Getaway

Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White did the lion's share of the songwriting for the group, but he was always receptive to songs from outside writers, which resulted in some of EW&F's biggest hits, including "After The Love Has Gone" and "Getaway." "Getaway" was written by Peter Cor and Beloyd Taylor. Cor has composed music for a variety of movies and TV shows, and has had songs recorded by Lee Ritenour and Lakeside. Taylor, who passed away in 2014, recorded as a solo artist and composed a few other songs for Earth, Wind & Fire, including "Spread Your Love" and "Lady Sun."

This song fit the "spirit" of the album, which found the band seeking transcendence. Like many Earth, Wind & Fire songs, "Getaway" is a powerful message wrapped in a funky groove. The lyric could be interpreted as seeking an escape from the mundane, or as a call to look outside your boundaries for your higher self. For the writers of the song, however, it had its own special meaning. Peter Cor told us: "We were on our own spiritual path and the concept came about as we were basically broke, living in a roach-infested apartment in WATTS! That will make you want to 'Getaway.'"

Maurice White credits his co-producer Charles Stepney for bringing the jazz, funk and R&B elements on this song together. Stepney was a key contributor to Earth, Wind & Fire until he died of a heart attack on May 1976, a few months before the Spirit album was released. Stepney had been working on this track when he died.