The Earth Wind & Fire Song That Defined Their Sound
Today we’re going to talk about the Earth Wind & Fire song that changed the trajectory of their career, came out of a terrible flop of a movie, and would go on to be one of their best songs.
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SOURCES
https://www.stereogum.com/2051075/the-number-ones-earth-wind-fires-shining-star/columns/the-number-ones/
#earthwindandfire #september #shiningstar
@Antluvstrains
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Muppets From Space is where I first heard this song and it got me into funk and RNB. It’s such a great sound all together.
@kwood55
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
This was the first album i ever bought with my own money. This album changed my life. It was my “gospel” album.
@themotownboy1
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I totally agree! "Shining Star" was other worldly to me, with a uniquely wonderful mix of jazz, soul, and a touch of Latin flavor.
@robinmowbray5663
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I think The Way of the World is their best song. Can u break down Verdine's bass lines on that song?
@dukeofcurls3183
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
you should make a video about Can't Hide Love
@craigwilliams6734
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
EWF’s best song IMHO is “Africano” = Funky fusion!!!!!!!!!
@blackamerican40
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I thought you were going to say the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.😅😅
@trevinodude
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
As a bass player as well who has played in some EWF cover bands… hearing someone play the bass lines and sound so smooth with it is amazing. I enjoyed hearing you demonstrate what the bass was doing. Awesome.
@PhilMoskowitz
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
You can't talk about Shining Star (and the rest of EWFs classic period) without talking about co-producer Charles Stephney and recording engineer George Massenburg. Those two were about as instrumental to EWF's sound as Maurice and Verdine White themselves.
@CocoVaughn-58
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Definitely got it!
@Ninzumecha
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Thise bass chords make me think of Tribe Called Quest for some reason
@kutelanirasikhuthuma7492
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I came here from the Pharrell video. Algorithm sent to me hear. Loving it here.
@LucasLucas-gn6gn
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
As far as I'm concerned, their best works were from "The Last Days and Time", to "Spirit". After that they went to a more commercial sound- IMO
@reedaharris1341
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I thought this was going to be about Got To Get You Into My Life from the Sargeant Pepper movie😊😊
@dxwallace55
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
So are soooooo "not wrong", I grew up with this and EWF was my boys, and yes, Shining Star was my personal favorite, and the "That's the way of World" album is my personal fav' album of all time. It was a change from what they were doing, I nether though about it all until your video. EWF was a great Band after the That's the Way of the World album, but they never made a truly great album after this one, only decent albums all with at least one great song. Shinning Star and the album was the pinnacle of EWF.
@JUKE179r
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
4:42 To quote NWA- Daaaaaaaaaamn that sh*t was DOPE!
@timoex
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Where/how do you get the multitrack of these songs? Are they re-records or the original tracks? I've searched and can't find a clear answer. Thanks!
@myronjr.748
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Could you please do stuff on Knxwledge?
@XYKOTIC
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
PLZ BREAK DOWN LIQUID SWORDS BY GZAAAA!!!
@ObeseBrownKid
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Dude u should do a video on slick ricks storytelling on "Behind Bars"
@ASSman864
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Its not as popular, but i think their most self defining song is called "earth wind and fire" its a great tune just search up "earth wind and fire earth wind and fire" and youll find it
@capturedsoul
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Please people watch the movie, If you love EWF you will appreciate the movie😉
@whatsgoingon71
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Didn't they also score the Sweetback movie? 😁
@nealhoward8279
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Also, a huge factor to the new sound of EWF, starting with "That's The Way Of The World" LP, was the hiring of engineer George Massenburg, who went on to become one the all-time greats of audio. Inventor of the parametric eq! 🔥
@SigmaSounds3418
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
September was the last E,W & F song played by the brothers and sisters. Boogie Wonderland got more run than September easily
@dgmgneco1516
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
NOT
@groovindj
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
The album does actually say it's a soundtrack – but on the back cover.
@hanslesolo
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Charles Stepney was in negotiations to produce Michael Jackson before he passed in '76
@rev.leonidasw.smiley6300
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
…it’s learned from Jazz improv.
@Foodgeek
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
How about some videos on Tower of Power? 😁
@darshanr2369
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
It is absolutely a HORRENDOUS movie through no fault of EWF’s. Watch the opening credits of the movie and then turn it off. That’s all anyone EVER needs of that movie.
In other news, I was the kid who grew up not knowing Got to Get You Into My Life was a Beatles song. When I learned, that, I laughed and moved on. Earth, Wind, and Fire were MY Beatles.
@Mialamorena1
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Thanks so much for mentioning Mighty Mighty – the consciousness raising 70s anthem for black people AND Reasons, one of the most famous baby making songs ever!!!!
@marcusallen759
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I want to learn piano and how to DJ do you have any teaching videos?
@6fig
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
It all comes down to the money, by WHODINI , uses the shining star baseline. One of the lesser known whodini tracks, but one of my favorites.
@dangaurdace
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Don’t forget one more movie. They did a song for the Canadian 1983 movie “rock and rule”called dance dance dance. I really wish it would’ve made it more into America cause it’s a pretty dog gone good song.
@Diggy22
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Funny thing is, "Shining Star" was always their biggest hit until Night At The Museum came out and used "September" in its end scene. That's when all the kids growing up made the song go viral, and the rest is meme, music, and cultural history. And as a lifelong fan of Earth, Wind, & Fire, I can say that's the tip of the iceberg on their hits. Personally, Open Our Eyes is my choice for my favorite EWF album, and if you want to peep their underrated albums, check out Touch The World and Electric Universe
@Krishicher
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
My favorite EWF song is Fantasy. But when I guessed about what song this video would be, I was able to predict. Shining Star checks all the boxes for their musical approaches. RIP Mr. White.
@BigDaddyJGG
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Charles Stephany was the head coach, and Maurice White was the QB. What's rarely talked about with this iconic group is the mastery of Charles Stephany!.
@Realigndadjmusic
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Charles Stephey defined and refined the sound of Earth Wind and Fire
@BigNice001
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I loved the movie!!!!!
@HouseOfHuli
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Mama said funk you out
@SimonePhoenix
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
@diggingthegreats Maestro Maurice himself referred to their music as “spectrum music”, which I WON’T define, I’d invite interested folks to read his wonderful memoir & delve into his mindset. As far as their “sound “, besides each member contributing their prodigious ability, a MAJOR figure in the crafting of the various familiar elements (wink) of their music was the late, great Charles Stepney.
@funkrabbit6599
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
LL's "Murdergram" samples heavily from EWF's "Moment of Truth" from their earlier harder funk days – there is your connection.
@LowKeyTired-q7d
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
I read Phil bailey biography a while back. Good read !
@MuShinGirl
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Got it 💕
Comments are closed.