In the 87th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Sing a Song” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
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 they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 87th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Sing a Song” performed by Earth, Wind & Fire.
“When you feel down and out / Sing a song (it’ll make your day).” Agreed, Maurice White (1941 – 2016). The late, great founder, producer, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire encourages us to lift our spirits through song on “Sing a Song”. He penned alongside Albert McKay. Furthermore, White produced the enthusiastic, major-key funk gem. “Sing” is the 11th track from EW&F’s 1975 LP, Gratitude. The backdrop is sublime, with bright, articulated horns, robust, rhythmic bass line, colorful keys and synths, and sick guitar riffs. Unsurprisingly, the track performed superbly on both the R&B and pop charts. On the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at no. 5.
Maurice White impresses with his energetic, expressive, and soulful vocals. Of course, he shares lead vocal duties with Philip Bailey who is equally dynamic. Bailey blesses this positive song with his falsetto – some of the ripest you’ll ever hear. The stirring background vocals up the ante too. The colorful backdrop and the dynamic vocals catch the ears. The simple but thoughtful lyrics have a compelling argument for why “Sing a Song” is one of soul’s best.
“Well, bring your heart to believing
Sing a song (it’ll make your day)…
Give yourself what you need
Sing a song (it’ll make your day)…
Smile, smile, smile and believe
Sing a song (it’ll make a way).”
Sure, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but the power of singing a song is quite therapeutic! White, Bailey, and Earth, Wind & Fire put their foot into “Sing a Song”, PERIOD!
Earth, Wind & Fire // Gratitude // Columbia // 1975
Earth, Wind & Fire, Sing a Song: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 87 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Columbia; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via Pixabay]