Step One

Step One
Step One
Studio album by Steps
Released	14 September 1998
Recorded	1997–1998
Studio	PWL Studios (London & Manchester)
Genre	Pop; dance-pop; techno-pop; disco;
Length	39:08
Label	Jive
Producer	Mark Topham; Karl Twigg; Pete Waterman; Andrew Frampton; Dan Sanders; W.I.P;
Steps chronology
Singles from Step One
	"5,6,7,8"; Released: 27 November 1997; "Last Thing on My Mind"; Released: 17 April 1998; "One for Sorrow"; Released: 31 August 1998; "Heartbeat" / "Tragedy"; Released: 6 November 1998; "Better Best Forgotten"; Released: 8 March 1999;

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[1]
Answers.com	^[2]
DooYoo.co.uk	^[3]

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 the UK Albums Chart upon its release, going on to spend 64 weeks in the chart. It was beaten to number one by This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours by Manic Street Preachers, who also beat Steps' single "One for Sorrow" to number one on the UK Singles Chart with the song "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next". In February 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, and has sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.^[4]

The album contains some covers; "Last Thing on My Mind" was originally released in 1992 as a single by British girl group Bananarama, while "Love U More" was originally recorded by techno/house band Sunscreem. "Experienced" was originally recorded by boybands The Bario Boys & Worlds Apart, and "Stay With Me" appears on Romeo's Daughters' self-titled début album. "Tragedy", which was recorded for a Bee Gees tribute album, was paired with "Heartbeat" as a winter holiday double A-side single (included on the group's second album, Steptacular), but is also featured as a bonus track on some international editions of this album.

The album was reissued on vinyl for the first time ever in February 2024.^[5]^[6] It debuted at number 6 on the UK Vinyl Albums Chart.^[7]

Track listing

Standard edition
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Steptro"	Mike Stock Pete Waterman Sara Dallin Keren Woodward	Mark Topham Karl Twigg Waterman	0:56
2.	"Last Thing on My Mind"	Stock Waterman Dallin Woodward	Topham Twigg Waterman	3:04
3.	"5,6,7,8"	Barry Upton Steve Crosby	Topham Twigg Waterman	3:22
4.	"One for Sorrow"	Topham Twigg Lance Ellington	Topham Twigg Waterman	4:20
5.	"Heartbeat"	Jackie James	Andrew Frampton Waterman	4:24
6.	"This Heart Will Love Again"	Frampton Waterman	Dan Sanders Frampton Waterman	3:48
7.	"Experienced" (H solo)	Stock Waterman	Frampton Waterman	3:27
8.	"Too Weak to Resist" (H solo)	Frampton Waterman	Frampton Waterman	3:50
9.	"Better Best Forgotten"	Frampton Waterman	Topham Twigg Waterman	3:42
10.	"Back to You"	Topham Twigg	Topham Twigg Waterman	4:04
11.	"Love U More"	Lucia Holm Paul Cannell	Work in Progress	3:57
12.	"Stay with Me"	Olga Lange Craig Joiner Anthony Mitman Leigh Matty	Sanders Waterman	4:04

Australian bonus tracks
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
13.	"One for Sorrow" (W.I.P. remix)	Topham Twigg Ellington	Topham Twigg Waterman W.I.P.	6:53
14.	"Tragedy" (Hidden track)	Barry Gibb Robin Gibb Maurice Gibb	Topham Twigg Waterman	4:30

Japanese bonus tracks
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)
13.	"Tragedy"	B. Gibb R. Gibb M. Gibb	Topham Twigg Waterman
14.	"5,6,7,8" (W.I.P. remix)	Upton Crosby	Topham Twigg Waterman W.I.P.
15.	"One for Sorrow" (W.I.P. remix)	Topham Twigg Ellington	Topham Twigg Waterman W.I.P.
16.	"Better Best Forgotten" (W.I.P. remix)	Frampton Waterman	Topham Twigg Waterman W.I.P.

American release

Steps’ North American debut album, released in 2000, was also (somewhat confusingly) titled Step One, yet it features a different song selection than their original album of the same name. At just eleven tracks, the American edition is primarily made-up of the group’s “standout” singles, selected from both their debut album (Step One) and their second album (Steptacular).

“Better Best Forgotten" was not included and replaced with the album track “Stay with Me”. The American release essentially a "best-of" collection for the first two years of Steps’ career, 1998 through 2000. The American edition also utilises the cover artwork from their original second album, Steptacular. The original mix of "One for Sorrow" was omitted in-favour of Tony Moran’s remix, the same version to receive airplay on American radio.

Standard edition
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Tragedy" (BeeGees)	4:30
2.	"Say You'll Be Mine"	3:33
3.	"One for Sorrow" (US Mix)	3:30
4.	"Last Thing on My Mind"	3:05
5.	"5, 6, 7, 8"	3:23
6.	"Stay with Me"	4:05
7.	"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart"	3:20
8.	"After the Love Has Gone"	4:35
9.	"Heartbeat"	4:25
10.	"Deeper Shade of Blue"	4:16
11.	"Better the Devil You Know" (Stock Aitken Waterman)	3:48

US singles

"One for Sorrow" (US Mix)
"Tragedy"

Personnel

Producers:
- Topham, Twigg and Waterman (for tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13)
- Frampton and Waterman (for tracks 5, 7 and 8)
- Sanders, Frampton and Waterman (for track 6)
- Work in Progress (W.I.P) (for tracks 11 and 13)
- Sanders and Waterman (for track 12)
Engineers:
- Chris McDonnell (for tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 and 13)
- Dan Frampton (for tracks 5 and 7)
- McDonnell and Frampton (for track 8 and 9)
- Jason Barron, Martin Neary and 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 and 12)
- Waterman and Dan Frampton (for 4, 5, 6 and 10)
- Frampton (for tracks 7, 8 and 9)
- Work in Progress (W.I.P) (for track 13)
Assistant engineers: Bradlee/Al and Pete
All tracks were recorded and mixed at the PWL Studios in London and Manchester.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1998–2000)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[8]	5
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[9]	1
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[10]	33
European Albums Chart^[11]	14
Irish Albums (IRMA)^[12]	8
Japanese Albums (Oricon)^[13]^{[full citation needed]}	19
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[14]	6
Scottish Albums (OCC)^[15]	4
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[16]	46
Taiwanese Albums (IFPI)^[17]	9
UK Albums (OCC)^[18]	2
US Billboard 200^[19]	79

Chart (2024)	Peak position
UK Vinyl Albums^[20]	6

Year-end charts

Chart (1998)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[21]	35
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[22]	4
UK Albums (OCC)^[23]	13

Chart (1999)	Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[24]	28
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[25]	30
UK Albums (OCC)^[26]	16

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[27]	Platinum	70,000^{^}
Belgium (BRMA)^[28]	2× Platinum	100,000^*
Japan (RIAJ)^[29]	Gold	100,000^{^}
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[30]	Platinum	15,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[31]	5× Platinum	1,402,303^[4]
United States	—	200,000^[32]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)^[33]	Platinum	1,000,000^*
Worldwide	—	2,500,000^[34]
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country	Release date	Format	Label	Catalogue
United Kingdom^[35]	14 September 1998	Standard edition (CD)	Jive / EBUL	015911-2
United Kingdom^[35]	14 September 1998	Standard edition (cassette)	Jive / EBUL	015911-4
Australia^[35]	14 September 1998	Limited edition (CD + Dance routine booklet)	Jive / Liberation	MUSH33147-2
Hong Kong^[35]	14 September 1998	Limited edition (CD + VCD)	Rock (HK)	ROD-9115
Indonesia^[35]	14 September 1998	Standard edition (CD)	Zomba	Z-CD-0110798
Netherlands^[35]	14 September 1998		Jive / EBUL	015911-2
Japan^[35]	1 January 1999		Jive / AVEX	AVCZ-95107
Germany^[35]	2 March 1999		Jive / EBUL
Canada^[35]	9 July 1999		Jive / EBUL	01241-44149-2
United States^[35]	8 February 2000		Jive	01241-41688-4
Brazil^[35]	21 August 2000			01241-41635-2
Worldwide	23 February 2024	Vinyl

References

^ AllMusic review
^ Answers.com review
^ DooYoo.co.uk review
^ ^a ^b Gumble, Daniel (6 March 2017). "Steps confirm comeback album, tour and ABBA-penned new song". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
^ Smith, Carl (13 December 2023). "Steps to release Step One, Steptacular and Buzz albums on vinyl". Official Charts. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
^ Gotto, Connor (14 December 2023). "Steps announce long-awaited vinyl reissue series for classic albums". Retro Pop Magazine. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
^ "Steps - Step One". Official Charts. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
^ "Australiancharts.com – Steps – Step One". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Ultratop.be – Steps – Step One" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Steps – Step One" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 October 1998. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Steps". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Oricon Style". www.oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 8 March 2010.
^ "Charts.nz – Steps – Step One". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Steps – Step One". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ IFPI Taiwan - International Top 10 (1998/32)
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Steps Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Official Vinyl Albums Chart on 1/3/2024 1 March 2024 - 7 March 2024". Official Charts. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
^ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 1998". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1999". Ultratop. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "Top Selling Albums of 1999". The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1999". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年3月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. March 1999 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 474. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 9. 10 May 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Steps – Seps One". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
^ "British album certifications – Steps – Seps One". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
^ "UK Pop Acts Have To Speak New Language". Billboard. 19 May 2001. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1999". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
^ "The Secret of Jive's Success". Billboard. 30 October 1999.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "Release dates, editions, and chart positions of Step One". gensteps.co.uk Retrieved 5 March 2010

[1] AllMusic review

[2] Answers.com review

[3] DooYoo.co.uk review

[UK_sales-4] Gumble, Daniel (6 March 2017). "Steps confirm comeback album, tour and ABBA-penned new song". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 6 March 2017.

[5] Smith, Carl (13 December 2023). "Steps to release Step One, Steptacular and Buzz albums on vinyl". Official Charts. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

[6] Gotto, Connor (14 December 2023). "Steps announce long-awaited vinyl reissue series for classic albums". Retro Pop Magazine. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

[7] "Steps - Step One". Official Charts. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.

[ac_Australia_Steps-8] "Australiancharts.com – Steps – Step One". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[ac_Flanders_Steps-9] "Ultratop.be – Steps – Step One" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[ac_Netherlands_Steps-10] "Dutchcharts.nl – Steps – Step One" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[11] "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 October 1998. Retrieved 1 January 2025.

[ac_Ireland2_Steps-12] "Irish-charts.com – Discography Steps". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[13] "Oricon Style". www.oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 8 March 2010.

[ac_New_Zealand_Steps-14] "Charts.nz – Steps – Step One". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[ac_Scotland_-15] "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[ac_Sweden_Steps-16] "Swedishcharts.com – Steps – Step One". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[17] IFPI Taiwan - International Top 10 (1998/32)

[ac_UK2_-18] "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[ac_Billboard200_Steps-19] "Steps Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[20] "Official Vinyl Albums Chart on 1/3/2024 1 March 2024 - 7 March 2024". Official Charts. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.

[21] "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 1998". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 10 March 2012.

[22] "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 10 March 2012.

[23] "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[24] "Jaaroverzichten 1999". Ultratop. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[25] "Top Selling Albums of 1999". The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved 13 November 2019.

[26] "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1999". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2021.

[AustraliaStepsSeps_OnealbumCertRef-27] "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 September 2011.

[BelgiumStepsSeps_OnealbumCertRef-28] "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 September 2011.

[RIAJ-may1999-29] "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年3月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. March 1999 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 474. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 9. 10 May 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.

[nzcer-30] "New Zealand album certifications – Steps – Seps One". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.

[United_KingdomStepsSeps_OnealbumCertRef-31] "British album certifications – Steps – Seps One". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 September 2011.

[stepsbilboard-32] "UK Pop Acts Have To Speak New Language". Billboard. 19 May 2001. Retrieved 9 April 2012.

[EuropeStepsSeps_OnealbumCertRef-33] "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1999". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 September 2011.

[34] "The Secret of Jive's Success". Billboard. 30 October 1999.

[steponerelease-35] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "Release dates, editions, and chart positions of Step One". gensteps.co.uk Retrieved 5 March 2010

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v t e Steps
Lee Latchford-Evans Claire Richards Lisa Scott-Lee Faye Tozer Ian "H" Watkins Discography Songs
Studio albums	Step One Steptacular Buzz Light Up the World Tears on the Dancefloor (Tears on the Dancefloor: Crying at the Disco) What the Future Holds What the Future Holds Pt. 2
Live albums	Live! 2012 Party on the Dancefloor
Compilation albums	Gold: The Greatest Hits The Last Dance The Ultimate Collection Platinum Collection
Tours	The Ultimate Tour Party on the Dancefloor Tour
Related articles	H & Claire Here & Now (musical)

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