One Step at a Time (song)
Encyclopedia
"One Step at a Time" is the third single from American
Pop
/R&B singer Jordin Sparks
, from her eponymous debut album
. Written by Robbie Nevil
, Lauren Evans
, Jonas Jeberg and Mich Hansen
the song was released in the U.S. on June 10, 2008. Sparks performed the song on the season finale of the seventh season
of American Idol
.
When the song reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Week Ending August 27, 2008), Jordin became the only American Idol contestant ever to have their first four singles all crack the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at #3 on the R&R airplay chart.
The song is track #13 on Now That's What I Call Music! 29
along with 19 other hits of 2008. It is Jordin's 3rd straight single to be added to the "Now That's What I Call Music" series.
The song served as Sparks' third UK single and digitally released on January 26. It has already surpassed the success of previous single "Tattoo" as it was A-Listed on Radio 1's playlist on the 14th January. On February 1, 2009, the song reached a peak of #16 on the UK Singles Chart despite no physical release.
at Billboard
stated that "One Step at a Time" was "a beautifully blended, soulful number percolating with optimism". Entertainment Weekly
, on its website, encouraged readers to download the song, as they had a "sudden epiphany that Jordin Sparks has put out three good songs in a row".
, Live with Regis and Kelly
, So You Think You Can Dance
, Macy's 4 July Fireworks Spectacular, Good Morning America
, and Canadian Idol
. One Step At A Time has also been used in advertisements for the USA hit series, The Starter Wife
, starring Debra Messing
.
chart, and peaked at #17, giving Sparks her fourth consecutive Hot 100 top twenty hit. This makes Sparks the only American Idol contestant to have her first four singles reach the top twenty of the Hot 100. The song's current digital sales in the U.S. stand at around 1,300,000.
On the Billboard Pop 100
, it became her third consecutive top ten and second top five hit, reaching #5. On pop radio the song is also her third consecutive song to reach the top five in airplay, so far peaking at #3 on Mainstream Top 40. It also became Sparks' third consecutive top twenty hit on the Canadian Hot 100
where it has peaked at #11. In Australia, "One Step At A Time" debuted at a promising #78 and eventually peaked at #12. In New Zealand the song debuted at #27 and peaked at #2, becoming Sparks' second consecutive top five hit there. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand on November 30, 2008, selling over 7,500 copies.
On January 11, 2009, the song entered the UK Singles Chart
at #56 on downloads alone and eventually peaked at #16.
, with renowned director Ray Kay
. The official music video was added on the popular video sharing site YouTube
via Sparks' official channel on May 28, 2008, but was quickly removed then added back on June 5, 2008. The official video later made its official debut on Amazon.com on June 9, 2008. After the premiere, the music video was available for purchase on the iTunes
Music Store. The video made its television premiere on Canada's MuchMusic
on June 18, 2008. The video reached #7 on TRL
.
The video revolves around Sparks taking a tour around the city as other people are going through different moments. Different scenarios play out including a guy picking up his date for prom, a teenager (Corbin Bleu
) teaching his little brother to skateboard, two teenagers painting a park bench, a boy and a girl selling lemonade, a young woman at her first day of college, and a group of teenagers taking care of a garden. Throughout the video, the camera pans to Sparks' as well as the other subject's feet (basically keeping with the song's title). At the end, Jordin flashes her palm at the camera, the words, "I <3 you WENDY" visible, apparently written in marker. Wendy was a family friend who died of Melanoma
. Her younger brother, PJ, also makes an appearance in the video.
On August 9, 2008 "One Step at a Time" reached the #1 spot after jumping 16 slots on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown. It is Sparks' third #1 video on the countdown, the first two being her singles "Tattoo" and "No Air
".
Source:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/R&B singer Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
, from her eponymous debut album
Jordin Sparks (album)
Jordin Sparks is the debut studio album by American pop and R&B singer Jordin Sparks. It was released on November 20, 2007 in the United States and November 27, 2007 in Canada and Christian music stores. In United States it debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200 with sales of 119,000 copies in the...
. Written by Robbie Nevil
Robbie Nevil
Robert S. "Robbie" Nevil is an American pop singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist. He is best known for his 1986 Billboard Hot 100 #2 hit, "C'est La Vie".-Life and career:...
, Lauren Evans
Lauren Evans
Lauren Evans is an American singer/songwriter responsible for penning hits by Alexandra Burke and Jordin Sparks.-Early life and career:Lauren Evans grew up in San Bernardino, CA, the daughter of a worship pastor, John Evans, of Maranatha! Music and Promise Keepers. She recorded several popular...
, Jonas Jeberg and Mich Hansen
Cutfather
Mich Hedin Hansen better known by his stage name Cutfather is a Danish music producer and songwriter.-Career:He is perhaps best known for his remix of "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison , and the song "Superstar" released internationally by Jamelia in 2003.He has worked with Danish producer...
the song was released in the U.S. on June 10, 2008. Sparks performed the song on the season finale of the seventh season
American Idol (season 7)
The seventh season of American Idol, the annual reality show and singing competition, began on January 15, 2008 and concluded on May 21, 2008. Ryan Seacrest continued to host the show with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returning as judges...
of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
.
When the song reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Week Ending August 27, 2008), Jordin became the only American Idol contestant ever to have their first four singles all crack the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at #3 on the R&R airplay chart.
The song is track #13 on Now That's What I Call Music! 29
Now That's What I Call Music! 29 (U.S. series)
-Chart performance:...
along with 19 other hits of 2008. It is Jordin's 3rd straight single to be added to the "Now That's What I Call Music" series.
The song served as Sparks' third UK single and digitally released on January 26. It has already surpassed the success of previous single "Tattoo" as it was A-Listed on Radio 1's playlist on the 14th January. On February 1, 2009, the song reached a peak of #16 on the UK Singles Chart despite no physical release.
Critical reception
In his review of the single, Chuck TaylorChuck Taylor (Billboard writer and editor)
Chuck Taylor is an American music journalist. He was a writer and senior editor at Billboard magazine from 1995 to 2009...
at Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
stated that "One Step at a Time" was "a beautifully blended, soulful number percolating with optimism". Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, on its website, encouraged readers to download the song, as they had a "sudden epiphany that Jordin Sparks has put out three good songs in a row".
Promotion
Sparks performed this song on the season 7 finale of American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, Live with Regis and Kelly
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
, So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
, Macy's 4 July Fireworks Spectacular, Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
, and Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show Pop Idol. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Dore was the "roving reporter" for the first three seasons...
. One Step At A Time has also been used in advertisements for the USA hit series, The Starter Wife
The Starter Wife (TV series)
The Starter Wife is a USA Network television series based on the miniseries by the same name, and based on the novel by Gigi Levangie Grazer. It premiered on October 10, 2008. The series stars Debra Messing as Molly Kagan, the now ex-wife of former studio executive Kenny Kagan...
, starring Debra Messing
Debra Messing
Debra Lynn Messing is an American actress, voice artist, and comedienne. She is perhaps best known for her role as Grace Adler in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace and as Molly Kagan in the mini-series The Starter Wife....
.
Chart performance
The song debuted at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, and peaked at #17, giving Sparks her fourth consecutive Hot 100 top twenty hit. This makes Sparks the only American Idol contestant to have her first four singles reach the top twenty of the Hot 100. The song's current digital sales in the U.S. stand at around 1,300,000.
On the Billboard Pop 100
Pop 100
The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009...
, it became her third consecutive top ten and second top five hit, reaching #5. On pop radio the song is also her third consecutive song to reach the top five in airplay, so far peaking at #3 on Mainstream Top 40. It also became Sparks' third consecutive top twenty hit on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
where it has peaked at #11. In Australia, "One Step At A Time" debuted at a promising #78 and eventually peaked at #12. In New Zealand the song debuted at #27 and peaked at #2, becoming Sparks' second consecutive top five hit there. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand on November 30, 2008, selling over 7,500 copies.
On January 11, 2009, the song entered the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at #56 on downloads alone and eventually peaked at #16.
Music video
The music video for "One Step at a Time" was filmed weekend of May 4, 2008 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, with renowned director Ray Kay
Ray Kay
Ray Kay is a Norwegian director and photographer, based in Los Angeles.He is one of the most sought-after music video & commercial directors in the world now, and has directed the most watched video on YouTube, Justin Bieber's "Baby" . All in all, his videos have been viewed more than 1 billion...
. The official music video was added on the popular video sharing site YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
via Sparks' official channel on May 28, 2008, but was quickly removed then added back on June 5, 2008. The official video later made its official debut on Amazon.com on June 9, 2008. After the premiere, the music video was available for purchase on the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
Music Store. The video made its television premiere on Canada's MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
on June 18, 2008. The video reached #7 on TRL
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
.
The video revolves around Sparks taking a tour around the city as other people are going through different moments. Different scenarios play out including a guy picking up his date for prom, a teenager (Corbin Bleu
Corbin Bleu
Corbin Bleu Reivers , known professionally as Corbin Bleu, is an American actor, model, dancer, producer, and singer-songwriter. He performed in the High School Musical film series, the Discovery Kids drama series Flight 29 Down, and the Disney Channel Original Movie Jump In!...
) teaching his little brother to skateboard, two teenagers painting a park bench, a boy and a girl selling lemonade, a young woman at her first day of college, and a group of teenagers taking care of a garden. Throughout the video, the camera pans to Sparks' as well as the other subject's feet (basically keeping with the song's title). At the end, Jordin flashes her palm at the camera, the words, "I <3 you WENDY" visible, apparently written in marker. Wendy was a family friend who died of Melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
. Her younger brother, PJ, also makes an appearance in the video.
On August 9, 2008 "One Step at a Time" reached the #1 spot after jumping 16 slots on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown. It is Sparks' third #1 video on the countdown, the first two being her singles "Tattoo" and "No Air
No Air
"No Air" is a song by American recording artist Jordin Sparks featuring American R&B singer Chris Brown. The song was written by James Fauntleroy II, Eric Griggs, Michael Scala, Harvey Mason, Jr., Damon Thomas and Steve Russell...
".
Track listing
- "One Step at a Time" (Main Version) – 3:25
- "One Step at a Time" (Grayson Remix) – 4:38
- "One Step at a Time" (NevinJason NevinsJason Nevins is an American DJ, producer and remixer, who is most widely known for his pop dance productions.-Career:In the early 1990s, Nevins began releasing singles under various monikers through various dance labels, but achieved global recognition in 1998 with his production of Run-DMC's...
's Radio Mix) – 3:22 - "One Step at a Time" (Rizzo Funk Generation Club Mix) – 6:47
- "One Step at a Time" (Tonal Remix) – 4:44
Personnel
- SongwritingSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
– Robbie NevilRobbie NevilRobert S. "Robbie" Nevil is an American pop singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist. He is best known for his 1986 Billboard Hot 100 #2 hit, "C'est La Vie".-Life and career:...
, Lauren EvansLauren EvansLauren Evans is an American singer/songwriter responsible for penning hits by Alexandra Burke and Jordin Sparks.-Early life and career:Lauren Evans grew up in San Bernardino, CA, the daughter of a worship pastor, John Evans, of Maranatha! Music and Promise Keepers. She recorded several popular...
, Jonas Jeberg, Mich HansenCutfatherMich Hedin Hansen better known by his stage name Cutfather is a Danish music producer and songwriter.-Career:He is perhaps best known for his remix of "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison , and the song "Superstar" released internationally by Jamelia in 2003.He has worked with Danish producer... - ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
– Jonas Jeberg, CutfatherCutfatherMich Hedin Hansen better known by his stage name Cutfather is a Danish music producer and songwriter.-Career:He is perhaps best known for his remix of "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison , and the song "Superstar" released internationally by Jamelia in 2003.He has worked with Danish producer...
, Robbie Nevil - RecordingSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and programming – Jonas Jeberg - Vocal recording – Robbie Nevil
- Vocal engineeringAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
– Adam Kagen - Assistant vocal engineering – Eric Rennaker
- Backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
– Lauren Evans - PercussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
– Mich Hansen - MixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
– Manny MarroquinManny MarroquinManny Marroquin, born 21 September 1971 in Guatemala, is a Grammy winning mixing engineer. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was nine due to the Guatemalan Civil War.... - Assistant mixing – Jared Robbins
Source:
Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|
Certifications
| Country | Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
Sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,377,000 | |
| New Zealand | Gold | |
| Australia | Gold |
Release history
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| United States | June 10, 2008 |
| Australia | September 13, 2008 |
| United Kingdom | January 26, 2009 |
| Germany | April 10, 2009 |