Boogie Wonderland

When Willis and Lind first brought the song to Maurice White, he was producing a different, unknown group (Curtis The Brothers) who cut the exact instrumental first with another singer. Willis and Lind spent weeks pleading with White to keep it for Earth, Wind & Fire; he relented, and it was released within about two weeks. No lyrics reproduced.

Willis described a creative standoff over a drummer’s overly enthusiastic hi-hat — co-writer Jon Lind physically walked into the studio and removed the hi-hat from the kit so the drummer couldn’t play it. Willis later reflected the incident reflected a real gender dynamic, where the male producer wouldn’t fully hear her input as a woman.

Featured in “Roller Boogie,” “Caddyshack,” “Madagascar” and “Happy Feet.” Willis said the lyrics — inspired by the 1977 film “Looking for Mr. Goodbar” — are about someone on the brink of self-destruction escaping into nightlife, unlike the pure celebration of “September.”