Step | 5ive Songs

In the 45^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the word STEP in some form or fashion.

Welcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  In the 45^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the word STEP in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Kendrick Lamar, “Worldwide Steppers”

💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers • 🏷 Aftermath / Interscope / pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment • 📅 2022

🎙 Kodak Black is controversial, period. Featuring Black throughout 💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (three appearances) unsurprisingly earned 🎙 Kendrick Lamar controversy.  Black introduces one of my favorite songs from the album, the intense 🎵 “Worldwide Steppers.”  In his intro, Black mentions German spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, who happens to be sampled on later songs. All that considered, Kendrick remains the main attraction on this intense, minimally produced gem (🎛 Tae Beast, 🎛 J.LBS, and 🎛 Sounwave).

Kendrick Lamar nails the chorus, which references the viciousness of cancel culture: “I’m a killer, he’s a killer, she’s a killer, bitch / We some killers, walkin’ zombies, tryna scratch that itch…” Woo! Of course, Kendrick has plenty to say throughout the verses, with one of his more intriguing subjects being his infidelity, including having sex with white women (“Whitney asked did I have a problem / I said, ‘I might be racist’ / Ancestors watchin’ me fuck was like retaliation”).  K-Dot is always thought-provoking.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: May 2022
• 30 Best Songs of 2022 (So Far)

2. Olivia Rodrigo, “1 step forward, 3 steps back”

💿 SOUR • 🏷 Geffen • 📅 2021

The first time I heard 🎵 “1 step forward, 3 steps back,” I thought that the 🎙 Olivia Rodrigo record sounded familiar.  Why? Hmm – something about those rhythmic piano lines.  Ultimately, “1 step forward, 3 steps back” is familiar because it interpolates a 🎙 Taylor Swift song, 🎵 “New Year’s Day” from her 2017 album, 💿 reputation.  Hey, there’s nothing wrong with repurposing – it’s all the rage these days!

The resulting  record is nothing short of compelling, continuing the consistency and excellence of Rodrigo’s 🏆 Grammy-winning pop album, 💿 SOUR.  Besides the great sound, Rodrigo delivers an emotionally driven performance with great, heartfelt lyrics.  “I’m the love of your life until I make you mad,” she sings in the chorus, continuing, “It’s always one step forward and three steps back.” Woo!

3. Eminem, “Stepdad”

💿 Music to Be Murdered By • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2020

“Don’t you fuckin’ lie, you little fucker…” YIKES! The profane 🎵 “Stepdad (Intro)”, the 11^th track from the 2020 🎙 Eminem album, 💿 Music to Be Murdered By, prepares listeners for ‘the main attraction.’ That main attraction, of course, is 🎵 “Stepdad.” Quoting Marshall Mathers himself: “I, I hate / My, my stepdad.” Word.

The premise of “Stepdad” is simple. Eminem paints a picture of an abusive, horrible man. “…I was six and I saw my stepfather hittin’ my Ma,” he asserts early in the first verse, later adding, “Shit that I’ve already witnessed, it’s probably twisted my thoughts.” How could it not? Showing just how insensitive the stepfather is, Eminem adds, “Our dog pissed on the carpet, he stomped it so hard / Doctors had to put it down / He killed my chihuahua, this motherfucker!” Cruel, cruel, cruel! Of course, Eminem has a plan of his own – kill him!

“But I’ve been readin’ at school about this shit called liquid cyanide

I’m fantasizin’ at night when he’s sleepin’ at just the right time

Sneak up with a lethal injection

And put him down like they did to my dog.”

Wow… that’s some twisted sugar honey iced tea! Of course, in the third verse, as his stepfather continues to be evil AF, young Eminem retaliates:

“Beat him with my bare hands, the big bad wolf ain’t so bad

‘Ding-dong,’ the pussy is dead, the bully finally gets his

Stomped him until he pissed enough to fill a two-liter with

Then buried him next to my dog

And if I go to juvie for this, I’ma tell ’em

I, I hate

My, my stepdad.”

You only hear this in an Eminem song, folks.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bad, Bad Parents: The Playlist

4. Ed Sheeran, “2 Step (Remix)” (Ft. Lil Baby)

🎵 “2 Step (Remix)” • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2022

 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Ed Sheeran enlists 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper, 🎙 Lil Baby for a remix of his 💿 = (Equals) cut, 🎵 “2 Step”. 🎵 “2 Step (Remix)” is a record about Sheeran dancing with his woman. Originally, when reviewing = (Equals), I asserted that that rapping Ed Sheeran was back on his BS on “2 Step.” That remains the case on the remix. Like the original, Ed keeps it melodic in the first verse over the knocking semi-trap beat produced by 🎛 watt and 🎛 Louis Bell.  He remains tuneful in the chorus, which is preceded by the pre-chorus and proceeded by the post-chorus.

Ed’s second verse is replaced by Lil Baby.  Essentially, the rapper is ‘true to self,’ compelling with his distinct flow.  He keeps it clean for Ed as he addresses how he interacts with his shawty.  He says it best himself: “I don’t see nobody in here but us, for real, for you I’m blind / We go anywhere, don’t take much for us to catch a vibe.” Woo! From there, we get the chorus, which features some contributions from Lil Baby, and finally, the post-chorus which is all Ed. All told, “2 Step (Remix)” is an enjoyable pop joint –  a vibe.

5. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)”

💿 Strength & Loyalty • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2007

🏆 Grammy-winning Midwest collective, 🎙 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, released a spiritual gem from their 2007 album, 💿 Strength & Loyalty. That highlight was 🎵 “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)”. On “Order My Steps,” 🎙 Layzie Bone, 🎙 Krayzie Bone, and 🎙 Wish Bone get a lift from a fellow 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Yolanda Adams. The conception of  “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” kicks ass (and takes names).  🎛 Bradd Young and 🎛 Pretty Boy put in serious work, integrating a sample with fresh, animated contemporary drum programming and scintillating keys!

Yolanda Adams sounds amazing riffing throughout this repurposing of the beloved gospel classic, 🎵 “Order My Steps in Your Word”, famously performed by the 🎙 GMWA Women of Worship.  Notably, much of “Order My Steps” is in a minor key, which provides an optimal background for a dramatic rap record.  Adams also performs the chorus alongside the pitched-up sample. Those awesome Bone brothers crush it with their rhymes, rapping agilely. Layzie Bone shines as he spits, “Cause in his name no weapon should be formed against me / Simply know that the world gon’ tempt me Satan is the enemy / God, please help us I don’t want to be selfish / I don’t want to live my life tryin’ to be rebellious.” As for Krayzie Bone, “The scriptures could mean your survival and I don’t wanna die no neva / I wanna live forever and I would a lot better / So, when Armageddon really come true what chu gon’ do?” And last but not least, Wish Bone asserts:

“You can feel it if you open up, you can get it if you need love

As much as a mustard seed is all you need

Small person pays for the air that we breathe

And the baby is born, place to go when we leave

Food that we eat, weapon when we sleep

It’s a miracle no believin’ the Lord.”

All told,  “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” is a Midwest rap banger that’s the total sugar honey iced tea!

Appears in 🔻:

• Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)”: Rap BNGRZ 🔥 13 (2022)

Step: 5ive Songs No. 45 (2022) [📷: Aftermath, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Geffen, Interscope, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, pgLang,  Pixabay, Top Dawg Entertainment]