Around the timeDon'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.
Background
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. 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, who 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".
Track listing
A-side
"Every Little Step" – 7:55
"Every Little Step" – 4:02
Music video
The song's video directed by Alek Keshishian is known for its all-white background with dancers in front. This video style has been replicated since then, most notably in commercials for Gap.
Oaktown's 357's "Yeah Yeah Yeah" in 1989.
The Boys' "Crazy" in 1989.
B5's "U Got Me" in 2005.
Comedian Jimmy Fallon parodied the music video in the video for his 2002 song "Idiot Boyfriend".
John Travolta covered the song on the soundtrack to the film Old Dogs. The lyrics in this version are modified to focus on the father-daughter relationship between Travolta and his daughter Ella Bleu. The music video itself bears strong resemblance to the original video and features The Travoltas watching various clips from the movie on their computer, as well as playing and dancing around.
Although not a direct cover, the music from Spring Yard Zone in the video gameSonic the Hedgehog appears to be based on the track's chorus, marking the first of many new jack swing-inspired songs in the "classic" installments of the franchise.
Wayne Brady and Mike Tyson parodied this song in a video for the website "Funny or Die". Bobby Brown himself appears in the parody.
