Vocalist Rob Birch and DJ)/producer Nick Hallam founded their Gee Street recording studio and record label with money they were given to leave their London flat and, dispensing with using a backing band, travelled to early gigs on public transport.
They recorded their debut album, 33-45-78 in 1989 on a shoestring budget, with DJ Cesare, drummer Owen If and backing vocalist Cath Coffey. In 1990, "Elevate My Mind" became first British hip hop single to reach the United States R&B record chart. However, in the emerging UK alternative dance scene, it took an alliance with the Jungle Brothers to ensure chart success for Supernatural. Remix work for U2, PM Dawn, Queen Latifah, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Monie Love and Electronic followed.
Their live band included singers Andrea Bedassie and Verona Davis, and they were one of the few hip hop acts to play at rock music festivals at the time. Stereo MCs' mainstream breakthrough came in 1992 with the album Connected, which contained the hit singles "Connected", "Step It Up", "Creation", and "Ground Level", and also won them the BRIT Awards for Best Group and Best Album.
The follow-up to Connected did not appear for almost a decade. Further remix duties for Madonna and the Jungle Brothers in 1998 kept the Stereo MCs' name in the limelight. Madonna went on to use the Stereo MCs remix of "Frozen" as the basis of the live arrangement of the song on her 2001 Drowned World Tour.
2001 saw the release of Deep Down & Dirty, followed by a tour including slots opening for the recently re-united Jane's Addiction. Their sixth studio album, Double Bubble, was released in July 2008, followed by their seventh album, Emperor's Nightingale, in August 2011.
Get On It
Stereo MC's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna get myself, I′m gonna get myself
Gonna get myself connected
I ain't gonna go blind
For the light which is reflected
I see through you, I see through you
I see through you, I see through you
Ya dirty tricks, ya make me sick
I see through you, I see through you
Gonna do it again, gonna do it again
I'm (gonna do it again, gonna do it again)
Gotta do right (gonna do it again)
′Cause somethin′ ain't right (gonna do it again)
Gotta do right, come on
If you make sure you′re connected,
The writing's on the wall
But if your mind′s neglected,
Stumble you might fall
Stumble you might fall
Stumble you might fall
I, ain't gonna go blind
Gonna get myself, I′m gonna get myself
I'm gonna get myself connected
I ain't gonna go blind
For the light that is reflected
Hear me out
Do it again, do it again
Do it again, do it again
I wanna do it again, I wanna do it again
I wanna through it again
Ya terrified (I wanna do it again)
Ain′t gonna go blind, ain′t gonna go blind
(I wanna do it again) here we go
If you make sure you're connected,
The writing′s on the wall
But if your mind's neglected,
Stumble you might fall
Stumble you might fall, hear me out
Stumble you might fall
Interstate five stayin′ alive
Won't someone try open up your eyes
You must be blind if you can′t see
The gapin' hole called reality
Ow, wanna do it again,
I know I'm gonna do it again
I wanna do it again, come on,
I′m gonna do it again
Hear me out, terrified
Somethin′ ain't right, here we go
If you make sure you′re connected,
The writing's on the wall
But if your mind′s neglected,
Stumble you might fall
The lyrics to Stereo MC's "Get On It" hint at a deeper meaning beneath the high-energy beats of the song. The main message is about the importance of staying connected to reality and not allowing oneself to become blinded by false perceptions or illusions. The opening lines, "Somethin' ain't right, gonna get myself connected," suggest that the singer feels that something is off in the world, and to fix it, they need to connect with reality.
The song continues with phrases like "I see through you, ya dirty tricks, ya make me sick," which point to the idea of being aware of manipulations and seeing through them. The chorus urges the listener to stay connected, stating that "If you make sure you're connected, the writing's on the wall, but if your mind's neglected, stumble you might fall." The repetition of "I wanna do it again," throughout the song, can be interpreted as the desire to stay aware and not be blinded by false perceptions or illusions.
Overall, "Get On It" is a call to stay aware and stay connected to reality, while not being blinded by falsehoods. It's a message of empowerment that reminds listeners to trust their instincts and stay true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Somethin′ ain't right
The situation is not normal.
Gonna get myself, I′m gonna get myself
I will take action for self-improvement.
Gonna get myself connected
I will establish connections and network to a wider audience.
I ain't gonna go blind
I won't lose sight of reality.
For the light which is reflected
For the picture that is presented to me by others.
I see through you, I see through you
I can see past your lies and manipulations.
Ya dirty tricks, ya make me sick
Your deceitful behavior repulses me.
Gonna do it again, gonna do it again
I will repeat my successful actions to achieve better results.
If you make sure you′re connected,
Establishing relationships is key.
The writing's on the wall
The outcome is clear and inevitable.
But if your mind′s neglected,
If you ignore your mental health or self-awareness.
Stumble you might fall
You might fail due to your lack of focus or direction.
Stumble you might fall, hear me out
Pay attention to my warning about the consequences of neglecting yourself.
Interstate five stayin′ alive
I am on a journey to achieve my goals and stay motivated.
Won't someone try open up your eyes
I urge others to become more aware of their surroundings and improve their lives.
You must be blind if you can′t see
It is obvious and clear to everyone except you.
The gapin' hole called reality
The harsh truth that is often ignored.
Ow, wanna do it again,
I am excited to repeat my successful actions.
I know I'm gonna do it again
I am confident in my abilities and experience to succeed again.
Hear me out, terrified
Listen to my advice, as I am fearful of what may happen if you do not.
Here we go
We are about to embark on a journey.
Writer(s): Rizwan Ahmed, Irfan Nathoo
Contributed by Anna J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.