Devotion (song)

For other songs, see Devotion (disambiguation) § Songs.

1974 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Devotion"

Spain single cover sleeve

Single by Earth, Wind & Fire
from the album  Open Our Eyes
B-side| "Fair But So Uncool"
Released| September 1974[1]
Recorded| 1973
Genre| R&B
Length| 4:50 (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]

## Overview

[edit]

Devotion was produced by Joe Wissert and Maurice White and composed by White and Philip Bailey, who handled lead vocals. 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

* Johnny Graham - guitar
* Al McKay \- guitar, vocals
* Verdine White \- bass, vocals
* Larry Dunn \- piano
* Fred White \- drums
* Ralph Johnson \- drums
* Maurice White \- drums, vocals
* Philip Bailey \- lead vocals[2]

## Chart positions

[edit]

Chart (1974)  | Peak
position

|

U.S. Billboard Hot 100[3] | 33
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles[4] | 23

## Covers and samples

[edit]

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. In 1996, rap group Mo Thugs sampled the song in their single “Thug Devotion” from the album “Family Scriptures”. 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]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Great Rock Discography". p. 254.
2. ^ a b c Earth, Wind & Fire: Devotion. Columbia Records. 1974.
3. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Devotion (Hot 100)". billboard.com.
4. ^ a b "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\. Vibe Magazine. p. 200.
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

* v
* t
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Earth, Wind & Fire

Notable members|

| Current|

* Verdine White
* Philip Bailey
* Ralph Johnson

|

Former|

* Maurice White
* Wade Flemons
* Roland Bautista
* Jessica Cleaves
* Larry Dunn
* Ronnie Laws
* Al McKay
* Andrew Woolfolk
* Fred White
* Sonny Emory
* Sheldon Reynolds
* Freddie Ravel
* Morris Pleasure
* Robert Brookins
* Daniel de los Reyes
* Kim Johnson
* Greg Moore

Studio albums|

* Earth, Wind & Fire
* The Need of Love
* Last Days and Time
* Head to the Sky
* Open Our Eyes
* That's the Way of the World
* Spirit
* All 'n All
* I Am
* Faces
* Raise!
* Powerlight
* Electric Universe
* Touch the World
* Heritage
* Millennium
* In the Name of Love
* The Promise
* Illumination
* Now, Then & Forever
* Holiday
* The Classic Christmas Album

Soundtrack albums|

* Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song

Live albums|

* Gratitude
* Greatest Hits Live
* That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75
* Live in Rio

Videos|

* Earth, Wind & Fire: In Concert
* The Eternal Vision
* Live in Japan
* Shining Stars: The Official Story Of Earth, Wind & Fire
* Earth, Wind & Fire: Live
* Earth, Wind & Fire: Live by Request
* Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at Montreux 1997
* The Collection
* Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire – Live at the Greek Theatre

Compilations|

* Another Time
* The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1
* The Collection
* The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 2
* The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire
* The Eternal Dance
* The Very Best
* Elements of Love: Ballads
* Let's Groove: The Best Of
* Greatest Hits
* The Ultimate Collection
* The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire
* The Greatest Hits

Singles|

* "I Think About Lovin' You"
* "Mom"
* "Evil"
* "Keep Your Head to the Sky"
* "Mighty Mighty"
* "Kalimba Story"
* "Devotion"
* "Shining Star"
* "Sun Goddess" (with Ramsey Lewis)
* "That's the Way of the World"
* "Sing a Song"
* "Can't Hide Love"
* "Getaway"
* "Saturday Nite"
* "On Your Face"
* "Serpentine Fire"
* "Fantasy"
* Jupiter"
* "Got to Get You into My Life"
* "September"
* "Boogie Wonderland" (with the Emotions)
* "After the Love Has Gone"
* "In the Stone"
* "Star"
* "Can't Let Go"
* "Let Me Talk"
* "You"
* "And Love Goes On"
* "Let's Groove"
* "Wanna Be with You"
* "I've Had Enough"
* "Fall in Love with Me"
* "Side by Side"
* "Magnetic"
* "Touch"
* "System of Survival"
* "Thinking of You"
* "Evil Roy"
* "Turn on (The Beat Box)"
* "Heritage" (with the Boys)
* "For the Love of You" (with MC Hammer)
* "Wanna Be the Man" (with MC Hammer)
* "Spend The Night"
* "Sunday Morning"
* "In the Name of Love"
* "When Love Goes Wrong"
* "September 99"
* "All in the Way" (with the Emotions)
* "Hold Me"
* "The Way You Move" (with Kenny G)
* "Show Me the Way" (with Raphael Saadiq)
* "Pure Gold"
* "To You" (with Brian McKnight)
* "Change Your Mind"
* "Guiding Lights"
* "My Promise"
* "Why"
* "Holidays"
* "You Want My Love" (with Lucky Daye)

Related articles|

* Ramsey Lewis
* The Pharaohs
* Joe Wissert
* Charles Stepney
* The Phenix Horns
* Earth, Wind & Fire Horns
* The Emotions
* Wayne Vaughn
* Chicago
* Kalimba Music

Lists|

* Discography
* Awards and nominations
* Tribute albums
* Personnel

* Category

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