"Step to the Rear" | |
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Song by Anthony Roberts and Charlotte Jones | |
from the album How Now, Dow Jones: The Original Broadway Cast Recording | |
Released | 1968 |
Genre | Stage and screen [1] |
Length | 4:15 |
Label | RCA Victor |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
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"Step to the Rear" is a song written by Elmer Bernstein and Carolyn Leigh. It was originally performed in the Broadway musical How Now, Dow Jones between 1967 and 1968. It was first recorded on an official cast album in 1968. It was notably recorded by American singer Marilyn Maye, whose version was released as a single. Maye's version reached the top five of the American adult contemporary chart and was seen on televised advertisements for Lincoln and Mercury cars. It was adapted into the University of South Carolina’s fight song as The Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way.
"Step to the Rear" was composed by Elmer Bernstein and Carolyn Leigh for the musical How Now, Dow Jones . [2] In the show, the context of the song is centered on several widows who comfort a man who attempts suicide. [3] When the widows discover the man lacks confidence in himself, they proceed by performing "Step to the Rear". [4] In the original 1968 show, "Step to the Rear" was performed by Anthony Roberts and Charlotte Jones. The pair recorded it on the show's cast album in 1968, which was released by RCA Victor. [2] The show opened on Broadway on December 7, 1967, but only ran for several months. [4]
"Step to the Rear" | ||||
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Single by Marilyn Maye | ||||
from the album Step to the Rear | ||||
B-side | "For Those in Love" | |||
Released | October 1967 | |||
Studio | RCA Studio, New York | |||
Length | 1:58 | |||
Label | RCA Victor | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Joe René | |||
Marilyn Maye singles chronology | ||||
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"Step to the Rear" was notably recorded by American singer Marilyn Maye. Signed to RCA Victor as a recording artist, Maye was becoming known for recording versions of songs from Broadway musicals. Producer Joe René routinely brought her songs that would later be recorded for Broadway productions. This included her version of "Cabaret", which became a commercial success. She would also be given "Step to the Rear" during this period. [5] With René serving as her producer, "Step to the Rear" was recorded in 1967 at RCA Studios in New York City. [6]
"Step to the Rear" was released as a single by RCA Victor in October 1967. It was backed on the B-side by the song "For Those in Love". [6] It entered America's Billboard adult contemporary chart in November 1967 and spent a total of 13 weeks there. In January 1968, the song reached the number two position on the chart. It became Maye's highest-charting single and most commercially successful in her recording career. It was among three of her songs that reached the top ten on the adult contemporary chart. [7] In November 1967, "Step to the Rear" appeared on her studio album of the same name. [8]
Maye's version of "Step to the Rear" was subsequently heard by the Ford Motor Company, which used the song for several years in advertisements for their Lincoln and Mercury cars. [9] Maye became the spokesperson for the car company and re-recorded the song with lyrics to match the advertisements on television. [10]
7" vinyl single [6]
Chart (1967–1968) | Peak position |
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US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [11] | 2 |
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Meet Marvelous Marilyn Maye is a studio album by American singer Marilyn Maye. It was released in August 1965 via RCA Victor and contained 12 tracks. It was the second album of Maye's career and her first with the RCA label. It contained songs from musicals and also featured covers of jazz vocal standards. It was reviewed positively by Billboard magazine following its release in 1965.
The Second of Maye is a live album by American singer Marilyn Maye. It was released in April 1966 via RCA Victor and it contained 12 tracks. The project was recorded in a live format at The Living Room, a performance venue located in New York City. It was the second album of Marilyn Maye's issued by the RCA Victor label and her first live album. It was met with favorable reviews following its release.
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A Taste of "Sherry!" is a studio album by American singer Marilyn Maye. It was released in February 1967 by RCA Victor and contained 12 tracks. The album featured Maye's first commercially successful singles: "Cabaret" and "Sherry". Both were featured in Broadway musicals of the same names and both reached the top ten on the American adult contemporary chart. A Taste of "Sherry!" received positive reviews from several publications following its release.
Step to the Rear is a studio album by American singer Marilyn Maye. It was released in November 1967 via RCA Victor and contained 11 tracks. Its title song was taken from the Broadway musical How Now Dow Jones and was a single for Maye in 1967. It reached the top five of American adult contemporary chart. The album itself received a positive review from Billboard magazine following its release.
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Marilyn Maye, Girl Singer is a studio album by American singer Marilyn Maye. It was released in April 1970 via RCA Victor and was the seventh studio album of her career. It was also her final album released by RCA Victor. Girl Singer contained a total of 11 tracks. Two tracks were originally singles. The 1968 single "Feelin'" became a top 20 song on the American adult contemporary chart. Girl Singer was given a positive review from Record World magazine following its release.