"Keep On Movin'" is a song by
British soul
British soul, Brit soul, or (in a US context) the British soul invasion, is soul music performed by British artists. Soul has been a major influence on British popular music since the 1960s, and American soul was extremely popular among some yout ...
and
R&B band
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British musical collective formed in London in 1988. They are best known for their two major hits; 1989's UK number five and US number eleven " Keep On Movin'", and its follow-up, the UK number one and US number four " Back to ...
. It was the second single released from their debut album ''
Club Classics Vol. One
''Club Classics Vol. One'' (USA title: ''Keep On Movin) is the debut album by the British group Soul II Soul. Released in 1989, the album featured the group's hit singles " Keep on Movin'" and "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)", the latter o ...
'' (''Keep On Movin
''' in the United States), after "Fairplay". It is one of two songs on the album that features
British R&B
British rhythm and blues (or R&B) was a musical movement that developed in the United Kingdom between the late 1950s and the early 1960s, and reached a peak in the mid-1960s. It overlapped with, but was distinct from, the broader British beat ...
singer
Caron Wheeler
Caron Melina Wheeler (born 19 January 1963) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. Born and raised in London, she performed in various singing competitions as a teenager and began her recording career as one of the found ...
(the other being "
Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) Back to Life may refer to:
Books
*''Back to Life: Poems from behind the Iron Curtain'', 1958, ed. Robert Conquest
* ''Back to Life'' (novel), 2004 novel by Wendy Coakley-Thompson
*''Back to Life, The Rachel Riley Diaries'', 2009 novel by Joanna Nad ...
") and it became one of
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British musical collective formed in London in 1988. They are best known for their two major hits; 1989's UK number five and US number eleven " Keep On Movin'", and its follow-up, the UK number one and US number four " Back to ...
's most successful songs. It reached number five on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
upon its release in March 1989 and number 11 on the US
''Billboard'' Hot 100, and was even more successful on ''Billboard''s R&B charts, where it hit number one.
In October 1996, the song re-entered the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
at number 31, minus the sleeve credit to
Caron Wheeler
Caron Melina Wheeler (born 19 January 1963) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. Born and raised in London, she performed in various singing competitions as a teenager and began her recording career as one of the found ...
, after its use in an episode of the highly popular series of ''
Papa and Nicole
"Papa" and "Nicole" were fictional characters created to advertise the Renault Clio in the United Kingdom between 1991 and 1998. The "Papa!" "Nicole" and "Nicole!" "Papa" verbal exchanges between Nicole and her father during the advertisements ...
'' commercials for the
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio () is a supermini car (B-segment), produced by French automobile manufacturer Renault. It was launched in 1990, and entered its fifth generation in 2019. The Clio has had substantial critical and commercial success, being consis ...
car on British television.
In October 2004, "Keep On Movin'" appeared in the popular video game ''
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'', playing on fictional
new jack swing
New jack swing, new jack, or swingbeat is a fusion genre of the rhythms and production techniques of hip hop and dance-pop, and the urban contemporary sound of R&B. Spearheaded by producers Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle, new jack swing was mos ...
radio station
CSR 103.9.
Production
Produced by
Nellee Hooper
Nellee Hooper (born Paul Andrew Hooper on 15 March 1963) is a British record producer, remixer and songwriter known for his work with many major recording artists beginning in the late 1980s. He also debuted as a motion picture music composer w ...
and
Jazzie B
Trevor Beresford Romeo OBE, (born 26 January 1963) better known as Jazzie B, is a British DJ and music producer. He is the founder of Soul II Soul.
Life and career
Jazzie was born in London UK to parents of Antiguan descent in Hornsey, Londo ...
, the song was originally to only feature
Caron Wheeler
Caron Melina Wheeler (born 19 January 1963) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. Born and raised in London, she performed in various singing competitions as a teenager and began her recording career as one of the found ...
as a guest vocalist on the song.
[Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler of Soul II Soul discuss 1989’s Club Classics Vol. One (Keep On Movin’)](_blank)
WaxPoetics. Retrieved on 31 October 2017 After recording the song in 1988, Wheeler was added to the lineup of
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British musical collective formed in London in 1988. They are best known for their two major hits; 1989's UK number five and US number eleven " Keep On Movin'", and its follow-up, the UK number one and US number four " Back to ...
. The song became the titled-track for the group's American release ''
Keep on Movin'''.
Critical reception
Justin Chadwick from Albumism noted
Wheeler
Wheeler may refer to:
Places United States
* Wheeler, Alabama, an unincorporated community
* Wheeler, Arkansas, an unincorporated community
* Wheeler, California, an unincorporated community
* Wheeler, Illinois, a village
* Wheeler, Indiana, a ...
's "soaring vocals atop a stirring confection of deep bass and piano flourishes" on the song. He added that it is "offering a more broadly applicable clarion call to those in need of a little motivation in their lives." Malu Halasa, reviewer of British music newspaper ''
Record Mirror
''Record Mirror'' was a British weekly music newspaper between 1954 and 1991 for pop fans and record collectors. Launched two years after the ''NME'', it never attained the circulation of its rival. The first UK album chart was published in ''Re ...
'', also found Wheeler's work as "extremely pleasant".
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
editor Alex Henderson described it as a "
Chic
Chic (; ), meaning "stylish" or "smart", is an element of fashion. It was originally a French word. Pronounced Chick.
Etymology
''Chic'' is a French word, established in English since at least the 1870s. Early references in English dictiona ...
-influenced gem". Daryl Easlea for
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...
said the song "with its upbeat message and
Norman Whitfield
Norman Jesse Whitfield (May 12, 1940 – September 16, 2008) was an American songwriter and producer, who worked with Berry Gordy's Motown labels during the 1960s.allmusic Biography/ref> He has been credited as one of the creators of the Motow ...
-inspired strings, made a star of vocalist Caron Wheeler." He noted that "her authoritative, classic
R&B voice sounding electrifyingly soulful." The Daily Vault's Michael R. Smith wrote that it "has an elegant, sweeping style that is set to a danceable beat." Donald Ades from ''El Paisano'' said that the song "is a refreshing rehash of the 70's soul/dance music explosion that promised for something more refreshing".
Duff Marlowe from ''
Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...
'' described it as a "breezy, romantic composition". Forrest Green III from ''
The Michigan Daily
''The Michigan Daily'' is the weekly student newspaper of the University of Michigan. Its first edition was published on September 29, 1890. The newspaper is financially and editorially independent of the University's administration and other stu ...
'' said "Keep On Movin'" is "the single of the year by way of its power, range, and scope. The beat is reminiscent of
Eric B.
Louis Eric Barrier (born November 8, 1963) is an American rapper, producer and DJ for the golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim.
Eric B. & Rakim's album '' Paid in Full'' was named the greatest hip hop album of all time by MTV in 2006, and ...
's "
Paid in Full" which is quickly becoming the blueprint for much of pop music." He noted the "jazzy, semi-sweet piano groove and topped with violin undercurrents from the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra — you've got something really delicious here. Featured singer Caron Wheeler's voice sounds like positivity in motion." Pan-European magazine ''
Music & Media
''Music & Media'' was a pan-European magazine for radio, music and entertainment. It was published for the first time in 1984 as ''Eurotipsheet'', but in 1986 it changed name to ''Music & Media''. It was originally based in Amsterdam, but later ...
'' described the song as "slow and sensuous R&B with more than a hint of the 70s. Good string arrangement in a
Rose Royce
Rose Royce is an American soul and R&B group. They are best known for several hit singles during the 1970s including "Car Wash", " I Wanna Get Next to You", " I'm Going Down", "Wishing on a Star", and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore".
Career
Th ...
vein. Big in the UK." Alan Jones from ''
Music Week
''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future.
History
Founded in 1959 as '' Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music W ...
'' noted its "serene majesty".
Music videos
Two
music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
s exist for "Keep on Movin'", the first being the official video one and the second being an alternate video. The first music video premiered on various music video shows. The other music video was released online.
;Official video
This video features Caron Wheeler in front of a piano before a pink backdrop in wearing a white dress-suit, performing the song. Cutscenes featuring the other members of Soul II Soul including Aitch B and Jazzie B were used in the video. Another scene with Wheeler and Jazzie B in black outfits also used. The video also features the use of a group dancing to choreography of the song. It was published on
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
in June 2009. The video has amassed more than 12,4 million views as of September 2021.
;Alternate video
The music video features Caron Wheeler wearing a red tribal jacket and head scarf with black top, performing the song against a black background. Jazzie B also appears wearing a green and yellow jacket. Singer and dancer
Wunmi
Wunmi, real name Ibiwunmi Omotayo Olufunke Felicity Olaiya, is a singer, dancer and fashion designer. appears as one of the dancers in the video, wearing a red tribal jacket. Interspersed are some of the lyrics from the song. Later in the video, the group appears together dancing to the music with three violinists in the background.
Live performances
Soul II Soul performed "Keep on Movin'" on various televised appearances, including the ''
Top of the Pops
''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British Record chart, music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show ...
'',
[Top of the Pops](_blank)
Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 25 October 2017 Soul Train
''Soul Train'' is an American musical variety television show. It aired in syndication from October 2, 1971, to March 25, 2006. Across its 35-year history the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists. The series w ...
, and ''
Big World Cafe
''Big World Café'' is a music show on British television. Broadcast on Channel 4 in 1989, it was presented by Mariella Frostrup, Eagle Eye Cherry and Jazzie B.
It was produced by Andrea Wonfor, who had previously worked on '' The Tube''.
...
''. Their performance from ''Top of the Pops'' aired on 16 March 1989.
At the end of 1989, Wheeler later departed from the group. Their performance on ''
Soul Train
''Soul Train'' is an American musical variety television show. It aired in syndication from October 2, 1971, to March 25, 2006. Across its 35-year history the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists. The series w ...
'' featured the debut performance of then-new member Marcia Lewis; who performed the lead vocals.
The song was included in the group's set list for their
A New Decade Tour in 1990 and was performed early in the set on tour dates.
Victoria Wilson-James
Victoria Wilson-James is an American-born British singer, songwriter and record producer. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she performed in various theatre plays and musicals as a teenager. Following the release of her debut single "I Want You ...
, a recent addition to group, performed the lead vocals to the song during the tour. Wheeler also included the song during her solo tours. A live recording of the song was released on Wheeler's live CD/DVD ''Live at Duo Music Exchange'', which featured her performing live in
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and List of cities in Japan, largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, ...
. In 2007, Wheeler reunited with the group and performed the song at the
Lovebox Festival
Lovebox is a three-day music festival. In 2018 the event moved to Gunnersbury Park, London. The move came after Tower Hamlets turned down its application to continue in Victoria Park and Lambeth residents objected to its move to Brockwell Park. ...
. In December 2012, Soul II Soul (composed of Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler) performed the song on ''
Later... with Jools Holland''.
In December 2016, Soul II Soul released their live album ''Origins: The Roots of Soul II Soul'' which included a live recorded version on the song, sung by Wheeler.
Impact and legacy
"Keep on Movin'" is mentioned in the first chapter of
Paul Gilroy
Paul Gilroy (born 16 February 1956) is an English sociologist and cultural studies scholar who is the founding Director of the Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Race and Racism at University College, London (UCL). Gilroy is the 2019 ...
's book ''The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness'' (1993). Gilroy uses this particular song because he considers the song emblematic of a black transatlantic conversation.
The song is notable for its expansion across nation-states, being produced in England by a group of people with Caribbean ancestry but having also been remixed into a Jamaican dub format in the United States. Gilroy describes the song as an expression of "the restlessness of spirit which makes the diaspora culture vital." "Keep On Movin" made reference to racialized issues experienced by groups within the
Diaspora
A diaspora ( ) is a population that is scattered across regions which are separate from its geographic place of origin. Historically, the word was used first in reference to the dispersion of Greeks in the Hellenic world, and later Jews after ...
. The song is sung by
Caron Wheeler
Caron Melina Wheeler (born 19 January 1963) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. Born and raised in London, she performed in various singing competitions as a teenager and began her recording career as one of the found ...
; and it was remixed into a dub format in the United States by
Teddy Riley
Edward Theodore Riley (born October 8, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer credited with the creation of the New Jack Swing genre. Riley credits Barry Michael Cooper with giving the genre its name.Hogan, Paul. " Tedd ...
''
Q Magazine
''Q'' was a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1986 by broadcast journalists Mark Ellen and David Hepworth, who were presenters of the BBC television music series ''The Old Grey Whistle Test''. '' ...
'' ranked "Keep On Movin'" at number 277 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever" in 2003.
''
Mixmag
''Mixmag'' is a British electronic dance and clubbing magazine published in London. Launched in 1983 as a print magazine, it has branched into dance events, including festivals and club nights.
History
The first issue of ''Mixmag'' was prin ...
'' listed the song number 87 in its "100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time" list in 1996, adding:
"Keep On Movin' was clearly a classic as soon as it came out in the early summer of 1989. The old soul vibe was glued on to the electronic swing and suddenly if you were British you could still be funky."
In ''
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is an operational business division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a royal charter since 1927). The service provides national radio stations covering th ...
''’s 2008 listeners &
DJs poll "The Greatest Ever Dance Record", "Keep On Movin'" came in at #6 after
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a ...
's "
Billie Jean
"Billie Jean" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Epic Records on January 2, 1983, as the second single from his sixth studio album, '' Thriller'' (1982). It was written and composed by Jackson and produced by Jackson and ...
",
James Brown
James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music, he is often referred to by the honor ...
's "
Sex Machine
A sex machine is a mechanical device used to simulate human sexual intercourse or other sexual activity.Leung, Isaac (2009). The Cultural Production of Sex Machines and the Contemporary Technosexual Practices. In Grenzfurthner, J. et al., eds. ...
",
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948May 17, 2012), known professionally as Donna Summer, was an American singer and songwriter. She gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s and became known as the " Queen of Disco", while her mus ...
's "
I Feel Love
"I Feel Love" is a song by American singer and songwriter Donna Summer. Produced and co-written by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, it was recorded for Summer's fifth studio album, ''I Remember Yesterday'' (1977). The album concept was to have ...
",
Derrick May's "Strings of Life" and
Alison Limerick
Alison T. Limerick (born 1959, Stepney) is a British singer who scored success in the 1990s with the club anthem " Where Love Lives", which was her solo debut and a No. 3 hit on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play in 1991.
Biography
Limerick attended ...
's "
Where Love Lives".
''
The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally.
It was fo ...
'' ranked "Keep On Movin'" #33 in their "Top 50 Dance Songs" list in 2015.
Track listing
A-side
# "Keep On Movin'"
(Club Mix ft. Caron Wheeler) — 5:46
# "Keep On Movin'"
(Big Beat A Capella) — 3:32
# "Keep On Movin'"
(Nellee Hooper 7-inch) — 3:38
B-side
# "Keep On Movin'"
(Teddy Riley's Rubba Dub) — 5:59
# "Keep On Movin'"
(The First Movement) — 6:03
# "Keep On Movin'"
(Teddy Riley's Bonus Beats) — 5:54
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Keep On Movin' (Soul Ii Soul Song)
1989 singles
1989 songs
Song recordings produced by Nellee Hooper
Songs written by Jazzie B
Soul II Soul songs
Virgin Records singles
New jack swing songs