Robbie Dupree ~ Steal Away 1980 Disco Purrfection Version

Robbie Dupree modified his surname slightly from his birth name of Dupuis. Born on December 23, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY, he grew to love the R&B music of Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke. His two big hits were "Hot Rod Hearts" and the doobie like smash of "Steal Away" that peaked at #6 on the Hot100 in 1980. Released on April 12, it took until July for it to peak at #6 for two weeks then dropped of the chart after September 13th where it was listed as #100.

There are people who swear that they hear Michael McDonald on the record, close but no cookie! I'll admit that it sounds like him, but he has officially denied any association with the song. It is background singers Arno Lucas, Bill LaBounty, Joe Turano, Kal David, Leslie Smith and Matthew Weiner who provided the soulful sounds.

The next part is the instrumentation that was riffed off of the Doobie Brothers "What A Fool Believes" particularly on the piano. "Steal Away" was more polished and smoother by adding synthesizers that brighten the song. It should be christened Yacht Rock, something not lost on Dupree who joined John Ford Coley, Stephen Bishop and Ambrosia for the Rock The Yacht tour in 2018.

After this, Dupree released "Hot Rod Hearts" a mellow tune that peaked at #15 in August of 1980. His next appearance on vinyl was on 1987's "Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2" where he contributed "Girls In Cars". He has become more active in the 2010's where he signed with Spectra Records and put out "Time and Tide" where he worked with Springsteen's E Street Band keyboardist David Sancious, and then went on Jimmy Fallon to promote it and his connection to Yacht Rock.

He toured the US & Canada in 2013 with Gary Wright, Christopher Cross, Al Stewart, Orleans, Firefall, Player and John Ford Coley.

Most recently he has been interviewed in summer of 2019 for the podcast A Bunch Of Malarkey. Oh his last charting single was 1981's "Brooklyn Girls" that peaked at #54. Here is a closer look at his singles discography.

1980: "Steal Away" – US No. 6, R&B #85; Canada No. 14
1980: "Hot Rod Hearts" – US No. 15
1980: "Nadie Mas"
1981: "Brooklyn Girls" – US No. 54
1981: "Saturday Night"
1981: "Are You Ready for Love"
1987: "Girls in Cars"
1988: "This Is Life"
1993: "Walking on Water"
1993: "Goodbye LA"
1995: "Smoke and Mirrors"
1997: "Make It Easy on Yourself"
1997: "Live All Night Long"
2007: "The Critics Are Never Kind"
2008: "Fly Away"
2010: "Lucky"
2011: "Satisfied"

[B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

Goodness, when I hear this, it is an early summer evening in 1980. I just finished my sophomore year of high school. My window is open, and I can smell the freshly cut grass - and a trace of cigarette smoke from the neighbor's porch. Dad is at work and Mom is downstairs fixing dinner. Trains are noisily switching cars around in the B&O yard across the river. I have a few weeks off before band practice starts for another season. Full of anticipation for what the summer will bring and my junior year to follow. All the world seemed right.

[twobelay]

So lucky to grow up in this era. Music was just pleasant to the ears than today’s music.

[Steve-yold]

Seems like yesterday, was an awesome time to be young and innocent!❤

[RoySATX]

Holy fracking cow, this takes me back. I can almost smell the mildew in my Datsun B-210 and the anticipation of a night at the roller skating rink! Every time I think it sucks getting old I think about growing up at any other time and feel a lot better. The price we pay for memories.

[richardwillams]

this is coming from a brother l have always love this song it brings back the good old days

[Kristy-tj]

got my first kiss to this song !!! Its a special song to me

[efrainhernandez]

I feel so blessed to grow up in a
time when music was indubitably
awesome!!Simply magnificent!!!

[paulgehrman]

It's been very surprising to see how much my teenage kids have nostalgia for the '80s. Truly shows what an iconic decade it was.

[reneehurt]

As a member of the class of 1980, this was our summer song. I made it through the last 40 years this tune and a few others will remind me. Thank you heavenly father amen

[valutiatia]

Now this brings back memories.
The principles office, the deans office and the counselors office, not to mention the ride home with a pissed off mom.
Im 46 now but this IS the jam...
R.I.P MOM.

[MusicisMedicine-rz]

Thanks DJ Disco Cat for making this piece of literal ear candy last a little longer for us! Robbie Dupree has an amazing soulful voice . . . I also love this song's groove which closely resembles that of 'What a Fool Believes' and 'He's So Shy' (oh- and the sitar!).

[JS-Jms]

This song always brings back a specific memory of lying on the beach with my then girlfriend and this song playing on the radio. Pleasant memory. 👍

[juantrejo]

Why don't we steal the night, i know it ain't right! This song was a hit when i was growing up, still dig gotta luv the 80's!

[Stevie-hnmp]

Listening to steal away at work . It’s 5am . Beautiful song 🎧 indeed. Steal away into the night ♥️♥️

[niaskye]

Wao..I was like 9 when this song was playing...my dad use to play it over and over in his car while driving me to school..🥰

[usmc-veteran-]

This song was playing after I asked my cute girlfriend to marry me back in August 1980. Every time she hears it, she tilts her head and winks. 21 Mar 21, our 40th Anniversary

[anngonzalez]

The back when music is always the best of nice memories they just take you back to enjoying music the way you listened & appreciated the rhythm of your music just a fantastic song

[reneaguilar]

I love this song, it is a such a wonderful time capsule in my life. I still have fresh memories when this song was new on the radio 📻 on AM not FM. I remember enjoying this beautiful song on my 8-track player. The sound of music broadcast on 8-track is a lost sound in a world of HD and digital remasters anyways everyone stay safe enjoy the classics .

[jasonpinson]

Part of the doobie brothers of my mothers favorites.thanks!good play disco~

[onecoolcat]

I was 10 years old when this song came out. One of the very few songs I've never gotten tired off. Thank you!!!