Initially a teenage five-member association made up of the children of Betty and Clarence Burke, the brothers and sister vocal group took on the title "The Five Stairsteps" from Mrs. Burke, who thought her kids looked like stair steps when lined up according to their age. The association featured lead singer Clarence Jr., Alohe, James, Dennis, and 13-year-old Kenneth ("Keni"). Most of the members attended Harlan High School. Clarence Sr. was a detective for the Chicago Police Department. He backed the group on bass guitar, managed them, and co-wrote songs with Clarence Jr. and Gregory Fowler.
After winning first prize in a talent contest at the Regal Theater, The Five Stairsteps received recording contract offers. A close neighbor and family friend was Fred Cash of The Impressions, who introduced the group to Curtis Mayfield. Signed to Mayfield's Windy City imprint, which was distributed by the Philadelphia based Cameo Parkway record label, their first single was Gregory Fowler's ballad "You Waited Too Long" b/w "Don't Waste Your Time," a Mayfield song. A double-sided hit in Chicago, the A-side, "You Waited Too Long," charted number 16 in the Billboard R&B chart in spring of 1966. Around the end of 1967, Cameo-Parkway folded and Windy City switched to Buddah Records through former Cameo-Parkway executive Neil Bogart, who joined the new label as co-president. The group's second album, Family Portrait (complete with a montage of Burke family photos), was recorded and produced in Chicago by Clarence Jr. With the addition of their three-year-old brother, the group became The Five Stairsteps & Cubie. Family Portrait yielded two hit singles, "Something's Missing" and a cover of Jimmy Charles and the Revelletts' hit "A Million to One." The group often toured with the Impressions. After signing with Buddah Records, the group was once again known as The Five Stairsteps.
In the spring of 1970, the group released their biggest hit, "O-o-h Child" (written by Stan Vincent), which hit number 14 R&B and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. This disc sold over one million copies, and received a gold disc awarded by the R.I.A.A. on August 1970.[2] The flip side of the single, a cover of Lennon–McCartney's "Dear Prudence," charted at number 49 R&B. The following year, the group resurfaced as The Stairsteps with two charting Buddah singles: "Didn't It Look So Easy" and "I Love You-Stop."
The group appeared in the 1970 movie The Isley Brothers Live At Yankee Stadium, a documentary of a benefit concert filmed at the famous home of the New York Yankees featuring The Isley Brothers, The Brooklyn Bridge and various other Buddah Records affiliated artists. In the early 1970s, the group was known simply as The Stairsteps. Alohe was still with the group. Cubie never really sang with the group, but would grow up to be a popular dancer with the Dance Theater of Harlem etc. Billy Preston introduced The Stairsteps to The Beatles, and the group signed with George Harrison's Dark Horse label distributed by A&M Records. Alohe left the group in 1972 to begin a spiritual journey, and later would attend college, graduate and work at Emory University at which she was also a guest speaker.
An album, Second Resurrection, was released in February 1976, produced by Preston, Robert Margouleff, and the Stairsteps. "From Us to You," written by Clarence Jr. and Keni Burke, was the group's biggest hit since "Ooh Child," peaking at number ten R&B in early 1976. The follow-up single, "Pasado", also covered by the group Pockets, received airplay in Chicago, New York, and other markets. Keni sang, played bass, and wrote both songs on the third single, "Tell Me Why" b/w "Salaam."s of All Time.
Alohe changed her name to Ramijimar S. Habeeb-Ullah in 1980 in Oneonta, New York. Clarence Newton Burke, Jr. still writes and produces and has begun touring. James M. is drawing and painting. Dennis has a recording studio in his home. Keni is still writing and producing others and also has begun touring, and Cubie is teaching dance. In 1982, Cubie released the 12-inch single, "Dance For Double" on the Rissa Chrissa label. Clarence N. Burke, Sr. (Papa Stairstep) is a property manager and recently appeared in a play of Driving Miss Daisy. Plans for a possible reunion with at least 3 of the brothers are currently being discussed.
On May 26, 2013, it was reported by Keni Burke on WBLS Sunday Classics that Clarence Burke, Jr., had passed away.
Before assuming the name the Dramatics, the vocal sextet comprised of Rob Davis, Ron Banks, Larry Reed, Robert Ellington, Larry "Squirrel" Demps, and Elbert Wilkens initially released two singles as the Dynamics on the Wingate imprint that saw no chart action. The group became a quintet upon Ellington's exit, and also changed their name to the Dramatics. They migrated to the Sport label and in 1967 released their first single to hit the charts, "All Because of You," which peaked at number 42 on the R&B charts. However, in spite of the exposure and limited record sales, some groupmembers became discouraged, which facilitated a major personnel change. William "Wee Gee" Howard replaced lead singer Reed, and Willie Ford of the Capitols replaced bass Rob Davis. Also during this time, the Dramatics had signed with producer Don Davis' production company.
Even though the group managed to stay together, the ensuing years were unproductive for chart action and sales. Between 1967 and 1971, the Dramatics made very little noise on the national scene. By the end of 1971, Davis summoned the group to the studio to record producer/songwriter Tony Hester's "Watcha See Is Watcha Get." The single was the Dramatics' first major national hit, peaking at number three on the R&B charts, and sustaining chart action for 15 weeks. That single was followed by the R&B Top Ten single "Get Up and Get Down."
The following year the Dramatics released "In the Rain," which was also penned by Hester. The single torpedoed its way to the number one spot on the R&B charts, maintaining that position for four consecutive weeks; the single also peaked at number five on the pop charts. Ironically, in spite of the national attention the group was receiving, another personnel shuffle was simmering.
Larry "L.J." Reynolds, who had been a member of Chocolate Syrup and was pursuing a solo career during this time, met Dramatics member Banks at the Apollo following a performance by the group. It just so happened that Howard was absent that night. Reynolds auditioned for Banks backstage; it was not too long afterwards that Reynolds, who was also signed to Don Davis' production company, began to occasionally sit in with the Dramatics during Howard's absences.
In 1973, Howard's decision to leave the group opened the door for Reynolds' entrance; Reynolds' vocal presence and permanent entry into the group was manifested with the release of the R&B Top Ten single "Hey You! Get Off My Mountain." And while Reynolds was replacing Howard, Lenny Mayes was replacing Wilkens, which spelled out identity problems for the remainder of the group. Wilkens formed his own version of the Dramatics and began touring. During this time and pending legal procedures, the name of the group was changed to Ron Banks & the Dramatics.
The Dramatics' success continued with mainly R&B Top 20 hits during the heyday of disco, cracking the R&B Top Ten just once more with "Welcome Back Home" in 1980. In 1981, Reynolds went solo; the group disband after Banks went solo in 1983. The group managed to stay active, reuniting to record new material every three or four years since the early '80s. They occasionally reunite for concert events. ~ Craig Lytle, Rovi
Danger! She's A Stranger
The Five Stairsteps Lyrics
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Of flesh and blood I'm made
Ooh, human
Born to make mistakes
If five boys in the house say it loud
If five boys in the house check it out
Come on, baby, dry your eyes, wipe your tears
I wouldn't ever try to hurt you
I just needed someone to hold me
To fill the void while you were gone
To fill this space of emptiness
I'm only human
Of flesh and blood I'm made
Ooh, human
Born to make mistakes
If five boys in the house say it loud
If five boys in the house check it out
Come on baby, dry your eyes, wipe your tears
Never like to see you cry, please forgive me
When I lay upon my bed
Reminisce then I wish
That I got you by my side
With the cherry red kiss
Hit me off, make it soft
Hold me tight through the night
You know I'm gonna fight
'Cause the thing we had was right
But if you go all I know
I can't go a day without you
Here in my arms
Hypnotized with your charms
Now I'm feeling for your baby
Ain't you hearing the alarms?
You can't stop all the love that I got
Wanna rewind time
To better days that were hot, check it
Bring back the better days for me, baby
You gotta bring em back 'cause I'm going crazy
I go insane with your name up in my brain
Things will never be the same
You ain't up in my frame
So what you gonna do? What you gonna say?
Tell me that you're gonna
Push your loving back my way
I'm only human
Of flesh and blood I'm made
Ooh, human
Born to make mistakes
If five boys in the house say it loud
If five boys in the house check it out
Come on baby, dry your eyes, wipe your tears
Never like to see you cry, please forgive me
The Five Stairsteps's song "Danger! She's A Stranger" is an emotional tale of regret and reconciliation. The singer begins by acknowledging his humanity and fallibility, claiming that he was "born to make mistakes." He then addresses his partner, asking for forgiveness and apologizing for his actions, which he did not mean to be hurtful. He explains that he was lonely and needed someone to fill the space that they left behind. The repeated refrain of "If five boys in the house say it loud, if five boys in the house check it out" may refer to the singer's friends who are trying to help him repair his relationship.
The second verse is a stream-of-consciousness narrative of the singer's thoughts and desires. He wishes that his partner were with him and tries to recreate their past happiness, singing of "better days that were hot." He acknowledges that things cannot be the same without them, and he begs for their love to be returned. The song concludes with the repeated request for forgiveness and a plea for reconciliation.
Overall, the song explores the complex emotions of regret, loneliness, desire, and the importance of human connection. Through its heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody, "Danger! She's A Stranger" stands out as a powerful expression of human vulnerability and the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm only human
I acknowledge that I am not perfect
Of flesh and blood I'm made
I am a physical being susceptible to mistakes
Ooh, human
Reiterating that I am not infallible
Born to make mistakes
My humanity means I am bound to err
If five boys in the house say it loud
The five members of our group are in agreement on this point
If five boys in the house check it out
Further emphasizing that we have unanimous support for what we are about to say
Come on baby, dry your eyes, wipe your tears
I hate to see you upset and want to comfort you
Never like to see you cry, please forgive me
I regret causing you pain
I wouldn't ever try to hurt you
My actions were not meant to cause you harm
I just needed someone to hold me
I was feeling vulnerable and seeking comfort
To fill the void while you were gone
I was missing you and trying to cope with your absence
To fill this space of emptiness
I was feeling lonely and seeking emotional support
When I lay upon my bed
When I am alone with my thoughts
Reminisce then I wish
I remember the past and wish things were different
That I got you by my side
I long for your companionship
With the cherry red kiss
I miss your passionate kisses
Hit me off, make it soft
Gently soothe me and make me feel better
Hold me tight through the night
I want to feel close to you and be comforted
You know I'm gonna fight
I am willing to do what it takes to make things work
'Cause the thing we had was right
Our relationship was good and worth fighting for
But if you go all I know
If you were to leave me
I can't go a day without you
I am completely dependent on your presence and affection
Here in my arms
I want to hold you tightly
Hypnotized with your charms
I am captivated by your endearing qualities
Now I'm feeling for your baby
I have strong emotions for you
Ain't you hearing the alarms?
Can't you sense that our relationship is in trouble?
You can't stop all the love that I got
My feelings for you are too strong to ignore
Wanna rewind time
I wish we could go back to happier times
To better days that were hot, check it
Days when our love was burning brightly
Bring back the better days for me, baby
I want our relationship to be as good as it used to be
You gotta bring em back 'cause I'm going crazy
This situation is driving me crazy and I need your help to fix it
I go insane with your name up in my brain
You are constantly on my mind and I can't stop thinking about you
Things will never be the same
Our relationship has changed and I am not sure how to move forward
You ain't up in my frame
You are not by my side and I miss you
So what you gonna do? What you gonna say?
I need to know where we stand and what your thoughts are
Tell me that you're gonna
Assure me that you will do something to help fix our relationship
Push your loving back my way
Show me that you still care and are willing to put effort into our relationship
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLARENCE BURKE JR., CLARENCE JR BURKE, CURTIS MAYFIELD, GREGORY FOWLER, GREGORY KEITH FOWLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind