from THE ESSENTIAL EARTH, WIND & FIRE
written by David Foster, Maurice White & Allee Willis
2002’s “The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire” is a double-cd compilation of the legendary R&B group by Columbia/Legacy. This collection includes their most beloved hits starting from their 1973 fourth album, “Head To The Sky,” up to 1983’s “Powerlight.”
“The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire” is the perfect introduction for those who want to discover one of the most important bands of the past forty years. Their textbook development from gritty but always elegant Funk into a perfect Soul/Pop machine is exemplified by unforgettable songs like “Mighty Mighty,” “Shining Star,” “That’s The Way Of The World,” “Fantasy” and “Let’s Groove.”
Leader of the band Maurice White was an absolute genius. His vision brought the band to collaborate with young talents like David Foster whose pop sensibility was fundamental for EWF’s triumphant “I Am.” Six songs from that seminal album appear on “The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire.” Among them are two monster hits, “Boogie Wonderland” and “After The Love Has Gone,” plus an amazing album track entitled “You And I.” Co-written by White and Foster with lyricist Allee Willis, “You And I” is pure musical bliss. It’s a gorgeous up-tempo ballad with all the elements that made EWF a true legend. Foster stated in the past that he was in awe of White’s vocal performances and listening to “You And I” can make you understand why. His perfect and smooth vocals are surrounded by EWF’s wall of sound made of trademark horns, strings, vocal harmonies and their smoking rhythm section.
“The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire” was certified gold in the US. All music lovers should buy it and start a fantastic journey into EWF’s music world.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/you_and_i.mp3|titles=You and I|artists=Earth, Wind & Fire]
Performed by Earth, Wind & Fire
Horn & String Arrangements by Tom Tom 84
Produced by Maurice White
Lyrics
Baby, here we are, waiting here for time, to play the game
Let love steal us away
Baby, here I am, holding charts to guide us through the storm
To a brighter, brighter day
You and I will be together many lessons, oh baby
From a past, that’s lived too many lies
Yesterday is gone forever there’s tomorrow
All that I can see
You and I living together
Just, you and I grooving forever
Trusting every word, just to mean
What has been handed down in time we’ve known hurt before
Masters of my dreams, create a place to feel this love of mine
And never hurt no more
You and I will be together many lessons, oh baby
From a past, that’s lived too many lies
Yesterday is gone forever there’s tomorrow
All that I can see
You and I living together
Just, you and I grooving forever
We must trust the dark
For showing us the stars
We must trust the rain
And open up our hearts
Just, you and I living together
You and I grooving forever
You and I living together
You and I living together
You and I grooving forever
Baby, you and I living together
You and I grooving forever
Baby, you and I living together
Baby, you and I