September
Earth, Wind & Fire | Artist Essentials
First released: 1978 (year verified)
Original 1978 studio recording
Sourced recording note: Co-writer Allee Willis recalled learning from Maurice White that a rhythmic refrain could matter more than forcing literal words into it, according to the label's recording history.
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Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1978 (year verified)
The original single was released in 1978, ahead of the same-year Best Of album and the retained 1979 annual appearance. Later remixes and newly recorded versions remain separate.
Recording: Original 1978 studio recording
Credit: Earth, Wind & Fire
Role in this collection: Band recording
Original single: September
September - Sony/Legacy original and later version history
Label account explicitly dates the original single to 1978 before the November 1978 Best Of album, and distinguishes later 1999/2020 remixes, the Trolls version and December. It also reports co-writer Allee Willis's recollection about preserving the rhythmic refrain. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 - original licensed album program
Original 1978 anthology program: Love Music is a then-new recording, while earlier recordings retain their earlier source years. Fantasy is labeled Single Version here; this collection instead selects the earlier full All N All album recording. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
September - Sony/Legacy original and later version history
Label account explicitly dates the original single to 1978 before the November 1978 Best Of album, and distinguishes later 1999/2020 remixes, the Trolls version and December. It also reports co-writer Allee Willis's recollection about preserving the rhythmic refrain. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
In the yearly lists
These are listening-list appearances, separate from the first-release date.
The reviewed original band recording and actual annual credit/title identify the retained reference. Earlier original years are retained where the annual association follows release.
September - Sony/Legacy original and later version history
Label account explicitly dates the original single to 1978 before the November 1978 Best Of album, and distinguishes later 1999/2020 remixes, the Trolls version and December. It also reports co-writer Allee Willis's recollection about preserving the rhythmic refrain. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 - original licensed album program
Original 1978 anthology program: Love Music is a then-new recording, while earlier recordings retain their earlier source years. Fantasy is labeled Single Version here; this collection instead selects the earlier full All N All album recording. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
About Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire developed a sound that brings funk, soul and jazz into richly arranged popular songs. Maurice White's musical direction emphasized vocal harmonies, prominent horns and rhythms that could support both intricate arrangements and immediate melodies. That's the Way of the World, Spirit and All 'N All trace that approach through the 1970s. Songs including Shining Star and September connect positive lyrical themes with danceable grooves. Elaborate stage costumes and spiritual or Egyptian imagery added a visual dimension to the group's performances.
Artist background sources
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Earth, Wind & Fire
Supports White-led historical sound, harmonies and horns, album repertoire, affirmative themes and documented stagewear; no current membership or sales totals asserted. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
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