Step by Step (New Kids on the Block song)

Last updated
"Step by Step"
Step by Step single cover.jpg
Single cover
Single by New Kids on the Block
from the album Step by Step
B-side "Valentine Girl"
ReleasedMay 10, 1990 [1]
Recorded1989
Genre Dance-pop, R&B
Length4:29
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Maurice Starr
Producer(s) Maurice Starr
New Kids on the Block singles chronology
"This One's for the Children"
(1989)		"Step by Step"
(1990)		"Valentine Girl"
(1990)

"Step by Step" is a song by American boyband New Kids on the Block, released on May 10, 1990 as the first single from the album of the same name (1990). It is the group's biggest-selling hit single. The lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight. Danny Wood sang "Step 1", Donnie Wahlberg sang "Step 2", Jordan Knight sang "Step 3", Joey McIntyre sang "Step 4", and Jonathan Knight sang "Step 5".

Contents

"Step by Step" was initially recorded by one of Maurice Starr's other groups, The Superiors. It was released as a single in 1987 on Motown Records but it was not successful. The New Kids cover of the song on the other hand was a huge worldwide hit, becoming one of the biggest selling singles of 1990. The New Kids on the Block's cover spent three weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was eventually certified platinum; it also spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Canadian Singles Chart, in total "Step by Step" spent five weeks at No. 1 in the North American charts. It also peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and was also a top 10 hit in the Australian, French, West German, Irish and Norwegian charts.

Critical reception

Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote, "Unstoppable teen idols preview upcoming album of the same name with a perky pop/dance confection rife with disco-era string fills. The phenomenon continues." [2] Greg Sandow from Entertainment Weekly praised "Step by Step" as "a wonderfully ingratiating morsel of pop. It’s nourished by a chugging beat and (for dessert, so to speak) offers perky disco strings and a brief flash of silver falsetto from New Kid Jordan Knight." [3] Ben Thompson from NME commented, "The New Kids can be forgiven a certain caution as to where they are putting their feet, given their recent run-in with a malevolent cuddly toy. Excepting some nice Saturday Night Fever fake strings, all potential points of interest have been relentlessly expunged from this record." [4] In their review of the album, People Magazine found that the music "is in fact better in spots than on their previous effort", noting that the song is "funkier". [5] Rolling Stone described it as "a peppy reintroduction to the group that breaks up its generalized pledges of devotion with quick spots from each member, one-liners coyly called "ad libs" on the lyric sheet, although they're faithfully printed. (Nothing but nothing on this record happens by chance.)" [6]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Step by Step" was directed by American director Larry Jordan. [7] Donnie Wahlberg's brother Mark Wahlberg also appears in the video.

Impact and legacy

"Step by Step" was voted #4 in a Smash Hits poll of "Best Boyband songs...Ever" and also made the list of the top 30 Guilty Pleasures on About.com's music site. [8]

The song was voted #7 in a viewer poll of the greatest boy band/girl band songs on New Zealand show UChoose40. [9] It was also voted #1 in a viewer poll of the greatest Guilty Pleasures on the same show.

In August 2007, it was confirmed that "Step by Step" would be part of a 30-song track list in the new edition of the SingStar series titled SingStar 90s , a karaoke style game on classic '90s songs. [10]

Furthermore, it was chosen as part of a 32-track dance game in November 2009 for the Wii, called Just Dance .

In January 2015, Heat magazine's TV Channel placed it at #17 in their "Greatest Boyband Anthems" countdown.

Track listings

  1. "Step by Step" - 4:27
  2. "Valentine Girl" - 3:57
  1. "Step by Step" - 4:27
  2. "Valentine Girl" - 3:57
  1. "Step by Step" (Radio Edit) - 3:59
  2. "Step by Step" (LP Version) - 4:27
  3. "Step by Step" (12" Club Remix) - 5:25

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [41] Gold35,000^
Canada (Music Canada) [42] Platinum100,000^
France (SNEP) [43] Silver200,000*
Japan (RIAJ) [44] Gold50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] Silver200,000^
United States (RIAA) [46] Platinum1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Kids on the Block</span> American boy band

New Kids on the Block is an American boy band from Dorchester, Massachusetts. The band consists of brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have sold more than 80 million records worldwide, and are often credited for paving the way for future boy bands such as Take That, Backstreet Boys and NSYNC. They won two American Music Awards in 1990 for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group and Favorite Pop/Rock Album. In 1991, they performed the halftime show at Super Bowl XXV, a first for a popular music group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Vibrations (Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch song)</span> 1991 single by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch

"Good Vibrations" is a song by American group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch featuring Loleatta Holloway. It was released in July 1991 as the lead single from their debut album, Music for the People (1991). The song became a number-one hit in the United States, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland.

<i>Hangin Tough</i> 1988 studio album by New Kids on the Block

Hangin' Tough is the second studio album by American boy band New Kids on the Block, released on August 12, 1988, by Columbia Records. It is widely regarded as the group's breakthrough album, gaining positive reviews for their musical transition from bubblegum pop to urban contemporary, blended with popular rock music. The group's label had planned to end their contract when their 1986 debut garnered little commercial and critical attention, which nearly led to their breakup. However, Maurice Starr, the group's producer, diligently persuaded the label to let them record a second album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)</span> 1969 single by The Delfonics

"Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" is a song by American soul group the Delfonics, co-written by producer Thom Bell and lead singer William Hart. It was released as a single in 1969 on the Philly Groove record label and appeared on their self-titled third album the following year. The song reached number three on the Billboard R&B chart and number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. Overseas, the song peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart in and number 81 in Australia. The Delfonics won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for the song in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Don't Go Girl</span> 1988 single by New Kids on the Block

"Please Don't Go Girl" is a 1988 song by American boyband New Kids on the Block. The lead vocals were sung by Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, and spoken by Danny Wood, but the majority of the lyrics were sung by Joey McIntyre. Written and produced by Maurice Starr, it was the first release from their second album, Hangin' Tough (1988), and also became the group's first commercial hit. "Please Don't Go Girl" first rose from #62 to #46, on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart during the week of July 30, 1988. The single was the first major commercial exposure of the group, resulting in somewhat of a slow, but steady climb. The single eventually peaked at #10 the week of October 8, 1988. In 1997, Aaron Carter covered this song and was featured on his international self-titled debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Got It (The Right Stuff)</span> 1988 single by New Kids on the Block

"You Got It (The Right Stuff)" is a 1988 single from New Kids on the Block. The lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg. The second single from the group's second album Hangin' Tough, it peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in early 1989, while topping the UK charts in November 1989. On the album, it was simply listed as "The Right Stuff"; the change to the single was probably to avoid confusion with Vanessa Williams' debut hit "The Right Stuff", which charted earlier that year. A Spanish version of the song was made ("Autentica") and peaked at number 11 in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be Loving You (Forever)</span> 1989 single by New Kids on the Block

"I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" is a 1989 ballad song from New Kids on the Block, released as the third single from the group's second album, Hangin' Tough. The lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight. It was the group's first single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, while peaking at number five in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hangin' Tough (song)</span> 1989 single by New Kids on the Block

"Hangin' Tough" is a song by American boy band New Kids on the Block, released as a single in 1989 through Columbia Records. It was the fourth single from the group's second album of the same name (1988). The lead vocals are sung by Donnie Wahlberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cover Girl (New Kids on the Block song)</span> 1989 single by New Kids on the Block

"Cover Girl" is a 1989 single from New Kids on the Block. The lead vocals were sung by Donnie Wahlberg. The fifth and final single from their multi-platinum second studio album Hangin' Tough (1988), it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 on the week of November 4, being held off from the top spot by Roxette's "Listen to Your Heart". The song became the fifth consecutive top 10 single from the album on the Billboard Hot 100, making NKOTB the first teen act to gain such chart success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This One's for the Children</span> 1989 single by New Kids on the Block

"This One's for the Children" is a 1989 single by New Kids on the Block. The lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg. Taken from the group's holiday album, Merry, Merry Christmas, the single peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1990, and number 9 on the UK Singles Chart 11 months later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Kids on the Block discography</span>

The American boy band New Kids on the Block has released eight studio albums, seven compilation albums, one EP, thirty-two singles, and five video albums. As of 2005, they had sold more than 17.5 million albums in the United States alone and to date, over 80 million records worldwide.

<i>Step by Step</i> (New Kids on the Block album) 1990 studio album by New Kids on the Block

Step by Step is the fourth studio album by American boy band New Kids on the Block, released in June 1990 via Columbia Records.

<i>No More Games/The Remix Album</i> 1990 remix album by New Kids on the Block

No More Games: The Remix Album is a remix album from pop group New Kids on the Block. It peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)</span> 1986 single by Cyndi Lauper

"True Colors" is a number one hit song written by American songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was both the title track and the first single released from American singer Cyndi Lauper's second studio album of the same name (1986). Released in mid-1986, the song spent two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, being Lauper's second and last single to occupy the top of the chart. It received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be Your Everything (Tommy Page song)</span> 1990 single by Tommy Page

"I'll Be Your Everything" is a song by American pop music singer Tommy Page from his album Paintings in My Mind. Released as a single in early 1990, "I'll Be Your Everything" reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 1990. The song spent one week at No. 1, thirteen weeks in the Top 40 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. "I'll Be Your Everything" also peaked at No. 31 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight (New Kids on the Block song)</span> 1990 single by New Kids on the Block

"Tonight" is a 1990 song recorded by the American pop band New Kids on the Block. It was their third single from their 1990 album Step by Step. It was a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic. It first reached #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and then went on to reach #3 on the UK Singles Chart soon after its American success, giving the band another hit, as, at this point, they were at their commercial peak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirty Dawg</span> 1993 single by NKOTB

"Dirty Dawg" is a song by American boyband NKOTB, which became their final single to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 until the 2008 single "Summertime". It was featured on their 1994 album Face the Music. The lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg rapped in the song, but he rapped only small bits during the instrumental breaks. There was another rap in the song featured by the former East Coast hip hop duo Nice & Smooth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summertime (New Kids on the Block song)</span> 2008 single by New Kids on the Block

"Summertime" is song by New Kids on the Block, and the first single from their album The Block. The single was released on May 13, 2008, and was the first new single released by the group since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Try It Again</span> 1990 single by New Kids on the Block

"Let's Try It Again" is a song performed by New Kids on the Block. Written and produced by Maurice Starr, it was the fourth and final single from the group's third album, Step by Step, released in the fall of 1990. It contains shared lead vocals by Danny Wood and Jordan Knight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Games (New Kids on the Block song)</span> 1990 single by New Kids on the Block

"Games" is a song by American boyband New Kids on the Block, released as the first single from their first compilation/remix album, No More Games/The Remix Album (1990). Employing hip-hop samples with riffs sung by Jordan Knight, and defensive rhymes by Donnie Wahlberg, the song was a dramatic departure from their previously clean cut sound. It also includes shout-outs to Donnie's brother Mark Wahlberg and his group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. The song features a chorus section taken from the movie the wizard of Oz, namely the West witch's soldiers chant: oh ee oh, oh oh. The accompanying music video for "Games" received heavy rotation on MTV Europe.

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Coleman, Bill (May 19, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 77. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  3. ↑ Sandow, Greg (June 22, 1990). "Step By Step". Entertainment Weekly .
  4. ↑ Thompson, Ben (June 9, 1990). "Singles". NME . Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Step by Step". People . July 16, 1990. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  6. ↑ "The kids are just alright. Rolling Stone . August 9, 1990. Issue 584.
  7. ↑ "New Kids on the Block: Step by Step". IMDb . Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Guilty Pleasures: A Month of Pop Music Guilty Pleasures". Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  9. ↑ "Home - TV - FOUR". C4tv.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  10. ↑ "SingStar '90s - Solus (PS2) : Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games". Amazon UK. Archived from the original on 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  11. ↑ Step By Step (US 7-inch Single liner notes). New Kids on the Block. Columbia. 1990. 38-73343.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Step By Step (Canadian 7-inch Single liner notes). New Kids on the Block. Columbia. 1990. 38-73343.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ "New Kids On The Block - Step By Step". ultratop.be. Archived from the original on 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  14. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – Step by Step". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  15. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – Step by Step" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  16. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – Step by Step" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1276." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7955." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. June 30, 1990. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . June 23, 1990. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  20. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 263. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  21. ↑ "Top 3 Greece" (PDF). Music & Media . August 11, 1990. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  22. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Step by Step". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – New Kids on the Block" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  24. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – Step by Step" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  25. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – Step by Step". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  26. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – Step by Step". VG-lista. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  27. ↑ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  28. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – Step by Step". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  29. ↑ ""Step by Step" on Swedish Charts". Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
  30. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  31. ↑ "New Kids on the Block Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  32. ↑ "New Kids on the Block Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – New Kids on the Block – Step by Step" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  34. ↑
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  35. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990". ARIA . Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Archived from the original on September 21, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 7, no. 51. 22 December 1990. p. 60. OCLC   29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2020– via American Radio History.
  38. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  39. ↑ "1990 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-14.
  40. ↑ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  41. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  42. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – New Kids On The Block – Step by Step". Music Canada . Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  43. ↑ "French single certifications – New Kids On The Block – Step by Step" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  44. ↑ "Japanese single certifications – ニュー・キッズ・オン・ザ・ブロック – Step by Step" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved 13 March 2016.Select 1992年4月 on the drop-down menu
  45. ↑ "British single certifications – New Kids On The Block – Step by Step". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  46. ↑ "American single certifications – New Kids On The Block – Step by Step". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 13 March 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.