If you’ve ever been to a wedding, a backyard BBQ, or literally any celebratory event in the last four decades, you’ve heard it. That infectious guitar lick. The brass that hits like a shot of adrenaline. The nonsensical but perfect "ba-dee-ya." But surprisingly, when people ask who sang the song September, they aren't always just looking for a name. They’re looking for the magic behind one of the few tracks in history that is physically impossible to hate.
The short answer is Earth, Wind & Fire. Specifically, the legendary Maurice White and the stratospheric falsetto of Philip Bailey. But the "who" involves a lot more than just the names on the record sleeve. It involves a songwriter who hated the chorus and a date that, honestly, was chosen mostly because it sounded good.
The Faces Behind the "Ba-Dee-Ya"
Earth, Wind & Fire wasn't just a band; it was a juggernaut. Led by Maurice White, a former session drummer for Chess Records who had played with the likes of Etta James and Muddy Waters, the group was designed to be a "total experience." White wanted to blend spirituality, African sounds, jazz, soul, and pop into something he called "cosmic."
When it came time to record "September" in 1978, the group was already massive. They had hits like "Shining Star," but they needed something new for their The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 compilation.
Maurice White took the lead vocals on "September," providing that gritty, soulful baritone that grounds the track. You can hear him driving the rhythm with his voice. Meanwhile, Philip Bailey—the man with the four-octave range—provided those soaring high notes that make the chorus feel like it’s floating. It was a vocal chemistry that few groups have ever matched.
The Allee Willis Factor
You can't talk about who sang the song September without talking about who wrote it. Allee Willis was a struggling songwriter when she got the call to work with Maurice White. She actually ended up co-writing the "Friends" theme song later in her career, but back then, she was just trying to keep up with White’s vision.
She famously hated the "ba-dee-ya" part.
She spent the entire songwriting session trying to get Maurice to change it into actual words. She thought it was lazy. She thought it was a placeholder. Eventually, she cornered him and asked, "What the hell does 'ba-dee-ya' mean?"
White’s response is basically a masterclass in songwriting: "Who the fuck cares?"
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He taught her that the feeling of a sound is often more important than the literal meaning of a lyric. If the groove is right, the words are just there to serve the rhythm. Willis later admitted that this was the greatest lesson she ever learned as a writer.
The Mystery of the 21st of September
"Do you remember, the 21st night of September?"
It’s the most famous opening line in R&B history. People have spent years trying to figure out the significance of the date. Was it Maurice White’s birthday? No, he was born in December. Was it an anniversary? A wedding?
Nope.
According to Maurice’s widow, Marilyn White, and Allee Willis, the 21st was chosen simply because it sounded the best phonetically. They tried other dates. The 22nd. The 23rd. Nothing quite snapped against the beat like "twenty-first." It’s a bit of a letdown for the conspiracy theorists, but it’s a testament to how meticulous the band was about the "pocket" of the song.
Why the Song Never Ages
Most hits from 1978 sound like 1978. They have that specific disco sheen or a certain type of analog synth that dates them immediately. "September" is different. It’s weirdly timeless.
A huge part of that is the horn section. The Phenix Horns (the EWF brass section) played with a precision that felt almost digital before digital existed. They were crisp. They were loud. They were joyous. When you hear those trumpets, your brain sends a signal to your feet to start moving. It's science. Sorta.
The song also benefits from its chord structure. It’s written in A major, but it spends a lot of time avoiding the "home" chord. This creates a feeling of constant forward motion, like the song is always climbing and never quite landing. It keeps the energy up from the first second to the last.
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The Cultural Longevity of Earth, Wind & Fire
It’s rare for a song to be equally popular at a 5-year-old’s birthday party and a 90-year-old’s funeral celebration. "September" has achieved a kind of "omnipresence" in the digital age.
- Social Media: Every year on September 21st, the internet basically breaks. There are memes, videos of people dancing, and a general collective celebration.
- The Demi Adejuyigbe Effect: For years, comedian Demi Adejuyigbe posted increasingly elaborate videos of himself dancing to the song on September 21st, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity in the process.
- Movies and TV: From The Intouchables to Trolls, the song has been used to signify "pure happiness" on screen more times than almost any other track.
When people search for who sang the song September, they’re often surprised to find that Earth, Wind & Fire was a massive, 10-piece ensemble. It wasn't just a singer; it was a literal orchestra of soul.
The Impact of Maurice White’s Leadership
Maurice White was the visionary. He was a vegetarian who studied Eastern philosophy and Egyptology. He brought a sense of "prestige" to Black pop music that didn't really exist on that scale before.
He wasn't just interested in making people dance; he wanted to elevate their consciousness. Even a "party song" like "September" has a layer of nostalgia and joy that feels deeper than your average disco track. It’s a song about memory and the enduring nature of love, even if that love is expressed through "ba-dee-yas."
White passed away in 2016 after a long battle with Parkinson’s, but his voice—and that specific "September" energy—hasn't faded at all. If anything, the song gets bigger every year.
Fact-Checking the Common Myths
There are a few things people consistently get wrong about this track. Let's clear the air.
First, many people think Purnell Rivers or other backing members sang the lead. While Earth, Wind & Fire had many talented vocalists, "September" is undeniably Maurice White on the verses and Philip Bailey on the high harmonies.
Second, some people think the song was a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It actually peaked at #8. It was #1 on the R&B charts, obviously, but it’s one of those rare songs that became a "permanent #1" in the culture despite its original chart position.
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Finally, the song wasn't actually on a studio album originally. As mentioned, it was a "bonus" track for their Greatest Hits record. Usually, those tracks are throwaways. This one became their legacy.
How to Truly Appreciate "September" Today
If you want to go deeper than just hearing it on the radio, listen to the isolated vocal tracks. You can find them on YouTube. Hearing Maurice and Philip interact without the wall of brass and drums reveals just how tight their harmonies were.
You can also look into the covers. Everyone from Taylor Swift to Kirk Franklin has tackled this song. Swift’s version, which was a banjo-heavy folk take, polarized fans, but it proved one thing: the song is indestructible. You can strip away the disco, the horns, and the funk, and the melody still stands up.
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers
To get the most out of your Earth, Wind & Fire journey, don't stop at "September." The band has a catalog that defines the 70s and 80s.
- Listen to "Reasons" (Live): If you want to hear what Philip Bailey can actually do with his voice, the live version of "Reasons" from the Gratitude album is legendary.
- Watch the 1975 California Jam Performance: See the band in their prime. They used to perform in sequined jumpsuits, sometimes levitating drums or disappearing in puffs of smoke. They were the ultimate showmen.
- Check out Allee Willis’s other work: She was a fascinating human who turned her home (the "Big Pink") into a kitsch museum. Her influence on pop culture is massive.
- Mark your calendar: Next September 21st, pay attention to how the world reacts. It’s one of the few days where the entire internet seems to agree on something: this song is perfect.
Understanding who sang the song September is about more than just identifying Earth, Wind & Fire. It’s about recognizing a moment where songwriting, vocal talent, and pure, unadulterated joy collided to create something that will likely be played as long as humans have ears.
Next Steps for Your Playlist
- Deep Dive into "Let's Groove": This was the band's 80s evolution, using the Vocoder to stay ahead of the curve.
- Explore "Fantasy": A masterpiece of arrangement that shows the "cosmic" side of Maurice White’s production.
- Compare the "September" Remixes: While the original is king, the Eric Kupper remixes offer a house-music perspective on the classic groove.
The music of Earth, Wind & Fire remains a cornerstone of American culture. Whether you're 18 or 80, the moment that intro kicks in, you know exactly what to do. You remember.