El… Read Full Bio ↴Kurt Elling (born November 2, 1967) is an American jazz vocalist.
Elling graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1989. He then enrolled in The University of Chicago's Divinity School and remained a student there until January 1992, when he left school one credit short of graduation.
In the last decade, Elling has released seven albums for the Blue Note label. He has also performed and recorded with many musicians, including David Amram, Bob Belden, Joanne Brackeen, Oscar Brown, Jr., Billy Corgan, Orbert Davis, George Freeman, Buddy Guy, Jon Hendricks, Charlie Hunter and Rex Richardson.
As of late 2005, Elling's current band includes Rob Amster on bass, Laurence Hobgood on piano, and Kobe Watkins on drums. He is regularly featured at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge at 4802 N. Broadway in Chicago.
Elling has won the Down Beat and JazzTimes critics’ polls three years in a row in the Best Male Singer category. He is also Vice Chair of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the 17,000-member service organization that produces the annual Grammy Awards.
Steppin' Out
Kurt Elling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But nothing hides the color of the lights that shine
Electricity so fine, look and dry your eyes
We so tired of all the darkness in our lives
With no more angry words to say, we can come alive
Jump into the car and drive to the other side
Groovin', steppin' out into the night, into the light
You, you can dress in pink and blue just like a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
We'll be there in just a while
Take the music on the dial
We can swing another mile
We'll be steppin' out in style
If you jump and follow me, babe
Steppin' out into the night and into the light
Groovin', groovin', steppin' out into the night, into the light
Groovin', steppin' out into the night, into the light
Groovin', steppin' out into the night, into the, into the light
Groovin'
The song "Steppin' Out" by Kurt Elling is a tribute to the energetic and joyful spirit that permeated the jazz and swing era. The lyrics describe a desire to break away from a life of monotony and darkness, and to embrace the excitement and freedom of the night. The singer urges the listener to forget their troubles, jump into a car and explore the city in search of adventure.
The lines "Now the mist across the window hides the lines, But nothing hides the color of the lights that shine" suggest that even though there may be barriers and obstacles that obscure our view, the beauty and vibrancy of life is all around us. The image of the yellow taxi and the emphasis on color throughout the song adds to this theme of celebrating life's richness and diversity. The repeated use of "groovin'" reinforces the sense of rhythm and movement that is essential to the jazz genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the mist across the window hides the lines
The fog outside obscures our view, but not the lights that shine
But nothing hides the color of the lights that shine
The lights that shine through the mist still illuminate brightly
Electricity so fine, look and dry your eyes
The beauty of the lights is so electric, it will amaze you and brighten your spirits
We so tired of all the darkness in our lives
We are exhausted of the negativity and want to escape it
With no more angry words to say, we can come alive
By holding our frustrations back, we can start enjoying life again
Jump into the car and drive to the other side
Let's go on a spontaneous adventure and leave the negativity behind
Steppin' out into the night, into the light
We are leaving the darkness behind and embracing the light and positivity
Groovin', steppin' out into the night, into the light
We are enjoying the moment and having fun while embracing the light
You, you can dress in pink and blue just like a child
You can express yourself however you want, with the same freedom as a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
Even in the midst of chaos, we can find happiness and joy
We'll be there in just a while
We will arrive at our destination soon
Take the music on the dial
Let's listen to music and enjoy the ride
We can swing another mile
We can continue enjoying ourselves and having fun as we travel
We'll be steppin' out in style
We will arrive in a cool and stylish way
If you jump and follow me, babe
If you trust and follow me, we can have a great adventure together
Groovin', groovin', steppin' out into the night, into the light
We are still having fun, enjoying the moment, and embracing the light
Groovin', steppin' out into the night, into the light
We are still having a blast and enjoying the moment while embracing the light
Groovin', steppin' out into the night, into the, into the light
We are still having fun and enjoying ourselves while embracing the light
Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alicecocco406
Now, the mist across the window hides the lines
But nothing hides the color of the lights that shine
Electricity so fine
Look and dry your eyes
We are tired of all the darkness in our lives
With no more angry words to say can come alive
Get into a car and drive to the other side
Into the night, into the light
We are young but getting old before our time
We'll leave the TV and the radio behind
Don't you wonder what we'll find
Steppin' out tonight?
You can dress in pink and blue just like a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
We'll be there in just a while, if you follow
Me babe, steppin' out
Into the night, into the light
You babe, steppin' out
Into the night, into the light
@clairecarlia-jones5979
I've always adored the Joe Jackson original, but I can't believe how divinely gorgeous this version is💖💖💖😝😝
@bigswingface5847
Then check THIS out! https://youtu.be/04tYvpgYYaY
@jorymil
My first Kurt Elling show was in support of this album. He brought the whole rhythm section out from Chicago, then fronted the Kluvers Big Band. The opener was this song, and the closer was... Happy Birthday... complete with cake! Turns out it was Kurt's birthday!
@ilovegoodsax
I want to add that at the eatery I told him that my daughter & I had front row seats. When he opened his set with this song, he looked for us & when he found us made his acknowledgement by winking. Needless to say last night was magical & a true mother/daughter bonding experience. Kurt has taken one of my favorite songs to a different level -- which is personifed when you hear him sing it live. From this point forward, I will always associate this song with Kurt Elling. Thanks Kurt! :-)
@auntgoogietucker2649
I thought I was the only one who had to listen to Kurt every day .
@robd2650
I'm a drummer, & he's my go to guy, if I want something not to heavy, (I listen a lot at work), but very interesting, & easy to flow with. Love his music; just saw him in Ann Arbor mi. 6-7-19.
@romanbailey6938
he has the best voice ever. when he comes back to Chicago. I'm so there.
@bpatient843
The coolest thing about Kurt Elling is if he does a cover to an original he will bring his A game! This gentleman has studied music for years and through his history of writing, arranging and composing he nails it everytime out. He is truely a special musician!
@ilovegoodsax
By chance, I met Kurt last night (4-6-11) before his show, which was his first in our city. My daughter & I had dinner at an eatery near the venue & were seated in a booth next to the table with him & his band. We were the only ones who knew who he was. I introduced myself & briefly gushed over him; he was so kind & gracious-- even stopped by our table before he left. Opened his set with this song & KILLED IT! Talked & took pics with him after the show. Again, very sweet, nothing but class!
@cmathews5909
Word!? I met him in 1996 during a high school trip to the Montreux Jazz festival. A group of us had come from where ever, and I had to wait alone in the hotel lobby to get my key to get up to my room and clean up for the Horace Silver concert. While waiting, this clean white dude in a three piece pulls up beside me. I glanced over at him, we locked eyes, then he slowly sized me up, or at least my least my outfit. Yo, he didn't do anything creepy but his way too confident white Dracula aura had me on guard. Fast forward to the concert, I was super tired and asleep for most it. Then I heard a voice. Long impossibly sustained tones. Wasn't sure if I was awake, but then realized the voice was real. I opened my eyes to find the singer and it was White Dracula! The show was incredible but I didn't get to meet after the show like you. Finding his music was like hearing (and appreciating) Ella for the first time - a classic qualitative mix of sound, technique and style.