1415: "The 21st Night of September"

Interesting Things with JC #1415: "The 21st Night of September" – A date, a dance floor, and a nonsense phrase that changed music forever. The story behind “ba-dee-ya” might just surprise you.

Curriculum - Episode Anchor

Episode Title:
The 21st Night of September

Episode Number:
#1415

Host:
JC

Audience:
Grades 9–12, college intro, homeschool, lifelong learners

Subject Area:
Music History, Media Literacy, Cultural Studies

Lesson Overview

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Define the cultural significance of Earth, Wind & Fire’s song “September” and its musical elements.

• Compare how the use of lyrical nonsense (“ba-dee-ya”) contrasts with conventional songwriting expectations.

• Analyze how a personal moment influenced a globally popular song.

• Explain the commercial and cultural impact of “September” on the music industry and audience traditions.

Key Vocabulary

• Chord Progression (kord pruh-GRESH-uhn) — A sequence of musical chords. In “September,” guitarist Al McKay’s progression became the backbone of the song.

• Hook (huk) — A catchy musical phrase or lyric that sticks with the listener. The “ba-dee-ya” serves as the unforgettable hook in “September.”

• R&B Chart (ahr-uhn-bee chahrt) — Billboard’s chart tracking popularity of rhythm and blues songs. “September” reached No. 1 on this chart.

• Grammy Hall of Fame (GRA-mee hawl uhv faym) — An honor awarded to recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance. “September” was inducted in 2016.

• Greatest Hits Album (GRAY-tist hits al-buhm) — A compilation album of an artist’s most popular songs. Earth, Wind & Fire’s album included “September” as a new track.

Narrative Core (Based on the PSF – Renamed Labels)

• Open:
  The episode hooks listeners with the eternal popularity of “September,” marked by the famous lyric: “Do you remember the 21st night of September?”

• Info:
  Listeners learn how the song originated during the making of a greatest hits album in 1978, blending Al McKay’s chord structure with Maurice White’s creative leadership.

• Details:
  The twist centers on Maurice White’s insistence on keeping “ba-dee-ya” despite objections, and the later revelation that the date—September 21—was the due date of his son.

• Reflection:
  The episode explores the emotional and cultural power of music, how a personal secret became a global tradition, and how joyous sound can transcend language.

• Closing:
  “These are interesting things, with JC.”

Promotional graphic for the educational microlearning podcast Interesting Things with JC #1415: "The 21st Night of September." Bold yellow and red text appears at the top of the image. Below, a stage photo shows members of Earth, Wind & Fire performing live, dressed in colorful 1970s outfits. Several musicians are playing brass instruments under bright stage lights, capturing the energy of a live performance.

Transcript

Some songs fade away, but this one never has. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” still gets folks smiling and moving the minute it starts. And at the heart of it is the line everyone remembers: why the 21st night of September?

In 1978, the band was working on their first greatest hits record. Maurice White didn’t want just old songs. Guitarist Al McKay brought him a bright chord progression, and White teamed with songwriter Allee Willis to finish it. In the studio, White filled gaps with “ba-dee-ya.” Willis hated it and pushed for real words, but White stood firm, saying, “Never let the lyric get in the way of the groove.” That nonsense phrase became the hook that made the song unforgettable.

Then came the date. At first White said it simply fit the rhythm. Later he admitted it was personal—September 21st was the due date of his son, Kahbran. His wife Marilyn called it a secret message hidden inside a song the world would sing.

Released in November 1978, “September” climbed to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 1 on the R&B chart, and number 3 in the U.K. The album went multi-platinum, and after its success, record companies everywhere began adding new songs to greatest hits albums.

The track never slowed down. It has been used in films like Night at the Museum and Trolls, streamed more than 600 million times, and in 2016 it was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Willis, who once fought against “ba-dee-ya,” later called it “the happiest-sounding song in the world.”

And that happiness has carried on. Picture a wedding dance floor when the horns kick in—every age rushing out, hands clapping in rhythm. Picture a stadium full of people, thousands of voices singing that chorus in unison. Every September 21st, fans around the world recreate that same joy, from midnight playlists to backyard parties, all tied back to one line in one song.

That’s the beauty of it. A nonsense phrase, a family secret, and a groove too strong to fight came together to give us one of the most joyful songs of all time. So go on, and enjoy tonight, the 21st night of September.

These are interesting things, with JC.

Student Worksheet

1. What was the original purpose of Earth, Wind & Fire recording “September”?

2. Why did Maurice White insist on keeping “ba-dee-ya” in the lyrics?

3. What personal meaning did the date September 21 hold for Maurice White?

4. List at least two ways the song “September” has remained culturally relevant over time.

5. Creative Prompt: Design a music poster or digital flyer celebrating “The 21st Night of September” that includes visuals, quotes from the song, and a brief description of its impact.

Teacher Guide

• Estimated Time:
  45–60 minutes

• Pre-Teaching Vocabulary Strategy:
  Use a musical glossary anchor chart to pre-teach terms. Play a 30-second clip of “September” and ask students to identify rhythm, hook, and instrumentation.

• Anticipated Misconceptions:

  • Students may think “September” was originally meant as a serious, lyrical song.

  • Learners might assume "nonsense lyrics" like "ba-dee-ya" are careless or random.

• Discussion Prompts:

  • Why do you think “September” resonates across generations?

  • How does a song change in meaning when listeners learn the backstory?

  • What makes a hook effective in pop music?

• Differentiation Strategies:

  • ESL: Provide lyrics with highlighted vocabulary and paired images.

  • IEP: Use fill-in-the-blank guided notes for episode summary.

  • Gifted: Have students write a brief music review comparing “September” with another pop song that uses unusual lyrics.

• Extension Activities:

  • Research the impact of Allee Willis on songwriting and pop culture.

  • Write a short essay on how music can serve as a personal time capsule.

  • Create a timeline of “September’s” use in film, media, and public celebrations.

• Cross-Curricular Connections:

  • History: Timeline of major pop music milestones in the 1970s

  • Media Literacy: Analyze how “September” was marketed and received in the analog vs. digital age

  • Psychology: Study the emotional impact of upbeat music on memory and mood

Quiz

Q1. What musical component did Al McKay bring to “September”?
A. The lyrics
B. The chord progression
C. The vocal harmony
D. The album concept
Answer: B

Q2. Why did Allee Willis originally dislike “ba-dee-ya”?
A. She thought it was offensive
B. She preferred instrumental music
C. She wanted real words instead of nonsense
D. She was not involved in writing it
Answer: C

Q3. What was the true significance of September 21st to Maurice White?
A. His birthday
B. The band's anniversary
C. His son’s due date
D. The song’s release date
Answer: C

Q4. When was the song “September” added to the Grammy Hall of Fame?
A. 1980
B. 1995
C. 2005
D. 2016
Answer: D

Q5. What lasting impact did “September” have on the music industry?
A. It introduced synthesizers to pop music
B. It caused a decline in R&B music
C. It inspired record labels to add new songs to greatest hits albums
D. It was the first disco song to top the UK charts
Answer: C

Assessment

1. Analyze the musical and lyrical elements that contributed to “September” becoming a timeless hit. Use specific examples from the episode.

2. Reflect on how Maurice White’s personal story shaped the emotional legacy of “September.” Why do personal stories in music matter to listeners?

3–2–1 Rubric

• 3: Accurate, complete, thoughtful

• 2: Partial or missing detail

• 1: Inaccurate or vague

Standards Alignment

Common Core ELA

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.3 — Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events.
  Students trace the evolution of “September” from idea to cultural icon.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.2 — Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development.
  Students identify and analyze the themes of joy, memory, and cultural connection in the episode.

C3 Framework

• D2.Civ.14.9-12 — Analyze historical and contemporary means of changing societies.
  Explores how music influences and reflects cultural movements.

ISTE Standards for Students

• 1.3.Knowledge Constructor — Evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources.
  Students research the song’s legacy and its portrayal in popular media.

UK National Curriculum – Music KS4 (GCSE)

• OCR J536/03: Appraising — Develop critical listening skills using a wide range of music from different traditions and times.
  Aligned to analyzing the genre, mood, and historical context of “September.”

IB MYP Arts: Music

• A: Knowing and Understanding — Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the art form studied.
  Students learn how compositional choices impact emotional response.

Show Notes

In this upbeat and culturally resonant episode of Interesting Things with JC, listeners dive into the story behind one of the most iconic songs of all time—Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.” The episode explores the creative process behind the song’s unexpected lyrics, the personal significance of the famous “21st night of September,” and how a joyful groove turned into a lasting tradition celebrated by generations. With insights into musical composition, industry trends, and emotional resonance, this story offers a rich exploration of how art and personal storytelling combine to create something timeless. Perfect for classrooms exploring music history, media studies, or cultural storytelling.

References

• Boing Boing. (2021, September 20). Ba-de-ya: Why Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” nonsense lyric stayed in the song. BoingBoing. https://boingboing.net/2021/09/20/ba-de-ya-why-earth-wind-fires-september-nonsense-lyric-stayed-in-the-song.html

• Consequence. (2023, September 21). The reason Earth, Wind & Fire sing about the 21st night of September. Consequence. https://consequence.net/2023/09/earth-wind-fire-september-21st/

• Uproxx. (2018, September 21). Why Earth, Wind & Fire chose the 21st of September for their iconic hit. Uproxx. https://uproxx.com/music/why-earth-wind-fire-choose-21st-september/