Earth, Wind & Fire discography | |
---|---|
Earth, Wind & Fire performing at the opening ceremony of the 2008 US Open | |
Studio albums | 21 |
Live albums | 4 |
Compilation albums | 17 |
Singles | 62 |
Video albums | 19 |
Earth, Wind & Fire (EW&F or EWF) is an American musical group. Their style and sound span over various music genres such as jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.
The band was formed in Chicago by Maurice White in 1969, growing out of the Salty Peppers. Prominent members have included Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Roland Bautista, Robert Brookins, Sonny Emory, Fred Ravel, Ronnie Laws, Sheldon Reynolds and Andrew Woolfolk. The band is known for its kalimba sound, dynamic horn section, energetic and elaborate stage shows, and the contrast between Bailey's falsetto and Maurice's baritone.
The band has won 6 Grammys out of 17 nominations and four American Music Awards out of 12 nominations. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame, and Hollywood's Rockwalk, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The band has received an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, a Soul Train Legend Award, a NARAS Signature Governor's Award, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2012 Congressional Horizon Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019. Rolling Stone has called them "innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing" and declared that the band "changed the sound of black pop". VH1 has described EWF as "one of the greatest bands".
Albums
Studio albums
Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Record label | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Pop |
US R&B |
AUS |
CAN |
NLD |
JPN |
NZ |
GER |
SWE |
UK | ||||
1971 | Earth, Wind & Fire | 172 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Warner Bros. | |
The Need of Love | 89 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1972 | Last Days and Time | 87 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Columbia | |
1973 | Head to the Sky | 27 | 2 | — | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
1974 | Open Our Eyes | 15 | 1 | — | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
1975 | That's the Way of the World | 1 | 1 | 84 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
1976 | Spirit | 2 | 2 | — | 58 | — | 59 | 33 | — | — | — |
| |
1977 | All 'n All | 3 | 1 | 21 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 12 | — | 11 | 13 | ||
1979 | I Am | 3 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 20 | 3 | 5 |
| |
1980 | Faces | 10 | 2 | 55 | — | 8 | 18 | 40 | 46 | 23 | 10 |
| |
1981 | Raise! | 5 | 1 | 37 | 25 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 30 | 9 | 14 |
| |
1983 | Powerlight | 12 | 4 | 82 | 24 | 6 | 6 | — | 13 | 2 | 22 |
| |
Electric Universe | 40 | 8 | — | — | 22 | 20 | — | 37 | 17 | — | |||
1987 | Touch the World | 33 | 3 | — | 93 | 17 | 21 | — | 46 | 20 | — |
| |
1990 | Heritage | 70 | 19 | — | — | 52 | 31 | — | 39 | — | — | ||
1993 | Millennium | 39 | 8 | — | — | 29 | 18 | — | — | 50 | — |
|
Reprise |
1997 | In the Name of Love | — | 50 | — | — | 78 | 24 | — | — | — | — | Pyramid | |
2003 | The Promise | 89 | 19 | — | — | — | 115 | — | — | — | — | Kalimba | |
2005 | Illumination | 32 | 8 | — | — | — | 61 | — | — | — | — | Sanctuary | |
2013 | Now, Then & Forever | 11 | 6 | — | — | 35 | — | — | 55 | — | 25 |
|
Legacy |
2014 | Holiday | — | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Live albums
Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Record label | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US |
US R&B |
CAN |
NLD |
JPN |
SWE | |||||||||
1975 | Gratitude | 1 | 1 | 37 | — | 58 | — |
|
Columbia | |||||
1996 | Greatest Hits Live | — | 75 | — | 78 | 43 | 36 | Rhino | ||||||
2002 | That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Legacy | ||||||
Live in Rio | — | — | — | — | — | — | Kalimba | |||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Compilation albums
Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Record label | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US |
US R&B |
AUS |
CAN |
NLD |
JPN |
NZ |
GER |
SWE |
UK | ||||
1974 | Another Time | 97 | 29 | — | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Warner Bros. | |
1978 | The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 28 | 13 | 6 |
|
ARC/Columbia |
1986 | The Collection | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
|
K-tel |
The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | Columbia | ||
1988 | The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2 | 190 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
1991 | The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire | — | — | — | — | 28 | — | — | — | 18 | |||
1992 | The Eternal Dance | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | Telstar | ||
1994 | The Very Best | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Versailles |
Dance Tracks | — | — | — | — | — | 62 | — | — | — | — |
|
Sony Music | |
Earth, Wind & Fire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Columbia | |
1996 | Elements of Love: Ballads | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Columbia | |
Boogie Wonderland: The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | Telstar | ||
Let's Groove: The Best Of | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Columbia | |
1998 | Greatest Hits | 40 | — | — | — | — | 48 | — | — | — | — |
|
Columbia/Legacy |
1999 | The Ultimate Collection | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | Concept | |
The Dutch Collection | — | — | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Sony Music | |
2002 | The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire | — | 91 | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Sony Music/Legacy |
2004 | Love Songs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2008 | Playlist: The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire | — | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2010 | The Greatest Hits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
| |
2013 | S.O.U.L: Earth, Wind & Fire | — | 69 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2014 | Ultimate Collection | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 68 | ||
2015 | The Classic Christmas Album | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2020 | Gold | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 48 | ||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Singles
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Hot 100 |
US R&B |
US AC |
US Dan |
AUS |
CAN |
NLD |
NZ |
SWE |
UK | ||||
1971 | "Fan the Fire" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Earth, Wind and Fire | |
"Love Is Life" | 93 | 43 | — | — | — | 79 | — | — | — | — | |||
1972 | "I Think About Lovin' You" | — | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Need of Love | |
1973 | "Mom" | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Last Days and Time | |
"Evil" | 50 | 25 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Head to the Sky | ||
"Keep Your Head to the Sky" | 52 | 23 | — | — | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | |||
1974 | "Mighty Mighty" | 29 | 4 | — | — | — | 38 | — | — | — | — | Open Our Eyes | |
"Kalimba Story" | 55 | 6 | — | — | — | 63 | — | — | — | — | |||
"Devotion" | 33 | 23 | — | — | — | 55 | — | — | — | — | |||
"Hot Dawgit" (with Ramsey Lewis) | 50 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sun Goddess | ||
1975 | "Shining Star" | 1 | 1 | — | — | 95 | 21 | 14 | — | — | — |
|
That's the Way of the World |
"Sun Goddess" (with Ramsey Lewis) | 44 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sun Goddess | ||
"That's the Way of the World" | 12 | 5 | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | That's the Way of the World | ||
"Sing a Song" | 5 | 1 | — | 5 | — | 13 | 19 | — | — | — |
|
Gratitude | |
1976 | "Can't Hide Love" | 39 | 11 | — | — | — | 97 | — | — | — | — | ||
"Getaway" | 12 | 1 | — | 12 | — | 29 | — | — | — | — |
|
Spirit | |
"Saturday Nite" | 21 | 4 | — | 12 | — | — | — | 34 | — | 17 | |||
1977 | "On Your Face" | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Serpentine Fire" | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | 13 | — | 32 | — | 57 | All 'n All | ||
1978 | "Fantasy" | 32 | 12 | — | — | 25 | 37 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 14 |
| |
"Jupiter" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | |||
"Magic Mind" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | |||
"Got to Get You into My Life" | 9 | 1 | 30 | — | — | 12 | 33 | 20 | — | 33 |
|
The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 | |
"September" | 8 | 1 | 41 | — | 12 | 10 | 19 | 12 | 13 | 3 |
| ||
1979 | "Boogie Wonderland" (with The Emotions) | 6 | 2 | — | 14 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
|
I Am |
"After the Love Has Gone" | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 11 | 11 | 28 | 8 | 4 |
| ||
"In the Stone" | 58 | 23 | — | — | 78 | 76 | 39 | — | 53 | 53 | |||
"Star" | 64 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 25 | 16 | |||
"Can't Let Go" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | — | 46 | |||
1980 | "Let Me Talk" | 44 | 8 | — | 85 | — | 86 | — | 50 | — | 29 | Faces | |
"You" | 48 | 10 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Back on the Road" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 63 | |||
1981 | "And Love Goes On" | 59 | 15 | — | — | 57 | — | 25 | — | — | — | ||
"Let's Groove" | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 2 | — | 3 |
|
Raise! | |
1982 | "Wanna Be with You" | 51 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"I've Had Enough" | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | |||
1983 | "Fall in Love with Me" | 17 | 4 | — | 31 | — | 12 | 21 | 49 | 11 | 47 | Powerlight | |
"Side by Side" | 76 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Spread Your Love" | — | 57 | — | — | — | — | 48 | — | — | — | |||
"Magnetic" | 57 | 10 | — | 36 | — | — | 18 | — | — | 92 | Electric Universe | ||
1984 | "Touch" | — | 23 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Moonwalk" | — | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1986 | "Boogie Wonderland (Extended Dance Mix) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 97 | The Collection | |
1987 | "System of Survival" | 60 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 14 | 9 | — | 54 | Touch the World | |
1988 | "Thinking of You" | 67 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | 45 | — | — | 94 | ||
"Evil Roy" | — | 22 | — | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"You and I" | — | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Turn On (The Beat Box)" | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2 | ||
1990 | "Heritage" (featuring The Boys) | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Heritage | |
"For the Love of You" (featuring MC Hammer) | — | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Wanna Be the Man" (featuring MC Hammer) | — | 46 | — | — | 146 | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1993 | "Sunday Morning" | 53 | 20 | 35 | — | — | 33 | 26 | — | — | — | Millennium | |
"Spend the Night" | — | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1994 | "Two Hearts" | — | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Blood Brothers" (Japan only) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1997 | "Revolution" | — | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | In the Name of Love | |
"When Love Goes Wrong" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1999 | "September '99" | — | — | — | — | 94 | — | 25 | — | 48 | 25 | The Ultimate Collection | |
"Boogie Wonderland 99" | — | — | — | — | — | — | 57 | — | — | — | |||
2002 | "Remix Sampler" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 81 | The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire | |
2003 | "All in the Way" (featuring The Emotions) | — | 77 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Promise | |
"Hold Me" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
2005 | "The Way You Move" (featuring Kenny G) | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Illumination | |
"Pure Gold" | — | 76 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Show Me the Way" (featuring Raphael Saadiq) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
2006 | "To You" (featuring Brian McKnight) | — | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2006 | "Change Your Mind" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | In the Name of Love | |
2012 | "Guiding Lights" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Now, Then & Forever | ||
2013 | "My Promise" | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2013 | "Something About You (Love the World)" (LL Cool J featuring Charlie Wilson, Earth, Wind & Fire and Melody Thornton) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Authentic | |
2014 | "Never" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Promise | |
2015 | "Why?" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2021 | "You Want My Love" (featuring Lucky Daye) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Other appearances
Year | Song(s) | Source |
---|---|---|
1983 | "Dance Dance Dance" | Rock & Rule soundtrack |
1990 | "One World" | Music Speaks Louder Than Words |
1994 | "Frontline of Seduction" | Blood Brothers & More |
1996 | "Sky" (with Bill Meyers) | All Things in Time |
1999 | "Holiday" | The PJs soundtrack |
2000 | "Runaway" (with Wyclef Jean) | The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book |
2002 | "Whatever Happened" | Undercover Brother soundtrack |
"Fun & Free" | The Adventures of Pluto Nash | |
2004 | "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" | Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix |
2005 | "After the Love Has Gone" (with Bill Champlin) | Love Songs |
"Gather Round" | Sounds of the Season: The NBC Holiday Collection | |
2009 | "You" (with Chicago) | Serve4: Artists Against Hunger and Poverty |
"Get Your Hump on This Christmas" (feat. Cleveland Brown) | The Cleveland Show | |
2012 | "Eyes of Hope" and "Insensitive" | Constellations: The Universe of Earth, Wind & Fire |
2015 | all | La La Time: The Roots of Earth, Wind & Fire |
2016 | "September" (with Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick) | Trolls soundtrack |
2017 | "Brazilian Rhyme" (Extended Mix) | single |
2020 | "I Feel the Light" (with Little Glee Monster) | Bright New World |
2022 | "There'll Never Be" (with the Isley Brothers and El DeBarge) | Make Me Say It Again, Girl |
2023 | "Hollywood" (with Victoria Monét and Hazel Monét) | Jaguar II |
Music videos
- "Serpentine Fire" (1977)
- "September" (1978)
- "Boogie Wonderland" (1979)
- "After the Love Has Gone" (1979)
- "Let Me Talk" (1980)
- "Let's Groove" (1981)
- "Fall in Love with Me" (1983)
- "Magnetic" (1983)
- "System of Survival" (1987)
- "Evil Roy" (1987)
- "Thinking of You" (1987)
- "Heritage" (1990)
- "Wanna Be the Man" (1990)
- "Sunday Morning" (1993)
- "Spend the Night" (1993)
- "You Want My Love" (2021)
Videography
Year
↑ |
Title | Certifications |
---|---|---|
1975 | That's the Way of the World (film) | |
1982 | Earth, Wind & Fire: In Concert | |
1992 | The Eternal Vision | |
1995 | Millennium Concert | |
1998 | Live In Japan | |
2001 | Earth, Wind & Fire: Live |
|
Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire | ||
2002 | Earth, Wind & Fire: Live By Request | |
2004 | Earth, Wind & Fire: Live At Montreux 1997 |
|
2005 | The Collection | |
Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire – Live at the Greek Theatre |
|
Notes
- Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".
- "You Want My Love" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 37 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.
References
- ^ "Maurice White". songhall.org. Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- Light, Alan (1992). "The Kalimba Story". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". rockhall.com. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire". Hollywood Walk of Fame. October 25, 2019.
- "The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame". Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
- Wang, Oliver (February 5, 2016). "Maurice White: five deep cuts from the Earth, Wind & Fire co-founder". The Guardian. London. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire Members". earthwindandfire.com.
- ^ O'Keefe, Meghan (April 22, 2014). "Happy Earth, Wind & Fire Day!". VH1. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022.
- Nathan, David (1992). The Eternal Dance. Columbia Records.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. June 28, 2023.
- "Legendary R&B Group Earth, Wind & Fire Inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk". ascap.com. ASCAP. July 7, 2003.
- Totland, Colton (June 20, 2012). "Congressional medals awarded to community-driven youths". The Washington Times.
- "Celebrate the 2019 Honorees". Kennedy Center. December 8, 2019.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire: Biography". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". billboard.com.
- ^ David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". bac-lac.gc.ca. RPM.
- ^ "NLD Charts > Earth, Wind & Fire". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". charts.nz. Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". offiziellecharts.de.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". sverigetopplistan.se. Sverigetopplistan.
- ^ "UK Charts > Earth, Wind & Fire". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ^ "British certifications – Earth Wind and Fire". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 25, 2024. Type Earth Wind and Fire in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". Music Canada. 26 April 2006.
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Earth Wind & Fire" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 10 May 2019. Enter Earth Wind & Fire in the "Artiest of titel" box.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire". dutchcharts.nl. Dutch Charts.
- "Earth Wind & Fire: The Collection". BPI.co.uk.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". SNEP.
- "Earth Wind & Fire: Let's Groove -The Best Of". BPI.co.uk.
- "Earth Wind & Fire: The Greatest Hits". BPI.co.uk.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot 100". Billboard.com.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.com.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire: Adult Contemporary Songs". Billboard.com.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire: Hot Dance Club Songs". Billboard.com.
- "Week commencing 24 September 1990". Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire: RPM (Top Singles)". Baclac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013.
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- "Blood Brothers & More".
- "All Things in Time".
- "The Adventures of Pluto Nash".
- "Sounds of the Season: The NBC Holiday Collection".
- "Serve4: Artists Against Hunger and Poverty".
- "Constellations: The Universe of Earth, Wind & Fire".
- "La La Time: The Roots of Earth, Wind & Fire".
- "Brazilian Rhyme (Extended Mix)".
- "Bright New World".
- "Make Me Say It Again, Girl".
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Discography". allmusic.com. Allmusic.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". allmovie.com.
External links
- Official website
- Earth, Wind & Fire discography at Discogs