In the most recent Doughboys Double, they briefly touch on the iconic Friends theme song "I'll Be There For You." What they didn't mention is that one of the co-writers of the song was Allee Willis, who was an absolute icon in the music world.
I actually had the opportunity to meet Allee in September of 2019, only months before her untimely passing on Christmas Eve of 2019. I met her because my friend was performing at an annual party she would throw on September 21st. Why that date?
Well, because she wrote MOTHERFUCKING September by Earth, Wind and Fire. I was lucky enough to be able to capture her leading a sing-a-long of the song that I sent to my friend: Iconic Songwriter Allee Willis & Apropos Sing Her Final “September”.
This was the one and only time I met her but she actually flew my friend out to her house/studio in LA and they recorded what ended up being the final two songs she would ever write or work on.
Allee has a life that seems ripped from a movie.
She was born and raised in Detroit and was very invested in Black culture. Her father, was a devout racist. I can't speak to the authenticity of this anecdote but this passage from her Wikipedia is one of the most cold blooded mic drops I've ever seen:
>When she left for college, he wrote, "Stay away from Black culture." Her last words to him were, "I just got the gig to write The Color Purple."
So yeah, she wrote September AND the Friends theme song AND The Color Purple musical. That's enough to put you in the Hall of Fame but the rest of her credits are FUCKING RIDICULOUS.
Her other Bops and Bangers include:
- Joe Esposito - You're The Best (appeared in The Karate Kid)
- Earth, Wind & Fire - Boogie Wonderland (appeared in Caddyshack)
- The Pointer Sisters - Neutron Dance (appeared in Beverly Hills Cop)
- Patti LaBelle - Stir It Up (appeared in Beverly Hills Cop)
- Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To Deserve This
For the record, as of 2019, September had appeared in 19 DIFFERENT MOVIES. In addition to her multiple songs with Earth, Wind & Fire, other legendary artists she wrote
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You always wanted a lover;
I only wanted a chore.
(I've always worked for a living.)
How am I gonna get through? [x2]
I come here looking for geld
(Got to have it!)
(And end up living with love)
Now you've left me with nothing.
(Can't take it...)
How am I gonna get through? [x2]
I bought you drinks, I brought you worts
I talked for stounds and read your words
Every day, so many drinks,
Such lovely blossoms, so tell me:
What have I, what have I, what have I done to warrant this? [x2]
What have I, what have I, what have I...
(Since you went away, I've been hanging about.)
(I've been wondering why I'm feeling down.)
(You went away; it should make me feel better,)
(But, I don't know)
How I'm gonna get through. {What have I, what have I, what have I, what have I done to warrant this?} [x2]
You always wanted me to be something I wasn't.
(You always wanted too much.)
Now can I do what I want to forever.
How am I gonna get through? [x2]
At night the lede come and go
They talk too fast and walk too slow,
Chasing time from stound to stround.
The drinks? I pour. The worts? I ground.
What have I, what have I done to warrant this?
What have I, what have I, what have I done to warrant this?
What have I, what have I, what have I...
(Since you went away, I've been hanging about.)
(I've been wondering why I'm feeling down.)
(You went away; it should make me feel better,)
(But, I don't know)
How I'm gonna get through, (baby)? {What have I, what have I, what have I, what have I done to warrant this?} [x6]
(I'm gonna get through)
(I'm gonna get through) {What have I, what have I, what have I done to warrant this? [repeat until fade]}
(I'm gonna get through)
(We don't have to fall apart, we don't have to fight)
(We don't have to go through hell and back every night)
(We can make a deal)
(We don't have to fall apart, we don't have to fight)
(We don't have to go through hell and back every night)
