Growing up with a Pentecostal minister father, the Wilson brothers formed the Greenwood, Archer, and Pine Street Band in 1967, with Tuck Andress (later of Tuck and Patti). The name was chosen to honor the tragic but affirming memory of the streets (Greenwood Ave., Archer St., Pine St.) that formed the thriving African American business district of Tulsa, Oklahoma also called Black Wall Street.[1] The Greenwood district was the site of one of the most violent racially motivated attacks in United States history. The complete destruction of the community was the result of the Tulsa Race Riot.
The band released their first record on an indie label in 1974 to little success. At the time, the group had up to twelve musicians, including drummer Ronnie Smith. Condensing to the three brothers and with producer Leon Russell at the helm, the group began to find success in 1978 with songs such as "I'm in Love" and "Shake", the latter becoming a Top 10 R&B hit.
By 1979, the group had changed its name to The Gap Band, and found success with the groundbreaking single "I Don't Believe You Wanna Get Up and Dance (Oops Upside Your Head)". But it was in the 1980s that the group found their biggest success, with songs like "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)", "Humpin' ", "Yearning For Your Love", "Outstanding", "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", "I Found My Baby", "Early In the Morning", and "Party Train" further establishing the group as icons.
Four of the band's albums, The Gap Band II, The Gap Band III, The Gap Band IV, and Gap Band V - Jammin, achieved platinum selling status, and four of their singles ("All Of My Love", "Outstanding", "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)", and "Early in the Morning") reached the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B charts.
Their success dwindled at the end of 1984, although they have continued to record albums and are constantly on tour. Brother Charlie ventured into a solo career during a break from the group in the mid-1980s, being featured on the 1985 hit with funk group Zapp titled "Computer Love". Wilson's powerful vocals would be credited in part for establishing the careers of Guy's Aaron Hall (singer), Keith Sweat, and R. Kelly. The band reunited in 1996, and issued The Gap Band: Live and Well, a live greatest hits album.
Ever since the 1990s, the Gap Band's most famous hits have been sampled and covered by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Warren G., Blackstreet, Shaquille O'Neal, Mia X, and Mary J. Blige. "Outstanding" was even sampled for a famous 1990s commercial for malt liquor. While they missed the time that black musicians recorded soundtracks for action films by a decade, they produced and recorded some songs for Keenan Ivory Wayans' 1988 hit movie, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Among the musicians they have inspired are R. Kelly, Keith Sweat, Ruff Endz, Guy, Blackstreet, Mint Condition, Jagged Edge, and Aaron Hall (singer). Recently, "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" was featured in the hit videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on funk radio station Bounce FM.
Steppin' Out
Gap Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, go 'head
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, go 'head
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, whoo
Steppin' out on the floor
Boogie woogie woogie some more
If you can boogie with your baby
Steppin' out on the one
Girl, we're gonna have a whole lot of fun
If you can boogie with your baby
Baby, you can boogie with me
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
Whoop, whoop
Oh-whoa
Whoo
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, go 'head
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, go 'head
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, whoo
Steppin' out on the floor
Boogie woogie woogie some more
If you can boogie with your baby
Baby, you can boogie with me
Steppin' out on the one
Girl, we're gonna have a whole lot of fun
If you can boogie with your baby
Baby, you can boogie with me, whoop
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor, whoop
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
Oh-whoa
Whoo
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, go 'head
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, go 'head
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, whoo
Steppin', steppin'
Steppin', steppin'
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
The Gap Band's Steppin' Out is a groovy party song about dancing and having a good time. The song encourages the listener to hit the dance floor and step to the beat of the music. The lyrics suggest that if you can dance with your baby, you can dance with anyone. The song is all about the joy of dancing and connecting with others through music.
The chorus of the song repeats the same lyrics twice, which emphasizes the importance of having fun and letting loose. The lyrics also reference different types of dance steps such as high stepping, low stepping, rock stepping, and roll stepping. These steps are used to create a diverse range of dance moves that can be used to express oneself and connect with others on the dance floor.
Overall, Steppin' Out is a feel-good song that encourages listeners to dance and let go of their worries. It's a party anthem that celebrates the joy of music, dance, and togetherness.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoo
Expressing a feeling of excitement
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, go 'head
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, go 'head
Ooh, ooh, go 'head, ooh, ooh, whoo
Encouraging someone to continue doing what they are doing and expressing excitement
Steppin' out on the floor
Boogie woogie woogie some more
If you can boogie with your baby
Baby, you can boogie with me
Inviting someone to dance and assuring them that they will have a good time
Steppin' out on the one
Girl, we're gonna have a whole lot of fun
If you can boogie with your baby
Baby, you can boogie with me
Continuing to invite someone to dance and letting them know that it will be a fun experience
High steppin', low steppin'
Rock steppin', roll steppin'
Rollin' on down the floor
Describing different styles of dancing and movements on the dance floor
Steppin', steppin'
Repeating the word 'steppin' for emphasis and to create a catchy rhythm
Steppin' to the rumba boogie, baby
Encouraging someone to dance to a specific rhythm or style
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Lonnie Simmons, Ronnie Wilson, Charlie Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AlanJAmazing
I will never get sick of this song!!!
@ruger51995
AlanJ this one is a hidden gem I necer gave it a chance until several months after I owned the CD cause it doesnt start out as fire as the other songs but it sure develops into one of the best
@BassByTheBay
Same here! Not remembered as one of their big hits, but this one and "Shake" were always my Gap Band jams.
@arthurstrayhorn5230
It still sounds great after all these years!! Go Head,Steppin!!!High Steppin ,Low Steppin,Rock Steppin,Roll Steppin, Boogie on down the floor!!!!!
@taliyahthompson6072
My mom has this CD I'd steal it and listen to it
@marshallbryant6816
Pure T Town Funk!! RIH Ronnie Wilson!!
@martha.r
We Lost A Legend Ronnie Wilson 11/2/2021 🎤🎹🎵🙏🏽🕊♥️
@cjsudler357
love it love it love it have been looking for it since 2007
@thegucciparischannel6559
Str8 funky y'all!
@b.rodclark7349
R.I.P Robert Wilson