Why does “September” say the 21st night? The most famous date in pop means nothing
The “21st night of September” doesn’t mean anything. Allee Willis, who co-wrote Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” with Maurice White and Al McKay, said they tried other dates and the 21st simply sang best. The same goes for “ba-dee-ya”, a phrase Willis fought against because it wasn’t a real word. Both made it onto one of the most joyful songs ever recorded.
Who wrote “September”?
Maurice White, Al McKay and Allee Willis. Earth, Wind & Fire released it in 1978. It’s now on the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry, which preserves recordings considered culturally important (Library of Congress).
Why the 21st night of September?
Because it sounded right. In an interview with the Library of Congress, Willis said there was no secret meaning behind the date. It wasn’t a birthday, an anniversary or a first date. The writers went through the numbers and the 21st fit the rhythm best. She was also happy for listeners to decide what it means to them.
What does “ba-dee-ya” mean?
Nothing. Willis told NPR in 2014 that she objected to the phrase because it had no meaning, and wanted a real lyric there instead. Maurice White’s answer has become famous: never let the lyrics get in the way of the groove (Salon). He won, and so did everyone who has ever sung along.
Why do people celebrate September 21st?
Because the song made it a date. Every year on September 21st, the internet fills up with “do you remember” posts, and the song climbs back up streaming charts. A number picked for its sound has become a sort of unofficial holiday.
Why does a meaningless lyric work so well?
This is Pylcrow opinion. A lyric with a specific meaning belongs to the writer. A lyric with no meaning belongs to whoever is singing it. “The 21st night of September” lets every listener fill in their own memory: a wedding, a summer, a person. “Ba-dee-ya” lets you sing even when you don’t know the words.
That’s the genius of “September”. It isn’t a story about one night in 1978. It’s an empty frame you put your own best night into.
Why do we play “September” in every season?
Because it’s not really an autumn song. It’s a song about remembering, and you can do that any time. It turns up at weddings, birthdays and the end of almost every party, which is why it fits our Memory Unlocked series perfectly.
Memory Unlocked: what does “September” bring back?
- Play it when: the room needs to dance and nobody wants to go first.
- It unlocks: whatever your own “21st night” was. That’s the point.
Frequently asked questions about “September”
What happened on the 21st night of September?
Nothing specific. The writers chose the date because it sang best.
Who sings “September”?
Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1978.
What does “ba-dee-ya” mean?
It has no meaning. Maurice White kept it because it fit the groove.
Who was Allee Willis?
A songwriter who co-wrote “September” and many other hits, including the theme for Friends, “I’ll Be There for You”.
What should you read next?
Put on our 10 songs for November nights. For the story behind another huge hit, read how a pet kangaroo inspired Choosin’ Texas.
Sources: Library of Congress, Salon, National Recording Registry essay.
