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
Ooh Child
The Five Stairsteps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh child
Things'll get brighter
Ooh child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh child
Some day, yeah
We'll put it together and we'll get it undone
Some day
When your head is much lighter
Some day, yeah
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
Some day
When the world is much brighter
Ooh child
Things are gonna be easier
Ooh child
Things'll be brighter
Ooh child
Things are gonna be easier
Ooh child
Things'll be brighter
Some day, yeah
We'll put it together and we'll get it undone
Some day
When your head is much lighter
Some day, yeah
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
Some day
When the world is much brighter
Some day, some day, some day, some day yeah
We'll put it together and we'll get it undone
Some day
When your head is much lighter
Some day, yeah
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
Some day
When the world is much brighter
Ooh child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh child
Things'll get brighter
Ooh child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh child
Things'll get brighter
(Right now)
Oh yeah
(Right now)
Oh baby
(Right now) and you just wait and see how things are gonna be
(Right now) if you just wait and see how things are gonna be
(Right now) if you just wait and wait and see
The Five Stairsteps's song "Ooh Child" is a soulful statement about hope, patience and endurance. The lyrics are meant to uplift the listener and inspire them to keep going, no matter how difficult things may seem. The song's refrain, "Ooh child, things are gonna get easier, ooh child, things'll get brighter," is a repeating mantra that reassures the listener that better days are ahead.
The song encourages the listener to look beyond their current struggles and to imagine a time when things will be better. "Some day, yeah, we'll put it together and we'll get it undone, some day when your head is much lighter," suggests that the listener should not give up hope, but should instead focus on coming up with a plan to overcome their problems.
The final verse of the song, "Oh baby, right now and you just wait and see how things are gonna be, if you just wait and see how things are gonna be, if you just wait and wait and see," is a call to action. The song encourages the listener to take control of their life and to have faith that things will improve.
Overall, "Ooh Child" is a song that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire listeners today. It is a reminder that no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh child
Hey, child
Things are gonna get easier
Life will become less challenging
Ooh child
Hey, child
Things'll get brighter
The future will be more promising
Some day, yeah
One day
We'll put it together and we'll get it undone
We'll figure it out and solve our problems
Some day
One day
When your head is much lighter
When you feel less burdened
Some day, yeah
One day
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
We'll enjoy life in a beautiful world
Some day
One day
When the world is much brighter
When the world is more optimistic
Ooh child
Hey, child
Things are gonna be easier
Life will be less demanding
Ooh child
Hey, child
Things'll be brighter
The future will be more promising
Some day, some day, some day, some day yeah
One day, one day, one day, someday
We'll put it together and we'll get it undone
We'll figure it out and solve our problems
Some day
One day
When your head is much lighter
When you feel less burdened
Some day, yeah
One day
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
We'll enjoy life in a beautiful world
Some day
One day
When the world is much brighter
When the world is more optimistic
Ooh child
Hey, child
Things are gonna get easier
Life will become less challenging
Ooh child
Hey, child
Things'll get brighter
The future will be more promising
(Right now)
(At this moment)
Oh yeah
Absolutely
(Right now)
(At this moment)
Oh baby
My dear
(Right now) and you just wait and see how things are gonna be
(At this moment), and watch how the future unfolds
(Right now) if you just wait and see how things are gonna be
(At this moment), if you have patience, you'll see how the future unfolds
(Right now) if you just wait and wait and see
(At this moment), if you're patient and wait, you'll see how the future unfolds
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stan Vincent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wilburgethers1340
When I was going through a divorce! I thought my world had come to end. Family, church people, my Pastor, I was ridiculed on every corner! I caught hell! I couldn’t see my daughter and that hurt! That song played as I looking 4 gospel station. I felt God played that song for me! My daughter is grown now! She has grown up to be a incredible, and beautiful young lady! She has her own house; got a business! Man I thank God 4 her everyday! She has 4 kids; twins have Sickle Cell, the other 2 have some developmental disabilities, I travel 236 miles to go help her and I tutor her oldest daughter. But it’s all good! She is a strong, determined black woman. And I am so proud of her! She is a fighter! Sometimes she cries but i play this song and homegirl straightens right on up like a soldier that she is! She makes me proud! I am so proud of her!!! ❤
@cynthiaward4512
What A Beautiful Testimony, Don't Give Up And Don't Give In..❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@martinsulat697
AMEN brother!!!
@youallium9
I'm so glad your daughter had a black mother & music to support her during times of challenge!
I, as a white woman, resonated so completely to this song, as well.
Geez, louise-- we ALL need to resonate, together, across racial lines.
Yet, I also do see how important it is for ppl to be supported by their own racial groups-- as long as we realize we ALL need, also, to work towards the unity of all; without giving up our individual racial/cultural identity.
I apologize if my viewpoint causes distress to ANYONE.
UNITY. STRENGTH. TOGETHERNESS.
Love & community
❤
@jameaellis7775
❤@@youallium9
@susanosis9905
❤ 🙏
@irelandjason8739
2024 this song will never die.
@Jenna19808
aaaaaay
@donnawentz2221
I love this song. Valentines Day 2004 was the last day I spent with my Mom and she passed away 3 days later. I’ve been missing her so much. This song came on at the coffee shop I was at today.
@irelandjason8739
@@donnawentz2221 iam so sorry to hear that Donna. God bless you from Ireland . 🙏