Devotion (song)

Last updated
"Devotion"
Single by Earth, Wind & Fire
from the album Open Our Eyes
B-side "Fair But So Uncool"
ReleasedSeptember 1974 [1]
Recorded1973
Genre R&B
Length4:50 (album version)
3:30 (single version)
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Maurice White, Philip Bailey
Producer(s) Joe Wissert, Maurice White
Earth, Wind & Fire singles chronology
"Kalimba Story"
(1974)		"Devotion"
(1974)		"Hot Dawgit"
(1974)

"Devotion" is a single by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire released in 1974 on Columbia Records. [2] "Devotion" peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [3] [4]

Contents

Overview

Devotion was produced by Joe Wissert and Maurice White and composed by White and Philip Bailey. The single's b-side was a song called "Fair But So Uncool". Both songs appeared on the band's 1974 studio album Open Our Eyes . [2]

Critical reception

Alex Henderson of Allmusic called "Devotion" "unforgettable". [5] Simon Werner of Popmatters wrote "the softer, reflective shades of "Devotion", represents a line of spiritual evangelism that would also prosper, and draw on a rich range of influences such as Christian and African mysticism and particularly the symbolism of Egyptology." [6] Craig Werner of Vibe stated "Devotion" is "inspired by Afrocentric consciousness". [7]

Record World said that "speaking of the metaphysical in soft funky terms, the visual act delivers a substantial soul ballad." [8]

Credits

Chart positions

Chart (1974)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 [3] 33
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles [4] 23

Covers and samples

Jazz fusion/contemporary jazz group Pieces of a Dream featuring Tracy Hamlin covered the song on their 2004 release No Assembly Required. [9] R&B artist Ledisi covered Devotion on the 2007 tribute album Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire. [10]

"Devotion" was sampled by Yo-Yo featuring Ice Cube on the track "You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo" from her 1991 album Make Way for the Motherlode . CeeLo Green featuring Jazze Pha and T.I. sampled "Devotion" on a tune called The One from Green's 2004 album Cee-Lo Green... Is the Soul Machine. Mack 10 sampled Devotion on the song Mozi Wozi from his 1995 self titled album. Drake featuring Kanye West also sampled "Devotion" on the track "Glow" from Drake's 2017 mixtape More Life . [11] [12]

The single's b-side, Fair But So Uncool, was later covered by D'Angelo. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earth, Wind & Fire</span> American musical group

Earth, Wind & Fire is an American band whose music spans the genres of jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling bands of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.

<i>Earth, Wind & Fire</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is the debut studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in March 1971 by Warner Bros. Records. The album got to No. 24 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice White</span> American musician (1941–2016)

Maurice White was an American musician, best known as the founder, leader, main songwriter and chief producer of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, also serving as the band's co-lead singer with Philip Bailey.

<i>Thats the Way of the World</i> 1975 soundtrack album / Studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

That's the Way of the World is the sixth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on March 3, 1975, by Columbia Records. It was also the soundtrack for a 1975 motion picture of the same name. The album rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Soul Albums charts. That's the Way of the World has also been certified Triple Platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA. In 2002, the band released live version of the album, recorded in 1975 – That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip Bailey</span> American musician (born 1951)

Philip James Bailey is an American singer, songwriter and percussionist, best known as an early member and one of the two lead singers of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. Noted for his four-octave vocal range and distinctive falsetto register, Bailey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire. Bailey was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his work with the band.

<i>Gratitude</i> (Earth, Wind & Fire album) 1975 live album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Gratitude is a double live album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, issued in November 1975 by Columbia Records. The album spent six weeks atop the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and three weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart. Gratitude has also been certified Triple Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

<i>Spirit</i> (Earth, Wind & Fire album) 1976 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Spirit is the seventh studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on September 28, 1976, by Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 2 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Soul Albums charts. Spirit has also been certified Double Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

<i>Open Our Eyes</i> 1974 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Open Our Eyes is the fifth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in March 1974 on Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 15 on the Top Pop Albums chart. Open Our Eyes has been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

<i>The Need of Love</i> 1971 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

The Need of Love is the second studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1971 by Warner Bros. Records. The album reached No. 35 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. The Need of Love would be the band's final album for Warner Bros. until 1993's Millennium on Reprise Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Getaway (Earth, Wind & Fire song)</span> 1976 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Getaway" is a single by R&B/funk band Earth, Wind & Fire released in 1976 on Columbia Records. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Getaway" also peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Dance Singles charts. A remixed version also appears on the soundtrack for Gran Turismo 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sing a Song (Earth, Wind & Fire song)</span> 1975 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Sing a Song" is a song recorded by R&B/funk band, Earth, Wind & Fire, which was issued as a single in November 1975 on Columbia Records. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Head to the Sky</i> 1973 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Head to the Sky is the fourth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in May 1973 on Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 27 on the Billboard 200 chart. Head to the Sky has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Can't Hide Love</span>

"You Can't Hide Love" is a single by soul group Creative Source released in 1973 on Sussex Records. The song reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

<i>Maurice White</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Maurice White

Maurice White is the debut album by American singer and musician Maurice White released in September 1985 on Columbia Records. The album rose to number 12 upon the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 35 on the Dutch Album Top 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mighty Mighty (song)</span> 1974 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Mighty Mighty" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire, released as a single in 1974 on Columbia Records. The single reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep Your Head to the Sky</span> 1973 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Keep Your Head to the Sky" is a song recorded by American R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire for their 1973 album, Head to the Sky. It was released as a single by Columbia Records, peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

<i>Now, Then & Forever</i> 2013 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Now, Then & Forever is the twentieth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on September 10, 2013, by Legacy Recordings/Sony Music. The album reached No. 11 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

"Kalimba Story" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire released as a single in 1974 on Columbia Records.

"Side by Side" is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire released as a single in April 1983 on Columbia Records. The song reached No. 15 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guiding Lights (song)</span> 2012 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Guiding Lights" is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire, released as a single in 2012 by Sony Music/Legacy. The song reached No. 16 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart and No. 30 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.

References

  1. ↑ "Great Rock Discography". p. 254.
  2. 1 2 3 Earth, Wind & Fire: Devotion. Columbia Records. 1974.
  3. 1 2 "Earth, Wind & Fire: Devotion (Hot 100)". billboard.com.
  4. 1 2 "Earth, Wind & Fire: Devotion (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
  5. ↑ Henderson, Alex. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes". allmusic.com. Allmusic.
  6. ↑ Warner, Simon. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes/Spirit". popmatters.com. PopMatters.
  7. ↑ Werner, Craig (March 2001). "Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes, Spirit". Vol. 9, no. 3. Vibe Magazine. p. 200.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)[ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. September 7, 1974. p. 14. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  9. ↑ Tauss, Lucy (25 April 2019). "Pieces of a Dream: No Assembly Required". jazztimes.com. Jazz Times.
  10. ↑ Murray, Sonia (March 27, 2007). "Earth, Wind & Fire classics get new life". newspapers.com. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E2.
  11. ↑ Espinoza, Daniel; Barna, Daniel (March 19, 2017). "7 Things You Probably Missed on Your First Listen of 'More Life'". complex.com. Complex.
  12. ↑ Howard, Jacinta. "RTB Rewind: Yo-Yo Makes Her Debut With "You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo"". rockthebells.com. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  13. ↑ "D'Angelo – Fair But So Uncool", genius.com, retrieved 2023-07-11
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.