Step by Step (Annie Lennox song)

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"Step by Step"
B-side to "Precious" by Annie Lennox from the album Diva
Released 1992
Genre Pop
Length 4:46
Label RCA
Writer Annie Lennox
"Step by Step"
Single by Whitney Houston
from the album The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album
Released 24 February 1997
Recorded 1996
Genre R&B, dance, gospel
Length 4:12
Label Arista
Writer(s) Annie Lennox
Producer Stephen Lipson
Whitney Houston singles chronology
"I Believe in You and Me"
(1996)		 "Step by Step"
(1997)		 "My Heart Is Calling"
(1997)
Music video
"Step by Step" on YouTube

"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.

Contents

[edit] 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".[1] According to J. D. Considine 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".[2] 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".[3] Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In called it "aerobically upbeat", adding that the song "embraces the challenges of living day by day"[4] 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."[5]

[edit] Chart activity

After its release, "Step by Step" reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the U.S.[6] 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 as the first single from The Preacher's Wife soundtrack. It peaked at #13 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1997 and went on to spend 13 weeks in the chart.[7] The song reached Gold in Germany.

[edit] Live performances

After its release, "Step by Step" has been performed on all of Houston's tours: Pacific Rim Tour (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.

[edit] Track listing

  • CD single
  1. "Step by Step" (album version) — 4:12
  2. "Step by Step" (Teddy Riley Remix) — 4:32
  • CD maxi
  1. "Step by Step" (album version) — 4:12
  2. "Step by Step" (Teddy Riley Remix) — 4:32
  3. "Step by Step" (Junior Vasquez Remix) — 11:50
  4. "Step by Step" (Soul Solution Diva Vocal Mix) — 9:02

[edit] Charts and certifications

[edit] Chart positions

Chart (1996/1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 12
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 6
Belgium (Flandres Ultratop 50)[8] 13
Belgium (Wallonia Ultratop 40)[8] 12
Canada (RPM Top 100 Singles)[9] 23
Europe (European Hot 100)[10] 10
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[8] 11
France (SNEP)[8] 30
Germany (Media Control Charts)[11] 8
Ireland (IRMA)[12] 14
Italy (Musica e Dischi)[13] 14
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[8] 13
New Zealand (RIANZ)[8] 46
Spain (AFYVE)[14] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8] 15
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] 15
UK (UK Singles Chart)[15] 13
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[6] 15
U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[6] 29
U.S. Dance Music/Club Play[6] 3

[edit] Year-end charts

Chart (1997) Position
Australian Singles Chart[16] 67
Austrian Singles Chart[17] 30
Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia)[18] 90
U.S Dance/Club-Play Singles[19] 21

[edit] Certifications

Country (Provider) Certification
Australia (ARIA)[20] Gold
Germany (BVMI)[21] Gold
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] Silver
United States (RIAA)[23] Gold

[edit] Personnel

Credits[24]
  • Producer, mixer — Stephen Lipson
  • Writer — Annie Lennox
  • Vocal arrangement — Whitney Houston
  • Recording engineer — Heff Moraes
Recording and mixing[24]
  • Recorded at the Aquarium Studio, London, UK and Crossway Studios, Mendham, NJ
  • Mixed at the Aquarium Studio, London, UK

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Billboard Magazine - Reviews & Previews - p.68". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 15 February 1997. http://books.google.com/books?id=FA8EAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 15 August 2011.  (Transcription of original review at Classic Whitney.com)
  2. ^ J. D. Considine (28 November 1996). "'Preacher's Wife' lacks gospel fire". The Baltimore Sun. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-11-28/features/1996333060_1_preacher-wife-houston-gospel. Retrieved 7 August 2011. 
  3. ^ "Billboard Magazine - Reviews & Previews - p.85". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 11 January 1997. http://books.google.com/books?id=wQ4EAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 7 August 2011.  (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  4. ^ Waliszewski, Bob. "The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack – Plugged In Online Album Reviews". Plugged In. Focus on the Family. http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2002/whitneyhouston-thepreacherswifesoundtrack.aspx. Retrieved 17 August 2011. 
  5. ^ Cary Darling (3 December 1996). "ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK "The Preacher's Wife Arista". The Orange County Register. http://lubbockonline.com/news/120696/reviews2.htm. Retrieved 17 August 2011.  (Transcription of original review at Whitney-Fan.com)
  6. ^ a b c d "Step by Step - Whitney Houston". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/album/soundtrack/the-preacher-s-wife/193836#/song/whitney-houston/step-by-step/785038. Retrieved 24 August 2011. 
  7. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=24796
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Australian-charts.com - Whitney Houston - Step By Step". Hung Medien. http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Whitney+Houston&titel=Step+By+Step&cat=s. Retrieved 14 August 2011. 
  9. ^ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.3203&type=2&interval=24&PHPSESSID=9cvp3eo6c6t70dvkgmtc6th3t4
  10. ^ "Billboard Magazine - Hits Of The World - p.39". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 8 March 1997. http://books.google.com/books?id=qQ4EAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 7 August 2011. 
  11. ^ "Single Chartverfolgung - Whitney Houston" (in German). Musicline.de. http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/HOUSTON%2CWHITNEY/single. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
  12. ^ http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=2
  13. ^ "Billboard Magazine - Hits Of The World - p.54". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 15 February 1997. http://books.google.com/books?id=FA8EAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 7 August 2011. 
  14. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. p. 900. ISBN 8480486392. 
  15. ^ "Billboard Magazine - Hits Of The World - p.66". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 11 January 1997. http://books.google.com/books?id=wQ4EAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 7 August 2011. 
  16. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-1997.htm. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
  17. ^ "Austriancharts.at - Jahreshitparade 1997". Hung Medien. http://austriancharts.at/1997_single.asp. Retrieved 17 August 2011. 
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be - Rapports Annuels 1997" (in French). Hung Medien. http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1997. Retrieved 17 August 2011. 
  19. ^ "1997 Year-end Charts - Hot Dance/Club-Play Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 31 December 1997. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/849934. Retrieved 2 July 2011. 
  20. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-1997.htm. Retrieved 17 August 2011. 
  21. ^ "BVMI – Gold/Platin–Datenbank". Bundesverband Musikindustrie. http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/. Retrieved 17 August 2011. 
  22. ^ "BPI – Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx. Retrieved 17 August 2011. 
  23. ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=3&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=whitney%20houston&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2011&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 13 August 2011. 
  24. ^ a b The Preacher's Wife album booklet.

[edit] External links

Whitney Houston
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Whitney Houston singles
Whitney Houston
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Waiting to Exhale
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Whitney: The Greatest Hits
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Annie Lennox
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