Earth, Wind & Fire: 30 Great Songs

Earth, Wind and Fire is an R&B, Funk, Jazz, Rock band which was formed in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White. In 1962 Maurice became a session drummer for Chess Records, a blues, early rock and roll, and jazz label. From 1966 to 1970 he recorded with Ramsey Lewis and played drums on nine of his studio albums. White left Ramsey Lewis to concentrate on Earth, Wind and Fire. In 1972 Philip Bailey joined EWF as a co-lead vocalist and percussionist. Bailey and Maurice White shared lead vocals until White's death in 2016. Bailey went on to achieve major success as a solo artist. His biggest hit (away from EWF) was "Easy Lover" a duet with Phil Collins in 1984.

Earth, Wind and Fire achieved phenomenal success having sold 100 million records worldwide and winning six Grammy Awards. In 2000 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The bulk of EWF's hits happened between 1974 through 1983 having racked up 16 Top 40 hits in the US during that time and numerous hits throughout the world. In total they had four Top 5 hits in both the US and UK.

They were often compared to the US classic rock band Chicago. Mostly due to the fact that both bands had a complete brass section. Both bands also originated in Chicago, Illinois and recorded with Columbia Records at roughly the same time. The two bands have collaborated and toured together on several occasions.

I began researching this project on July 13, 2023 with a little help from my longtime friend Paul B. In the near two month process I came to develop a huge respect for Maurice White. He wrote and produced most of EWF's songs as well as singing lead vocals (or sharing lead vocal with Philip Bailey). Earth, Wind and Fire was definitely Maurice White's baby. It is easy to say that Mr. White was a musical genius. He passed away on February 4, 2016 at the age of 74 from the effects of Parkinson's disease.

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A fan commented: Music is a healing medicine for our soul and EWF brings us a good dose of healing with their music.

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Bubbling Under The 30 Best

60. "The One" (2005) Parent Album: Illumination / 59. "Burnin' Bush" (1976) Parent Album: Spirit / 58. "You Are A Winner" (1981) Parent Album: Raise / 57. "Wouldn't Change a Thing About You" (1993) Parent Album: Millennium / 56. "Pure Gold" (2005) Parent Album: Illumination / 55. "Heritage" (1990) Parent Album: Heritage / 54. "The Rush" (2013) Parent Album: Now, Then & Forever / 53. "Milky Way" (1983) Parent Album: Electric Universe (Bonus Track) / 52. "Kalimba Story" (1974) Parent Albium: Open Our Eyes / 51. "Evil Roy" (1987) Parent Album: Touch the World / 50. "Thinking of You" (1987) Parent Album: Touch the World / 49. "Beauty" (1971) Parent Album: The Need of Love / 48. "Yearnin' Learnin' (1975) Parent Album: That's The Way of the World / 47. "When Love Goes Wrong" (1997) Parent Album: In the Name of Love / 46. "Liberation" (2005) Parent Album: Illumination / 45. "Biyo" (1976) Parent Album: Spirit / 44. "Let Them Talk" (1980) Parent Album: Faces / 43. "Even if You Wonder" (1993) Parent Album: Millennium /42. "The Right Time" (1997) Parent Album: In the Name of Love / 41. "All in the Way" (2003) Parent Album: The Promise / 40. "Gratitude" (1975) Parent Album: Gratitude / 39. "The Way You Move" (featuring Kenny G)(2005) Parent Album: Illumination / 38. "My Promise" (2013) Parent Album: Now, Then & Forever / 37. "Show Me the Way" (featuring Raphael Saadiq)(2005) Parent Album: Illumination / 36. "Love's Holiday" (1977) Parent Album: All 'n All / 35. "And Love Goes On" (1980) Parent Album: Faces / 34. "Fall in Love With Me" (1982) Parent Album: Powerlight / 33. "Chicago (Chi-Town) Blues (1993) Parent Album: Millennium / 32. "Love is Life" (1997) Parent Album: In the Name of Love / 31. "Turn On (The Beatbox)(1988) Parent Album: Caddyshack II (soundtrack)

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30 Great Songs by Earth, Wind & Fire

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30. "Autumn" (featuring Musiq Soulchild)(2005)

Parent Album: Illumination (Japanese Bonus Track)

Musiq Soulchild is the R&B, neosoul singer/songwriter Taalib Johnson. He achieved platinum successes multiple times in the early 2000s.

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29. "Dance Floor" (2013)

Parent Album: Now, Then & Forever

Why this one was not released as a single is a mystery to me. It's catchy and hooky with a hot dance rhythm. One of EWFs best later era songs. Plus the music video sizzles!!!

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28. "Mom" (1972)

Parent Album: Last Days and Time

I have a soft spot for songs that pay tribute to "mom." The track "Mom" serves as the closing piece on the album "Last Days and Time," which their third studio release and their debut with Columbia Records. This album also marks the inclusion of Philip Bailey. With this record, we get a glimpse of the initial development of the iconic EWF sound. As a single, "Mom" managed to secure the #39 spot on the US Cashbox R&B charts. The composition of the song is credited to siblings Maurice White and Verdine White.

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27. "Jupiter" (1977)

Parent Album: All 'n All

"Jupiter" was the third single from the album All 'n All. It did not chart in the US but made it to #41 in the UK and #26 in the Netherlands.

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26. "Keep Your Head to the Sky" (1973)

Parent Album: Head to the Sky

It's been fifty years since this song was recorded yet it has aged well sounding as relevant now as it did in 1973. EWF was best with their messages of hope and faith.

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25. "Let Your Feelings Show" (1977)

Parent Album: I Am

The introduction is absolutely extraordinary, with a blend of horns, bass, and guitar that create a unique fusion of jazz and funk, unlike anything we've experienced previously. Maurice White and his half-brother Fred White deliver an exceptional performance on the drums.

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24. "Diana" (1979)

Parent Album: I Am (Bonus Track)

Many diehard EWF fans are wonderstruck as to why this song did not make it onto the album in its initial release. One fan calls it: "The greatest lost treasure ever."

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23. "Wanna Be the Man" (1990)

Parent Album: Heritage

This feel-good funk tune was co-written by MC Hammer and features a rap by him. 1990 was a hot year for Hammer. He was riding high on the charts with his hits: "U Can't Touch This, " "Have You Seen Here," and "Pray" all from his classic album Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em.

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22. "Superhero" (1993)

Parent Album: Millennium

Maurice and Philip share the lead vocals on this Prince written track, in which he composed the arrangement for rhythm section. Prince's recording was released in 1994 on the soundtrack for the film Blankman. Earth, Wind and Fire and Prince

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21. "Magnetic" (1983)

Parent Album: Electric Universe

Maurice White called on songwriter Martin Page to help EWF shift to an electronic sound. White heard the song "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Bebop)," which Page wrote for his band Q-Feel. White liked that sound and asked Page to write something similar for EWF. Anticipated by music critics to be a massive success, the song was predicted by Cashbox to "re-solidify their star status." Despite its exceptionality, "Magnetic" failed to gain popularity.

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20. "System of Survival" (1987)

Parent Album: Touch the World

Written by a mysterious songwriter, bass player, keyboardist named Skylark. Skylark has written songs for Denice Williams and Hiroshima. He was the touring bass for The Doobie Brothers from 1995 to 2010. The EWF looks to be his biggest songwriting success.

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19. "Magic Mind" (1977)

Parent Album: All 'n All

Funky soul dance grooves. This one was released as a single and it made it to #54 in the UK. Why it didn't make it higher or chart anywhere else boggles me.

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18. "Star" (1979)

Parent Album: I Am

"Star" is the fourth single from the studio album I Am. Despite it's belated release the uplifting pop-funk number did well in Europe reaching #25 in Belgium, #9 in the Netherlands, and #16 in the UK. However in the US it peaked at #64.

"Star" is a fan and critics favorite.

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17. "Got To Get You Into My Life" (1978)

Parent Album: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Soundtrack)

Dare I say that the cover is better than the original? Of course that's all subjective. But no doubt EWF's rendition of this Beatles classic is easily one of the best (if not the best) Beatles cover. EWF took the song and transformed it into a rockin' funk track with great horns and hot guitar licks. The made the song their own and turned it into a classic all over again.

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16. "Can't Hide Love" (1975)

Parent Album: Gratitude

"Can't Hide Love" is a cover of the 1973 R&B hit by Creative Source entitled "You Can't Hide Love." EWF took the song and turned 8nto the definitive version with critics and fans calling it "Classic EWF." The song reached #39 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist.

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15. Star (1980)

Parent Album: Faces

My friend Paul, a longtime proclaimed diehard EWF fan, says it's the joyous exuberance of love straight from the heart that makes this song special.

This is another "shoulda been a single" but it wasn't.

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14. "Happy Feelin'" (1975)

Parent Album: That's The Way of the World

"Happy Feelin'" was written for the roller skating rink scene in the 1975 film That's the Way of the World. The lyrics and the rhythm of the song emulate the happy feeling you have while skating in the roller rink. The song was also used as the B-Side of the single "Reasons."

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13. "Getaway" (1976)

Parent Album: Spirit

"Getaway" was the lead single from the superb album Spirit. It made it to #12 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles in the US as well as #1 on the US R&B charts and #12 on the US Dance charts. The song also made it to #29 in Canada.

Upon its release the song was met with a myriad of positive reviews. Record World reported the following: "A tapestry of electronics and syncopated vocals provides an inertia that should send the song skyrocketing to the top."

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12. "Runnin'" (1977)

Parent Album: All 'n All

Primarily an instrumental with a blend of harmony vocals. "Runnin'" is a mix of jazz fusion, funk, and prog-funk-fusion. The song won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental.

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11. "Sing a Song (1975)

Parent Album: Gratitude

This feel good song was EWFs first to place on the US Dance charts where it peaked at #5. It was also their second out of eight songs to make it to #1 on the US R&B chart.

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10. "After the Love Has Gone" (1977)

Parent Album: I Am

Earth, Wind and Fire has recorded several ballads throughout their existence but this is their Love Song that tops them all.

EWF placed ten songs on the US Adult Contemporary charts but "After the Love Has Gone" was their only one to make it into the Top 10 of the AC chart making it to #3.

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9. "Let's Groove" (1981)

Parent Album: Raise

The genre for "Let's Groove" is described as being post-disco. Post-disco displays a stronger electronic character along with funk oriented bass lines. Post-disco was a forerunner to new wave, old school hip hop, and Eurodisco. Disco itself morphed into hi-NRG.

"Let's Groove" was one of EWFs biggest hits and charted all around the world. The inclusion of electric guitars gives the song some muscle and a real punch out on the dancefloor.

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8. "September" (1978)

Parent Album: The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1

"September" is one of EWFs most popular songs. It peaked within the Top 20 in several countries around the world including South Africa and Japan. In the US the song made it #1 on the US Top R&B chart as well as #8 on the Hot 100 Singles chart.

I especially love this song (and music video) for its uplifting feel-good feel.

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7. "Boogie Wonderland" (featuring The Emotions)(1979)

Parent Album: I Am

One of EWFs super-hits, "Boogie Wonderful" finds them digging deep into discomania in a joyful jubilee of rhythm and funk. Songs like this are so important in our existence as they lift our spirits, cure our ills, and give us a good-time distraction for a few minutes. Music is a healing medicine for our soul and EWF brings us a good dose of healing with their music.

The Emotions were brought in for this adventure. The Emotions first came to fame in 1977 with their #1 mega-hit "Best of My Love," which was written by none other than Maurice White and Al McKay also co-produced the song. Several players from EWF performed on the song including Fred White, Verdine White, and Al McKay. Another favorite is their 1976 single entitled "Flowers" which was also written by Maurice White and Al McKay and co-produced by Maurice White.

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6. "Faces" (1980)

Parent Album: Faces

The song is a fusion of jazz, progressive rock, and funk. Larry Henderson's guitar work is phenomenal and rivals that of the finest prog guitarists out there. This wasn't a single but for sheer musicianship it ranks high on this list.

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5. "Shining Star" (1975)

Parent Album: That's The Way of the World

"Shining Star" is a classic among classics. It is their first and only song to reach #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. It also made it to #1 on the R&B chart. The song won a Grammy Award in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

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4. "Serpentine Fire" (1977)

Parent Album: All 'n All

This adrenaline pumped song is based on a yoga concept called the Kundalini principle. This has to do with properly using the secretions (fluids) that come from the spine to gain a higher level of creative energy. It's called Serpentine because the spine out of the body looks like a serpent. The fluid symbolizes the fire. The song was a huge hit on the US R&B chart reaching #1 for eight weeks.

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3. "Reasons" (1975)

Parent Album: That's The Way of the World

This is classic EWF, a song that sets the bar for all other EWF songs. It has all the EWF trademarks: Pristine vocals, meaningful lyrics, great brass section, hot bass line, and great harmonies and melodies. "Reasons" is the highest ranked non-single album cut on this list.

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2. "Fantasy" (1977)

Parent Album: All 'n All

The first thing that captures my ear on this song is Verdine White's funktastic bass line. It is so hot that it melts right into your ears. The perfect vehicle for Philip Bailey's perfect pitch falsetto. Although the song is classic EWF it has charted surprisingly low reaching only #32 in the US and #14 in the UK. However it did make it into the Top 10 in Ireland, Netherlands, South Africa, and Sweden.

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"That's The Way of the World" (1975)

Parent Album: That's The Way of the World

The title track from the soundtrack for the film, That's the Way of the World. The film follows the events of a record label named A-Chords and the lives of its music executives. The film was a bomb but the soundtrack was a huge hit reaching #1 in the US and #15 in Canada.

While the album's first single "Shining Star" was deservedly a #1 Gold certified Grammy winning hit in the US, "That's the Way of the World" stopped at #12 in the US and #20 in Canada. It seems criminal that a song of such lyrical depth and musical precision was not a #1 hit. Despite this, the song remains a huge fan favorite and has gone on to become an all-time classic. Maurice White refers to this song as Earth, Wind and Fire's "national anthem."

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With Love, RHC