Get Down on It

"Get Down on It" is a 1981 song by American band Kool & the Gang. It was originally released on their Something Special album in 1981. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA.

"Get Down on It"
One of side-A labels of US single
Single by Kool & the Gang
from the album Something Special
B-side	"Steppin' Out", "Summer Madness" (UK), "No Show" (France)
Released	November 24, 1981
Recorded	1981
Genre	Funk[1][2] post-disco[3]
Length	4:52 (album version) 4:36 (video version) 3:33 (single version)
Label	De-Lite
Songwriter(s)	Ronald Nathan Bell, Claydes Charles Smith, George Melvin Brown, James "J.T." Taylor, Robert Spike Mickens, Robert Earl Bell, Eumir Deodato
Producer(s)	Eumir Deodato in association with Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang singles chronology
"Steppin' Out" (1981) "Get Down on It" (1981) "Big Fun" (1982)
Music video
"Get Down on It” on YouTube

Record World called it a "kinetic dancer" and said that the "chant-like chorus hook is contagious."^[4]

Track listing

French 12-inch Vogue Records – 310933, De-Lite Records – 310933^[5]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Get Down on It"	James Taylor, Ronald Bell & Kool & the Gang	6:07
2.	"No Show"	George Brown, James Taylor, Ronald Bell & Kool and the Gang	4:19

Get Down on It/Steppin' Out, De-Lite Records – DE 818^[6]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Get Down on It"	James Taylor, Ronald Bell & Kool & the Gang	3:33
2.	"Steppin' Out"	Ronald Bell, James Taylor & Kool & the Gang	3:28

Get Down on It/Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It), De-Lite Records – DG2607:^[7]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Get Down on It"	James Taylor, Ronald Bell & Kool & the Gang	3:33
2.	"Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)"	Claydes Charles Smith, James Taylor & George Brown	3:59

Charts

The song hit the top 10 of the US Pop and R&B charts in Billboard in early 1982. It entered the UK charts in December 1981 and reached number three, their highest-charting hit in the UK at that time. It spent a total of 12 weeks on the British play list. Ten years later, it was re-released in the UK charts – on the Mercury label – but only charted for a week (at number 69).

Weekly charts Chart (1982) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 15 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[9] 5 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 8 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 10 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] 3 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[13] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[14] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[15] 10 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[16] 16 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 4 West Germany (Official German Charts)[18] 43

Year-end charts Chart (1982) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[19] 98 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 87 US Billboard Hot 100[21] 82

Charts for Eiffel 65 remix

Chart (2000)	Peak position
France (SNEP)[22]	35
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23]	98

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[24]	Gold	45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[25]	Gold	50,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[26]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[27]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

Peter Andre version

"Get Down on It"
Single by Peter Andre featuring Past to Present
from the album Natural
B-side	"Tell Me When"
Released	February 12, 1996 (1996-02-12)[28]
Length	4:47
Label	Melodian
Songwriter(s)	Bell, Taylor, Brown, Hickens, Nash, Giftens, Thomas, Smith, West
Producer(s)	Ashley Cadell
Peter Andre singles chronology
"Mysterious Girl" (1995) "Get Down on It" (1996) "Only One" (1996)

"Get Down on It" was re-recorded and released as the third overall single from English-Australian singer Peter Andre's second studio album, Natural. The single features the band Past to Present and reached No. 5 in Australia and No. 1 in New Zealand, achieving Platinum status there in April 1996.

Track listings

Australian CD1^[29]

1. "Get Down on It"
2. "Tell Me When"
3. "Get Down on It" (The One World Mix)

Australian CD2 and cassette single^[30][31]

1. "Get Down on It" (single version)
2. "Get Down on It" (The One World Mix)
3. "Get Down on It" (instrumental)
4. "Get Down on It" (extended version)
5. "Get Down on It" (The Toyboy Mix)
6. "Get Down on It" (no rap)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[28]	5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)	Position
Australia (ARIA)[33]	43
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34]	19

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[33]	Gold	35,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[35]	Platinum	10,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Blue version

"Get Down on It"
Single by Blue featuring Kool & the Gang and Lil' Kim
from the album Best of Blue
Released	February 2, 2005 (2005-02-02)
Length	4:37
Label	Innocent, Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Ronald Nathan Bell, Claydes Charles Smith, George Melvin Brown, James "J.T." Taylor, Robert Spike Mickens, Robert Earl Bell, Eumir Deodato
Producer(s)	Ronald Bell, Leigh Guest, Damien Egan[36]
Blue singles chronology
"Curtain Falls" (2004) "Get Down on It" (2005) "Only Words I Know" (2005)

In 2004, British pop group Blue recorded the song from their greatest hits compilation Best of Blue, featured Kool & the Gang and American rapper Lil' Kim. The song was released as the second single in Japan and across Europe except in the UK. Blue's version became a hit in mainland Europe, including Spain, where it reached number three and spent eight weeks in the top 20.

Critical reception

Sarah Harris of the Evening Chronicle praised the single scribing "There isn't much to say about this single, apart from yet again we are treated to another great single from hit band Blue. This time they have teamed up with Kool & the Gang and Lil' Kim, to produce a great cover of Get Down On It, originally released by Kool & the Gang." She continued saying "The whole band seems to be involved, and it's a great song to dance to."^[37] Music Week also noted "Blue have added rap sections, most notably a sassy contribution from Lil' Kim, to the hand-clapping funk of James Taylor and the Gangs' original version."^[38]

Track listings

European CD1^[39]

1. "Get Down on It" (radio edit) – 3:36
2. "Get Down on It" (Obi & Josh mix) – 4:01

European CD2^[40]

1. "Get Down on It" (radio edit) – 3:36
2. "Get Down on It" (Obi & Josh mix) – 4:01
3. "Elements" – 3:40
4. "Welcome to the Show" – 3:30
5. "Ballad Medley" – 5:24
6. Special content

Charts

Chart (2005)	Peak position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[36]	41
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[41]	24
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[42]	1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[43]	16
Germany (Official German Charts)[44]	29
Greece (IFPI)[45]	27
Ireland (IRMA)[46]	47
Hungary (Single Top 40)[47]	6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[48]	96
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[49]	3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50]	35

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Japan	February 2, 2005	CD	EMI	[51]
Europe	February 21, 2005		Innocent Virgin	[44]

Other versions and sampling

• In 1997, German rapper and DJ Der Wolf covered it in German in the song "Gib's doch gar nicht".
• My Morning Jacket covered the song at their midnight set at Bonnaroo 2008. The concert featured many special covers, including "Hit It and Quit It" and "Across 110th Street".^[52]
• In 2008, the song was performed by Westlife on their Back Home Tour.
• The Canadian-American boy band 3Deep recorded a cover of the song in 1999 for their debut album Yes Yes Yes...No No No, featuring guest vocals from Canadian hip hop artist Michie Mee.
• This song was sampled by Snoop Dogg in "We Just Wanna Party with You" (1997) for the Men in Black soundtrack.
• This song was sampled by 98 Degrees in "Do You Wanna Dance" from 98 Degrees and Rising.
• Nelly's "Ride wit Me", though it does not strictly sample "Get Down on It", does use an identical chord progression to the Kool & The Gang selection, especially in the refrain.
• This song was sampled by The Game in "Up on the Wall" from The Documentary 2.5.

See also

• List of post-disco artists and songs
• Get down

References

1. Big Gigantic (September 20, 2016). "The 30 Best Funk Songs Ever". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
2. Molanphy, Chris (October 15, 2022). "Give Up the Funk Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
3. "Kool & The Gang – Gangthology". Uncut. June 1, 2003. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
4. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. March 6, 1982. p. 1. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
5. "Get Down on It/No Show". Discogs. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
6. "Get Down on It/Steppin' Out". Discogs. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
7. "Get Down on It/Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)". Discogs. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
8. "Kool & The Gang – Get Down On It" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
9. "Kool & The Gang – Get Down On It" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 16, 1982" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
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12. "Kool & The Gang – Get Down On It". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
13. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved September 5, 2018.
14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
15. "Kool & The Gang Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
16. "Kool & The Gang Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
17. "Kool & The Gang Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
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19. "Jaaroverzichten 1982". Ultratop. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
20. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1982". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
21. "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 51. December 25, 1982. p. TIA-20.
22. "Kool & The Gang – Get Down On It (Eiffel 65 remix)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
23. "Kool & The Gang – Get Down On It (Eiffel 65 remix)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
24. "Danish single certifications – Kool & the Gang – Get Down on It". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
25. "Italian single certifications – Kool & the Gang – Get Down on It" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved August 12, 2024. Select "2024" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Get Down on It" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
26. "British single certifications – Kool & the Gang – Get Down on It". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
27. "American single certifications – Kool & the Gang – Get Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
28. "Peter Andre feat. Past to Present – Get Down on It". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
29. Get Down on It (Australian CD1 liner notes). Peter Andre. Melodian. 1996. D1312.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
30. Get Down on It (Australian CD2 liner notes). Peter Andre. Melodian. 1996. D1312.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
31. Get Down on It (Australian cassette single sleeve). Peter Andre. Melodian. 1996. C1312.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
32. "Peter Andre feat. Past to Present – Get Down on It". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
33. "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1996". ARIA. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
34. "End of Year Charts 1996". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
35. "New Zealand single certifications – Peter Andre with P.T.P – Get Down on It". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
36. "Blue feat. Kool & The Gang and Lil' Kim – Get Down On It" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
37. "CD reviews". Evening Chronicle. January 5, 2005. p. 2. ProQuest 349795608.
38. "REVIEWS - Records released 27.12.04 and 03.01.05: SINGLES". Music Week. December 25, 2004. p. 27. ProQuest 232204853.
39. Get Down on It (European CD1 liner notes). Blue. Innocent Records, Virgin Records. 2004. 0724387037922.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
40. Get Down on It (European CD2 liner notes). Blue. Innocent Records, Virgin Records. 2004. SINDX70, 0724387061521.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
41. "Blue feat. Kool & The Gang and Lil' Kim – Get Down On It" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
42. "Blue feat. Kool & The Gang and Lil' Kim – Get Down On It" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
43. "Blue feat. Kool & The Gang and Lil' Kim: Get Down On It" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
44. "Blue feat. Kool & The Gang and Lil' Kim – Get Down On It" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
45. "Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 13–19/2" (in Greek). IFPI. Archived from the original on February 22, 2005. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
46. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Blue". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
47. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
48. "Blue feat. Kool & The Gang and Lil' Kim – Get Down On It" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
49. "Blue feat. Kool & The Gang and Lil' Kim – Get Down On It" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
50. "Blue feat. Kool & The Gang and Lil' Kim – Get Down On It". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
51. "Get Down on It featuring Kool & the Gang and Lil' Kim" (in Japanese). Toshiba-EMI. Archived from the original on February 13, 2005. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
52. Posted by Ray Padgett at 4:00 pm (September 29, 2016). "In the Spotlight: My Morning Jacket – Cover Me". Covermesongs.com. Retrieved October 17, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)