He started his career as a gospel singer touring Texas with The Spiritual Five in the 1950's but started gigging solo in Dallas in local R&B clubs with the bands of Big Bo Thomas and Frank Shelton. By the mid 60's he was recording soulful rock n roll with an emphasis on bluesy balladry. Z.Z Hill's style is somewhat reminiscent of other southern blues & soul singers like Percy Sledge, Bobby Bland and his biggest influence B.B King, which is supposedly where he got the idea to shorten his name to Z.Z.
He started hitting his commercial stride with early 70's hits including Chokin' Kind, Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes, and Faithful and True. While signed to Columbia, "Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It," spent 18 weeks on the Billboard R&B chart in the summer of 1977. Cheatin' In The Next Room was released in early 1982 and broke into the top 20 nationally, spending a total of 20 weeks on the charts.
His song Down Home Blues helped propel a 1982 album of the same name to stay on the Billboard soul album chart for nearly two years. Songs like "Someone Else Is Steppin In" and "Open House" have become R&B/Southern soul standards. During his career his songs were generally produced, arranged and/or provided by other talented writers and R&B legends including Lamont Dozier, Swamp Dogg, Dan Penn, Gary U.S Bonds, Denise LaSalle and Allen Toussaint.
Z. Z Hill's career was cut short when he died suddenly of a heart attack, after a road accident in 1984[ at the age of 48.
Someone Else Is Steppin' In
Z.Z. Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And oh, what a shock
When I found out my key
No longer fit my lock
She said, "Oh, baby"
"You can go back where you′ve been, oh Lord"
"See, you've been steppin′ out"
Since I was a fool
That you could count on
The one that you could call
When no one else was at home
Oh, baby
Remember how you treated me then
See, you′ve been steppin′ out
Now someone else is steppin' in
So cry your heart out
You won′t get through to me
I'm a brand new woman
And everyone can see
A new way of walkin′ (new way of walkin')
Is long overdue (long overdue)
My broken heart is mending
And I′m finally over you
She said I got a new way of wearin' my hair (new way of wearin' my hair)
Got a smile on my face
And you didn′t put it there
Oh, baby
I done found myself a new friend
See, you′ve been steppin' out
Now someone else is steppin′ in
So cry your heart out
But you won't get through to me
I′m a brand new woman
And everyone can see
My new way of walkin' (new way of walkin′)
Is long overdue (long overdue)
My broken heart is mending
And I'm finally over you
She say I got a new way of wearin' my hair
Got a smile on my face
And you didn′t put it there
Oh, baby
I done found myself a new friend, oh Lord
See, you′ve been steppin' out
Now someone else is steppin′ in (steppin' in)
She say you′ve been steppin' out
Now someone else is steppin′ in (steppin' in) oh baby
She say you've been steppin′ out, baby
Someone else is steppin′ in (steppin' in)
She said, you′ve been steppin' out, yeah
And someone else is steppin′ in
The song "Someone Else Is Steppin' In" by Z.Z. Hill is a classic example of the blues genre storytelling. It tells the story of a woman who discovered her man's infidelity and the consequences that followed. The song begins with the singer coming home to find that her key no longer fits into the lock of the door, which means that she's been locked out. As she rings the doorbell, her partner answers, but instead of letting her in, he accuses her of stepping out on him. She, however, tells him that he is the one who has been cheating and that he has been replaced by someone else.
The chorus indicates that the singer has moved on and found a new love, leaving her broken heart mending. The song focuses on the power dynamic in relationships, specifically about how men use their positions of power to manipulate women. The lyrics suggest that the singer has taken control of her life and reclaimed her power after enduring a period of heartbreak, which is a common message in blues music.
Overall, the song's lyrics are quite straightforward, dwelling on a common theme that resonates with many people who have been in a similar situation. That someone who was once their greatest love has moved away, and they've been replaced by something new. It's a powerful, emotional message delivered through a powerful and emotional performance by Z.Z. Hill.
Line by Line Meaning
I came home this morning
I returned home today
And oh, what a shock
And to my amazement
When I found out my key
When I discovered my key
No longer fit my lock
No longer unlocked my door
She said, "Oh, baby"
She spoke to me and said
"You can go back where you′ve been, oh Lord"
"You can return to where you came from"
"See, you've been steppin′ out"
"You've been cheating"
"Now someone else is steppin' in" (steppin' in)
"Now another person has taken your place"
Since I was a fool
Since I was naive
That you could count on
That you relied on
The one that you could call
The one you could contact
When no one else was at home
When everyone else was absent
Remember how you treated me then
Recall how you behaved towards me during that time
So cry your heart out
So weep as much as you want
You won′t get through to me
You won't be able to reach me emotionally
I'm a brand new woman
I've become a completely different person
And everyone can see
And anyone can notice
A new way of walkin′ (new way of walkin')
A different way of conducting oneself
Is long overdue (long overdue)
Is long awaited
My broken heart is mending
My damaged heart is repairing
And I′m finally over you
And I've finally moved on from you
Got a smile on my face
I'm happy now
And you didn′t put it there
And you're not the cause of it
Oh, baby
Oh, my dear
I done found myself a new friend
I've made a new friend
She say you′ve been steppin' out
She says you've been unfaithful
And someone else is steppin′ in (steppin' in)
And someone else has replaced you
Writer(s): Denise Lasalle
Contributed by Annabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shastaspearmam7083
I can see my mama now at the card table singing this while laughing, sipping, playing tunk or spades, talking Mad ish!! While frying fish and all of our family and friends over. zZ Hill blairing through the speakers!! Whole time I'm feeling, and knowing it was going to be a good day. All is Well. Rest mama👑🌟💋🙏
@FlutoPorter
All wells
@joepoke1852
DAMN RIGHT! #HillFamily💎💎👑👑
@AuthenticTeeCee2.0
Awww ❤️❤️
@calba24
If you been cheated on, you know what it means when he sings “I got a smile on my face and you didn’t put it there”...lol. That’s when you know you over the hurt. “I was a fool that you could count on the one that you could call when no one else wasn’t home”...this song just speaks to a person’s soul! If you been there before this song just does something to you! I love this song so much....it never gets old.
@shllewis9
💯
@dagmaybereket9008
Grown folks music!! ZZ Hill a legend!!!!
@califattts
One of the greatest blues songs of all time, preach !!
@faith8861
I got a smile on my face and you didn't put it there. YES LORD! ❤
@davidweakley743
You know you screwed up when you hear that