Into the "Boogie Wonderland" with Earth, Wind and Fire for the New Year!

[@stevenporter8740]

Pedantic old bloke here; when this came out as a single it was credited to Earth Wind and Fire and the Emotions. The Emotions are the fantastic girl singers who really give this song a lift, but they seem to get no recognition anymore.

[@tete-gq1jd]

Old lady now but a teenager in the 70’s. I loved the Emotions also loved The Three Degrees.

[@xmisterblackhatx]

I love learning new things and this stoked my fire

[@JustSomeDamnGinger]

Reminds me of how "Bob Marley and The Wailers" is almost always reduced to "Bob Marley".

[@shkeen57]

Yes, great to mention The Emotions

[@shkeen57]

The world's happiest song.

[@jeanettegirosky7735]

Boy I miss roller skating to this. The 70s were seriously the best time to grow up.

[@dougim]

Yeah, gotta disagree with that. Leaded gas; bench seats in cars with no shoulder harnesses; smoking on airplanes (and pretty much everywhere); no anti-bullying rules in schools; Nixon; etc.

[@DJHolte]

Elizabeth, there's no way anyone can watch one of your videos and not leave with a smile on their face. Your unabashed joy (and joie de vivre) is infectious, and sharing that with the world has, without a doubt, a ripple effect. Wishing you a very happy 2025!

[@Cadinho93]

High singing guy is Phillip Bailey. He's a force of nature, all by himself. Check out Phillip and Phil Collins "Easy Lover". Also, the sound was made for dancing. Their concerts were a Las Vegas show on the road. Their costumes were unique, which reflected their album art and the girls who sang in Boogie Wonderland were The Emotions ("Best of my Love").

[@rossneuman2078]

thunbs up for Both Parts but especially Easy Lover

[@johnclay4811]

Phil Collins also borrowed the brass section for some of his LP's

[@mattking5936]

If you haven't danced to this at 2am in a packed sweaty nightclub, you haven't lived.

[@rhythmstykk]

Watching someone enjoy these songs for the first time makes this 61 year old man want to go back to that time in my life so bad it hurts

[@noracola5285]

Me at 51 realizing I still have at least 10 more years of that feeling to look forward to: 🥲

[@mbwahaha]

@@noracola5285 38...

[@noracola5285]

@@mbwahaha Yeah, I remember - if I think hard enough.😉

[@bradwatson1048]

This was the dance song to end all dance songs. Clubs, supermarkets, front seats... this song hit the radio, you danced.

[@Sean2002FU]

As a life long, and ardent metal head.......Earth Wind and Fire kicks ass! They do rock the house, like few can! Greatness is Greatness! No matter the style!

[@kimhubbard826]

The female singers that are backing them up are a group called The Emotions. They were pretty popular and had a hit song Best of my Love.

[@ReleaseTheQuackers]

🛼🛼 *ROLLER DISCO* 🛼🛼 *The Emotions* are the girls singing on this one and they had hits themselves!

[@blakester3043]

Another band out of the ‘70’s that is really fun to listen to is Kool & the Gang😊

[@LeeboProductions]

You NEED to analyze 'After The Love Has Gone' by Earth Wind and Fire, the vocals and musicianship is out of this world, it's so good!

[@kevinduthie1580]

Fantasy for me ... or Serpentine Fire.

[@ziovit]

That is a (fantastic) David Foster song (that he wrote for EWF)

[@VesselXVII]

And Reasons

[@ZSAZSS09]

@@VesselXVII and september.

[@aTofuJunkie]

​@@ZSAZSS09 she reacted to September already.

[@daxriley8195]

I think Elizabeth would love listening to The 5th Dimension singing Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In It has a very similar happy, boppy feel to it with some great vocal performances too :)

[@kallsop2]

When this came out I was a progressive rock, Pink Floyd/Alan Parsons/Yes/Jethro Tull, and rock person but this is just so good with the vocals and harmonies, add in the percussion, horns, guitar and keyboards and it was just good pop/disco that was enjoyable and EW&F were just was just full rich sound.

[@krisarmstrong3266]

This was a huge hit at the roller skating rink.

[@wingssmalley1596]

Lol, I was just thinking that! I'm 58 and it makes me miss my skates!

[@jackiewilliams4854]

Maurice was an absolute genius who lead EW&F to the stratosphere. He was the driving force and a Visionary who is missed big time by his fans.

[@mdj5448]

I love that Elizabeth is listenintg to music that is way before her time, and expanding her horizons.

[@centrasseptyni8277]

You know she is an opera singer and to listen and to perform music way before her time is on her job description?

[@javoratree3861]

Philip Bailey from Earth, Wind & Fire sang a duet with Phil Collins in a song called Easy Lover released in 1984. I think this song was one of Phil’s best performances. The video is hilarious, hope you give it a look.

[@WayneKitching]

I'm in the Southern Hemisphere. It is summer here. This is our holiday music. 🤩🤩

[@hlb979]

seconded, Easy Lover would be very nice ....

[@gwooledge]

I can definitely see Elizabeth choosing to react to the "double Phil song". A duet between two vocalists of that caliber? That's right up her alley.

[@jackiewilliams4854]

Easy Lover is a decent song but its not in the top 100 Phil Collins performances imo.

[@laurieemme1534]

This will be fun! If you decide to revisit Earth, Wind & Fire in the future, I think you'd like "Fantasy".

[@gailbreslin5441]

Could not agree more!

[@debmuel]

Yes! Fantasy!All day long.

[@dhamblin65]

Serpentine Fire

[@craigstevens6684]

Live version of "Reasons"

[@gailbreslin5441]

@@craigstevens6684 Wish she would do both album and live in one video. It is not a long song.

[@richardchocolas8800]

Seeing EARTH WIND & FIRE live is an amazing experience.

[@imuawarriors]

My wife and I saw them in Las Vegas last year, and they were phenomenal. The entire crowd danced the whole night. The three main (original) members are in their 70's! I also saw them in the 1980's, and the energy is the same!

[@nigelcook972]

This song takes me back. It is the first ever record I ever bought on vinyl as a single. I still love this song to this day. I agree that “Fantasy” should be the next song to analyse. Their vocals are absolutely out of this world.

[@robabiera733]

I've been loving this song ever since it first came out! Now do KC and the Sunshine Band!

[@karinkrenn]

Seeing Elizabeth groove? Looking forward to your trip to 1979 😉🎶

[@woodyheywood8792]

This makes my day, month & year Young Lady!!! What a reaction pick...can't wait!!!

[@Noble4Truths]

I consider myself lucky to have been in college during this time. The younger generation has no idea how wonderful the 70's were. Carefree and magical...with so much great music!

[@brad8346]

Elizabeth, first of all I'm alot older than you. However it's refreshing to see your raw, pure, enjoyment analyzing these performances!! I'm not sure you know how much joy you exude which is infectious!! My two daughters are accomplished singers, and as Dad i only knew driving to amd from the vocal coach!! Watching you has enlightened me on the finer points of singing....so thank you. I do have a request, please analyze EASY LOVER by the PHILS.....Phil Collins and Phillip Bailey. Thank You again and Happy New Year!🎉🎉

[@debmuel]

When I was at University, our marching band was doing a lot of Earth, Wind and Fire. I vividly remember not being the only one singing and dancing my way back from class when they were rehearsing. ❤

[@hfortenberry]

I'm a child of the 70's and LOOOOOVE Earth Wind and Fire. Thank you so much for doing this song!!

[@photographerscott]

Earth Wind and Fire was such a big part of my youth. One of my first concerts.

[@Bassalicious]

The condensed talent in this is off the charts. So good.

[@andybobandy641]

It's so cool that the songs I grew up listening to for decades , and here you are, hearing them for the first time.... and you are overjoyed with them! That makes me so happy!

[@amitychief3061]

I challenge anyone to not feel happy listening to this!. One of the greatest bands of the 70s performing one of the greatest songs of the 70s!. Great of Elizabeth to point out all the intricate things going on in this song because frankly I always just get lost in the music. Yow!

[@johnyoung8430]

This is just one of these feel good songs you gotta love.

[@KARENCOGS]

Every Earth, Wind and Fire song is infectious! You always have to get up and dance when they come on!❤❤🕺🏻🕺🏻

[@andrewroberts6975]

You can hear Phil Baileys voice more on their track Fantasy and on Reasons. Enjoy!

[@monicadunlap3778]

I'm a child of he 70's and groups like the Bee Gees, Earth Wind and Fire and Chic were FABULOUS! The 70's had real dance music🎉

[@kurtisseaboldt5294]

I love how the vocal in the verse just pounds the up beat instead of the down beat, creating an almost pitch-and-catch game with the melody.

[@Eowyn187]

The dance they're all doing was called "The Rock". It was huge in the clubs!! I had a fake ID, so hit the dance floor at 15. Fun times.

[@thinkingofvenice]

This is a great choice! And Maurice’s birthday was just the other day. I work at a shop that sometimes sets up Verdine White’s basses for tours, and he just released a new song, “Superman”, for his departed brother’s birthday.

[@KevinQHall]

As a number of folks said below, please check out "Fantasy". It's still my go to song in the car when I need a lift to make my day start well or get better if it hasn't been a great day.

[@LAnimeMaster]

If you want the full effect of Philip Bailey, go for Fantasy (Twelfth of Never) and Reasons (preferably the live version just for some of the ad libbing he does towards the end; it's a long one though).

[@woodyheywood8792]

Apologies for multi comments...checkout EW&F - "Reasons" - features Phillip Bailey - The music video of Phillip Bailey and Phil Collins - "Easy Lover"

[@michaelneedssleep]

All of this without excessive production, too. It sounds so natural.

[@Boathole66]

As a teen rocker, I told my guitar teacher I wanted to learn heavy metal. He smiled, laughed and gave me Minuet by Bach to learn. The next week, after horribly performing Minuet, I was still on the heavy metal path. Again he slyly smiled and said, “I think you should learn this first.”, and he gives me September by Earth, Wind & Fire. I already knew the song and loved blues, funk, jazz, etc. But when learning the music to actually play it….it completely changed my playing forever. I had a classical background (French horn) but the extreme freedom and joy of playing September was truly life-changing. I eventually learned some heavy metal but my natural playing style still leans way more to funk and blues. I’m forever grateful to my wise guru, who is an incredible musician. He played bass for Chuck Berry when he was young…..

[@ZSAZSS09]

Now we're cooking! My favorite group from the 70's

[@donwyates]

Disco was/is not my jam, but everyone has to acknowledge the force and energy of Earth Wind and Fire. I was always particularly impressed with their horn section. Gotta admit, I enjoyed watching you dance in your chair! 😊 You are so much nerdy fun. And I learn amazing stuff that I'd never paid attention to before. ✌️❤️

[@brettk4676]

My number one, all time favorite song. So glad to see you cover it!

[@nrsvlda70]

Oldie here.. gotta tell you that when you were in a dance club in the late 70s-early 80s, you could not NOT get up and dance when this was played. Many today Pooh-poo ‘disco’, but it was (mostly) just really fun dance music that kept all us 20-30 yr olds active. We took it for granted.. along with all of the amazing rock music of that era!

[@audreyberube6884]

Your joy restores the lost smile. You are like a lighthouse tearing the darkest nights

[@jeffchampagne5587]

The three women are the group the emotions and they joined earth, wind, and fire on this hit

[@marciosevero1925]

It's simply impossible to watch this ewf video without a huge smile on face.😊😊😊😊

[@Indygaine08]

The female vocals are from The Emotions (Best Of My Love) Wanda Vaughn was a writer of Boogie Wonderland.

[@jeff-xm7fg]

Everybody loves the trip to Boogie Wonderland.

[@MrRabiddogg]

KC and the Sunshine band would be a good one in this category of music.

[@jmfloyd23]

This takes me back to 1979! Which was one of the best years ever for music! Puts a smile on my face seeing younger people react to these classics!

[@jjshred]

Earth Wind & Fire is a band that just elevates your mood. They put a smile on your face and keep it there.

[@madmitch3365]

Kool and the Gang has a song called “Celebration” 🎉

[@Pontifex6]

Elizabeth, a while ago, you mentioned what a pitty it was that there aren't more collaborations between classical and contemporary music. So I rummaged through my archive and found a few songs you might find worthy to analyze: Barcelona - Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé (live at La Nit) Belfast child - The Simple Minds ft. Sinéad O'Connor (Night of the Proms) Music - John Miles (Night of the Proms 2012) Sailing on the seven seas - OMD (Night of the Proms 2015) La vie en rose - John Miles & Grace Jones (Night of the Proms 2010) The closest thing to crazy - Katie Melua (Night of the Proms 2014) Senza una donna - Zucchero (Night of the Proms 2014) The good, the bad, and the ugly - FSO (Film Symphony Orchestra) Run boy run - Woodkid (Live at Montreux) If I had a heart - Danish National Symphony Orchestra Uninvited 2019 - lush classical sse arena Belfast Set me free - Chris Rea ...and some outstanding voices (no Cookie Monsters though): Xanadu - Ummet Ozcan If I had a heart (Norse version) - Colm R. McGuinness Only love can hurt like this - Paloma Faith (Live at The BRIT Awards 2015) Woman in chains - Tears for Fears Summer moved on - A-ha Caravanserai - Loreena McKennitt Dream on - Aerosmith (Howard Stern Birthday) Blood of me - Heather Nova Get here - Oleta Adams Love is all - Roger Glover So cold the night - Communards Night calls - Joe Cocker Vision of love - Mariah Carey In all the right places - Lisa Stansfield History repeating - Propellerheads ft. Shirley Bassey Funeral for my future children - Anna von Hausswolff No light, no light - Florence + the Machine (Live on SNL) Shake it out - Florence + the Machine (Live on SNL) Almost home - Moby (Live on Soundcheck) Times like these - Malukah Faster - Within Temptation Maybe tomorrow - Stereophonics My sacrifice - Creed Temple of love - The Sisters of Mercy ft. Ofra Haza Where the wild roses grow - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ft. Kylie Minogue The entire soundtrack of "The Commitments" ...just for shites and giggles: Innuendo - Queen Beast - Agnes Obel (studio version) The sensual world - Kate Bush (please read backstory!) Hounds of love - Kate Bush The whole of the moon - The Waterboys Eloise - Barry Ryan (long version) China girl - David Bowie Sometimes - The Brand New Heavies (4:54 version) Groove is in the heart - Deee-Lite Kiss you all over - Exile Love song for a vampire - Annie Lennox C'est comme ça - Les Rita Mitsouko

[@atheistconservative6211]

Disco LIVES!!

[@wilgarcia1]

HI!. (Mazzy Star - Fade Into You) came across my feed just now, and I had to come back and make the suggestion. that woman's voice!! hypnotizing. Love it =D

[@williamisenberger1073]

I saw them live twice, and they were amazing

[@johnwollenbecker1500]

Peak disco. Want to celebrate? There’s always Cool and the Gang.

[@martinkasper197]

Kool

[@PittDaddy]

I saw Earth, Wind and Fire live this past year. Although most of the members are no longer with the band, they were still wonderful! They're one of my favorite bands from back in the day.

[@garycoates4987]

This one I'm excited to see!!

[@grahamokeefe9406]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Elizabeth. This is a great party tune! It's probably the apotheosis of 70s disco production. Strings, horns, and the funk! Of course I've heard the song a million times, but I've never seen this video. They look like they're having so much fun!

[@Acknaar]

Listened to this this at 7 years old in 1985 was so much fun as a child .

[@NatTate-f7e]

Their costumes are incredible.

[@ZSAZSS09]

they were incredible, even in the70's

[@Gizank]

It's definitely time for Philip Bailey and Phil Collins - Easy Lover.

[@timbacchus]

Oh Lord you are so young. I grew up with bands like this. It was truly a magic time of life. This is one reason we all were so skinny always dancing. It was a great song while on roller skates twirling all around.

[@richard_n]

EW&F are one of those bands that I can listen to every day. Their sound is just so good. Also, can we talk about Elizabeth's sweater? 😄

[@liraco_mx]

It's highly sus

[@ruthlafler5622]

I love how unapologetically Black this is. The music, the outfits, the dance moves, the attitude. No desire to make it look or sound more "white." We're here, we're loud, we're proud!

[@OMM-kl1zu]

What a fun song!!! Boogie Wonderland would be nothing without those magnificent female backup singers!!! The high vocals from the male singer is amazing!!!😳

[@randyscj429]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Keep up the good work and vids. Be safe and take care, "God Bless", sincerely, Randy. 😇🙏👊

[@robhadlow2820]

Great Reaction!! You reacted as you should have, Fun, Dance, Playful, exactly how this song was written. Maurice White's voice is incredible!

[@tejoe13]

This is one of the two most infectious dance song I'm surprised Elizabeth managed to stay seated. The other song which I defy Elizabeth to stay seated is Stray Cats "Rock This Town".

[@jeffp3415]

You MUST check out the awesome cover of this song by Leonid and Friends. IMO an equally good performance with superior audio and video, recorded live in studio (not lip synched) you get to see how many instruments and how they weave in and out.

[@stephenfisher2595]

I absolutely agree. Leonid and Friends are AMAZING ! They do several EWF songs as well as Chicago, BS&T and others. If you love EWF, do yourself a favor and check out Leonid and Friends studio sessions.

[@lesdonaldson520]

September renamed December for Christmas . Earth Wind & Fire such a fun band

[@Jude_196]

Have LOVED THIS BAND since the FIRST TIME I HEARD THEM!!! SO HOPE that you LOVE THIS ONE, ELIZABETH!! They were SO, SO AMAZINGLY TALENTED!! HUGS from TEXAS!

[@johngaunce]

Loves me some 70's disco/funk. Disco got a bad rap in the 80s (I was on that bandwagon as a teen), but it's great stuff!

[@ad61video]

Elizabeth, your reaction is as much fun as the two bands that collab here. Your enjoyment and facial expressions are great!

[@PrincessPixieBell]

I fell in love with this song watching happy feet

[@Azabaxe80]

Maurice White was drummer with the Ramsey Clark Trio, a suit and tie, sixties hard bop trio that swung hard as hell.

[@stephenfisher2595]

Ramsey Lewis Trio ("The In Crowd", "Wade In the Water")

[@FABIO_MARTINSS]

I remember being a kid in 1978, loving EW&F but wondering how there must have been more people on stage than in the audience. And I asked myself how they found the money to pay so many people😂

[@markanderson4338]

The backing Ladies are their own entity, The Emotions. That is why they are featured and a part of the video.

[@vreeker40]

Such an all-time great song and analysis. We especially love the part at the end where Elizabeth deliriously says "so much upbeat nature; lots of dancing party!"

[@BobSakamoto]

Back in the day, I was a dj at a dance club. Nobody walks into one of those and immediately hits the floor. They have to get in the mood. When I felt the time was right, I played this song. The drive, tremendous talent of the ensemble, and just pure joy always got people onto the floor. And a sublime moment for me was later in the song when Phillip produces a gorgeous and expert countermelody - though I doubt the packed floor noticed it all that much. Edit: came back to mention this was the era of bands with over the top energy, exceptional talent, and lots of different instruments - Kool and the Gang, Sly and the Family Stone, the Pointer Sisters, and Parliament/Funkadelic as examples. Any are worth your time to dive into.

[@100PaulRees]

Boogie Wonderland is one of my absolute favorite songs.

[@jasontrebilcock6496]

Add me to the choir singing the praises of the Philip Bailey/Phil Collins "Easy Lover" duet. The video is fun...the song is fun....there's just a lot of there there.

[@gozirraizroose]

One of EW&F's best tunes! You want to see something incredible? Look at the Leonid And Friends cover of this song. Leonid & Friends is a Russian cover band, if you haven't heard of them. Definitely worth the time to delve into their catalog.

[@jirimondo]

Honestly, you should look at Leonid & Friends covers of this and also Fantasy. They bring the complete full orchestra and the video really features the musicianship. It's an amazing note-for-note cover. The vocal lines at the end of Fantasy are absolutely superb.

[@stevethebalrog]

Bless you

[@1981SamIAm]

I have seen Earth, Wind & Fire perform live, countless times all over California. I grew up, listening to them.

[@hfortenberry]

"Could Frosty boogie?" 😂 I love your adorable imagination Elizabeth!

[@daisypooch4034]

I got to see these guys jamming live at Universal Studios Orlando for Mardigras one year! Simply superb! Backup singers and full on dancing. And that night was a 2 band performance.....!! Lionel Ritchie with the Commadores was the other group!! There wasn't a single person not dancing, grooving and singing these hits!!!❤🎉❤🎉

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Earth, Wind & Fire are icons of icons. No other band is or will ever be like them. Yes, they're very delightful & peppy! They have a deep catalogue of legendary songs. 'September' is one of the best songs every made.

[@Guitar5986]

One of the most underrated bands of all time! The songwriting, production, arrangements, performances, instrumentation are all extremely high level. They never made a bad album. "I Am" is one of the best albums ever made.

[@DocWat280]

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎉

[@chrismais]

Ahh, soul funk era of the 70s, the exploding and expanding consciousness pushing the limitations of the music and cadence both further evolving it.

[@mrmiscast]

Bless you.. f. or the sneeze... If it's Earth Wind and Fire, it's a party and if you're sitting still, you may need to check your pulse. When they do get serious it's still warm and overflowing with feeling. "After the Love is Gone" would be my choice for a non-party anthem. What a group!!! What a sound!!! I'm so lucky to have grown up with this music