One Step Ahead (Nik Kershaw song)
Encyclopedia
"One Step Ahead" is the first single of 1989 from English musician Nik Kershaw
. The single was the first single from Kershaw since 1987 and was first of two singles from the Kershaw's fourth album "The Works
".
Since 1986, Kershaw's commercial success was declining with his singles charting lower and lower from the top 20 chart. "One Step Ahead" managed to peak at #55 in the UK for a total of two weeks. This was Kershaw's last appearance on the UK singles chart until 1999 where he made his only appearance since with the single "Somebody Love You" which peaked at #70 for one week.
A promotional video was created for the single. As the single didn't enter the top 40, the song was never performed on Top of the Pops. The song was also performed on the Dutch TV show "POP Formule".
"One Step Ahead" was written by Kershaw who would write most of his material solely. The song was produced by Julian Mendelsohn
and Kershaw. Mendelsohn is a British producer who has worked with numerous artists such as Pet Shop Boys
, Elton John
, Jimmy Page
, Bob Marley
and Paul McCartney
.
The b-side for the single "When I Grow Up" was exclusive to the single, written again by Kershaw.
A remix of "One Step Ahead" was issued on some versions of the single, titled "One Step Ahead (Industrial Mix)". The CD format of the single featured two bonus tracks, both previous hits for Kershaw, "Wouldn't It Be Good
" and "The Riddle (Nik Kershaw song)
".
12" Single
CD Single
Nik Kershaw
Nik Kershaw is an English singer-songwriter. The one time jazz-funk guitarist was a mid-1980s teen idol. His 50 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1984 beat all other soloists...
. The single was the first single from Kershaw since 1987 and was first of two singles from the Kershaw's fourth album "The Works
The Works (Nik Kershaw album)
The Works is Nik Kershaw's fourth album. It is the last one he created for MCA Records, in 1989. It introduces slight jazz influences in some tracks....
".
Since 1986, Kershaw's commercial success was declining with his singles charting lower and lower from the top 20 chart. "One Step Ahead" managed to peak at #55 in the UK for a total of two weeks. This was Kershaw's last appearance on the UK singles chart until 1999 where he made his only appearance since with the single "Somebody Love You" which peaked at #70 for one week.
A promotional video was created for the single. As the single didn't enter the top 40, the song was never performed on Top of the Pops. The song was also performed on the Dutch TV show "POP Formule".
"One Step Ahead" was written by Kershaw who would write most of his material solely. The song was produced by Julian Mendelsohn
Julian Mendelsohn
Julian Mendelsohn is a British record producer, audio engineer and mixer. Records bearing his work have been featured on English top ten charts...
and Kershaw. Mendelsohn is a British producer who has worked with numerous artists such as Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
, Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
.
The b-side for the single "When I Grow Up" was exclusive to the single, written again by Kershaw.
A remix of "One Step Ahead" was issued on some versions of the single, titled "One Step Ahead (Industrial Mix)". The CD format of the single featured two bonus tracks, both previous hits for Kershaw, "Wouldn't It Be Good
Wouldn't It Be Good
"Wouldn't It Be Good" is a song written and recorded by singer Nik Kershaw for his 1984 studio album Human Racing. The song has been covered by numerous artists since, including Placebo, Danny Hutton Hitters, Cascada, and Soulwax.-Song information:...
" and "The Riddle (Nik Kershaw song)
The Riddle (Nik Kershaw song)
"The Riddle" was a hit single for Nik Kershaw in 1984/1985. It reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.-Lyrics:The "riddling" lyrics caused much puzzlement and speculation among listeners as to their meaning, which was further fuelled by record company MCA's decision to run a competition to...
".
Formats
7" Single- "One Step Ahead" - 3:38
- "When I Grow Up" - 3:39
12" Single
- "One Step Ahead (Industrial Mix)" - 8:14
- "One Step Ahead (7" Version)" - 3:38
- "When I Grow Up" - 3:39
CD Single
- "One Step Ahead (7" Version)" - 3:38
- "When I Grow Up" - 3:39
- "Wouldn't It Be Good" - 4:32
- "The Riddle" - 3:53
Chart performance
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 55 |
Personnel
- Producers on "One Step Ahead" - Julian Mendelsohn, Nik Kershaw
- Mixers on "One Step Ahead" - Julian Mendelsohn, Nik Kershaw
- Writer of "One Step Ahead" - Nik Kershaw
- Remixer on "One Step Ahead (Industrial Mix)" - Julian Mendelsohn
- Engineer on "One Step Ahead (Industrial Mix)" - Paul Wright
- Assistant engineer on "One Step Ahead (Industrial Mix)" - Dave Eden
- Producer on "When I Grow Up" - Nik Kershaw
- Mixers on "When I Grow Up" - Julian Mendelsohn, Nik Kershaw
- Writer of "When I Grow Up" - Nik Kershaw
- Producer on "Wouldn't It Be Good" - Peter Collins
- Engineer on "Wouldn't It Be Good" - Julian Mendelsohn
- Writer of "Wouldn't It Be Good" - Nik Kershaw
- Producer on "The Riddle" - Peter Collins
- Engineer on "The Riddle" - Julian Mendelsohn
- Writer of "The Riddle" - Nik Kershaw