The 1978 funk and R&B classic “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire has evolved from a commercial hit into a pervasive digital phenomenon, anchored by the iconic lyrical hook, “Do you remember the 21st of September?” According to Know Your Meme, the track was released in November 1978 on the compilation album The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 and as a standalone single, eventually achieving Gold certification in the United States.
Origins and Streaming Milestones
Over the decades, the song transitioned from radio staple to internet meme, inspiring numerous video remixes and viral tributes across social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
Viral Video Remixes and Internet Culture
Internet creators began incorporating the song into comedic edits as early as the 2010s. According to Know Your Meme, early examples include YouTuber Closet Pankin’s 2014 video “Kenny’s Hat” and Woll Smoth’s parody “VideoGameDunkey – Do you remember.” In September 2014, an animated dancing skeleton video set to the song gained widespread traction on Tumblr, accumulating over 800,000 notes.
The meme ecosystem expanded further in May 2018 when YouTuber kmlkmljkl edited “September” over Childish Gambino’s “This Is America,” a clip that garnered over 5 million views. Concurrently, a recorder cover published by YouTuber ShittyFlute on September 21, 2016, amassed more than 2.7 million views and sparked a distinct trend of Lo-Fi covers used widely as TikTok background audio.
Annual Charity Tradition
The specific date mentioned in the chorus inspired comedian Demi Adejuyigbe to launch an annual viral video tradition starting on September 21, 2016. Adejuyigbe published a video of himself dancing to a custom remix of the song, recreating the stunt with increasingly elaborate setups in subsequent years—including a version featuring a children’s choir in 2018. According to historical tracking from Know Your Meme, the 2018 iteration doubled as a fundraiser, raising over $17,000 for charities including RAINN, RAICES, and the National Center for Trans Equality.
Transition to September 3rd Memes
The cultural focus on specific calendar dates in R&B music expanded in the 2020s to include The Temptations’ 1972 song “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.” Featuring the opening lyric “It was the 3rd of September,” the track gained its own viral traction on TikTok. TikToker @soulja_stank published a video centered on the date on September 3, 2024, collecting over 600,000 plays and 80,000 likes within two days.
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