"Steppin' in a Slide Zone" is a 1978 single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues. It was the first single the Moody Blues had released in five years, after the band's temporary hiatus. It was written by bassist John Lodge, and was released a month later on the album Octave. The song peaked at number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100[1] and number 41 in Canada.

"Steppin' in a Slide Zone"
Single by The Moody Blues
from the album Octave
B-side	"Had to Fall in Love" (Netherlands) "I'll Be Level with You" (US)
Released	27 May 1978
Recorded	January – April 1978
Genre	Rock
Length	5:28 (Album version) 3:30 (Single version)
Label	Decca
Songwriter(s)	John Lodge
Producer(s)	Tony Clarke
The Moody Blues singles chronology
"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" (1973) "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" (1978) "Driftwood" (1978)

Billboard magazine described "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" as a "fast paced rocker".[2] Cash Box praised the "fuzz keyboard work, punctuating horns...towering chorus, excellent production values and...unusual lyric."[3] One of the most noticeable differences in the band's sound after this hiatus was that the Mellotron and Chamberlin (a similar instrument to the Mellotron) had been replaced with more widely used synthesizers, and "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" was the first of their singles to use synthesizers. The synthesizer would ultimately give the Moody Blues a more electronic sound, which departed from the more symphonic sound of their past career.

Personnel

• Justin Hayward – electric guitar, backing vocals
• John Lodge – bass guitar, lead vocals
• Mike Pinder – keyboards, backing vocals
• Ray Thomas – flute, backing vocals
• Graeme Edge – drums, percussion

References