What makes Step On Out by The Oak Ridge Boys notable?

Step On Out reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and produced several hit singles, including the chart-topping Touch a Hand, Make a Friend. The album's blend of traditional country with contemporary pop elements helped the Oak Ridge Boys maintain their relevance during the mid-1980s country music boom. Released in 1985, Step On Out was the Oak Ridge Boys' follow-up to their successful album, Bobbie Sue. At this point in their career, they were experiencing commercial success and solidifying their place in the country music scene, having recently won a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group.

Who is Step On Out for?

Step On Out works well if you're into uplifting harmonies for gatherings, easy listening during road trips and nostalgic vibes for reunions.

How many songs are on Step On Out?

Step On Out has 10 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Step On Out

The Oak Ridge Boys · 1985

33 min · 10 tracks · country music

A vibrant blend of country harmonies and uplifting melodies, capturing the essence of camaraderie and nostalgia.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Touch a Hand, Make a Friend — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its inviting message about friendship and community, showcasing the group's signature harmonies.
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Roll Tennessee River — With its nostalgic imagery and catchy melody, this song reflects on the river's significance to Southern culture while illustrating the band's ability to weave storytelling into their music.
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Staying Afloat — This track highlights resilience through its relatable lyrics about navigating life's challenges, making it a standout moment that resonates with listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends traditional and contemporary styles effectively but lacks standout compositions.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a bright, upbeat tempo with rich vocal harmonies before transitioning to more reflective themes in the following songs.
Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the sense of camaraderie and engagement among listeners.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

uplifting harmonies for gatherings
easy listening during road trips
nostalgic vibes for reunions
steady flow for casual moments

Maybe skip if you

seeking intense emotional experiences
prefer faster-paced music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified their commercial success after Bobbie Sue.
Career context: Released in 1985, Step On Out was the Oak Ridge Boys' follow-up to their successful album, Bobbie Sue. At this point in their career, they were experiencing commercial success and solidifying their place in the country music scene, having recently won a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group.
Stylistic neighbors: Alabama· The Statler Brothers· Rascal Flatts