7/21/14

Summer In Stereo #41


The Beatles recorded "Got To Get You Into My Life" for 1966's Revolver.  Paul McCartney later revealed that what everyone thought was a love song was actually an "ode to pot" written shortly after his introduction to marijuana.  More likely than not, the first time HERC heard "Got To Get You Into My Life" on the radio it was the cover version by Earth, Wind & Fire during the magnificent musical Summer of 1978.  Band leader Maurice White, says he was given three Beatles songs to choose from, for inclusion on the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band soundtrack and he chose this one.  HERC distinctly remembers thinking the song was definitely a love song, maybe even a gospel hymn to a higher power.   Even knowing the truth, he still believes that. It is another one of those songs he plays in the Church Of Rock n Roll.



Earth, Wind & Fire followed up "Got To Get You Into My Life" with the November 1978 release of "September".  The single was their second consecutive Top 10 hit on the Hot 100 as well as the group's second Number One song on the R&B chart.  It kept us warm though the winter of 1978, hitting it's chart peaks in February 1979.  It has always been a favorite late Summer jam for HERC made even more special because both MRS. HERC and their daughter Dev celebrate September birthdays though not on "the 21st night of September."



For the single follow-up to "September", Earth, Wind & Fire teamed up with The Emotions to make the spectacular roller-disco jam "Boogie Wonderland", which was released a couple of weeks before Memorial Day 1979.  Peaking smack dab in the middle of Summer of 1979, the joyous "Boogie Wonderland" remains a floor-filler at just about any social function, a true testament to the power of the groove.  




1 comment:

  1. EW&F's "Got to Get You..." may be the best Beatles cover of all time. The only serious competition comes from Stevie Wonder's "We Can Work It Out"

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