Get Down On It – Kool & The Gang | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#10) & R&B (#4); 1982

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

Kool & The Gang followed up their first #1, Hollywood Swinging, with another R&B chart topper (Higher Plane), a #3 (Rhyme Tyme People), and a third #1 (Spirit Of The Boogie). The Gang was on a roll: one that lasted through 1976 when Open Sesame – Part 1 reached #6 R&B.

Then came a hit slump that lasted two-and-a-half years in which only three singles charted R&B and none made the Hot 100. That cool period ended dramatically with Ladies Night: a #1 smash that featured a new lead singer, James “J.T.” Taylor, and a new producer, Eumir Deodato.

Under Deodato’s guidance, the Gang turned out three platinum albums that included monsters such as Too Hot, Celebration, and Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It). With a string of American hits under their belt, Kool & The Gang conquered England in 1982 when Get Down On It, became their biggest U.K. single to date (reaching #3).

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

  • Eumir Deodato in association with Kool & the Gang

Lyrics Written by:

  • Ronald Nathan Bell
  • Claydes Charles Smith
  • George Melvin Brown
  • James “J.T.” Taylor
  • Robert Spike Mickens
  • Robert Earl Bell
  • Eumir Deodato

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Ed Osborne

Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).