1978 Classic, Initially Called ‘Corny,’ Became One of the 'Greatest Songs of All Time'
1978 Classic, Initially Called ‘Corny,’ Became One of the 'Greatest Songs of All Time'
Lauren HarrisonMon, September 21, 2026 at 8:47 AM UTC
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Every September 21, Earth, Wind & Fire’s most dependable party starter takes over playlists and social feeds. The twist worth remembering in 2026: Philip Bailey initially thought “September” was “kinda corny,” according to People.
That doubt did not age well. The 1978 classic became the band’s signature song and now closes its concerts, as Bailey and percussionist Ralph Johnson explain in Questlove’s new HBO documentary. “Even without the lyrics, it’s just a feel-good track,” Johnson told People. He said its vocals make the groove even harder to resist—a verdict supported by decades of crowded dance floors.
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Earth, Wind & Fire Nearly Lost the Song’s Strangest Hook
American soul, funk and disco group Earth, Wind & Fire performing on stage in 1978. Photo by Getty Images
Bailey’s concern centered on “ba-dee-ya,” the joyful nonsense phrase that helps make the chorus impossible to shake. Co-writer Allee Willis also wondered whether it was merely a placeholder. Maurice White refused to trade groove for a tidy explanation.
The record itself arrived with surprising ease. Guitarist and co-writer Al McKay recalled in a 2018 Spotify interview, “It was one of those mornings. I came downstairs feeling really good.” White liked the groove immediately and told him, “Play it again.” McKay recalled, “I kept playing it for him.” it for him.”
Questlove put its improbable rise more bluntly on The Tonight Show: “Sometimes the people have to decide what the signature song is. Earth, Wind & Fire had so many iconic songs.”
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‘September’ Became Bigger Than Its Original Chart Peak
The song reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979 and spent a week atop what is now the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Those numbers hardly capture its second life. Billboard reported that U.S. streams surged 31 percent to 5.5 million during the week ending September 21, 2023, propelling it onto TikTok’s Billboard Top 50.
Its staying power earned heavier recognition, too. The Library of Congress added “September” to the National Recording Registry in 2018. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said the registry honors “the music that enriches our souls, the voices that tell our stories and the sounds that mirror our lives.”
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Sep 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
