Fred Astaire (1899-1987) was an American dancer and singer famous for his n… Read Full Bio ↴Fred Astaire (1899-1987) was an American dancer and singer famous for his numerous appearances in the 1920s and 1930s in Vaudeville, on Broadway and on the London stage with sister Adele Astaire; in musical films between the 1930s and 1960s; and on American TV in the 1950s and beyond. Although he teamed with many dancers, including Gene Kelly, his best known screen pairing was with Ginger Rogers, with whom he appeared in 10 films. He continued to act in non-dancing roles in films and TV in the 1960s through 1980s.

In part because of his expressive phrasing and graceful interpretation, Astaire was chosen to introduce many now-classic songs, including standards by Cole Porter (example, "Night and Day"), his friend Irving Berlin ("Let's Face the Music and Dance"), Jerome Kern ("The Way You Look Tonight"), Johnny Mercer ("One for My Baby") and George and Ira Gershwin ("They Can't Take That Away from Me").

Fred Astaire is interred at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, California, USA, the same cemetery where Ginger Rogers, is located. (http://encyclopaediaoftrivia.blogspot.com/2011/09/fred-astaire.html)

Steppin' Out With My Baby
Fred Astaire Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Listen while you read
I'm steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right
It's for sure, not for maybe
That I'm all dressed up tonight

Steppin' out with my honey
Can't be bad to feel so good

Never felt quite so sunny
And I keep on knockin' wood

There'll be smooth sailin'
'Cause I'm trimmin' my sails
With my top hat
And my white tie and my tails

Steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right
Ask me when will that day be
The big day may be tonight

If I seem to scintillate
It's because I've got a date
A date with a package of
The good things that come with love

You don't have to ask me
I won't waste your time
But if you should ask me
Why I feel sublime, dance

There'll be smooth sailin'
'Cause I'm trimmin' my sails
In my top hat
And my white tie and my tails

I'm steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right

Ask me when will that day be
The big day may be tonight, what a night

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fred Astaire's Steppin' Out With My Baby are about a man being overjoyed and confident as he goes out on a date with his loved one. The song opens with the man being all dressed up and stepping out confidently with his baby, knowing that he is going to have a good time. The key phrase in the song is "Can't go wrong cause I'm in the right," which emphasizes his confidence and excitement.

The next verse goes on to describe the man's feelings towards his loved one, saying that being with her can only make him feel good. The use of the phrase "never felt quite so sunny" suggests that she brings warmth and happiness into his life. He notes that there will be smooth sailing throughout the date as he has all the right attire—his top hat, white tie, and tails to complete his outfit.

The chorus repeats the opening verse, but with the added emphasis of the "big day" possibly being that night. This phrase shows the man's eagerness and hope that this date might be something more significant.

Overall, the song is about a man who is excited and confident about his date with his loved one, and the lyrics reflect his anticipation of having a great time together.

Line by Line Meaning

Listen while you read
Please pay attention to the lyrics as you read them.

I'm steppin' out with my baby
I am going out for the evening with my significant other.

Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right
I am confident in my decision to go out tonight.

It's for sure, not for maybe
There is no doubt that this is the right choice.

That I'm all dressed up tonight
I have put effort into my appearance for the occasion.

Steppin' out with my honey
I am going out with my loved one.

Can't be bad to feel so good
Feeling happy and excited is always a good thing.

Never felt quite so sunny
I have never felt this happy before.

And I keep on knockin' wood
I hope to keep this good fortune going.

There'll be smooth sailin'
I anticipate tonight going well.

'Cause I'm trimmin' my sails
I am taking steps to ensure things go smoothly.

With my top hat
I am wearing my best attire.

And my white tie and my tails
I am dressed in formalwear.

Ask me when will that day be
If you want to know when I will be happy again like this, just ask.

The big day may be tonight
It is possible that tonight will be another great night like this one.

If I seem to scintillate
If I seem to sparkle or shine.

It's because I've got a date
It is due to the fact that I am going out with my loved one.

A date with a package of
A night of

The good things that come with love
All of the happiness and joy that comes with being in love.

You don't have to ask me
You do not need to inquire about my well-being.

I won't waste your time
I will not bore you with irrelevant stories.

But if you should ask me
However, if you do ask me,

Why I feel sublime, dance
Why I feel so great, let's dance and find out.

The big day may be tonight, what a night
Tonight could be another amazing night, how wonderful that would be.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Callum Hutchings

3y↑10

Steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in right
It's for sure, not for maybe
That I'm all dressed up tonight
Steppin' out with my honey
Can't be bad to feel so good
Never felt quite so sunny
And I keep on knockin' wood
There'll be smooth sailin' 'cause I'm trimmin' my sails
In my top hat and my white tie and my tails
Steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in right
Ask me when will the day be
The big day may be tonight
If I seem to scintillate
It's because I've got a date
A date with a package of
The good things that come with love
You don't have to ask me
I won't waste your time
But if you should ask me
Why I feel sublime
Dance
There'll be smooth sailin' 'cause I'm trimmin' my sails
In my top hat and my white tie and my tails
Tony Bennett
Steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in right

All comments from YouTube:

Callum Hutchings

3y↑10

yumorules

6y↑26

Pure class.Hollywood before it turned Hollyweird.

Vee Vendetta

3y↑2

Most people that love Fred..as a actor-dancer...does not realize..that he introduced -sang in his movies what everyone else covered later. Go watch his movies...and you'll see Fred sang them-aired to the public before anyone. Yet..as far as I know..he never got the radio or programs singing them..everyone else did. I think Fred was the best of the crooners.