One Step at a Time (song)

"One Step at a Time"
Single by Jordin Sparks
from the album Jordin Sparks
Released June 10, 2008 (2008-06-10)
(see release history)
Format
Recorded October 2007; Jeberg Studio
(Copenhagen, Denmark)
Genre
Length 3:25
Label Jive
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Jordin Sparks singles chronology
"No Air"
(2008)		 "One Step at a Time"
(2008)		 "Battlefield"
(2009)
Jordin Sparks UK singles chronology
"Tattoo"
(2008)
(Re-release)		 "One Step at a Time"
(2009)		 "Battlefield"
(2009)
Jordin Sparks European singles chronology
"Tattoo"
(2008)		 "One Step at a Time"
(2009)		 "Battlefield"
(2009)

"One Step at a Time" is the third and final single from American pop/R&B singer Jordin Sparks from her self-titled debut album. Written by Robbie Nevil, Lauren Evans, Jonas Jeberg and Mich Hansen the song was released in the U.S. on June 10, 2008.[1] Sparks performed the song on the season finale of the seventh season of American Idol.

When the song reached number seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100 (Week Ending August 27, 2008), Sparks became the only American Idol contestant ever to have their first four singles all crack the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at number three on the Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart.

The song is track number thirteen on Now That's What I Call Music! 29 along with 19 other hits of 2008. It is Sparks's third straight single to be added to the "Now That's What I Call Music" series.

The song served as Sparks' third UK single and digitally released on January 26. It surpassed the success of previous single "Tattoo" as it was A-Listed on Radio 1's playlist on January 14, 2009.[2] On February 1, 2009, the song reached a peak of number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart despite no physical release.

Background and composition

The lyrics for the song were written by Robbie Nevil and Lauren Evans with Jordan Sparks in mind, as the writers were familiar with her appearance on American Idol and how "she auditioned in Los Angeles but didn't make it to Hollywood Week and had the courage to audition again." When writing the song, they imagined "her heels walking on the sidewalk" and eventually the song "told Jordin's story and my story and everybody's story who pursues music", according to Evans.[3]

"One Step at a Time" was written by Robbie Nevil, Lauren Evans, Jonas Jeberg, and Cutfather, while production was handed by Jeberg and Cutfather. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Almo Music Corporation, the song is performed in the key of D-flat major with a tempo of 102 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of E♭m–D♭–B♭m–A♭, and Sparks' vocals span two octaves, from A♭3 to A♭5.[4]

Critical reception

In his review of the single, Chuck Taylor at Billboard stated that "One Step at a Time" was "a beautifully blended, soulful number percolating with optimism".[5] Entertainment Weekly, on its website, encouraged readers to download the song, as they had a "sudden epiphany that Jordin Sparks has put out three good songs in a row".[6]

Promotion

Sparks performed this song on the season 7 finale of American Idol, Live with Regis and Kelly, So You Think You Can Dance, Macy's 4 July Fireworks Spectacular, Good Morning America, and Canadian Idol. "One Step At A Time" was also used in advertisements for the USA TV series, The Starter Wife, starring Debra Messing.

Chart performance

The song debuted at number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and peaked at number seventeen, giving Sparks her fourth consecutive Hot 100 top twenty hit. This makes Sparks the only American Idol contestant to have her first four singles reach the top twenty of the Hot 100. The song's current digital sales in the U.S. stand at around 1,300,000.[7]

On the Billboard Pop 100, it became her third consecutive top ten and second top five hit, reaching number five. It also became Sparks' third consecutive top twenty hit on the Canadian Hot 100 where it has peaked at number eleven. In Australia, "One Step at a Time" debuted at a promising number 78 and eventually peaked at number twelve. In New Zealand the song debuted at number 27 and peaked at number two, becoming Sparks' second consecutive top five hit there. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand on November 30, 2008, selling over 7,500 copies.[8] On January 11, 2009, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 56 on downloads alone and eventually peaked at number sixteen.

Music video

The music video for "One Step at a Time" was filmed weekend of May 4, 2008 in Los Angeles, with renowned director Ray Kay. The official music video was added on the popular video sharing site YouTube via Sparks' official channel on May 28, 2008, but was quickly removed then added back on June 5, 2008. The official video later made its official debut on Amazon.com on June 9, 2008. After the premiere, the music video was available for purchase on the iTunes Music Store. The video made its television premiere on Canada's MuchMusic on June 18, 2008.

The video revolves around Sparks taking a tour around the city as other people are going through different moments. Different scenarios play out including a guy picking up his date for prom, a teenager (Corbin Bleu) teaching his little brother to skateboard, two teenagers painting a park bench, a boy and a girl selling lemonade, a young woman at her first day of college, and a group of teenagers taking care of a garden. Throughout the video, the camera pans to Sparks' as well as the other subject's feet (basically keeping with the song's title). At the end, Sparks flashes her palm at the camera, the words, "I ♥ you WENDY" visible, apparently written in marker. Wendy was a family friend who died of melanoma. Her younger brother, PJ, also makes an appearance in the video.

Track listing

  1. "One Step at a Time" (Main Version) – 3:25
  2. "One Step at a Time" (Grayson Remix) – 4:38
  3. "One Step at a Time" (Nevin's Radio Mix) – 3:22
  4. "One Step at a Time" (Rizzo Funk Generation Club Mix) – 6:47
  5. "One Step at a Time" (Tonal Remix) – 4:44

Personnel

Source:[9]

Charts and certifications

Charts

Chart (2008–2009) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[10] 12
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 11
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[12] 59
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[13] 54
Germany (Official German Charts)[14] 55
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 42
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 2
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[17] 44
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 53
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[19] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 17
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[21] 3

Certifications

Country Certifications
(sales thresholds)
Australia Gold[22]
New Zealand Gold[8]

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United States June 10, 2008 Mainstream radio[23] Jive Records
Australia[24] September 13, 2008 Digital EP 19 Recordings
France[25]
Germany[26]
Mexico[27]
United Kingdom[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  2. ↑ "(UK) | News | Jordin Sparks - One Step At A Time". RCA Label Group. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  3. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/1550614/american-idol-top-100-hits-of-all-time
  4. ↑ Mich, Hansen,. "Jordin Sparks "One Step at a Time" Sheet Music - Download & Print". www.musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  5. ↑ Chuck Taylor.Single Reviews: One Step at a Time. Billboard. June 19, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2008.
  6. ↑ The Bullseye. EW.com. June 13, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2008.
  7. ↑ Barnes, Ken. . USA Today. September 9, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2008.
  8. 1 2 "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles - RadioScope New Zealand". Radioscope.net.nz. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  9. ↑ Jordin Sparks (Liner Notes). Jordin Sparks. Jive Records. 2007.
  10. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Jordin Sparks – One Step At A Time". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  11. ↑ "Jordin Sparks – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Jordin Sparks.
  12. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200838 into search.
  13. ↑ "Jordin Sparks – Chart history" European Hot 100 for Jordin Sparks.
  14. ↑ "Musicline.de – Sparks,Jordin Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  15. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 5, 2009". Irish Singles Chart.
  16. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Jordin Sparks – One Step At A Time". Top 40 Singles.
  17. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200846 into search.
  18. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Jordin Sparks – One Step At A Time". Singles Top 100.
  19. ↑ "Jordin Sparks: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
  20. ↑ "Jordin Sparks – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Jordin Sparks.
  21. ↑ "Jordin Sparks – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Jordin Sparks.
  22. ↑ "Pandora Archive" (PDF). Pandora.nla.gov.au. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  23. ↑ http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=06/10/2008&Format=1
  24. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/one-step-at-a-time-ep/id290266316
  25. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/one-step-at-a-time-ep/id290266316
  26. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/one-step-at-a-time-ep/id290266316
  27. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/mx/album/one-step-at-a-time-ep/id290266316
  28. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/one-step-at-a-time-ep/id290266316
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