Golden dreams were shiny days...

I have always liked bands with brass sections. Maybe because I played trumpet (and later valve trombone), or maybe because I just liked the full sounds that horns deliver. Anyway, Chicago was my favorite band growing up, mostly because of their earlier, brassier, stuff. Blood, Sweat and Tears was another favorite- although they were a bit before my time. Two one hit wonders: New Jersey's own Looking Glass (Brandy) and The Ides of March (Vehicle) contributed other favorite tunes that later became Karaoke standards (At least for me, but that's another post).

Reaching back farther, one of my favorite Beatles songs was "Got to Get You Into My Life", which in the late 70's was covered by the band Earth, Wind, and Fire. I was familiar with the band from their previous hit "Fantasy" and then later with "September", but right before I got hooked into Earth, Wind and Fire, they underwent a style change with  "After The Love Is Gone" (ironically written by future Chicago front man Bill Champlin) and then "Let's Groove".

I had few other random encounters with EWF's music growing up- I remember playing "In the Stone" in Marching Band- and I think "Getaway" too. I also tried out for a talent show singing half of the Phil Collins and EWF Lead singer Philip Bailey's "Easy Lover". I never really checked out their catalog though.

Until the Ipod.

After setting up my Ipod, I made a habit of checking out my ITunes Top 25 most played list. At the very top, I found the songs I expected: "Vehicle", "Make Me Smile", "Old Days"... but what surprised me the most was the most played song: "September". A year later, same results. Today? Same results.

Of course now, I am a big EWF fan. I've seen several of their shows, both with Chicago, and as headliners. and what a good show they put on- usually closing with "September"- the song that snuck  up on me to become my favorite song!

So here's to Earth, Wind, and Fire! Number one on my ITunes play list, and more importantly, the originator of  "The 21st of September", the unofficial holiday of music fans like me everywhere! Never a cloudy day!