Get Down on It
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"Get Down on It" is a 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.
Record World called it a "kinetic dancer" and said that the "chant-like chorus hook is contagious."
Track listing
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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).
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Weekly charts Chart (1982) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 15 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) 5 Canada Top Singles (RPM) 11 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 8 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 10 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 3 South Africa (Springbok Radio) 1 UK Singles (OCC) 3 US Billboard Hot 100 10 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) 16 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 4 West Germany (GfK) 43 | Year-end charts Chart (1982) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) 98 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 87 US Billboard Hot 100 82 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 15 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) | 5 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 11 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 8 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 10 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 3 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 1 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 3 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 10 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 16 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 4 |
| West Germany (GfK) | 43 |
| Chart (1982) | Position |
| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) | 98 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 87 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 82 |
Charts for Eiffel 65 remix
| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| France (SNEP) | 35 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 98 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Gold | 50,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA) | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Peter Andre version
"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
- "Get Down on It"
- "Tell Me When"
- "Get Down on It" (The One World Mix)
Australian CD2 and cassette single
- "Get Down on It" (single version)
- "Get Down on It" (The One World Mix)
- "Get Down on It" (instrumental)
- "Get Down on It" (extended version)
- "Get Down on It" (The Toyboy Mix)
- "Get Down on It" (no rap)
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 5 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 43 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 19 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 35,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Platinum | 10,000* |
| * Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Blue version
In 2004, British pop group Blue recorded the song for their greatest hits compilation album Best of Blue, which features Kool & the Gang and American rapper Lil' Kim. The song was released as the second single from the compilation 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." 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."
Track listings
European CD1
- "Get Down on It" (radio edit) – 3:36
- "Get Down on It" (Obi & Josh mix) – 4:01
European CD2
- "Get Down on It" (radio edit) – 3:36
- "Get Down on It" (Obi & Josh mix) – 4:01
- "Elements" – 3:40
- "Welcome to the Show" – 3:30
- "Ballad Medley" – 5:24
- Special content
Charts
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 41 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 24 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) | 1 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 16 |
| Germany (GfK) | 29 |
| Greece (IFPI) | 27 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 47 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40) | 6 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 96 |
| Spain (Promusicae) | 3 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 35 |
| UK Airplay (Music Week) | 16 |