Recommendations of the Editorial team
Earth, Wind & Fires The 1975 song “Reasons” is widely considered one of the most defining love songs of the past 50 years. The voluptuous R&B ballad, packed with horns, string arrangements and a yearning groove over which Philip Bailey’s impassioned falsetto reigns, has become so much the epitome of pure, fulfilled love that it has become a wedding standard – the accompaniment to countless first dances over the decades.
But “Reasons” isn’t about that at all. On the contrary. In Questlove’s new documentary about the legendary band, “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That’s the Weight of the World)”, Bailey finally tells the full story behind the classic song from “That’s the Way of the World”: The song was inspired by a one-night stand – with a woman who was already in a relationship.
In a clip from the film premiering exclusively on ROLLING STONE, Anderson .Paak and HER speak for most people as they explain how they always thought of “Reasons” as a run-of-the-mill love song. “I thought ‘Reasons’ just goes through the list of all the reasons why he loves this person,” says .Paak with a coy smile, while HER adds: “When you have a falsetto like Philip, he can say anything and you think, ‘That’s so beautiful, so romantic!'”
Bailey’s hilarious revelation
Bailey finally gets the chance to respond – and does so with incredulous delight: “How can people think this song is a love song?”
As Bailey explains, “Reasons” came about after he spent the night with a woman and woke up the next morning to hear her talking to someone on the phone. “She’s talking to her guy!” he recalls with a smile, adding, “It’s just a sex call! That’s it. So if you played that song at your wedding – I’m sorry.” (At the end of the clip, Questlove can be heard giggling behind the camera while Bailey gives a wry smile.)
“Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That’s the Weight of the World)” had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and will be available to watch on HBO starting June 7. The film offers a comprehensive look at the band’s history, music and legacy – with interviews from Bailey and other living members such as Verdine White and Ralph Johnson, as well as a number of former band members. At the center, however, is the group’s founder and leader, Maurice White: a complicated musical visionary who created some of the most unforgettable funk and pop gems while leading the band with an iron hand and underpaying most of the other members.
Obama on “Reasons” at the school dance
Musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Flea also have their say. Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama also appear and comment on “Reasons” – they remember how the song played up and down at school dances. While Barack recalled that saying yes to going slow with you during “Reasons” meant savoring for a full five minutes, Michelle countered, “If you said yes to a guy who sweated a little too much, you were stuck!”