Step One
Encyclopedia
Step One is the debut album by British pop
group
Steps. It was released in the UK
and Europe
on 14 September 1998. The album charted at number two on UK Albums Chart
upon its release. In 2000, the album was re-released in the US
, containing songs from both Step One and its successor, Steptacular
. The tracks "5, 6, 7, 8", "Last Thing on My Mind
", "One for Sorrow", "Heartbeat
" and "Better Best Forgotten
" were released as the singles in UK. In 2000, the album was certified 5× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry
for selling over 1.4 million copies in UK. It is also considered to be one of the biggest-selling albums in United Kingdom by a band/group.
The album contains some covers—"Last Thing on My Mind" was originally released as a single by female pop group Bananarama
, while "Love U More" was originally recorded by techno/house band Sunscreem
. The Australian hidden track, "Tragedy
", has also been released as a single, originally by popular trio, the Bee Gees
.
was released in the United States
as Step One.
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...
group
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
Steps. It was released in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
on 14 September 1998. The album charted at number two on UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
upon its release. In 2000, the album was re-released in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, containing songs from both Step One and its successor, Steptacular
Steptacular
Steptacular is the second studio album by British pop group Steps, released in the United Kingdom on 25 October 1999. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number one, where it remained on the position for three weeks, selling 260,000 copies in the same time frame...
. The tracks "5, 6, 7, 8", "Last Thing on My Mind
Last Thing on My Mind
"Last Thing on My Mind" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. The song is featured on their album Please Yourself and was released as the album's second single in the UK in 1992. It was produced by Mike Stock and Pete Waterman, two-thirds of the Stock Aitken Waterman ...
", "One for Sorrow", "Heartbeat
Heartbeat (Steps song)
"Heartbeat / Tragedy" was the fourth single released by British pop group Steps. "Heartbeat", written by Jackie James was the first ballad released as a single by the group...
" and "Better Best Forgotten
Better Best Forgotten
"Better Best Forgotten" is a song by Steps, released on 8 March 1999 - only a month before the ABBA tribute single "Thank ABBA for the Music" was released.-Music video:...
" were released as the singles in UK. In 2000, the album was certified 5× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
for selling over 1.4 million copies in UK. It is also considered to be one of the biggest-selling albums in United Kingdom by a band/group.
The album contains some covers—"Last Thing on My Mind" was originally released as a single by female pop group Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
, while "Love U More" was originally recorded by techno/house band Sunscreem
Sunscreem
Sunscreem is a techno/house band from Essex, England, who scored a number of hits on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century. Sunscreem also has the rare reputation as a techno-based band that successfully performs concerts...
. The Australian hidden track, "Tragedy
Tragedy (song)
"Tragedy" is a song recorded by the Bee Gees, included on their 1979 album Spirits Having Flown. The single reached number one in the UK in February 1979 and repeated the feat the following month on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
", has also been released as a single, originally by popular trio, the Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
.
Track listing
- "Steptro" (Mike Stock, Pete WatermanPete WatermanPeter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles...
, Sara DallinSara DallinSara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
, Keren WoodwardKeren WoodwardKeren Woodward is an English pop singer and songwriter of British girl group Bananarama, co-founded by her long time school friend Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey....
) — 0:56 - "Last Thing on My Mind" (Stock, Waterman, Dallin, Woodward) — 3:04
- "5, 6, 7, 8" (Barry UptonBarry UptonBarry Upton is an English songwriter, arranger, musician and producer of various forms of pop music. He is also a audio engineer and stage performer having appeared around the world in various capacities.-Career:...
, Steve Crosby) — 3:22 - "One for Sorrow" (Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Lance Ellington) — 4:20
- "HeartbeatHeartbeat (Steps song)"Heartbeat / Tragedy" was the fourth single released by British pop group Steps. "Heartbeat", written by Jackie James was the first ballad released as a single by the group...
" (Jackie James) — 4:24 - "This Heart Will Love Again" (Andrew FramptonAndrew FramptonAndrew James Ker Frampton is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back and who also has the ability to play at full-back. He currently plays for Gillingham.-Early career:...
, Waterman) — 3:48 - "Experienced" (Stock, Waterman) — 3:27
- "Too Weak to Resist" (Frampton, Waterman) — 3:50
- "Better Best ForgottenBetter Best Forgotten"Better Best Forgotten" is a song by Steps, released on 8 March 1999 - only a month before the ABBA tribute single "Thank ABBA for the Music" was released.-Music video:...
(Frampton, Waterman) — 3:42 - "Back to You" (Topham, Twigg) — 4:04
- "Love U More" (Lucia Holm, Paul CannellPaul CannellPaul Cannell is an English former footballer who played as a forward for Newcastle United between 1972 and 1978. He made 62 appearances and scored 18 goals, before moving to the United States...
) — 3:57 - "Stay with Me" (Olga Lange, Leigh Matty, Craig Joiner, Anthony MitmanRomeo's DaughterRomeo's Daughter are a British AOR mainstream rock band with Leigh Matty, Craig Joiner, Anthony Mitman. The band released two albums in 1988 and 1993 respectively. The band then reformed in 2009 and plan to release new material.- History :...
) — 4:04 - "One for Sorrow" (Remix) — 6:53 (Australia bonus track)
- Also called the W.I.P Remix.
- "Tragedy" (Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
, Robin GibbRobin GibbRobin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
, Maurice GibbMaurice GibbMaurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
) — 4:30 (Australia hidden track)- Included in later copy prints.
US release
SteptacularSteptacular
Steptacular is the second studio album by British pop group Steps, released in the United Kingdom on 25 October 1999. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number one, where it remained on the position for three weeks, selling 260,000 copies in the same time frame...
was released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as Step One.
- "Tragedy" — 4:32
- "Say You'll Be Mine" — 3:33
- "One for Sorrow" (US Mix) — 3:30
- "Last Thing on My Mind" — 3:05
- "5, 6, 7, 8" — 3:23
- "Stay with Me" — 4:05
- "Love's Got a Hold on My HeartLove's Got a Hold on My Heart"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" is a song by Steps, which became a hit in the United Kingdom. It was actually written in 1991 by Pete Waterman but never surfaced as a single until Steps released it eight years later in 1999.-Music video:...
" — 3:20 - "After the Love Has GoneAfter the Love Has Gone (Steps song)"After the Love Has Gone" is a song by Steps, released as their seventh single, and the third from their second album Steptacular.-Music video:...
" — 4:35 - "Heartbeat" — 4:25
- "Deeper Shade of BlueDeeper Shade of Blue"Deeper Shade of Blue" is a song by British group Steps, released as the band's ninth single. The song is an uptempo pop song about the darker side of life and an attempt to break free. It was the fifth song to be released from the group's second album Steptacular...
" — 4:16 - "Better the Devil You Know" — 3:48
Personnel
- Producers:
- Topham, Twigg & Waterman (for tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, & 13)
- Frampton & Waterman (for tracks 5, 7 & 8)
- Sanders, Frampton & Waterman (for track 6)
- Work in Progress (W.I.P) (for track 11 & 13)
- Sanders & Waterman (for track 12)
- Engineers:
- Chris McDonnell (for tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, & 13)
- Dan Frampton (for tracks 5 & 7)
- McDonnell & Frampton (for track 8 & 9)
- Jason Barron, Martin NearyMartin NearyMartin Neary LVO is an English organist and choral conductor. He was Organist and Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral from 1972 to 1988, and Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey from 1988 to 1998...
& Frampton (for track 6) - Paul Waterman (for track 11)
- Barron (for track 12)
- Mixing:
- Work in Progress (W.I.P) (for track 1)
- Les Sharma (for track 3)
- Paul Waterman (for tracks 2, 11, & 12)
- Waterman & Dan Frampton (for 4, 5, 6 & 10)
- Frampton (for tracks 7, 8, & 9)
- Work in Progress (W.I.P) (for track 13)
- Assistant engineers: Bradlee/Al & Pete
- All tracks were recorded and mixed at the PWL Studios n LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and ManchesterManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
.
Chart positions and certifications
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Charts ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
5 |
| Belgian Ultratop Charts Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
1 |
| Netherlands MegaCharts MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
33 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Albums Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
6 |
| Swedish Albums Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
46 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
2 |
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
79 |
| Country | Provider | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
5× Platinum | 1,500,000+ |
| Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
Platinum | 70,000+ |
| Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
IFPI | Platinum | 1,000,000+ |
End-of-year charts
| End-of-year chart (1998) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
35 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
4 |
Release history
| Country | Release date | Format | Label | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 11 September 1998 | Standard edition (CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... ) |
Jive Jive Records Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African... / EBUL EBUL EBUL is a record label belonging to Pete Waterman Ltd and Jive/Zomba.EBUL was established by Pete Waterman from the ashes of his Eastern Bloc Records and Unity record labels... |
015911-2 |
| Standard edition (cassette Compact Cassette The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel... ) |
015911-4 | |||
| Australia | 11 September 1998 | Limited edition (CD + Dance routine booklet) | Jive / Liberation Liberation Records Liberation Records is a Southern California record company. It was formed by 16-year-old David Taba in 1994. The label notably discovered and released the debut album of Home Grown and, in 1994, released the classic Punk Sucks compilation... |
MUSH33147-2 |
| Hong Kong | 11 September 1998 | Limited edition (CD + VCD) | Rock (HK) | ROD-9115 |
| Indonesia | 11 September 1998 | Standard edition (CD) | Zomba | Z-CD-0110798 |
| Netherlands | 11 September 1998 | Jive / EBUL | 015911-2 | |
| Japan | 1 January 1999 | Jive / AVEX | AVCZ-95107 | |
| Germany | 2 March 1999 | Jive / EBUL | ||
| Canada | 9 July 1999 | 01241-44149-2 | ||
| United States | 8 February 2000 | Jive | 01241-41688-4 | |
| Brazil | 21 August 2000 | 01241-41635-2 |