Zawinul explained the making of this tune to Bill Henderson of Black Music & Jazz Review:
“I was inspired by Gertrude Stein. Gertrude Stein was on her death bed. She was asked, ‘I mean, after all, what is the answer?’ And she said ‘and then…’
“So when I had this tune I improvised–all my music...
[Instrumental]
[Interlude: Deniece Williams]
And then
What then
[Instrumental]
[Outro: Maurice White]
Blend future
(Do you ever wanna make love?)
And then do you feel?
Our love that we find will surrender
Be so blind it's here
[Instrumental]
And Then was written by Joe Zawinul.
And Then was produced by Joe Zawinul.