This performance is one for the ages! Of all the video performances on You Tube, this live performance in DC captured Anita Baker at her absolute best,in her prime. I don't think the audience knew exactly what a timeless and all time powerful performance they were witnessing. This version of "Watch Your Step" is a tour de force. It sends goose bumps down my spine each time I hear it. The power, conviction,and the pouring out from the depths of her soul can be felt after all these years. It is a masterpiece that even she agrees can not ever be duplicated. That is the definition of true greatness. Thank you Anita Baker for contributing the kind of timeless music that will live on for generations to come
One of my most favourite moments in the history of recorded live music. Breathtaking, spine tingling, moving, transcendent and a masterclass in singing and leadership as she both loses and finds herself in the music and brings out the best in herself others. Truly amazing.
If this song don’t reflect on a time of heartbrokeness. Maybe miss spelled. But you can relate. I first heard this song in 1986. Still a teenager. Just loved her album and voice. And her passion. Life lessons. I pray you grow from them.
ANITA HAS PEOPLE SHOUTING AND MOVING IN SPIRIT IN THIS SONG. She is a stone-to-the-bone sanger and this is PURE CHURCH and PURE JAZZ and PURE SOUL...and PURE! My God, sometimes watching this performance takes me ALL THE WAY OUT!!!!!!
Let her know stick with the Real Diva , and don't let me bring Tina Turner or the Queen of Queens with R.E.S.P.E.C.T She would Lock it Down , its coming .
She absolutely TORE IT UP! 🤩 A truly electrifying performance. But can we also get a mention for that sax player....he worked that sax to within an inch of its life!😁 The backing singers...the whole band in fact were tight as hell! This is PROPER music! The likes of which we seldom hear today.
Oh sweet Jesus- this is AMAZING. It's just....unbelievable. She was talented beyond belief. She's channelling something....I dunno, but it just feels like she's tapping into something. I mean, what else explains THAT performance? And the climax is just.....WOW. This is the first time I've seen this, and when she ad libs the end of her song (and dances her ASS off) I was getting chills. I wanted to get up and dance with her! Could teach new artists what it means to be truly talented
Agrees! Music is spiritual! So chanelling is highly likely. And notice her eyes are closed, she has to close them to feel and connect. It really takes you into another dimension. Sometimes you get a dopamine high as well.
She's preaching to whoever it was doing the wrong thing,telling you,you better be careful you'll fall and hurt yourself one day! That song is so true,because what goes around comes back around so be careful how you treat your lover or anyone for that matter! Love all Anita Baker songs! A true fan!
This is hypnotic! EVERYTHING in this video is on point! I absolutely adore her singing but her dancing is equally as good. I'd pay 100.00 just to see her sing this song like this again. However, as she says, it will never be done exactly the same again so I guess we'll just have to be satisfied with the video. I'm 70 years old and she is the ABSOLUTE BEST singer I've ever heard. I wish we had more songs like this one.
I grew up with this kind of "letting go" when you feel the spirit upon you. I always LOVED this lady's singing, expression, and writing. She is a very special human and I feel blessed to have been allowed to love her music.
Got damn! The slow burn build is genius, band is cooking, back-up singers on point, but nothing matches this quintessential soul singer's mastery and emotion. Nuff said.
The instruments possessed her. completely took over!!! The way she made it back to that 🎤 though .. so smooth.. just amazing.. my favorite performance..
Stunning - she nails this to the wall and some - that call and response with Gerald Albright’s sax is superb. Just impossible not be moved once she goes supersonic!!!! Rapture is a perfect album and she has one of THE great voices. Her moves are pretty damn good too - and she wrote the song dammit!! Talent to burn and the complete artist!
One of THE best live performances that I have ever seen and heard. I had this LP. I nearly wore the vinyl off listening to it. This track was one of my favorites in fact. This live performance is even better, LOVE it!
This the most stunning performance of a great song by a brilliant artist at the peak of her career. It's my favorite song on You Tube. The singing is breathtaking and then she moves!!
4:28......TOOK HER DOWN MEMORY LANE.......then the holy ghost or whatever you want to call it took over and we are blessed to witness such a talented performance......sang it Anita
I first saw Anita on her RAPTURE tour...opening for Luther on his ANY LOVE tour. RAPTURE is a classic...and WATCH YOUR STEP is my favorite song....right up there with LEAD ME INTO LOVE. Her intro...wow! Hard to believe that she wrote this when she was 16 y.o... God Bless Ms. Anita and many thanks for her talent.
Absolutely amazing on every level so much more than just a live performance Everyone on stage came together to create it own entity as one something as rare as that you just Be thankful enough that you were able to witness it💯💪🏽🙏I love Anita Baker.❤💯
Anita you no what you are doing so keep it coming I’m disable but still trying it will get beater I need a great life I have it just beater keep doing what you doing make me and others feel good good job
Anita, you're wrong, this moment will never be gone. Thanks to TH-cam I have it forever! Sheer Class. I wore out the VHS video of this back in the day.
cokobrowne Took me a while to understand what she meant. As a singer, Anita will never sing a song the way it was written twice. It's literally different. She can find a key from any range and insert her magic. It's a bad ass beautiful thing.
H O. L. Y. I have LOVED this woman's music since 1987. How can ANYONE, I mean, ANYONE be sitting in their seat at this point in this concert??? There is no way in hell I would not have stood, danced, moved, cried and been glowing throughout this entire concert. The woman is a once in a lifetime talent - so glad to have found her music back then - she meant and still means so much.
My exact sentiment. Not even gravity would have been able to hold me down. My soul would have floated out of my seat if my body did not move. With ya all the way bud
WOW WHOA DEEPLY FELT SOULFUL PERFORMANCE! I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED ANITA BAKER. WHEN I SAW HER LIVE IN MIAMI TEN YEARS PLUS AGO WATCH YOUR STEP WAS ON THE RAPTURE RECORDING HOWEVER SHE CHOSE NOT TO SING WATCH YOUR STEP THAT EVENING. WHAT A TRAGIC LOSS FOR ME TO ME ANITA BAKER IS SIMPLY PERFECT IN ALL HER SONGS. TUGS STRONG AND PULLS STRONG AT MY HEART AND SPIRIT; I LOVE ANITA BAKER; THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS AWESOME PERFORMANCE OF A REAL CLASS AND AMAZING SINGER AND COMPOSER.
I had the pleasure to see Anita in concert it was the best. she gave 100% of herself in every song. It was one of the best surprises my husband ever gave me, a very romantic evening!
That is what I want from a live performance, music that is not a carbon copy of the studio version, but just as powerful. An artist completely connected to the material they are delivering, and with the talent and ability to give the vocal live. Then Anita took it the extra light year, and got caught up in the rapture for real, and let the holy ghost take over and had church on stage (holy dance and spirited vocal included). Anita Baker you are not the greatest vocalist, there is no way to say that definitely, but by far you are my favorite vocalist.
Anita... you wrote this song at 16. Over the years it grew and grew and do you know what Lady? It still applies today. Had to search this one out and listen to it over and over and over and over...... Thanks a million for the post.
every now and then in this world u will get lucky r maybe bless to catch some one at their best this is one of those times a vocal angel at work Anita Baker this performance tantalizing
Her voice goes of and just tears my heart apart,pure goodness,this is real singing this is not just opening your mouth and thinking you can sing,this is absolutely knowing u can really sing.Thank you Anita.
Just watched this video again for the gazzillionth time....cried at the emotions and pure magic that takes place when the sax player grooves with her every move.🤗🤗
This has been a favorite song of mine for years but I just ran across this live version now. I could not figure out what in the world she was talking about at the beginning until I saw the video. WOW !!!!
Boom! Anita smashed it out of the park and somewhere out of the country. I've heard it's still orbiting the planet.. Ms Baker taking it to church and back, the only way she knows! If you ain't feeling that, you ain't got a pulse!
Can't get enough of this performance. Unique and outstanding. Love Anita Baker. Her singing is just a delightful experience. I could listen and watch this a million times. Wow!!!!
Never will I forget the first time I met Ms. Anita Baker Madison Square Gardens NY while on tour w/ Ms. Shirley Murdock. It was then I learned that Shirley and Anita went to school together in Toledo Ohio.
❤❤❤❤❤❤ 2024 Anita Baker Sang This Song ….. Jesus I Love Her Personality Jazzy Songstress Beautiful Black Woman . Who Still Listening ……. Baby Baby …
It’s something special when the artist is able to take the live version to such a level that it surpasses the album version. Anita Baker is PHENOMENAL
My favorite song by her I burned up the cassette with that song on it b
PHENOMENAL
Anita for ever
@@lagrasemurphy4739so did I!!🎶👏♥️
I love the way.she sing ,a artist. But I saw her in a younger self.in Houston, TX and never will I ever see her again in concert.
Still listening, 2024. Have yet to find anyone more passionate and expressive. Love me some Anita Baker!!! ❤❤❤
Listening in 2024 and forever. Timeless, raw emotion performed by one of the greatest to ever do it.
Amazed that people can stay in their seats!
We seem to forget that Ms. Baker is one of the great storytellers of our time!
My number 1 R&B Queen. Always. These are for you Ms. Anita Ill always love you. 💐😘
Who’s still listening in 2022? Huge fan of Anita Baker 🌹🌹🌹
Listening in 2024 and forever
This performance is one for the ages! Of all the video performances on You Tube, this live performance in DC captured Anita Baker at her absolute best,in her prime. I don't think the audience knew exactly what a timeless and all time powerful performance they were witnessing. This version of "Watch Your Step" is a tour de force. It sends goose bumps down my spine each time I hear it. The power, conviction,and the pouring out from the depths of her soul can be felt after all these years. It is a masterpiece that even she agrees can not ever be duplicated. That is the definition of true greatness. Thank you Anita Baker for contributing the kind of timeless music that will live on for generations to come
Well said!! Love Anita!!👏♥️🎶
One of my most favourite moments in the history of recorded live music. Breathtaking, spine tingling, moving, transcendent and a masterclass in singing and leadership as she both loses and finds herself in the music and brings out the best in herself others. Truly amazing.
That sax! The band! Anita’s Voice! 🔥🔥🔥
Gerald Albright
The saxophone player brought the best out Ms,Baker that night,everybody on stage did their thang
That's the all time great Gerald Albright
If this song don’t reflect on a time of heartbrokeness. Maybe miss spelled. But you can relate. I first heard this song in 1986. Still a teenager. Just loved her album and voice. And her passion. Life lessons. I pray you grow from them.
ANITA HAS PEOPLE SHOUTING AND MOVING IN SPIRIT IN THIS SONG. She is a stone-to-the-bone sanger and this is PURE CHURCH and PURE JAZZ and PURE SOUL...and PURE! My God, sometimes watching this performance takes me ALL THE WAY OUT!!!!!!
This is my 5 year old daughters favorite song. Where little girls know Beyonce, she knows Anita!!!!
Let her know stick with the Real Diva , and don't let me bring Tina Turner or the Queen of Queens with R.E.S.P.E.C.T She would Lock it Down , its coming .
#RaisingThemRight
That is refreshing to hear! Anita is eternal!🎶🌹🤩
Anita Baker....The Greatest female singer of all time.
She's got to be the smoothest female vocalist alive, man I wish I'd have been in that audience.
She absolutely TORE IT UP! 🤩 A truly electrifying performance. But can we also get a mention for that sax player....he worked that sax to within an inch of its life!😁 The backing singers...the whole band in fact were tight as hell! This is PROPER music! The likes of which we seldom hear today.
The sax player, the legendary jazz artist Gerald Albright, the background singers , Perri …
True 😊
GERALD ALBRIGHT 🙌🏻🙌🏻✨✨✨💫
A once in a lifetime performance. Sends chills down my spine still after watching it 1,000 times!
@@barrythompson7651 me too. exactly
I'm 18. I know good music. That's why I'm here.
Simply magnificent. I'm so grateful to have grown in an era where music was, well... music, performed by actual vocalists and musicians.
There is or never will be Anyone like the woman.....A TRUE artist!
Oh sweet Jesus- this is AMAZING. It's just....unbelievable. She was talented beyond belief. She's channelling something....I dunno, but it just feels like she's tapping into something. I mean, what else explains THAT performance? And the climax is just.....WOW. This is the first time I've seen this, and when she ad libs the end of her song (and dances her ASS off) I was getting chills. I wanted to get up and dance with her! Could teach new artists what it means to be truly talented
Agrees! Music is spiritual! So chanelling is highly likely. And notice her eyes are closed, she has to close them to feel and connect. It really takes you into another dimension. Sometimes you get a dopamine high as well.
She's preaching to whoever it was doing the wrong thing,telling you,you better be careful you'll fall and hurt yourself one day! That song is so true,because what goes around comes back around so be careful how you treat your lover or anyone for that matter! Love all Anita Baker songs! A true fan!
I come back every now and then to get a real dose of "ANITA".
Ron Martin Wow she just with her soul. Love this woman.
Anita is still the best in Old School R&B no matter how old she ages. Her voice is like angels singing, my fav is Fairytale.
Btw, if anyone wonders why so many fans are in love( and in awe) of Ms. Anita Baker, one of the many reasons is performances like this! Wow!
Sax is actually talking!! & Anita.. ..Spectacular!! ❤️🙏❤️
Who else has rewinded this at least 3 times. I love this song and this performance.
I've re winded over 35 times Bro.She is beyond unbelievable.Wish i could have been there to get up and dance with her.That sax player was great too.
4:28 - 8:08 is my favorite. The energy electrifying
I do that so many times with proformance I love her and this my favorite song Watch Your Step is it for me
From day one fam!!!!
@@byroncarter9473 I know that's right. Same here 👍
What a voice. What an entertainer. What a talent.
This is hypnotic! EVERYTHING in this video is on point! I absolutely adore her singing but her dancing is equally as good. I'd pay 100.00 just to see her sing this song like this again. However, as she says, it will never be done exactly the same again so I guess we'll just have to be satisfied with the video. I'm 70 years old and she is the ABSOLUTE BEST singer I've ever heard. I wish we had more songs like this one.
I grew up with this kind of "letting go" when you feel the spirit upon you. I always LOVED this lady's singing, expression, and writing. She is a very special human and I feel blessed to have been allowed to love her music.
Got damn! The slow burn build is genius, band is cooking, back-up singers on point, but nothing matches this quintessential soul singer's mastery and emotion. Nuff said.
jrb2778 ON FLEEK.
The instruments possessed her. completely took over!!! The way she made it back to that 🎤 though .. so smooth.. just amazing.. my favorite performance..
That's the Holy Spirit.
@@gwendolynsmith3746 Blimey ! What’s the Holy Spirit got to do with this ..
God's favor shines through her. She's just classic, unmatched.
When I say I watch this at lest twice a week. Unparalleled talent. The R&B G.H.O.T!! I love this lady. #Diva #GHOT
Stunning - she nails this to the wall and some - that call and response with Gerald Albright’s sax is superb. Just impossible not be moved once she goes supersonic!!!! Rapture is a perfect album and she has one of THE great voices. Her moves are pretty damn good too - and she wrote the song dammit!! Talent to burn and the complete artist!
this is my favorite live Anita performance. Such energy and power not to mention Gerald Albright's sax solo !
2022- she is still fabulous- Hope you are all hanging in x-0
One of THE best live performances that I have ever seen and heard. I had this LP. I nearly wore the vinyl off listening to it. This track was one of my favorites in fact. This live performance is even better, LOVE it!
This the most stunning performance of a great song by a brilliant artist at the peak of her career. It's my favorite song on You Tube. The singing is breathtaking and then she moves!!
You can tell GOD given talent right away sometimes before...
I love Anita baker you go woman that performance was absolutely fabulous
Classy woman, beautiful voice. She made my 1985 better.
I really like this Anita Baker song and it's My first time seeing Her perform it
Outstanding vocals sax player and band love this
4:28......TOOK HER DOWN MEMORY LANE.......then the holy ghost or whatever you want to call it took over and we are blessed to witness such a talented performance......sang it Anita
My computer just burst into flames. Been listening to Rapture for years and didn't know this live show was out there. Straight f----g HEAT.
I will the fire blazing
Gerald Albright with the sax solo! And Nathan East slappin' that bass! I wish I would've had the chance to go to this concert.
Awesome!! Just brilliant!! One of the best performances I have ever seen. She completely destroys me. Love her.
I love Anita Baker. That wicked sax solo was enchanting to say the least
It Sad we don't hear good music or see Good Artist Perform live shows NO MORE!!
I just keep on telling you this is the real deal still listening radio2020
2021. Anti-aging Baker thank you. Summer 86. Detroit.
I first saw Anita on her RAPTURE tour...opening for Luther on his ANY LOVE tour. RAPTURE is a classic...and WATCH YOUR STEP is my favorite song....right up there with LEAD ME INTO LOVE. Her intro...wow! Hard to believe that she wrote this when she was 16 y.o... God Bless Ms. Anita and many thanks for her talent.
Man watching this.....no word a straight experience
This performance by Miss ANITA BAKER is MAGICAL. She takes you on a TRIP like you've never witnessed before. OMG. SANG GIRL. Peace. G
Absolutely amazing on every level so much more than just a live performance Everyone on stage came together to create it own entity as one something as rare as that you just Be thankful enough that you were able to witness it💯💪🏽🙏I love Anita Baker.❤💯
HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY
ANITA BAKER
( JANUARY 26, 2023)
Anita you no what you are doing so keep it coming I’m disable but still trying it will get beater I need a great life I have it just beater keep doing what you doing make me and others feel good good job
i still have this on VHS. i'm watching it tonight......classic. and yes I still have a VCR....ole school baby!
Anita, you're wrong, this moment will never be gone. Thanks to TH-cam I have it forever! Sheer Class. I wore out the VHS video of this back in the day.
cokobrowne Took me a while to understand what she meant. As a singer, Anita will never sing a song the way it was written twice. It's literally different. She can find a key from any range and insert her magic. It's a bad ass beautiful thing.
Great performance.. cant believe the people in the audience are just sitting there.. I would be up on my feet.. so talented.. what a voice..
+Tina Marie
yea, weird huh, about the audience..
H O. L. Y. I have LOVED this woman's music since 1987. How can ANYONE, I mean, ANYONE be sitting in their seat at this point in this concert??? There is no way in hell I would not have stood, danced, moved, cried and been glowing throughout this entire concert. The woman is a once in a lifetime talent - so glad to have found her music back then - she meant and still means so much.
My exact sentiment. Not even gravity would have been able to hold me down. My soul would have floated out of my seat if my body did not move. With ya all the way bud
WOW WHOA DEEPLY FELT SOULFUL PERFORMANCE! I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED ANITA BAKER. WHEN I SAW HER LIVE IN MIAMI TEN YEARS PLUS AGO WATCH YOUR STEP WAS ON THE RAPTURE RECORDING HOWEVER SHE CHOSE NOT TO SING WATCH YOUR STEP THAT EVENING. WHAT A TRAGIC LOSS FOR ME TO ME ANITA BAKER IS SIMPLY PERFECT IN ALL HER SONGS. TUGS STRONG AND PULLS STRONG AT MY HEART AND SPIRIT; I LOVE ANITA BAKER; THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS AWESOME PERFORMANCE OF A REAL CLASS AND AMAZING SINGER AND COMPOSER.
the audience is caught up spellbound by this awesome performance wowwww
Wow, when Anita starts dancing she looks like Janelle Monae, or Janelle Monae looks like Anita. One of my all time favorites.
You can see so much Anita in Janelle. Can't Live Without Your Love is undoubtedly a tribute to Anita Baker.
@@eric.o.4633 Wow. How did I miss that influence. I listened again and you are right
I think they are just stunned by her brilliance.
I loved when Anita put some growl into her voice! That's when she says "I'm into this song now and I'm not nearly done!!"
This is one baad lady! Sing!!!
That intro is everything
I had the pleasure to see Anita in concert it was the best. she gave 100% of herself in every song. It was one of the best surprises my husband ever gave me, a very romantic evening!
This is a BEYOND incredible moment. In the words of bell hooks, "I'm more than just lifted up, I'm carried away!"
I remember this how I fell in love with Anita Baker seeing this on VHS tape. And she was my girl every since then love Anita
my favorite song by her.
Missionary work this saw her twice 70 now exceptionally talented ex chapter 8
16 yeas old? she wrote this ? she is amazing I love here she has been a big part of my life and it will all come out in my book
She said she wrote it at 16 but changed it over the years as she grew so this is her grown woman version
I love this song still to this day
She was Baaadddd to the bone.
Shoulderpads and all!
I love this performance..... One of my favs. Love love love Ms. Anita Baker
My girl is annointed!
That is what I want from a live performance, music that is not a carbon copy of the studio version, but just as powerful. An artist completely connected to the material they are delivering, and with the talent and ability to give the vocal live. Then Anita took it the extra light year, and got caught up in the rapture for real, and let the holy ghost take over and had church on stage (holy dance and spirited vocal included). Anita Baker you are not the greatest vocalist, there is no way to say that definitely, but by far you are my favorite vocalist.
Anita... you wrote this song at 16. Over the years it grew and grew and do you know what Lady? It still applies today. Had to search this one out and listen to it over and over and over and over...... Thanks a million for the post.
What a band she has with her!!!!
The guy on Sax is one of the best Sax Men on the Planet. The one and only Mr Gerald Albright
From 4:30-7:05 The Band Leave EVERYTHING on the table and the Sax and Anita’s performance is beyond words.
They cook big time!!!!
Fascinating to watch a star being born!
Chills up and down my spine!!!
every now and then in this world u will get lucky r maybe bless to catch some one at their best this is one of those times a vocal angel at work Anita Baker this performance tantalizing
Anita Baker has her own unique voice , sound and dance flow. She moves with what she's feeling and singing about . She's a living legend!!🥰
Strong woman our girl Anita. Much respect Anita. His loss for sure. Your beautiful Anita. Love ❤️ you .
Her voice goes of and just tears my heart apart,pure goodness,this is real singing this is not just opening your mouth and thinking you can sing,this is absolutely knowing u can really sing.Thank you Anita.
Just watched this video again for the gazzillionth time....cried at the emotions and pure magic that takes place when the sax player grooves with her every move.🤗🤗
This has been a favorite song of mine for years but I just ran across this live version now. I could not figure out what in the world she was talking about at the beginning until I saw the video. WOW !!!!
Yess she dealt with domestic violence that’s what the song is about but way before she met her husband tho
@SoulFoodFushion with Chef Michael yeah she tweeted it years ago about dealing with domestic violence
When she was younger before her career
Love You Miss Anita 🌹🌹😍😘🎼🎀🏅🌹🌹💯🔥🔥
Boom! Anita smashed it out of the park and somewhere out of the country. I've heard it's still orbiting the planet.. Ms Baker taking it to church and back, the only way she knows!
If you ain't feeling that, you ain't got a pulse!
Omgggg...i love u anita
LOOK AT HER GO !!!!!!
Can't get enough of this performance. Unique and outstanding. Love Anita Baker. Her singing is just a delightful experience. I could listen and watch this a million times. Wow!!!!
Born in Toledo, Ohio But Raised in Detroit, Michigan. Ms.Baker🥰
Shes really feeling the music. Amazing singer and performer!
Still listening, October 2019! Sing Anita!!!!
You better watch your step!!
Don't cross that Thin Line , when a woman draws HER line a real MAN knows not to go Near it
Fabulous!
Never will I forget the first time I met Ms. Anita Baker Madison Square Gardens NY while on tour w/ Ms. Shirley Murdock. It was then I learned that Shirley and Anita went to school together in Toledo Ohio.
Oh wow that's great two Elektra Asylum female singers of the 80s
Ladies and gentlemen....the Queen. Thank you GOD for creating her 🙏