The Crests were a popular New York City R&B musical group of the late 1950s… Read Full Bio ↴The Crests were a popular New York City R&B musical group of the late 1950s, often thought to be another all-black teenage-sound band, they were in fact about as integrated as a group could get, with four men (two of them black, one Puerto Rican and one Italian) and one black female. The band was founded by JT Carter and included Talmoudge Gough, Harold Torres, and Patricia Van Dross (older sister of the late Luther Vandross) JT found lead vocalist Johnny Mastrangelo (later just Johnny Maestro). The group had several Top 40 hits including "16 Candles", "Step By Step" and "The Angels Listened In". Johnny Maestro later formed the Brooklyn Bridge in 1968 and had a Top 40 hit with "The Worst That Could Happen". JT Carter kept the band together and working steadily through the 1990's. The current version of the Crests contains no original members.

Their most popular song was "Sixteen Candles" which rose to number 2 on the Billboard charts in 1958.

The 1984 John Hughes teen movie Sixteen Candles took its title from The Crests' song, which was rerecorded by The Stray Cats for the Sixteen Candles soundtrack.

It should be noted that Johnny Maestro went on to form the Brooklyn Bridge who had two number one hits including "The Worst That Could Happen" . His voice got better with age but unfortunately Mastroangelo passed away last year of throat cancer at the age of 65.

Step By Step
The Crests Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Step by step I fell in love with you
And step by step it wasn't hard to do
Kiss by kiss and hand in hand
That's the way it all began
Soon we found the perfect plan for love
Side by side we took a lovers walk
Word by word we had a lover's talk
One word led to another and then

Then in no time we're up to ten
My heart knew it was gonna end in love

1st step, a sweet hello
2nd step, my heart's aglow
3rd step, we had a date
4th step, we stayed up late
5th step, I walk you home
6th step, we're all alone
7th step, we took a chance
One kiss and true romance

Step by step we climbed to heaven's door
Step by step, each thrill invited more
Then you promised faithfully
All your love belonged to me
Now I know we'll always be in love

Step, step. Step, step. Step, step. Step step

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Crests' song Step by Step describe the gradual progress of falling in love. The singer talks about how it all began with small steps such as a sweet hello, holding hands, and kisses, leading up to a lovers’ walk and a lovers’ talk, where they found the perfect plan for love. With each step, their love grew stronger and they climbed to the door of heaven. The singer mentions how they took a chance with the seventh step and it led to a true romance, where they promised their love to each other. Finally, the singer expresses their confidence in the fact that they will always be in love.

The song's progression beautifully captures the innocence and excitement of falling in love. The lyrics are simple but effective in portraying the emotions of the singer. The use of steps as a metaphor for the progression of their love adds to the charm and elegance of the song. The music is also upbeat and adds to the joyous nature of falling in love.

Line by Line Meaning

Step by step I fell in love with you
My love for you grew gradually and progressively over time.

And step by step it wasn't hard to do
Falling in love with you came naturally and wasn't a difficult task.

Kiss by kiss and hand in hand
Our love started with small gestures of affection like kisses and holding hands.

That's the way it all began
These simple moments sparked the beginnings of our love story.

Soon we found the perfect plan for love
We discovered what worked for us in love and formed a plan for our relationship.

Side by side we took a lovers walk
We walked together in love, side by side.

Word by word we had a lover's talk
We had many heartfelt conversations as we fell deeper in love.

One word led to another and then
Our conversations naturally progressed and time flew by as we talked.

Then in no time we're up to ten
Before we knew it, we had ten things we wanted to say to each other.

My heart knew it was gonna end in love
My heart was certain that our story would end in love.

1st step, a sweet hello
Our love story began with a simple greeting.

2nd step, my heart's aglow
My heart felt warm and full of light as I fell in love with you.

3rd step, we had a date
We went on a first date and began to get to know each other better.

4th step, we stayed up late
We spent long hours together, enjoying each other's company and conversation.

5th step, I walk you home
I walked you home after a date, cherishing each moment with you.

6th step, we're all alone
We found ourselves together, with no one else around, lost in each other's company.

7th step, we took a chance
We took a leap of faith in each other and in our love.

One kiss and true romance
Our first kiss ignited a deeper level of romance in our relationship.

Step by step we climbed to heaven's door
Our love story seemed to ascend higher and higher, reaching new levels of happiness and joy.

Step by step, each thrill invited more
Each happy moment brought even more happiness, and our relationship continued to grow.

Then you promised faithfully
You made a promise to me that you would always be by my side.

All your love belonged to me
You gave your entire heart to me and our love story.

Now I know we'll always be in love
Today, I am confident that our love story will last forever.

Step, step. Step, step. Step, step. Step step
The repetition of the phrase 'step by step' emphasizes the gradual and natural progression of our relationship.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ZEMROY THOMAS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@paolamariefuchsstitelmann7458

8y↑42

Step, step. Step, step. Step, step... Step, step
Step by step I fell in love with you
And step by step it wasn't hard to do
Kiss by kiss and hand in hand
That's the way it all began
Soon we found the perfect plan for love
Side by side we took a lovers' walk
And word by word we had a lovers' talk
One word led to another and then
In no time we were up to ten
My heart knew it was gonna end in love

First step, a sweet hello
Second step, my heart's aglow
Third step, we had a date
Fourth step, stayed out late
Fifth step, I walked you home
Sixth step, we're all alone
Seventh step, we took a chance
One kiss and true romance

Step by step we climbed to heaven's door
And step by step, each thrill invited more
Then you promised faithfully
All your love belonged to me
Now I know we'll always be in love

Step, step. Step, step. Step, step. Step step ......

All comments from YouTube:

@FRANKIESIXTOES

4y↑61

One of the great voices of Rock and Roll. He should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

@Mike-yg8ig

2y↑3

Hands down!

@mazinwonderland3077

3y↑24

How lucky were we to grow up with these amazing songs? We had the best time ever.

@lindarennie2212

48w↑2

Agree 100%

@GeorgeVreelandHill

10y↑104

Nothing today compares to this.

@bangs4551

4y↑8

I agree. I'm 76, & quit listening to the new songs after about 1990.

@billyboi2493

im pretty young and i 100% agree

@richardnarson4014

So true.

@willdrucker4291

Different era....different world

@beastabuelos6421

Lots of stuff compares to this, you just don't know how to find it

@gracielavasquez1485

7y↑35

I'm always mesmerized by him singing thsi song. His voice is gorgeous to me.

@daniellerotolo549

And i don't even think he ever had lessons either! He's a natural, my dad always liked him

@ftsjr

10y↑37

Johnny Maestro certainly had an awesome voice. RIP, Johnny.

@lincsink1

12y↑12

How wonderful to see The Maestro and his Crests performing. You were the best! R.I.P Johnny, your music will always live on!

@kennyc388

8y↑32

Grew up in the 50's.......beautiful life and youth.......today totally sucks with it's out of control anger and insanity.

@jeffcory1056

4y↑20

Wow... Smooth vocal by Johnny Maestro, wonderful choreography on the steps, integrated group, catchy tune. This clip has it all.

@raquelxavier9948

45w

A música Step boy Step, foi tema de um sucesso do New kids on The Blocks que por sua vez é uma versão de 1987 do grupo The Superiors. Interessante que no clip do NKOTB de Step by Step, os meninos tem a coreografia tbm na escada.

@SirDavidHaddon

9y↑101

Lets start a Petition to get John Mastrangelo aka Johnny Mastro into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! His Time has Come..

@jonwilob6458

I'm game-where do we start?

@tomconstance2391

5y↑4

Maestro

@stanwollmers7561

4y↑4

@@tomconstance2391 Agreed!! One of the great, pure voices of the late 50's & 60's!

@broznkyra4853

4y↑1

I've been following the campaign to get the late Johnny Mastrangelo (Maestro) inducted into the Rn'R HoF...there's a page for this on FB...saw him in concert a few times...the last about 5 or 7 years before his passing. R I P Johnny...

@broznkyra4853

If you've never been to the RnR HoF, you should go...well worth the trip...in 2010 myself and three army buds met there for a small reunion after some 36 years...had a great time..it's on the shores of Lake Erie...next to the Brown's football stadium, across the street from the. Basketball arena and a few blocks from the Indian's baseball park...lotza good restaurants and bars too...

1 More Replies...

@peb7575

9y↑48

Wow - so many awesome great songs from the 50's - So many memories. They don't make 'em like this anymore - not even close !

@bonniepagan3403

9y↑8

Paul Braun nothing beats this music not even close

@gracielavasquez1485

7y↑3

Paul Braun I agree sir. Coming from this generation as a 14 yr old im embarrassed honestly

@erwinmonti5066

2y↑8

What an incredible voice this man had and he sang with several groups and had some incredible great hits what a pleasure was to grow up in that era of the fifties and sixties there is nothing like it and there will never be anything like it again..

@usa21371

12y↑5

Loved this song when I was a little boy. Now, fifty years later, I enjoy this song even more. Thank you for posting this oldie in STEREO version. It sounds much much better. Thank you again !!

@darlingdream

8y↑36

i just imagine sitting in a diner in the middle of fall, drinking a milkshake with a striped straw while this song plays on the jukebox

@tommytruth7595

7y↑4

Yeah, man. I'm looking for a time machine, myself.

@alancooper9311

6y↑5

II did! Born in 47! 55-65 what a music era!! Simply wonderful!!

@patrarus6362

3y↑8

Oh, the great memories! Thanks for posting this terrific do-wop song!

@daviddyer1555

3y↑6

Thanks Johnny!! A great song!

@karinglockner3100

6y↑2

1000 txs for the "good old fashioned Doo Wop street ..." - I know nothing better. I listen to it now about 10 x and the night is not over -:)

@richardspain8931

34w↑4

A great performance!😊

@josephkane2852

7y↑4

Another great song from the Crests as they had done some great songs during the 50's

@bkdro70

10y↑184

2 black dudes,a Puerto Rican and and an Italian..Makes for good music right...lol

@Ab12203

10y↑13

Yes, and a Catholic college Basketball team in the 60s :)

@honeywell5455

5y↑14

Only in America!

@marcoyankovich

5y↑5

Wow that's America!

@CharlieRogersMusic

5y↑8

BK why you always paint everything in colors we are one color and that color is love

@markyeeee

4y↑2

True!! Had some problems touring though

@saphirerealyblue7624

9y↑27

Hi. Please take me back in time ...I love all this .....doo.wop.......the music tells a story.....and means alot ..... ...anybody got a time machine ..just for a week .....please.....happy times.....☺...

@johndemint5469

6y↑4

Great harmony and Johnny had a great voice. This music is great!

@25411959

9y↑105

The Crests were a beautiful, talented example of racial harmony back in the late 1950`s & early 1960`s! Great music, fellas!

@Tonithenightowl

9y↑18

25411959 You are absolutely right. Maestro was ahead of his time. He didn't let racial anything influence him at a time when it wasn't popular to be so.

@dennismoss371

9y↑4

+25411959 It was about Step by Step!

@michaelcandioto2681

4y↑2

What was the names of Crests individuals

@harukasaigusa8906

2y↑2

Just enjoy the music. Like they were.

@Starjammerblue

6y↑6

Elvis may have been the King but johnny Maestro was the EMPEROR! Thanks for posting!

@victorlutes2465

RIP,, "LaVerne & Shirley" Penny Marshall & Cindy Williams. Legendary funny ladies of a generation

@thomaspetrose2175

6y↑7

love these oldies.

@lakehousefor2

10y↑9

Oh, yeah! Neighborhood dances, sleepovers, talking on the phone until the wee hours of the morning (well, my parents allowed this instead of going out on certain nights) and dancing! Thanks so much for posting! Listening to this music reminds me of the wonderful times we had in high school and...my son passed away 5 months ago so this helps. Thank you!

@dephersong

12y↑7

this song is so catchy that I can't take the tune out of my head!!! However, I'm so glad! I REALLY miss The Crests!

@sparkescadman

12y↑7

This is a treasure! I always liked this song. The video makes it even better (if that's possible!). The Crests drerssed well. The set is the great style that's being revived today.

@marcevert5240

It's about the music!
Look at the man -
His Music/Talent
His Charity
His Humanitaranism
His Successful Career
Put Johnny in the
R/R HALL OF FAME !!

@elvispresley2119

3y↑1

Sir Johnny MAESTRO & The CREST's.....
The GREASTEST Voice/es of 'Doo-Wop' in The WORLD !
Greetings(&Hats OFF to YOU) from Poland !

@camf33

We love you Johnny! Thank you for what you left us!

@markpayne867

2y↑2

wat a decade to live in ,u cant beat the 60s for great music

@mouse12345ify

13y↑2

what a great trio back in time,,,, keep those times in our hearts

@laurastafford8714

8y↑21

Great band..love his voice

@bobsilverio7544

9y↑8

Johnny was great. Love this song

@oyvindvisthus9310

Johnny Maestro - one of the top lead singers from the 50ties and untill he passed away in 2010

@j20tower

12y↑2

There will never be another voice like Johnny Maestro's. Music that memories were made of. Johnny gone but not forgotten.

@cwbruni

11y

Johnny was a dear friend,and like myself we were all just happy to be a part of this wonderful music and era,this style doesn't belong to just one group. Johnny kept his illness a secret until his last show,he,like Bobby Darin,literally died for his fans,he loved each and every one,as do we all. Sincerely, Chuck Bruni, The Original Chevelles.

@marshamccroden4588

4y↑4

I listened to a clip of this a few years ago on PBS' My Music (membership drive -- the absolute best music!). Fell in love with it immediately.

@sarahthomas2506

4y↑1

All these gentlemen are very handsome! You know, I've been playing this song since friday! I. This is before my time! Johnny sings so beautifully! RIP!

@jordanmulford698

8y↑4

one of the best, great song!

@singinfool64

3y↑2

Nice to see my buddy, J.T. in his youth! He's still at it at 79!! :D

@randysngh

4y↑2

Still beautiful after all these years... Oh, How I miss those days!!!

@jennyydork17

13y↑2

i am in love with this song !! aahhh i wish music was like this now a days :< what an incrediable song .....

@maxinestannard9463

8y↑4

Love how they go up & down the steps---pure rock Gold with JM.

@sauquoit13456

11y

On this day in 1960 {March 12th} the Crests performed "Step By Step" on the ABC-TV program 'Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show' Thirteen days earlier on February 29th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #14 & spent 15 weeks on the Top 100 Between July 1957 and October 1960 the group had ten Top 100 records; with "16 Candles" being their biggest hit, peaking #2 {for 2 weeks} in 1959 R.I.P. Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012} and lead singer Johnny Maestro {1939 - 2010}

@leoguy1979

13y↑1

The first song I remembering listening to as a kid wad sixteen candles then I discovered the rest of their songs and fell in love with them even more. They truely did capture the sound of that time. Every time I think of 50's music their music pops into my head first. The Angels Listened In was a great song too.

@SirDavidHaddon

11y

I wonder if Johnny Maestro know the impact he and the crests had on rock & roll back in the early 1960's? Crests and The Brooklyn Bridge owe it all to JM Rest in Peace Johnny ..Thank You for the great music that you left us... Sir David

@dickeydo87

10y↑24

My older brother who served 2 stints in Nam adored the Crests and Sam Cook!

@zfleming44

Hope he made it home intact. I was in SE Asia 01/68-12/69 at an undisclosed location and came back on 12/26/69 in one piece. We were where we weren't supposed to be. Enough said.

@2jewelz1

11y↑3

I'm a teen and I'm in love with this song. My friends think I'm weird but this is real music

@georgeloyie9025

8y↑21

This is my favorite music and the only music that I can turn up loud while I'm in the garage, wrenching on my old Chevys and no one bitches at me. I swear I could have Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, old Country or even Gospel playing at 1/2 the volume and people would give me looks and some neighbors would even give me looks that say, "turn it down", but not this music. They like it, I get smiles and people sometimes stop in and chat, it's friendly music.

@ABfromWindsor

3y↑1

Love listening to this song by Johnny Mastro and the Crest and enjoy watching the other group members dancing on the steps.

@cowboy268

8y↑29

love them classics and yes im 23yr old mexican who's living the old days i think classic music are better than that annoying rap music these days i fucking hate rap music

@josephsanthuff4482

8y↑3

I know right.

@superr6666

7y↑6

Omar Sanchez FINALLY!!!!!!! SOME ONE WITH CLASS!!!!!!!

@kennyc388

7y↑2

Right on, Omar.

@psw4763

2y↑1

Great songs and wonderful memories.

@jacoblara4820

4y↑1

Johnny maestro one of the most underrated singers of all time

@doowopper46

6y↑2

RIP Johnny. We loved you.

@GracieFleury

12y↑1

Oh'''''' I wish we still had that kind of music.Cool,They just have it!!!!!!!

@paulineimpey1497

Step by step with the crest .they are a great group favourite group xxxxxx lovey song 🎵❤💕💖💗♥🎵x

@richardnarson4014

3y↑1

Best voice of all others.

@londiemontez150

8y↑64

the fifties are the best music♡♡

@tommytruth7595

7y↑13

And the best decade ever for the USA.

@jet409

7y↑1

Loved this group from the beginning when I first heard them in the middle 50's.

@williamkaferle5326

9y↑15

The late great Johnny Maestro....

@ronaldherrera3479

12y

Step by Step...... my song, thanks Jhonny Maestro.

@kyler591

one of the all time best johnny maestro

@adamv4951

7y↑29

Clean and simple music with a good spirit. :-)

@ASMH0410

49w

My parents used to go dancing every Saturday night. This somehow reminds me of them. 🙂

@twoodruff01

10y↑1

Love this song.
What a great group and lead singer. Rest in Peace. What a loss.

@calvin777100

11y

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT Robert!! This is the man who gave us SIXTEEN CANDLES, STEP BY STEP and my favorite: THE ANGELS LISTENED IN.

@drummerc1795

He Crests were my introduction to R&R music. Some time in 1959, when I was just 16, I heard that the Elks club, across the street from where I lived on Long Island was having a concert. I was able to attend and remember seeing the Crests and the Shirelles. Don't remember if there was any other act. I was right in front of the makeshift stage and even though they did not sing live, I was so impressed that I became a big time R&R fan. These people that were responsible for this music should never be forgotten. I'm an old man now but those memories mean so much to me.

@jaimemarin22

8y↑9

The best- Johnny Mastro & The Crest

@MungleMcGrungle

12y↑1

truly harmonious,boss,awesome,old school, and beautiful

@jamesohara1484

6y↑1

The two greatest voices in R&R - Johnny Maestro and Darlene Love !!!

@jerrymunroe2233

9y↑1

I work at a resort with Muzak and I hear this being played on it nightly, and I find I really like it. Now I see this video with the guys in business suits and I can put the faces with the music--Cool! Thanks to You tube and Rockabilly Dave.

@stevetrivago

5y↑3

Hopefully this music will continue well into our future ✊🏼.. real talent with no one to copy 🙂

@indyvic

12y↑1

Great song, Great memories, Great Post!

@stevemoravec2555

1y↑1

An American classic! ⚘

@paolamariefuchsstitelmann7458

11y↑3

Magic song, thanks for posting -

@Waynet126

12y↑2

I love everything about this song - the melody, the words, Johnny's voice, the background old fashioned doo wop, the string arrangements, the dance choreography, Johnny's voice, and Johnny's voice. Did I say Johnny's voice?

@alex420bro8

3y↑1

omg i love this. me and my 3 friends would sing in my backyard and sing doo wop and dance it was so fun

@Tonithenightowl

9y↑1

Love Johnny. What a voice !!!!!!

@AnonOctopus

Who is still coming back to find this song after soo many years? 🖐

@josephkane8103

Another Gem Of A Single from 1958 as it is also By The Crests as it is also Called Step By Step

@chrisroman3415

Great tune from Johnny RIP, 😐🖒👏❤

@yvonnemendez1236

11y

u are not weird gd music is just that doo wop will live on for all go chick i grew up with still luv it

@mirandaleon769

36w↑1

This is so beautiful!❤

@michaelivey1087

Mr.Maestro was a wonderful singer .

@joegag17

6y↑1

BEST ROCK N ROLL VOICE

@roberttelarket4934

44w

A masterpiece of euphony!!!

@rt9tiger

4y↑2

I've been to some great pop music shows, but the one I really missed was Johnny Maestro. Maybe he'll still be singing when I get up there...

@wfbjwb1963

11y

Johnny M,need say more.He was such a great doowop singer,and such a talent.

@loramorrison2778

12y

this is proably the first song i remember and i happen to stumble on this one by accident about a few weeks ago. i was like hey the crests and then when i heard that golden voice i said awwww johnny maestro. my crush returned as i listened closely to it again and again :)

@if1220

8y↑1

The Steps To Find Your True Love all In One Song, Thanks for Posting :)

@paolamariefuchsstitelmann7458

8y↑42

@gildardomolina6967

5y↑2

Thanks for lyrics greetings from Colombia South América.

@gonzalezenrri5467

i live in the 50s at heart.. wish i could go back in time!!

@CommittedGex

13y↑1

This song is simply amazing. Thank you for uploading.

@yolandamontes3780

6y↑1

Oldies is all I listen too , today's music isn't music,

@Ozmulki

4y↑1

The distinct voice of Johnny Maestro.

@mariaroman4966

8y↑2

this is real music..love it

@breggentrumbull4262

I agree

@wblk

9y↑41

There were some great interracial groups back then

@heirsofthekingdom9810

9y↑1

Wayne K I just discovered Billy Vera and Judy Clay's Storybook Children

@wblk

ColeWorld andFreshHeirs I just checked it out, I didn't know Billy V was blue eye soul rooted, I never even heard of Judy. Great sound and song. Thank you

@heirsofthekingdom9810

Wayne K No problem

@awaykers1389

8y↑1

+alterdestiny that must have some kinda experience, like wait till my buddy open his mouth he's going to blow you away, you probably got the girls just hanging with him. some guys have all the luck

@SirDavidHaddon

7y↑5

Sad that there is so much Turmoil today with Races,, My Black friends that I grew up had Fathers that worked in Factories while I lived in a broken home, and We shared Lunches when one forgot lunch in school. Today the world is going to hell...My Closest Black Friend was a Mason and he worked with my father, and me in my dads Auto Body Shop and he was more like my brother than my real brothers I would visit him in the Masonic Temple, and was the only White Guy at their picknik's ... Miss Him he has been gone for ten years...

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