Questlove is finally giving fans an answer to one of the longest-running questions in music history: what exactly is the classic song “September†about?
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the filmmaker shared a previously untold story behind the classic Earth, Wind & Fire hit while promoting his upcoming HBO documentary, Earth, Wind & Fire: To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World.
“‘September' was just a throwaway song on, like, a greatest-hits record,†Questlove explained during the interview.
He then revealed that the track was tied to a personal family moment for late bandleader Maurice White. “Maurice's son was supposed to be born on September 21st, so technically, it was about the joy of him finding out that his son was going to be born,†he said. “But he was born prematurely. But they still kept it the 21st day of September.â€
The story quickly became one of the standout moments from Questlove's late-night appearance, which also featured new details about the documentary itself. The film is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on June 7 and marks Questlove's fourth project as a director.
Like his earlier documentaries, the new film combines music history with broader conversations about culture and legacy.
Questlove told Fallon that the movie's unusual title reflects the larger themes behind Earth, Wind & Fire's music. “We can either go high or go low,†he said. “Earth, Wind & Fire, they were a celestial band.â€
He described the group as artists who “tricked their audience into positivity†through uplifting lyrics and spiritual messaging. “When you sing their lyrics, by default, you're kind of singing affirmations,†he added.
The documentary also digs into lesser-known moments from the band's rise, including their difficult early years. Questlove recalled learning that one of Earth, Wind & Fire's first major performances in Philadelphia was met with boos from the crowd because of the group's futuristic image and stage outfits.
Instead of walking offstage, the band reportedly sat silently in a lotus position until the audience settled down. “When it was dead silent, then they became Earth, Wind & Fire,†he said.
Beyond the music itself, the film includes access to the band's archives, unreleased material, costumes, concert reels, and personal instruments. Questlove revealed that White's family even gifted him one of the musician's original kalimbas, the thumb piano heard on many classic Earth, Wind & Fire recordings.
The HBO documentary continues Questlove's growing run as one of music's most active documentarians following Summer of Soul and Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius).
