September | 5ive Songs

1. Earth, Wind & Fire, “September”

💿 The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 1978

Question: “Do you remember, the 21^st night of September?” That’s the iconic opening line from the beloved 🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire hit, 🎵 “September” (💿 The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1). What better way to celebrate the month than this funk/soul gem? Characterized by exuberant production and orchestration (those horns), spirited vocals (that falsetto), and ear-catching, fun lyrics, “September” is a surefire vibe – a song that puts a smile on your face during any month of the year!

The significance of the 21^st of September, for those wondering, is it’s the final day of summer.  Of course, for many of us, the beginning of September unofficially signals Fall.  Officially, September 22^nd kicks off Fall.  That said, for Earth, Wind & Fire, the date isn’t that important.  As happy as this loving, all good vibes joint is, any date could’ve worked.  Of course, the fact that my birth month was victorious – effing awesome for sure!

“There was a
Ba-dee-ya (Dee-ya, dee-ya), say, do you remember?
Ba-dee-ya (Dee-ya, dee-ya), dancin’ in September
Ba-dee-ya (Dee-ya, dee-ya), never was a cloudy day.”

2. Agnes Obel, “September Song”

💿 Aventine • 🏷 Agnes Obel / Play It Again Sam • 📅 2013

Sometimes, words aren’t necessary. Danish singer, songwriter, and pianist 🎙 Agnes Obel confirms this on 🎵 “September Song,” the closing track from her 2013 album, 💿 Aventine.  Though Obel is renowned for her voice, we don’t hear her voice here. Instead, “September Song” is an intriguing instrumental piece, finding her performing on the piano.

“September Song” is lovely. Running shy of three-and-a-half minutes, it’s compelling from start to finish.  This is an arty, ‘chamber pop’ instrumental cut – easy on the ears.  The piano playing is warm and soothing but also rhythmic – ample motion to keep things interesting.  The melody in the right hand is engaging, while harmonized further enhance.  Playful at times, changes in octave also maintain listener interest.  What better way to usher in September than “September Song.”

3. Ayoni, “September”

💿 Iridescent • 🏷 Ayoni • 📅 2019

If you ever need a surefire September vibe, look no further than Barbadian singer 🎙 Ayoni.  On her 2019 EP, 💿 Iridescent, she makes it clear she doesn’t care for 🎵 “September.” “Gave me reasons to despise September / What’d it do to me,” she sings, continuing, “Used to love the beach / And almost you.” Obviously, her reasons for disliking the month have to do with matters of the heart – she was dumped in September.

She goes on to speak of her hopes and ambitions for October, since September has been bad.

“But October’s real pretty
If you wanted to know
And I can see the sunset from this spot on the metro
And my love for you is gone
And my love for you is gone
And my love for you is gone.”

Essentially, she states she’s moved on from the ex who hurt her badly, adding, “So, my need for you is gone.” That’s right – you go girl! Worth noting besides the emotional singing and songwriting, the harmonized vocals are sweet.  The production overall is a certified vibe.

4. Dinah Washington, “September in the Rain”

💿 September in the Rain • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 1961

“The leaves of brown / Came tumblin’ down, remember / In September, in the rain.” Ah, another brilliant way to usher in September is a traditional pop song, 🎵 “September in the Rain.” An oft-covered torch song penned by 🎼✍ Al Dubin and 🎼✍ Harry Warren, the late, great 🎙 Dinah Washington (1924-1963) lays claim to a fantastic rendition.  Her version opens her 1961 album of the same title.  Sadly, she died two years after 💿 September Rain from an accidental overdose.

Listening to “September in the Rain,” personally, it hearkens back to a simpler time, or at least that’s my perceived sentiment. Dinah Washington flaunts a beautiful tone, singing with incredible ease, yet also giving an expressive performance.  She packs a punch when she needs to, similarly pulling back ‘when it feels right.’  Her playfulness is idiomatic of a jazz singer – sweet, sweet music to the ears.  Furthermore, the supporting orchestra, something much rarer these days, is a surefire vibe.

5. Green Day, “Wake Me Up When September Ends”

💿 American Idiot • 🏷 Reprise • 📅 2004

“Summer has come and passed / The innocent can never last / Wake me up when September ends.” Ugh, for a second time on this September mini-list, September is viewed unfavorably – “Summer Bummer”! Why don’t people like my birth month – I WAS BORN!!!  The good news is that 🎵 “Wake Me Up When September Ends” is a brilliant song, even with the unfavorable view of the month.  The song hails from 💿 American Idiot, one of the best albums by 🏆 Grammy-winning rock/punk revivalist band 🎙 Green Day. Worth noting, American Idiot was nominated for Album of the Year, in one of the best fields ever, ultimately losing to Ray Charles’ posthumous album, 💿 Genius Loves Company.

Focusing on “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” why is the month viewed unfavorably? The Death of a loved one, specifically front man 🎙 Billie Joe Armstrong’s dad when he was merely 10 years old.  That explains moments like “Drenched in my pain again / Becoming who we are / As my memory rests / But never forgets what I lost.”  Armstrong directly addresses his father’s passing on the final verse:

“Like my father’s come to pass
Twenty years has gone so fast
Wake me up when September ends.”

A sad song, I consider it one of the best from the band.