Another Step
Encyclopedia
Another Step is the fifth studio album
by Kim Wilde
, released in October 1986.
Boasting 12 tracks (13 on the CD and cassette) and a varied team of songwriters, Another Step was an artistic but not necessarily a commercial triumph for Kim. She had co-written more than half of the tracks herself. The first half ('Side A' in the days of vinyl) was uptempo, whereas 'Side B' consisted of ballads. Most of the tracks were produced by Ricky Wilde, but there were also production duties fulfilled by Rod Temperton
and Bruce Swedien
known for working with Michael Jackson
and there were also Reinhold Heil
, Richard James Burgess
and Dick Rudolph
.
The album's first single was "Schoolgirl
", which was released only in Australia and several European countries (although not the UK). This single was the first Kim had co-written herself. The first single released globally was a cover of the Supremes hit "You Keep Me Hangin' On
". In the United States it became Wilde's first number one on Billboard Hot 100
chart, in the summer of 1987. It also reached No. 1 in Canada and Australia, and was almost equally successful in the UK, where it peaked at no. 2.
The next single was "Another Step (Closer to You)
", a duet with British soul singer Junior Giscombe, which went to top 10 in the UK. The third globally and final single off the album was "Say You Really Want Me
", which caused a minor controversy when the video was banned from children's programming because it showed Kim writhing on a bed having fun with a pearl necklace. Despite the raunchy image and publicity which accompanied the specially-remixed song, it didn't set the charts alight and the album saw no further single releases. The album reached US #40, her only album to do better in America than in the UK, where it only hit #88 on the first release. On the other hand, the album was a massive success in Norway, where it hit #2, and in Canada, where it hit #11, and received a platinum certification.
All of the tracks on Another Step were a departure from the synth sound of the previous albums. There were more guitars than before: "The Thrill Of It" and "I've Got So Much Love" had a distinctive 'rock' feel. The ballads were touching and well produced, the most noteworthy being Kim's self-penned and produced "Don't Say Nothing's Changed" which closed the album. The sound of Kim Wilde had obviously matured.
A re-package of this album was released a few months after the initial launch, with a new sleeve design and the addition of bonus tracks, and this time the album made it to #73 on the UK album chart. Although this failed to reignite interest, it has since become a collectors item for fans.
Kim cemented her reputation as a singles artist with this album, as again overall sales were disappointing despite the huge success of the songs released from it. Kim Wilde has since voiced her regret that she did not put more effort into cracking the U.S. market after she had scored her first number one hit.
Side Two
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
, released in October 1986.
Boasting 12 tracks (13 on the CD and cassette) and a varied team of songwriters, Another Step was an artistic but not necessarily a commercial triumph for Kim. She had co-written more than half of the tracks herself. The first half ('Side A' in the days of vinyl) was uptempo, whereas 'Side B' consisted of ballads. Most of the tracks were produced by Ricky Wilde, but there were also production duties fulfilled by Rod Temperton
Rod Temperton
Rodney Lynn "Rod" Temperton is an English songwriter, record producer and musician most famous for writing a number of songs performed by Michael Jackson, including the title track of Jackson's Thriller, the biggest-selling album of all time.-Biography:As Temperton remembers music was in his bones...
and Bruce Swedien
Bruce Swedien
Bruce Swedien is a Grammy Award-winning audio engineer and music producer. He is known for his work with Quincy Jones.Swedien is a five-time Grammy winner and has been nominated 13 times. He recorded, mixed, and assisted in producing the best-sold album in the world, Thriller by Michael Jackson...
known for working with Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and there were also Reinhold Heil
Reinhold Heil
Reinhold Heil is a composer and former member of Spliff and the Nina Hagen Band who has largely worked on film music but has produced pop music for Kim Wilde, Rosemarie Precht , and Nena...
, Richard James Burgess
Richard James Burgess
Richard James Burgess is a studio drummer, music-computer programmer, recording artist, record producer, composer, author, manager, marketer and inventor. He was the producer for Spandau Ballet's first two albums.-Education:...
and Dick Rudolph
Dick Rudolph
Richard Rudolph , was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1910-1927. He played for the New York Giants and Boston Braves. He was an alumnus of Fordham University...
.
The album's first single was "Schoolgirl
Schoolgirl (song)
"Schoolgirl" is the first single from the 1986 album Another Step by Kim Wilde.Released in Australia and several European countries , it was the first single of Wilde's career on which she was given co-writing credits. She was given sole writing and production credits on the B-side to the single...
", which was released only in Australia and several European countries (although not the UK). This single was the first Kim had co-written herself. The first single released globally was a cover of the Supremes hit "You Keep Me Hangin' On
You Keep Me Hangin' On
Vanilla Fudge's 1967 psychedelic/hard rock remake of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" reached #6 on the Hot 100 chart two years after the release of the Supremes' recording. While the version released on 45 RPM single was under three minutes long, the album version was extended to six minutes and...
". In the United States it became Wilde's first number one on 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...
chart, in the summer of 1987. It also reached No. 1 in Canada and Australia, and was almost equally successful in the UK, where it peaked at no. 2.
The next single was "Another Step (Closer to You)
Another Step (Closer to You)
"Another Step " is the third single from the Kim Wilde album Another Step, performed as a duet with Junior Giscombe.Wilde co-wrote the song with Steve Byrd, who originally sang the male part on the demo. However, they decided the vocals would be better suited to someone with a more soulful voice...
", a duet with British soul singer Junior Giscombe, which went to top 10 in the UK. The third globally and final single off the album was "Say You Really Want Me
Say You Really Want Me
"Say You Really Want Me" is a single from the Kim Wilde album Another Step. In the US and Canada it was the first single to be released from that album...
", which caused a minor controversy when the video was banned from children's programming because it showed Kim writhing on a bed having fun with a pearl necklace. Despite the raunchy image and publicity which accompanied the specially-remixed song, it didn't set the charts alight and the album saw no further single releases. The album reached US #40, her only album to do better in America than in the UK, where it only hit #88 on the first release. On the other hand, the album was a massive success in Norway, where it hit #2, and in Canada, where it hit #11, and received a platinum certification.
All of the tracks on Another Step were a departure from the synth sound of the previous albums. There were more guitars than before: "The Thrill Of It" and "I've Got So Much Love" had a distinctive 'rock' feel. The ballads were touching and well produced, the most noteworthy being Kim's self-penned and produced "Don't Say Nothing's Changed" which closed the album. The sound of Kim Wilde had obviously matured.
A re-package of this album was released a few months after the initial launch, with a new sleeve design and the addition of bonus tracks, and this time the album made it to #73 on the UK album chart. Although this failed to reignite interest, it has since become a collectors item for fans.
Kim cemented her reputation as a singles artist with this album, as again overall sales were disappointing despite the huge success of the songs released from it. Kim Wilde has since voiced her regret that she did not put more effort into cracking the U.S. market after she had scored her first number one hit.
Track listing
Side One- "You Keep Me Hangin' OnYou Keep Me Hangin' OnVanilla Fudge's 1967 psychedelic/hard rock remake of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" reached #6 on the Hot 100 chart two years after the release of the Supremes' recording. While the version released on 45 RPM single was under three minutes long, the album version was extended to six minutes and...
" - "Hit Him"
- "Another Step (Closer to You)Another Step (Closer to You)"Another Step " is the third single from the Kim Wilde album Another Step, performed as a duet with Junior Giscombe.Wilde co-wrote the song with Steve Byrd, who originally sang the male part on the demo. However, they decided the vocals would be better suited to someone with a more soulful voice...
" - "The Thrill of It"
- "I've Got So Much Love"
- "SchoolgirlSchoolgirl (song)"Schoolgirl" is the first single from the 1986 album Another Step by Kim Wilde.Released in Australia and several European countries , it was the first single of Wilde's career on which she was given co-writing credits. She was given sole writing and production credits on the B-side to the single...
"
Side Two
- "Say You Really Want MeSay You Really Want Me"Say You Really Want Me" is a single from the Kim Wilde album Another Step. In the US and Canada it was the first single to be released from that album...
" - "She Hasn't Got Time for You"
- "Brothers"
- "Missing"
- "How Do You Want My Love"
- "Don't Say Nothing's Changed"
- Cassette and Compact disc version of the album included "Victim" as the fifth song
Bonus Tracks (2010 Remastered CD Edition)
- "Songs About Love" ("Schoolgirl" B-side)
- "Loving You" ("You Keep Me Hangin' On" B-side)
- "Hold Back" ("Another Step (Closer to You)" B-side)
- "Another Step (Closer to You)" (7" Version)
- "Say You Really Want Me" (7" Version)
Bonus CD (2010 Remastered CD Edition)
- "Schoolgirl" (Head Master Mix)
- "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (W.C.H Club Mix)
- "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (W.C.H Mix)
- "Another Step (Closer To You)" (Extended Mix)
- "Say You Really Want Me" (Extended Version)
- "Say You Really Want Me" (The Video Remix)
- "Say You Really Want Me" (David Todd Remix)
- "Say You Really Want Me" (Radio Edit)
- "Say You Really Want Me" (Instrumental)
- "Say You Really Want Me" (7" US Version)
- "Say You Really Want Me" (Urban Version)
- "Megamix" (You Keep Me Hagin' On/Another Step (Closer to You)/Say You Really Want Me)