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Tag: Maurice White

LET YOUR FEELINGS SHOW

from I AM
Written by Maurice White, David Foster & Allee Willis

“‘Let Your Feelings Show’ was my first attempt to write a real ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ song. I ‘borrowed’ the key elements from many of their songs to finally arrive at those chords and tempo. Maurice, of course, helped so much [by] adding his wizard touches to make it immediately sound like an Earth, Wind & Fire classic. I also played keyboards on it like I did for all the compositions I co-wrote for them.”

MY SWEET DELIGHT

from JUST FOR A WHILE/MY SWEET DELIGHT (single)
Written by David Foster, Maurice White & Tony Haynes

The late, great Maurice White (1941-2016) and David Foster with lyricist Allee Willis co-wrote Jennifer Holliday’s 1983 hit, “I Am Love.” That gorgeous ballad was the first single off Ms. Holliday’s debut Feel My Soul album which was produced by the Earth, Wind & Fire maestro. “I Am Love” reached #2 on the R&B charts and crossed over to #49 on Billboard’s Hot 100. That wondrous ballad was a past Song of the Week and its review can still be read in the archives.

SEPTEMBER

from THE BEST OF EARTH, WIND & FIRE VOL. 1
Written by Maurice White, Al McKay & Allee Willis

The monster 1978 hit “September” was probably the most successful song ever released by legendary soul/R&B band, Earth, Wind & Fire. This breezy, feel-good anthem was co-written by the band’s leader, the late, great Maurice White (1941 to 2016), with EWF’s former guitar player, Al McKay. The positive lyrics were conceived by Mr. White together with renowned tunesmith, Allee Willis. The song was recorded during the sessions for the I Am album around September, 1978. Starting from McKay’s flamboyant intro, the song developed into one of the catchiest and most memorable funk/soul numbers ever. An important, but little-known, fact for David Foster fans was that The Hitman, who was a key figure on those 1978 sessions, played keyboards on “September” just like he did on most of the I Am tracks.

IN THE STONE

from IN THE STONE (single)

written by Maurice White, David Foster & Allee Willis

 

“In The Stone” was one of the bigger triumphs in Earth, Wind & Fire’s stunning catalogue. The song was co-written in 1978 by the band’s leader, the late, great Maurice White (December 19, 1941 to February 4, 2016), with David Foster and lyricist Allee Willis. This catchy, feel-good mid-tempo was included in Earth, Wind & Fire’s milestone I Am album. “In The Stone” was total joy for the most trained music lovers because it had a masterful arrangement, crafted by White and Foster, top-notch vocal and instrumental performances, pristine production, a rousing refrain and a groove delivered with various time changes.

BOOGIE WONDERLAND

From BOOGIE WONDERLAND (single)

Written by Allee Willis & Jon Lind

“Boogie Wonderland” was the first single released from Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1979 album, I AM. Co-written by up ’n’ coming songwriters Allee Willis, who already co-wrote EWF’s smash “September,” and Jon Lind, who was responsible for American jazz pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis’ “Sun Goddess,” “Boogie Wonderland” was Earth, Wind & Fire’s first stride into the disco field. The result was commercially and artistically astounding. The song became an out-of-the-box hit by reaching the top ten on both sides of the pond which paved the way to the double platinum triumph of I AM. On this spirited anthem, the band kept their trademark lush orchestrations and smart chord progression that were above the average disco stuff heard on radios in those days. The fantastic vocals by Maurice White and Philip Bailey with a noteworthy support from female R&B group The Emotions were a total knock-out as were Willis’ personal lyrics. The backing track of the tune was smoking hot with guest David Foster who co-wrote the bulk of I AM with White and Willis plus being right on target with his rhythmic acoustic piano playing.