Step by Step (Annie Lennox song)
Encyclopedia
"Step by Step" is a song written and originally recorded by singer Annie Lennox
, later a cross over pop hit by R&B/pop singer Whitney Houston
. The song served as the second single from Houston's 1996 soundtrack album, The Preacher's Wife
. Lennox's recording originally appeared as the B-side
to her 1992 single
"Precious
" Largely, Houston's version replaces Lennox's verses with new lyrics and omits portions from the bridge as well. Annie Lennox also provides background vocals in Houston's rendition.
of The Baltimore Sun
"Step By Step" is "a slick, synth-driven number that recalls the '80s-style sparkle of her early hits" and "certain to spend many weeks in the Top 10". In its review for the dance single for "Step By Step", Billboard Magazine called it an "uplifting anthem" in which "Houston cuts loose with stirring gospel fervor". Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In
called it "aerobically upbeat", adding that the song "embraces the challenges of living day by day" While reviewing The Preacher's Wife album, Cary Darling of The Orange County Register
noted that Houston "turns in a credible, danceable take on Annie Lennox's "Step by Step" and that "the Teddy Riley remix digs a deep new jack groove."
singles chart in the U.S. Houston's single charted successfully across the globe, reaching the Top 20 in over 45 countries. It was certified Gold by the RIAA. In the United Kingdom the song was released in late 1996 and peaked at #13 in the UK Singles Chart
in January 1997 and went on to spend 13 weeks in the chart. The song reached Gold in Germany.
(1997), The European Tour
(1998), My Love Is Your Love World Tour
(1999), Soul Divas Tour
(2004) and Nothing but Love World Tour (2009–2010). It was also performed in her HBO special Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C.
in 1997.
Recording and mixing
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
, later a cross over pop hit by R&B/pop singer Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
. The song served as the second single from Houston's 1996 soundtrack album, The Preacher's Wife
The Preacher's Wife
The Preacher's Wife is a 1996 romantic-family-dramedy-christmas film directed by Penny Marshall, and starring Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Loretta Devine. It is a remake of the 1947 film The Bishop's Wife....
. Lennox's recording originally appeared as the B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
to her 1992 single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Precious
Precious (Annie Lennox song)
"Precious" is a song by Annie Lennox. It was released as the second single from her debut solo album, Diva, in 1992 and peaked at number 23 in the UK...
" Largely, Houston's version replaces Lennox's verses with new lyrics and omits portions from the bridge as well. Annie Lennox also provides background vocals in Houston's rendition.
Critical reception
Billboard Magazine called it "one of the shining moments on the soundtrack to The Preacher's Wife" and described it as "a rousing, gospel-kissed chugger", adding that "[i]t's been too long since Houston has cut loose on an uptempo number, and she whips through this jam with engaging ease". According to J. D. ConsidineJ. D. Considine
J. D. Considine is an established music critic who has been writing about music professionally since 1977. His work has been published in numerous newspapers and music magazines, and he has contributed to several books. Over the years, he has claimed to have put over three million words into...
of The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
"Step By Step" is "a slick, synth-driven number that recalls the '80s-style sparkle of her early hits" and "certain to spend many weeks in the Top 10". In its review for the dance single for "Step By Step", Billboard Magazine called it an "uplifting anthem" in which "Houston cuts loose with stirring gospel fervor". Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In
Plugged In
Plugged In was a monthly magazine published by Focus on the Family. Its print version was discontinued and now it survives as a web site, Plugged In Online....
called it "aerobically upbeat", adding that the song "embraces the challenges of living day by day" While reviewing The Preacher's Wife album, Cary Darling of The Orange County Register
The Orange County Register
The Orange County Register is a daily newspaper published in Santa Ana, California. The Register is the flagship publication of Freedom Communications, Inc., which publishes 28 daily newspapers, 23 weekly newspapers, Coast magazine, and several related Internet sites.The Register is notable for its...
noted that Houston "turns in a credible, danceable take on Annie Lennox's "Step by Step" and that "the Teddy Riley remix digs a deep new jack groove."
Chart activity
After its release, "Step by Step" reached number 15 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...
singles chart in the U.S. Houston's single charted successfully across the globe, reaching the Top 20 in over 45 countries. It was certified Gold by the RIAA. In the United Kingdom the song was released in late 1996 and peaked at #13 in 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 ...
in January 1997 and went on to spend 13 weeks in the chart. The song reached Gold in Germany.
Live performances
After its release, "Step by Step" has been performed on all of Houston's tours: Pacific Rim TourPacific Rim Tour
The Pacific Rim Tour was a concert tour of arenas or stadiums by American Pop/R&B singer Whitney Houston that included 10 concert dates in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and Hawaii in 1997.-Setlist:# "I'm Every Woman"# "So Emotional"...
(1997), The European Tour
The European Tour (Whitney Houston)
The European Tour was a 10-dates concert tour in Europe only by American singer Whitney Houston. The tour started in Halle, Germany on June 20, 1998 and ended in Aschaffenburg, Germany on July 11, 1998 before the release of her fourth studio album My Love Is Your Love.-Setlist:#"I'm Every...
(1998), My Love Is Your Love World Tour
My Love Is Your Love World Tour
-Additional notes:*During opening night, June 22nd in Chicago, IL; after Houston performed "I Will Always Love You" she closed the show with two encore's, "My Love Is Your Love" and "Step by Step"...
(1999), Soul Divas Tour
Soul Divas Tour
The Soul Divas Tour was a tour by American R&B/soul singer's Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick and global icon Whitney Houston. The tour was a one-month trek that started on July 2nd, in Berlin, Germany. Houston was featured as the main headliner, toured China without Cole and Warwick, adding a few more...
(2004) and Nothing but Love World Tour (2009–2010). It was also performed in her HBO special Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C.
Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C.
Classic Whitney, Live from Washington, D.C., were special live concerts by Whitney Houston featuring many of her greatest hits, as well as gospel favorites and songs saluting some of her influences including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross. The concerts were held at historic DAR...
in 1997.
Track listing
- CD-Single
- "Step by Step" (Album Version) — 4:12
- "Step by Step" (Teddy Riley Remix) — 4:32
- CD-Maxi
- "Step By Step" (Album Version) — 4:12
- "Step By Step" (Teddy Riley Remix) — 4:32
- "Step By Step" (Junior Vasquez Remix) — 11:50
- "Step By Step" (Soul Solution Diva Vocal Mix) — 9:02
Chart positions
| Chart (1996/1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA 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... ) |
12 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... ) |
6 |
| Belgium (Flandres Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... ) |
13 |
| Belgium (Wallonia Ultratop 40 Ultratop 40 Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization... ) |
12 |
| Canada (RPM Top 100 Singles RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... ) |
23 |
| Europe (European Hot 100) | 10 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 11 |
| France (SNEP) | 30 |
| Germany (Media Control Charts Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... ) |
8 |
| Ireland (IRMA Irish Recorded Music Association Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:... ) |
14 |
| Italy (Musica e Dischi Musica e Dischi Musica e Dischi is the oldest and most important music industry publication in Italy. It was founded in October 1945 in Milan, Italy on the initiative of the journalist and musicologist Aldo Mario De Luigi, a former senior record of VCM... ) |
14 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... ) |
13 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 46 |
| Spain (AFYVE) | 2 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan 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 .... ) |
15 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 15 |
| U.K (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 ... ) |
13 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard 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... |
15 |
| U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 29 |
| U.S. Dance Music/Club-Play | 3 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 67 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 30 |
| Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia) | 90 |
| U.S Dance/Club-Play Singles | 21 |
Certifications
| Country (Provider) | Certification |
|---|---|
| Australia (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... ) |
Gold |
| Germany (BVMI Bundesverband Musikindustrie The Bundesverband Musikindustrie or simply BVMI represents the music industry in Germany. The association represents the interests of nearly 350 labels and music industry related enterprises.... ) |
Gold |
| United Kingdom (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... ) |
Silver |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold |
Personnel
Credits- Producer, mixer — Stephen Lipson
- Writer — Annie Lennox
- Vocal arrangement — Whitney Houston
- Recording engineer — Heff Moraes
Recording and mixing
- Recorded at the Aquarium Studio, London, UK and Crossway Studios, MendhamMendham Township, New JerseyMendham Township is an affluent township in Morris County, in the central portion of northern New Jersey, United States, located more than due west of New York City. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 5,400...
, NJ - Mixed at the Aquarium Studio, London, UK
External links
- Step By Step at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...