Wonderland]]
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Gs069dndIYk|"September"}} }}
}}

"'''September'''" is a song by the band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] released as a single in 1978 on [[ARC Records|ARC]]/[[Columbia Records]].<ref name=Song>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September|date=1978|publisher=ARC/Columbia Records}}</ref> "September" reached No. 1 on the US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B Songs]] chart, No. 8 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=179}}</ref> and No. 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="Dean">{{cite book |title= Rock N' Roll Gold Rush |last= Dean |first= Maury |authorlink= Maury Dean |year= 2003 |publisher= Algora |location= |isbn= 0-87586-207-1 |url= |page= 289 }}</ref>

==Composition==
"September" is in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[A major]] with a [[tempo]] of 126 beats per minute in [[Time signature|common time]]. The vocals span from [[scientific pitch notation|A2]] to E5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0015575|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September" Sheet Music in F# Minor (transposable) – Download & Print|last=White|first=Maurice|website=Musicnotes.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spotontrack.com/track/september/1560993|title=September – Earth, Wind & Fire – Spot On Track|website=www.spotontrack.com|access-date=2017-06-10}}</ref>

Using a chord progression written by Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist [[Al McKay]], vocalist [[Maurice White]] and songwriter [[Allee Willis]] wrote the song over one month. Willis was initially bothered by the gibberish "ba-dee-ya" lyric White used through the song, and begged him to rewrite it: "I just said, 'What the fuck does 'ba-dee-ya' mean?' And he essentially said, 'Who the fuck cares?' I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him, which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains|title=The Song That Never Ends: Why 'September' Sustains|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-04-15|language=en-us}}</ref> The song was included on the band's first compilation—''[[The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1]]''—solely to boost sales with original content.<ref name="wsj">{{Cite web |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'
|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |last=Myers |first=Marc |date=September 3, 2019 |accessdate=September 20, 2019 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

Although several theories about the significance of the date have been suggested, the songwriter Maurice White claimed he simply chose the 21st due to how it sounded when sung.<ref name="npr">{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/19/349621429/the-song-that-never-ends-why-earth-wind-fires-september-sustains |title=The Song That Never Ends: Why Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September' Sustains |last=Charnas |first=Dan |work=[[Morning Edition]] |date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> His wife, Marilyn White, however, claimed that September 21 was the due date of their son, Kahbran, according to lyricist Allee Willis.<ref name="WSJ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-you-remember-the-message-in-earth-wind-fires-september-11567520286 |title=Do You Remember? The Message in Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'|last=Myers |first=Marc |work= [[Wall Street Journal]] |date= September 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Reception==
The song was certified silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] and certified gold in the US (until the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] lowered the sales levels for certified singles in 1989, a Gold single equaled 1 million units sold.) "September" was later certified Gold for [[RIAA certification|digital sales]] by the RIAA,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table%3DSEARCH_RESULTS%26artist%3DEarth+Wind%26format%3DSINGLE%26go%3DSearch%26perPage%3D50 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-03-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510144821/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS |archivedate=May 10, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="Spider">{{cite web|url=http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|title=Rock Music, etc., Terms|publisher=spider.georgetowncollege.edu|accessdate=March 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518145136/http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|archive-date=May 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604040853/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archivedate=June 4, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> and has sold over 2 million digital copies in the US as of September 2017.<ref name="us sales">{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017|publisher=[[Nielsen SoundScan]]|accessdate=October 3, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002192602/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|archivedate=October 2, 2017}}</ref> Earth, Wind & Fire recorded a new version of the song, retitled "December", for their 2014 Christmas album ''[[Holiday (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Holiday]]''.

In the [[United Kingdom]] the song has been popular as the basis of [[football chant]]s at a number of clubs: according to a ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' article this originated at [[Newcastle United F.C.]] where fans started singing a chant about player [[Chancel Mbemba]] in the autumn of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/23/terrace-tunes-viral-source-september-chant |title=When a terrace tune goes viral: the hunt for the source of the September chant |last=MacInnes |first=Paul |date=23 November 2017 |website=[[theguardian.com]]|access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref> It was also adapted by fans of the [[England national football team]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia: ''"Woah, England are in Russia / Woah, drinking all the vodka / Woah, England’s going all the way"''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/11/why-atomic-kitten-and-earth-wind-fire-became-chants-england-world-cup-russia-2018 |title=Why Atomic Kitten and Earth, Wind & Fire became England's World Cup chants |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=11 July 2018 |website=[[theguardian.com]] |access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref>

A version featuring the band accompanied by [[Anna Kendrick]] and [[Justin Timberlake]] is featured in the 2016 film ''[[Trolls (film)|Trolls]]''. It was released on September 23, 2016, as part of the [[Trolls (soundtrack)|''Trolls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'']].

A mash-up version of the song called "When the Rune Sparkles in September" was created for the [[Macross]] series by combing this song to "Rune ga Pika too Hikattara" sung by [[Minori Suzuki]].

In the "Molly Makes Soup" episode of ''[[Mike & Molly]]'' the guys sing the song while riding in a limo through downtown Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSDCuRXqde4 |title=Mike & Molly - Earth, Wind & Fire (September)}}</ref>

=="September ’99"==
{{Infobox song
| name = September '99
| cover = File:EarthWind&Fire - September 99.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| album = [[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]
| released = 1999
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Dance-pop]]
| length = 3:43
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = [[When Love Goes Wrong]]
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = [[All in the Way]]
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|wn5Q37qOiiA|"September 99"}}}}
}}

A remix of the song called "September '99" was issued in 1999 on [[Columbia Records]].<ref name=S99>{{cite work|title=Earth, Wind & Fire: September 99|date=1999|publisher=Columbia Records}}</ref> The single reached No. 1 on the [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] Canadian Dance Songs chart, No. 4 on the [[UK Dance Singles and Albums Charts|UK Dance Singles]] chart and No. 25 on the [[UK Singles|UK Pop Singles]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9156&|title=RPM Top Dance|date=December 6, 1999|issue=7|volume=70|publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|website=bac-lac.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19990725/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100: 25 July 1999 - 31 July 1999|publisher=[[Official Charts]]|website=officialcharts.com}}</ref><ref name="UK chart" />

===Overview===
The song was remixed by English [[Electronic dance music|dance music]] duo [[Phats and Small]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phats-small-mn0000330607|title=Phats & Small|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> and was included on EWF's 1999 compilation album ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''.<ref name=S99 />

==Kirk Franklin version==
{{Infobox song
| name = September
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Kirk Franklin]]
| album = [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]]
| released = 2007
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]], [[R&B]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]]
| length =
| label = [[Stax Records|Stax]]
| writer = [[Maurice White]], [[Allee Willis]], [[Al McKay]]
| producer = [[Maurice White]]
| prev_title = Look at Me Now
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = [[Declaration (This Is It)]]
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|7lQZ6j6UGrM|"September"}}}}
}}

[[Kirk Franklin]] released a cover of September in 2007 on [[Stax Records]].<ref>{{cite work|title=Kirk Franklin: September|date=2007|publisher=[[Stax Records]]}}</ref> The song reached No. 17 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Adult R&B Songs]] chart and No. 26 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Billboard charts#Gospel Songs|Hot Gospel Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Adult R&B Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kirk-franklin/chart-history/RBA/song/517279|title=Kirk Franklin: September (Hot Gospel Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|website=billboard.com}}</ref>

===Overview===
Frankin's rendition was produced by [[Maurice White]] and came from the 2007 tribute album [[Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire]].<ref name=Song />

===Critical reception===
Steve Jones of [[USA Today]] wrote "Franklin turns the energetic September into a gospel-fueled romp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-06-19-tribute-albums_N.htm|title=Various Artists: Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire|author=Jones, Steve|date=June 19, 2007|publisher=[[USA Today]]|website=usatoday.com}}</ref>
James Christopher Monger of [[Allmusic]] found "Kirk Franklin offering up an impeccable, if nearly identical rendition of "September".<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/interpretations-celebrating-the-music-of-earth-wind-and-fire-mw0000769498|title=Various Artists: Interpretations Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire|author=Monger Christopher, James|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> Mike Joseph of [[Popmatters]] said "Kirk Franklin takes the band’s “September” (literally, by sampling the original version) and refashions it into an anthem of survival, using September as a metaphor for a time when things aren’t going so well, and using his talented choir of singers to give the lyrics a jubilant reading."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/various-artists-interpretations-2496254099.html|title=Various Artists: Interpretations|author=Joseph, Mike|date=June 18, 2007|publisher=[[Popmatters]]|website=popmatters.com}}</ref> [[People (magazine)|People]] exclaimed "Kirk Franklin turns “September” into a rousing celebration of faith."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-quick-cuts-vol-67-no-15/|title=Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts|author1=Arnold, Chuck|author2=Stoynoff, Natasha|author3=Herndon, Jessica|date=April 16, 2007|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|website=people.com}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
{{col-begin|width=67%}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Chart (1998–99 alt rock classics)
! Peak position
|-
| Australia [[Kent Music Report]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |website=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=FlandersWeekly}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|10|chartid=0103a}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadadance|14|chartid=4507}}
|-
|France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70 |publisher= InfoDisc |date=1979-03-02 |accessdate=22 December 2019 |url=http://infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_E.php/Tubes_Artiste_Choisi.php |language= fr}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|20|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|8|song=September}}
|-
|Italy (Hit Parade Italia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_interprete/ae.htm|title=Hit Parade Italia – Indice per Interprete: E|accessdate=June 2, 2018|website=Hit Parade Italia}}</ref>
|align="center"|43
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|18|year=1979|week=4}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|19|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|6|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=Norway1}}
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(S).html|title=SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs S|website=South African Rock Lists|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
|align="center"|18
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|13|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September}}
|-
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|3|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|refname="UK chart"}}
|-
|align="left"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–2002''</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Hot Soul Singles]]<ref name="wsj" />
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |authorlink= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=78}}</ref>
|align="center"|41
|-
|US [[Cash Box (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles, January 27, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214184828/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19790127.html |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|}

===1999 remix===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1999)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|32|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=FlandersPeak}}
|-
|align="left"|Denmark ([[IFPI Denmark|IFPI]])<ref>Danish Singles Chart 27 August 1999</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|20
|-
|align="left"|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-08-07.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|accessdate=June 26, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|65
|-
{{singlechart|France|64|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=France1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|40|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|Iceland ([[Íslenski listinn|Íslenski Listinn Topp 40]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://timarit.is/files/12813825.pdf#navpanes=1&view=FitH|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 336 Vikuna 12.8. - 19.8. 1999)|publisher=Dagblaðið Vísir|accessdate=July 13, 2018|language=is}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|27
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|12|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|25|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname="d10099"}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|15|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Norway2}}
|-
|align="left"|Scotland ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19990725/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|28
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|48|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)|refname=Sweeden1}}
|-
{{singlechart|Swiss|33|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September 99 (Phats & Small Remix)}}
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref name="UK chart" />
| style="text-align:center;"|25
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Dance Singles Chart|UK Dance]] ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19990725/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40|publisher=officialcharts.com}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (2011)
!Peak position
|-
{{singlechart|France|29|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|song=September|refname=France2}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1979)
!Position
|-
|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |publisher=Austchartbook.com.au |accessdate=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|80
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6855b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6855b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6855b|title=1979 Top 200 Singles|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|accessdate=June 2, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|108
|-
|UK Singles Chart <ref>[http://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1979.shtml Top 100 1979 - UK Music Charts]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|41
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1979.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |date= |accessdate=2016-10-13}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|78
|-
|US ''Cash Box''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |title=Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1979 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713094315/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1979YESP.html |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|54
|}
{{col-end}}

==Sales and certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1978|certyear=2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/earth-wind-fire-september|title=Earth Wind & Fire "September"|publisher=[[IFPI Denmark]]|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|access-date=November 27, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=14 February 2016|certyear=2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|note=Digital download}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=1978|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|access-date=3 July 2020|artist=Earth Wind & Fire|title=September|relyear=2012|certyear=2020|id=5767-2049-1|refname=uk2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|certyear=1979|note=Physical release}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=3 October 2014|artist=Earth, Wind & Fire|title=September|salesamount=2,065,000|certyear=2006|note=Digital download|salesref=<ref name="us sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.earthwindandfire.com/video/ Music video from Earth, Wind & Fire's site]
* {{MetroLyrics song|earth-wind-fire|september}}

{{Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Kirk Franklin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:September (Song)}}
[[Category:1978 singles]]
[[Category:1978 songs]]
[[Category:1999 singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Disco songs]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire songs]]
[[Category:Number-one dance singles in Canada]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Maurice White]]
[[Category:Songs written by Al McKay]]
[[Category:Songs written by Allee Willis]]
[[Category:Songs written by Maurice White]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]