After over four decades in music, Earth,Wind & Fire has had an undeniable impact on music. Influencing everyone from The Fugees to Beyonce, the Grammy Award winning band’s musical legacy remains fresh, attracting a new generation of fans. Check out our list of the Top 10 Songs That Have Sampled Earth, Wind & Fire (in no particular order).

…some of these might surprise you!

1. The Fugees “Nappy Heads (Mona Lisa)” (1994)
Featured on their debut album, Blunted on Reality, the song reached #49 on the Billboard Hot 100. While the song didn’t garner major mainstream attention, it was an underground hit.

EWF Sample: “I Think About Lovin’ You” (1972)

2. Amerie feat. Carl Thomas “Can We Go” (2005)
Amerie and Carl teamed up for this duet featured on her 2005 sophomore gold-selling album, Touch.

EWF Sample: “Evil” (1973)

3. Beyonce’ “Hey Goldmember” (2002)
The “Party” singer performed this tune in the 2002 Mike Myers comedy Austin Powers: In Goldmember. The song, featuring her sister Solange, features interpolations of several 70’s song.

EWF Sample: “Sing a Song” (1975)

4. Missy Elliot and Ginuwine “Friendly Skies” (1997)
The super producer/songwriter/performer teamed up with the then Bachelor for this Timbaland produced slow jam off her debut album Supa Dupa Fly.

EWF Sample: “New World Symphony” (1975)

5. Raheem DeVaughn “Guess Who Loves You More” (2005)
DeVaughn’s debut single, this track was a moderate success charting at #38 on the Billboard R&B charts.

Sampled: “Can’t Hide Love” (1976)

6. Naughty by Nature feat. Zhane “Jamboree” (1999)
The third single off their fifth studio album, Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature’s Fury, the song hit #1 on the Billboard Rap charts, becoming the group’s fourth and final single to reach at least gold status.

EWF Sample: “On Your Face” (1977)

7. Big Pun feat. Joe “Still Not a Player” (1998)
Featured on the late rapper’s debut album, Capital Punishment, the song contains interpolations of “Brazilian Rhyme (Beijo)”; towards the end of the song, the refrain “Punisher…Punisher…Punisher, Big Punisher” is sung to the tune and rhythm of the lead vocals from the track.

EWF Sample: “Beijo (Brazilian Rhyme)” (1977)

8. Crystal Waters “Say…If You Feel Alright” (1997)
Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song was featured on her self-titled third album and had some crossover success, reaching #40 on the Billboard Hot 100.

EWF Sample: “September” (1978)

9. Common “Charms Alarm” (1992)
An album track on Common’s—who was known as Common Sense at the time—debut album Can I Borrow a Dollar?

EWF Sample: “Side By Side” (1983)

10. YoYo ft. Ice Cube “Don’t Play With My Yo Yo” (1991)
This Ice Cube produced track, marked the debut of YoYo and was featured on Make Way for the Motherlode, her most successful album to date.

EWF Sample: “Devotion” (1974)

Centric is wishing EWF’s Philip Bailey a very happy 61st birthday!

TAGS: AmerIIe, Beyonce, Big Pun, CARL THOMAS, Crystal Waters, Earth Wind and Fire, Ice Cube, Joe, Naughty by Nature, Phillip Bailey, Raheem DeVaughn, Retro Centric, The Fugees, YoYo, ZHANE