The Esquires: "Get On Up" (1967) "Get on Up" is a song written by Johnny Taylor, Gilbert Moorer, and Bill Sheppard and performed by The Esquires. It reached #3 on the US R&B chart and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. The song was featured on their 1967 album, Get on Up and Get Away. The song was produced by Bill Sheppard. The single ranked 34th on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1967. The band released an updated version in 1976 entitled "Get on Up '76". It reached No. 62 on the U