Every Little Step

Last updated
"Every Little Step"
EveryLittleStep.jpg
Single by Bobby Brown
from the album Don't Be Cruel
ReleasedJanuary 31, 1989
Genre
Length3:57
Label MCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Babyface
  • L.A. Reid
Bobby Brown singles chronology
"Roni"
(1988)
"Every Little Step"
(1989)
"On Our Own"
(1989)
Music video
"Every Little Step" on YouTube

"Every Little Step" is a 1989 single by American singer Bobby Brown, written by L.A. Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and released by MCA Records. Released as the fourth single on his second album Don't Be Cruel it reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Hot Black Singles chart, and number six on the UK Singles Chart in 1989. The song also appears on Brown's remix album Dance!...Ya Know It! . The single garnered Brown's first career Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 32nd Grammy Awards in 1990.

Contents

Composition and production

Around the time Don't Be Cruel was in production, Reid was dating singer Pebbles, who later became his wife. Inspired by his relationship with his girlfriend at the time, he wrote and co-produced the song with Edmonds, intending to give it to the group Midnight Star. Bobby Brown, however, heard a demo of the song and liked it instantly, which led to its inclusion on Don't Be Cruel. [3]

Brown popularized the Roger Rabbit dance (aka the "backwards" running man), [4] as performed in the music video for the song, [5] along with the Gumby-style hi-top fade. [6]

In 1995, "Every Little Step" was remixed by British DJ/producer C.J. Mackintosh and was included on Brown's remix album, Two Can Play That Game (1995). This version of the song was released as a single in 1996, reaching number 25 in the UK Singles Chart. [7]

In 2013, former New Edition manager Steven Machat claimed additional vocals on the song were allegedly done by Brown's friend, and fellow New Edition member Ralph Tresvant. Machat alleges that Tresvant was brought in to sing some of Brown's vocals, as he claims Brown had been strung out on drugs. [8] Machat's story contradicts what happened with Brown as far back as 1989, where he was interviewed by Rolling Stone during the filming of the video for "On Our Own". Brown said he left New Edition primarily because of Machat and his business partners, Bill Dern and Rick Smith, whom he named as the managers who ripped him off and started the rumor of him being heavily addicted to drugs at the time. Brown said, "People at MCA thought we was on drugs. That wasn't us. We were a bunch of brats, but we wasn't into drugs, we wasn't into liquor. We was into girls". [9] In May 2024, during a performance at the Tom Joyner cruise, Brown publicly admitted that the track was originally sung by Tresvant, who subsequently performed the track live on stage for a thousand people. [10]

Track listing

A-side

  1. "Every Little Step" (Extended Version) – 7:55
  2. "Every Little Step" (Instrumental) – 4:02

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [30] Gold35,000^
United States (RIAA) [31] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Additional personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Brown</span> American singer and rapper (born 1969)

Robert Barisford Brown Sr. is an American singer and rapper. Brown, alongside frequent collaborator Teddy Riley, is noted as one of the pioneers of new jack swing: a fusion of hip hop and R&B. Brown started his career in the R&B and pop group New Edition, from its inception in 1978 until his exit from the group in December 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Prerogative</span> 1988 single by Bobby Brown

"My Prerogative" is a song by American singer Bobby Brown from his second studio album, Don't Be Cruel (1988). It was released on October 11, 1988, as the second single from the album. After recording sessions were completed, Brown and producer Gene Griffin traveled to New York City, since he felt something was "missing" from the record. "My Prerogative" was written by Brown as a response to the criticism he received for his firing from New Edition. He explained the song was about making decisions in one's life and not caring about other people's judgment. "My Prerogative" is often considered as new jack swing.

<i>Dont Be Cruel</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Bobby Brown

Don't Be Cruel is the second studio album by American singer Bobby Brown. It was released in the United States on June 20, 1988, by MCA Records. MCA changed producers for this album and had Brown work with hit-making songwriting and production duo Babyface and L.A. Reid. Brown dedicated the album to his deceased best friend James "Jimbo" Flint who was stabbed to death when Brown was aged 11. Don't Be Cruel incorporates new jack swing, R&B, funk, dance and soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Ain't Worth It</span> 1990 single by Glenn Medeiros

"She Ain't Worth It" is a song by recording artist Glenn Medeiros. It features a rap from R&B artist Bobby Brown. The song reached No. 1 for two weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Medeiros' only No. 1 hit in the United States, and the second and last No. 1 hit where Brown has received credit as an artist, after "My Prerogative". The single also reached the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart, where Medeiros had previously reached number one with "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You", and peaked within the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Finland, and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It on the Rain</span> 1989 single by Milli Vanilli

"Blame It on the Rain" is a song written by Diane Warren and performed by the German dance-pop group Milli Vanilli. It was released as a new track from the group's North American debut album, Girl You Know It's True (1989), and did not appear on All or Nothing (1988), their debut album in other regions. An extended remix of the song did appear on The U.S.-Remix Album: All or Nothing (1989), which served to release the new tracks included on Girl You Know It's True that did not appear on All or Nothing outside of North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Play That Funky Music</span> 1976 single by Wild Cherry

"Play That Funky Music" is a song written by Rob Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The single was the first released by the Cleveland-based Sweet City record label in April 1976 and distributed by Epic Records. The performers on the recording included lead singer Parissi, electric guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz, and drummer Ron Beitle, with session players Chuck Berginc, Jack Brndiar (trumpets), and Joe Eckert and Rick Singer (saxes) on the horn riff that runs throughout the song's verses. The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 18, 1976; it was also No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 2 million records and eventually sold 2.5 million in the United States alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Close (Next song)</span> 1998 single by Next

"Too Close" is a song by American R&B group Next featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of Koffee Brown. It contains a sample of "Christmas Rappin" by Kurtis Blow and was released on January 27, 1998, as the second single from their debut album, Rated Next (1997). The song reached number one on the US Hot 100 and R&B charts, topping the former for five non-consecutive weeks, and has gone platinum, making it their biggest and best-known hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humpin' Around</span> 1992 single by Bobby Brown

"Humpin' Around" is a song by American singer Bobby Brown. It is rumored that the song was originally titled "Fuckin' Around", with the name later changed to make it more radio friendly, and to avoid potential censorship. The song contains an interpolation of "Dancing Days" by Led Zeppelin.

<i>Heart Break</i> 1988 studio album by New Edition

Heart Break is the fifth studio album by American R&B quintet New Edition, released June 20, 1988, by MCA Records. It is the first album to return the Boston-reared band as a quintet after the public exit of original member Bobby Brown, and the first album to feature Johnny Gill as a member of the group. The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candy Girl (New Edition song)</span> 1983 single by New Edition

"Candy Girl" is the debut single by New Edition from their debut album Candy Girl. It was released as a single in late February 1983 and the song hit number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the 31st-best-selling single of the year. It also peaked at number 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart, passing Michael Jackson’s song "Beat It" on May 14, 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cool It Now</span> 1984 single by New Edition

"Cool It Now" is a 1984 hit single by American group New Edition, is the first single from their eponymous second album, New Edition. In the US, the song entered the Hot Black Singles chart on September 1, 1984. The song peaked at number 4 in January 1985 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Lyrically, the song with lead vocals by Ralph Tresvant depicts a guy professing his love for a girl, despite growing concerns from his friends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Telephone Man</span> 1984 single by New Edition

"Mr. Telephone Man" is a song by New Edition, and the second single from their eponymous second album, New Edition. Released as a single, by December 8, 1984, it was being added to the most "Hot Black" radio station playlists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If It Isn't Love</span> 1988 single by New Edition

"If It Isn't Love" is a song by American R&B quintet New Edition, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break (1988). The song became the biggest hit from the album, reaching the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seven, becoming their first top 10 hit following the departure of Bobby Brown, and reaching the second position on the Hot Black Singles chart. The song and video is also notable for being the introduction of fellow R&B singer Johnny Gill as a new member of the R&B quintet. Its chart performance and well-received music video garnered the quintet their first, and to date, sole nomination for which Ralph Tresvant's lead vocals were nominated for the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 31st Grammy Awards in February 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Be Cruel (Bobby Brown song)</span> 1988 single by Bobby Brown

"Don't Be Cruel" is a song by American singer Bobby Brown. Taken from his second studio album of the same name, the song was written and produced by the songwriting and production duo Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid, with additional writing by Daryl Simmons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On Our Own (Bobby Brown song)</span> 1989 single by Bobby Brown

"On Our Own" is a song by American singer Bobby Brown from the soundtrack of the 1989 Columbia motion picture Ghostbusters II. It was released as a single on May 30, 1989. It peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart for one week and at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. Outside the US, it reached number one in New Zealand for three weeks and became a top-five hit in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roni (song)</span> 1988 single by Bobby Brown

"Roni" is a song by American singer Bobby Brown, written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds with additional lyrics written by the Deele member Darnell Bristol. It was released as a single in 1988 on the MCA label as the third single from Brown's second album, Don't Be Cruel (1988). "Roni" reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1989 and peaked at number two on the Hot Black Singles chart in January 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock Wit'cha</span> 1989 single by Bobby Brown

"Rock Wit'cha" is the fifth and final single released by Bobby Brown from the album Don't Be Cruel. It is a ballad with two versions of the song. The music video uses the remix version found in the Dance!...Ya Know It! album. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust a Move (song)</span> 1989 single by Young MC

"Bust a Move" is a song by British-American rapper Young MC from his 1989 debut album, Stone Cold Rhymin'. The song is built on a sample of "Found a Child" by the group Ballin' Jack. The drums, produced by a LinnDrum, are sampled from the song "Radio-Activity" by RoyalCash. The breakdown segment contains a combination of beats sampled from the songs "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band, and "Daytime Hustler" by Bette Midler. "Bust a Move" also featured guest vocals by Crystal Blake and bass guitar by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who both appear in the music video.

The discography of American R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and dancer Bobby Brown consists of five studio albums, six compilation/remix albums and 24 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitney Houston singles discography</span>

American singer Whitney Houston, known as "The Voice", released 57 singles as a leading artist and 4 as a featured artist. Houston is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 220 million records sold worldwide. In the United States, Houston amassed 11 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, all of whom have been certified either gold, platinum, multi-platinum or diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America and was one of a selected group of artists to have a top ten single in the Billboard Hot 100 in four different decades. She is currently ranked in seventh place of the artists with the most number one singles in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to the introduction of digital singles, Houston sold 16.5 million physical singles in the country, the most ever by a female recording artist. In October 2012, the Official Charts Company claimed Houston was the fourth biggest-selling female singles artist of all time with a sales total of 8.5 million singles in that country.

References

  1. Pini, Gary (September 30, 2011). "Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step" Is Our Music Video of the Day". Paper . Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  2. Considine, J.D.; Coleman, Mark; Evans, Paul; McGee, David (1992). "Bobby Brown". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly (eds.). Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Random House. p. 49.
  3. "Every Little Step by Bobby Brown". AllMusic . Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  4. "Moves from the 80's". 27 June 2016.
  5. "Bobby Brown's Most Trendsetting Style Moments". 26 May 2022.
  6. "Fade to the '90s".
  7. "BOBBY BROWN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  8. Noakes, Tim (20 June 2013). "Bobby Brown's cruel birthday". dazeddi8gital.com. Dazed Magazine. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
  9. Tannennbaum, Rob (7 September 1989). "Bobby Brown's Uneasy Passage". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
  10. "Entertainment". Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage. 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  11. "Bobby Brown – Every Little Step". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  12. "Bobby Brown – Every Little Step" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  13. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6359." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  14. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 6353." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  15. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 22. June 3, 1989. p. 21.
  16. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Every Little Step". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  17. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  18. "Bobby Brown – Every Little Step" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  19. "Bobby Brown – Every Little Step". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  20. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  21. "Bobby Brown Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  22. "Bobby Brown Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  23. "Bobby Brown Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  24. "Bobby Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard .
  25. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – 1989". ARIA . Retrieved January 7, 2020 via Imgur.
  26. "Top 25 Dance Singles of '89". RPM . Retrieved July 29, 2022 via Library and Archives Canada.
  27. "End of Year Charts 1989". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  28. "1989 The Year in Music: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. Y-22.
  29. "Longbored Surfer – 1989". longboredsurfer.com.
  30. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1990 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  31. "American single certifications – Bobby Brown – Every Little Step". Recording Industry Association of America.