Earth, Wind & Fire, Shining Star | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 20^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind & Fire. 

“Born a man-child of the sun, yeah / Yeah, saw my work had just begun / Yeah, I found I had to stand alone, yeah.” Woo 🙌! The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 20^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Shining Star”, performed by 🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire. 

“When you wish upon a star / Your dreams will take you very far, yeah.” YEAH!!! It is hard to believe that 🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire, an iconic band with many hits, only scored one no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 🤯.  That sole no. 1 hit was NOT the beloved 🎵 “September” either 🤯! It was 🎵 “Shining Star”, the opening track from 💿 That’s The Way Of The World, that reached the penthouse on the Hot 100. That’s The Way Of The World was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. As for “Shining Star,” it was certified gold.  Even more notably, “Shining Star” earned Earth, Wind & Fire their first of six 🏆 Grammy awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus (18^th Annual GRAMMY Awards).

What makes “Shining Star” the sugar honey iced tea when it comes to the Earth, Wind & Fire catalog? Well, 🎙 Maurice White and 🎙 Philip Bailey plays sizable role with their electrifying pipes.  Of course, beyond that, the songwriting is sweet too, with the chorus taking the cake: “You’re a shining star / No matter who you are / Shining bright to see / What you could truly be.” Also, as previously highlight on my write-up about 🎵 “Reasons”, the musical backdrop is a big reason why much of Earth, Wind & Fire’s music is so iconic.  The riffs, particularly performed by the guitar, are lit. The bass line is funk as albeit. The horns are killer, truly confirming that 1970s sound that is clearly once in a lifetime.  Furthermore, the keyboard work is marvelous as well, shining most during the chorus. Revisiting the infectious 🎵 “Shining Star”, it is easy to see why it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and ranks at or near the top of the Earth, Wind & Fire catalog.

🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire • 💿 That’s The Way Of The World • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 1975

Earth, Wind & Fire, “Shining Star”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 19 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Columbia; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via Pixabay]