Discovered by television personality Steve Allen, Marilyn Maye soon signed a recording contract with RCA Victor.

[2] Maye's commercial popularity peaked during this period after recording songs that would be featured in Broadway shows.

Among them were Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe", Jackie DeShannon's "What the World Needs Now Is Love" and Petula Clark's "Don't Sleep in the Subway".

[4][7] Step to the Rear was originally released by the RCA Victor label in November 1967.

[8] In its original release, Step to the Rear was among 22 albums issued by RCA Victor in the later half of 1967.

[10] It became Maye's third top ten single on the American Billboard adult contemporary chart, peaking at the number two position in January 1968.