Sing A Song – Earth, Wind & Fire | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#5) & R&B (#1 for 2 weeks); 1976
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Unlike many R&B combos that mined either the Quiet Storm or the Funk vein, Earth, Wind & Fire straddled both with ease. Shining Star was a sterling example of the former (and the band’s first R&B/Pop #1) while Sing A Song (their second R&B chart topper) was a worthy representation of the latter.
In sound, it hearkened back to Maurice White’s early days as a session drummer on many classic Chess hits – such as Summertime and Wade In The Water – and their joyous grooves.
Penned by White and guitarist Al McKay, Sing A Song had echoes of those mid-1960’s soul tracks in its punchy brass and soaring vocals. EW&F recorded it on August 14th, 1975.
Three months later it debuted on the rhythm list and seven weeks later moved into the #1 spot, in January of ’76. The following week Gratitude, on the strength of Sing A Song (listed as Singasong), hit #1 on the album chart and stayed there for three weeks.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Maurice White
- Al McKay
Lyrics Written by:
- Maurice White
- Al McKay
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).