Step Up with These 11 Step Songs

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Step Up with These 11 Step Songs features music courtesy of Ciara, John Coltrane, Kendrick Lamar, Kierra Sheard, and Whitney Houston.

Sometimes, you’ve got to follow the directions, STEP by STEP. Other times, you’ve got to STEP up your game. And then, sometimes, those stairs – those STEPS – they get steep! If you didn’t catch the drift, this musical compendium is all about the word… wait for it… STEP! Step Up with These 11 Step Songs features music courtesy of Ciara, John Coltrane, Kendrick Lamar, Kierra Sheard, and Whitney Houston among others. So, without further ado – no need to belabor the point any further – let’s Step Up with These 11 Step Songs!

1. Whitney Houston, “Step By Step”

The Preacher’s Wife // Arista // 1996

“Well, there’s a bridge / And there’s a river / That I still must cross / As I’m going on my journey / Oh, I might be lost.” The Preacher’s Wife (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is one of the most memorable soundtracks of the 1990s. It was also incredibly successful, certified triple platinum by the RIAA. The late, great Whitney Houston was at her best on this 1996 album. Among the crème de la crème of the compilation is the song, “Step By Step”. “Step By Step” was not an original. It was written and originally recorded by Annie Lennox in 1992 as a B-side. That B-side, reworked and tweaked for a dynamic vocalist like Houston, made “Step By Step” sound brand-new. Notably, on this inspirational record, Lennox provides background vocals for Whitney. Stephan Lipson produced the Houston rendition.

So, fantastic vocals go without saying. At her best, Whitney Houston was unbeatable and unstoppable. “Step By Step” begins as a mid-tempo ballad of sorts, playing to Houston’s strengths. Progressively, the rhythm increases from the keys, and the beat drops establishing “Step By Step” as a dance-pop record. Even leaning into a dance aesthetic, the powerhouse vocals are never compromised. In the second verse, which is more danceable, finds Whitney growing more dynamic. The section to beat, unsurprisingly, is the chorus where the inspirational vibes are at an all-time high (“Step by step / Bit by bit / Stone by stone (yeah) / Brick by brick”). The bridge section is high-flying too:

“Oh, but I won’t let my spirit fail me

Oh, I won’t let my spirit go

Until I get to my destination

I’m going to take it slowly

Because I’m making it mine.”

“Step By Step” may be a cover, but we all know what happened to covers in the hands of Whitney Houston – she made them her own. “Step By Step,” which reached no. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997, and was certified gold, is no different.

Appears in 🔻:

Whitney Houston, Step By Step: Covers No. 15 (2024)

2. Kendrick Lamar, “Worldwide Steppers”

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers // Interscope // 2022

The controversial Kodak Black introduces one of the best songs from the long awaited Kendrick Lamar album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers: “Worldwide Steppers.” Despite Black’s appearance, Kendrick is the main attraction of this intense, minimally produced gem (Tae Beast, J.LBS, and Sounwave). 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…” 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”).  Lamar is always thought-provoking and “Worldwide Steppers” ranks among the most interesting records of 2022.   

Appears in 🔻:   

3. 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! 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!  

Appears in 🔻:

Step: 5ive Songs No. 45 (2022)

4. 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. On “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)”, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone get a lift from Grammy-winning gospel singer, Yolanda Adams. The conception of the track kicks ass butt (and takes names).  Bradd Young and Pretty Boy put in work, integrating a sample with fresh, animated contemporary drum programming and scintillating keys. 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.  Much of the song is in a minor key, providing 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 finally, 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 🔻:  

5. Kierra Sheard, “One Step at a Time”

All Yours // Karew Records & Ent, LLC // 2023

“You’re my vibe, You’re my vibe / Love it when we’re side by side / Moving up ‘cause You’re my sky / No rush / One step at a time.” So, who is the vibe that Grammy-winning gospel artist Kierra Sheard mentions on “One Step at a Time”? That vibe is GOD, PERIOD. The 11th track from her 2023 album, All Yours is fresh to the nth degree. It features ultra-contemporary production – think R&B and hip-hop as opposed to traditional gospel. Even with a secular-sounding backdrop produced by Eric Dawkins and Warryn Campbell, Sheard has the Most High on her mind.

“While I was sitting up in my room,” Sheard sings in the pre-chorus, adding, “It became so clear to me / What You give is all I need / In You, I move.” Now that’s uplifting! Later, she sings in the second verse, “I’m building this to last / Strong foundation, You’re my rock / You make up for what I’m not.” The ‘refrain’ separates itself from the verses and chorus:

“Whenever I’m with You, my world’s slow spinning

Whatever I go through, with You, I’m winning

Nothing can come, come between us

We’ll be together ’til the end.”

Throughout, Sheard sings beautifully, never forcing things. Her riffs are compelling throughout. By the end, she ‘lets loose,’ ascending into that dynamic, powerful upper register. Ultimately, “One Step at a Time”, the Grammy-nominated musician is building and strengthening her relationship with God 🙌.

Appears in 🔻:

Kierra Sheard, One Step at a Time: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 14 (2024)

6. 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. Rapping Ed Sheeran is back on his BS. 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. His 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. 

Appears in 🔻:

Step: 5ive Songs No. 45 (2022)

7. Jordin Sparks, “One Step At a Time”

Jordin Sparks // 19 Recordings Ltd. // 2007

“Everything / That you’ve always dreamed of / Close enough for you to taste, but you just can’t.” Ah, it’s all about patience, something Jordin Sparks marvelously emphasizes on “One Step At a Time”. “One Step At a Time” appeared as the second track and third single from the American Idol winner’s 2007, self-titled debut. The thoughtful, uplifting pop track was penned by Lauren Evans and producers Jonas Jeberg, Cutfather, and Robbie Nevil. From start to finish, Sparks is locked-in and sounds authentic, energetic, and refined.

In the first verse, Sparks mentions being unable to touch a dream or goal. In the pre-chorus, she speaks about the world not knowing your name yet, and “feeling more and more frustrated” with those doors that keep slamming. Despite the adversity, the chorus prudently speaks the importance of being patient, living, and learning. Besides its message, the chorus is tuneful to the nth degree.

“We live and we learn

To take one step at a time

There’s no need to rush

It’s like learning to fly

Or falling in love (Just falling in love)

It’s gonna happen when it’s supposed to happen

Then we find the reasons why

One step at a time.”

“Da-da-da-da-da-da,” preach, Jordin! “It’s your faith that makes you stronger!” Nearing two decades in age, “One Step At a Time”, a top-20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, remains an inspiring and uplifting pop record. No rush – take it one step at a time!

Appears in 🔻:

Jordin Sparks, One Step at a Time: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 15 (2024)

8. Eminem, “Stepping Stone”

Kamikaze // Aftermath // 2018 

“Feels like I’m on the descent, but it was not my intent / To treat y’all like a stepping stone.” Intriguing lyrics.  To add a bit more context to that lyric from “Stepping Stone,” the seventh track on Kamikaze, the 2018 album by Eminem (Marshall Mathers), he raps, “I’ve tried hearkening back to, but I’m fightin’ for air / I’m barely chartin’ myself.” Hmm! On “Stepping Stone,” Mathers looks back to 2002, specifically after experiencing success with his rap collective D12: “It’s 2002, everything was totally new / We were globally huge, watchin’ sales go through the roof.” Indeed, D12 was the stuff, while Eminem himself was the shit 🤭. On “Stepping Stone,” he’s reflective, feeling guilty that he used his co-members “as my stepping stones,” while their respective solo careers never took off.  In the chorus, he repents:  “I’ma wash away my sins / I’ma rinse away this dirt / I forgot to make amends / To all the friends I may have hurt.” There are countless lyrics that stand out on this highlight from Kamikaze, but to spotlight a few: “‘Cause the truth is, the moment that Proof died, so did the group” (verse one) and “It’s not goodbye to our friendship, but D12 is over” (verse three). Essentially, “Stepping Stone” arrives well after Mathers is in his prime, hence the lyrics about the state of his career in 2018.  Of course, he didn’t have to tell us that D12 was defunct – it was obvious!

Appears in 🔻:

11 Rock Solid Songs Fueled by Stone (2024)

9. Ciara, “One, Two Step” (Ft. Missy Elliott)

Goodies // LaFace // 2004

Three words: “THIS BEAT IS…” Woo! Grammy-winning R&B/pop singer Ciara started off her career with a bang in 2004. That was the year she unveiled the decadent Goodies. Following the massive success of the title track, Ciara released another surefire bop in “One, Two Step”. “One, Two Step” features slick production courtesy of Jazze Pha. He keeps the backdrop ‘clean,’ never throwing too many instrumental lines at the listener or crowding the star. That said, the instrumental still packs a mean punch with its beat and colorful synths.

As for Ciara, she never gets too high or too low. She delivers ‘cool, calm, and collected vocals, NEVER breaking a sweat. Even so, “One, Two Step” is incredibly sexy. Furthermore, the lyrics are F-U-N. After all, “THIS BEAT IS… / Automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, FUNKY FRESH / Work my body, so melodic, this beat rolls right through my chest.” Woo! Helping out Ciara is her hype woman extraordinaire, Missy Elliott, who later gets her own epic verse. Of course, that’s not before THE BEAT IS “outrageous, so contagious, make you cave it / Jazze made it!” Also, it follows the centerpiece, the chorus!

“Rock it, don’t stop it

Everybody get on the floor

Crank the party up

We about to get it on

Let me see you one, two step

I love it when you one, two step

Everybody one, two step

We about to get it on.”

Sexy, sexy, sexy! Okay – let’s talk about the Missy Elliott verse now! For one, she spits, “I shake it like Jell-O, make the boys say hello.” Hell yeah! Furthermore, she interpolates some lyrics from the Teena Marie classic, “Square Biz”: “Because I’m five foot two, I wanna dance with you / And I’m sophisticated fun / I eat filet mignon, I’m nice and young / Best believe I’m number one.” Word! There’s more to say about the aughts gem that is “One, Two Step”, but it’s best experienced by listening and dancing to it as opposed to analyzing it. How did this bop miss no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100?

Appears in 🔻:

Ciara, One, Two Step: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 31 (2024)

10. R. Kelly, “Step in the Name of Love”

Chocolate Factory // Zomba Recording LLC // 2003

“My whole world goes around / Because you spin me, yeah / And every time we’re done making love girl / You makes me wanna…” R. Kelly was one of R&B’s biggest artists. A talented singer, songwriter, and producer, he composed a slew of hits for himself as well as others (Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, The Isley Brothers, Marvin Sapp, and Fantasia among others). However, the poor, immoral choices Kells made as a man, RIGHTFULLY derailed his career and muted his music. Back in 2003, Kelly brought the heat with his Grammy-nominated Chocolate Factory, which debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200, and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. His single “Step in the Name of Love” earned him one of his 13 top-10 hits, peaking at no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Listening to the smooth, soulful grooves, and the neo-soul backdrop, it’s hard to believe such a monstrous man composed such beautiful and magical music. “Step in the Name of Love” makes you want to succeed in love, even if it is difficult. “Some have crossed the finish line, and some gave up,” Kelly sings in the second verse, describing love as “like moving a mountain / Love can be just that tough, yeah.” “Step in the Name of Love” makes you want to dance with your partner as well as… ‘do it.’ “If anybody ask, why we’re steppin’,” he sings at the end, continuing, “Tell them that: / We did it for love.” R. Kelly, the talented musician that you are, I ask, why couldn’t you have been a good, upstanding man?

11. John Coltrane, “Giant Steps”

Giant Steps // Rhino // 1960

Bmaj7 D7 | Gmaj7 Bb7 | Ebmaj7 | amin7 D7 |… Those are some gnarly chord changes that hail from a once in a lifetime jazz classic from a once in a lifetime jazz musician. John Coltrane (1926 – 1967) was one of the most influential and talented musicians of all time, regardless of genre. Whenever Coltrane played the saxophone, it sounds like a spiritual, transcendent experience – it ‘hit different’ as they say. One of his most beloved songs is “Giant Steps”, the opener from his 1960 landmark album, Giant Steps. Trane penned this complex jazz standard, which is remarkably difficult to improvise over. Why? It’s non-standard chord changes (excerpted above) coupled with a quick tempo. “Giant Steps” isn’t a blues record built on the standard I, IV, and V progression; it’s far more advanced! The circle of fifths is still in play, mind you, as well as the common ii – V- I progression, but in an adventurous, higher level, innovative sort of way. After all, there’s a reason why a gifted jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan fails to deliver a solo that’s as rousing as Trane’s. No shade, of course!

Is Flanagan’s piano solo on “Giant Steps” an epic fail? No, of course, not – he’s Tommy Flanagan! BUT Flanagan’s solo is more memorable for the fact that it pales in comparison to the epic solo it follows, courtesy of Trane. Honestly, anybody who followed Coltrane on tenor saxophone had an uphill battle. Hence, the big takeaway isn’t Flanagan – he was a legend regardless of this ‘average’ solo – it’s about TRANE. Backed by the sizzling hot drum groove (Art Taylor) and an active bass line (Paul Chambers), John is on autopilot. Even sixty-plus years after “Giant Steps” arrived, listening back to Trane’s solo, it’s other-worldly – utterly genius. The riffs are prodigious, fitting perfectly atop those complex chord changes. So much can be said and analyzed in depth regarding “Giant Steps” – it is giant, giant song. That said, for the music lover who isn’t a music theory buff, acknowledging and appreciating the genius of Coltrane on this song that was far ahead of its time is sufficient.

Appears in 🔻:

John Coltrane, Giant Steps: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 40 (2024)

Step Up with These 11 Step Songs (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 19 Recordings Ltd., Aftermath, Arista, Atlantic, Geffen, Interscope, Karew Records & Ent, LLC, LaFace, Rhino, Zomba Recording LLC; Farhad Irani, George Pak, RAJESH KUMAR VERMA from Pexels; 1820796, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, VLB31 from Pixabay]

Step Up with These 11 Step Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on May 6, 2024May 6, 2024