Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you classic hits with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire uses pearls and gold to symbolize flawless perfection in its signature song, βThatβs the Way of the World.β
A memorable singalong brimming with messages of inspiration and hope, βThatβs the Way of the Worldβ reminds the listener to βstay young at heartβ despite society’s negative influences.
They sing, βThatβs the way of the world / Plant your flower and you grow a pearl / Child is born with a heart of gold / Way of the world makes his heart so cold.β
Band members have called βThatβs the Way of the Worldβ their βnational anthemβ and, in 2004, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. One year later, Rolling Stone magazine rated it #329 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
βThatβs the Way of the Worldβ was written by band members Maurice and Verdine White, along with producer Charles Stepney, as part of the score for a movie about the dark side of the music business. While the movie flopped, the soundtrack was a rousing success.
The song was also the title track of the group’s sixth studio album, which ranked as the third best-selling pop album and the #1 best-selling R&B album of 1975.
Founded in Chicago by Maurice White in 1969, Earth, Wind & Fireβs unique sound combines modern jazz, fusion, soul, gospel, funk, disco, rock and the distinct rhythms of African music.
Featuring the interplay of Philip Baileyβs falsetto and Maurice Whiteβs baritone β supported by multiple drummers and a powerful brass section β the band amassed a huge international following. Maurice White passed away in February of 2016 at the age of 74.
The six-time Grammy Award winners are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have sold more than 90 million albums worldwide. The group starts a four-month tour in New Orleans on May 5.
Please check out the video of Earth, Wind & Fireβs live performance of βThatβs the Way of the World.β Put on your dancing shoes and be prepared to sing alongβ¦
βThatβs the Way of the Worldβ
Written by Verdine White, Maurice White and Charles Stepney. Performed by Earth, Wind & Fire.
Hearts of fire creates love desire
Take you high and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire creates love desire
High and higher to your place on the throne
We come together on this special day
Sing our message loud and clear
Looking back, weβve touched on sorrowful days
Future pass, they disappear
You will find peace of mind
If you look way down in your heart and soul
Donβt hesitate βcause the world seems cold
Stay young at heart, βcause youβre never, never old
Thatβs the way of the world
Plant your flower and you grow a pearl
Child is born with a heart of gold
Way of the world makes his heart so cold
Hearts of fire create love desire take you
High and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire love desire
High and higher, yeah yeah yeah
Hearts of fire love desire
Ahh higher
We come together on this special day
Sung our message loud and clear
Looking back, weβve touched on sorrowful days
Future disappears
You will find peace of mind
If you look way down in your heart and soul
Donβt hesitate βcause the world seems cold
Stay young at heart, βcause youβre never, never, never
Thatβs the way of the world,
Plant your flower and you grow a pearl
Child is born with a heart of gold
Way of the world makes his heart so cold
Hearts of fire, love desire
High and higher, yeah yeah
Hearts of fire, love desire
Credit: Image by Distributed by Columbia Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.