Stepping Stone (Duffy song)
Encyclopedia
"Stepping Stone" is the fourth single by Duffy
from her debut album Rockferry
. The single was officially released as both a digital download
and CD single on September 1, 2008 in the United Kingdom. Although it followed the massive success of previous singles "Mercy
" and "Warwick Avenue
", it did not perform well in worldwide music charts. However, the single received widespread acclaim.
(who also co-wrote international success "Mercy
"), and recorded at Booker's "Bookerland studios". It was the first song the pair completed together. According to Booker in an interview with HitQuarters
, Duffy firstly wanted to do the song "completely Supremes and up-tempo" because she felt that her album still needed a "big song" to complete it. The following day she changed her mind about the song's direction and the ongoing search for a big up-tempo song would eventually lead to "Mercy".
", "Mercy
" and "Warwick Avenue
". The single was not released in mainland Europe, despite reaching the charts in many countries in this region. The cover art was produced by Studio Fury, and photographed by Max Dodson.
The single was released in both CD single and "7 vinyl (see release history). In a press release for the single it was stated that there would be a two-track exclusive single available for digital download
, although this never came to fruition.
One press release commented about the context and content of "Stepping Stone":
Clash
gave the single a very successful review. In this particular review, the song was heavily praised for its "orchestral grandeur" and "slick production". Ending the review, it congratulated Duffy
for being "one of the most potent pop talents in the UK". Daily Music Guide followed the positive style of Clashs review, giving the single a "4/5" rating. The writer said that Duffy
"stands out" and that when compared to other soul singers such as Adele
and Estelle
, her "songs are better". However, the Daily Music Guide did point out that "Stepping Stone" is not as good as previous singles, when saying "'Stepping Stone' doesn't quite have the majesty of 'Warwick Avenue', the oomph of 'Mercy' or the epic sweep of the song 'Rockferry'". The review closed with the writer noting that the song is "a thoughtful and emotional piece of music". As with a Digital Spy
review, Duffy and the song were compared to Burt Bacharach
. Another reviewer for The Independent
compared "Stepping Stone" to "elegant Bacharach style".
Following the positive trend of reviews by critics, The Hollywood Reporter
said that the song "shows what all the fuss is about", referring to Duffy's success worldwide. It went on to say that Duffy "sheds so many previous vocal comparisons" with the song, also noting that the single is "clearly aimed at adults who may have shied away from the party vibe of 'Mercy'".
However, many critics gave the single mixed reviews. Digital Spy
, in particular, gave the single a mixed review. Giving the song three stars out of five, the reviewer noted that "[Stepping Stone] is her weakest to date". This is against previous reviews given by the website, which were generally positive. The review went on to say that "[Duffy (with the song)] plays into the hands of critics who brand her music "coffee table soul". Finally, the reviewer said that "it [Stepping Stone] lacks the heart-melting chorus which made the former [Warwick Avenue] a triumph". A reviewer for the BBC
said that "Stepping Stone" was "noticeably hanging limply" when compared to the full tracklisting of Rockferry.
at number 99, on 9 March 2008, due to strong sales from the album. This performance was behind that of the other non-single popular from the album, "Warwick Avenue
", which entered the chart at number 83. However when the song was released as a single, "Stepping Stone" re-entered the chart at number 80 and rose to a peak position of 21, reached on the chart dated 13 September, 2008 . The song is Duffy's least successful single in that country, behind "Rain on Your Parade
", which peaked at position 15. However, the song managed to stay in the UK Singles Chart for a total of 21 weeks. The song also featured on UK's Official Charts Company year-end chart at number 180, behind all of Duffy's previous singles. In Australia, despite little promotion, the song managed to chart at a peak position of 55. In Ireland, "Stepping Stone" entered and peaked in the Irish Singles Chart
at number 49. In the United States, "Stepping Stone" was the third single to be released from Rockferry. The song did not manage to place on any major U.S. Billboard
singles charts, instead reaching a peak of 25 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
. However, on the European Hot 100, "Stepping Stone" managed to peak at number 67 on the chart.
Elsewhere, in mainland Europe, despite not being released as an official single, the song managed to chart on various singles charts in that region. In Belgium (Flanders), the song reached a peak of 27 on the Ultratop
charts, whilst in Switzerland, the song reached a peak of 49 on the official Swiss Singles Chart
, becoming the singer's worst charting position there.
The video begins with Duffy sitting in bed, singing that she "will never be a stepping stone" to her lover. The video continues with Duffy trying on many different outfits throughout the day whilst singing the song, as if trying to impress somebody. Each time she leaves her house, she is seen going back to get changed, before finally building up the courage to leave. It ends with Duffy entering a filled bar, whilst someone enters and she looks up. The storyline suggests that Duffy is in love, however he does not love her in the same way. This fits in with the theme of the song, with its chorusline "I will never be a Stepping Stone", perhaps showing that Duffy is the bridge between two better relationships.
The music video was directed by Sophie Muller
, and was first shown on video-sharing website, YouTube
on August 4, 2008.
(#1780731)
7" vinyl single
(#1780732)
by the opera
tic soprano
Renée Fleming
on her 2010 album Dark Hope
.
Duffy (singer)
Aimée Ann Duffy , known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her 2008 debut album Rockferry entered the UK Album Chart at number one. It was the best-selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008 with 1.68 million copies sold...
from her debut album Rockferry
Rockferry
Rockferry is the debut studio album by Welsh blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, released on 3 March 2008 in the United Kingdom by A&M Records. It was released in the United States by Mercury Records. Duffy worked with several producers and writers on the album, including Bernard Butler, Steve Booker,...
. The single was officially released as both a digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
and CD single on September 1, 2008 in the United Kingdom. Although it followed the massive success of previous singles "Mercy
Mercy (song)
"Mercy" is a soul song performed by Welsh blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, released as the second single from her debut album, Rockferry . Co-written by Duffy and Steve Booker and produced by Booker, it was released over 2008 worldwide to critical acclaim and unprecedented chart success...
" and "Warwick Avenue
Warwick Avenue (song)
"Warwick Avenue" is the third single from the album Rockferry by Duffy. The title refers to Warwick Avenue tube station in London. It was written by Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White, and Duffy and produced by Hogarth. It was released in May 2008, but had already charted by March and April due to download...
", it did not perform well in worldwide music charts. However, the single received widespread acclaim.
Writing and inspiration
"Stepping Stone" was written by Duffy and Steve BookerSteve Booker (producer)
Steve Booker is an award-winning British music producer and songwriter best known for "Mercy", "Stepping Stone" and "Rain on Your Parade", three hits he produced and co-wrote for Duffy's Brit and Grammy award winning debut album "Rockferry"...
(who also co-wrote international success "Mercy
Mercy (song)
"Mercy" is a soul song performed by Welsh blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, released as the second single from her debut album, Rockferry . Co-written by Duffy and Steve Booker and produced by Booker, it was released over 2008 worldwide to critical acclaim and unprecedented chart success...
"), and recorded at Booker's "Bookerland studios". It was the first song the pair completed together. According to Booker in an interview with HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
, Duffy firstly wanted to do the song "completely Supremes and up-tempo" because she felt that her album still needed a "big song" to complete it. The following day she changed her mind about the song's direction and the ongoing search for a big up-tempo song would eventually lead to "Mercy".
Release
It was released worldwide as the third single from Rockferry, and the fourth in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Ireland, after "RockferryRockferry (song)
"Rockferry" is the debut single by Duffy, written by Duffy and Bernard Butler. It is the first track on the album Rockferry.-Song information:...
", "Mercy
Mercy (song)
"Mercy" is a soul song performed by Welsh blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, released as the second single from her debut album, Rockferry . Co-written by Duffy and Steve Booker and produced by Booker, it was released over 2008 worldwide to critical acclaim and unprecedented chart success...
" and "Warwick Avenue
Warwick Avenue (song)
"Warwick Avenue" is the third single from the album Rockferry by Duffy. The title refers to Warwick Avenue tube station in London. It was written by Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White, and Duffy and produced by Hogarth. It was released in May 2008, but had already charted by March and April due to download...
". The single was not released in mainland Europe, despite reaching the charts in many countries in this region. The cover art was produced by Studio Fury, and photographed by Max Dodson.
The single was released in both CD single and "7 vinyl (see release history). In a press release for the single it was stated that there would be a two-track exclusive single available for digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
, although this never came to fruition.
One press release commented about the context and content of "Stepping Stone":
"Stepping Stone is one of the many album highlights, it is a song about self-possession, strength and restraint. The music is dramatic, pulsating yet sparse, compelling the listener to focus on Duffy's remarkable vocals and evocative lyrics."
– I Like MusicI Like Music"I Like Music" is a 2008 single by the Irish musical ensemble Republic of Loose. It features on the album Vol IV: Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil, being the first single released from it...
Critical
Clash (magazine)
Clash is a popular music and fashion magazine based in the United Kingdom. Its magazine title is published 12 times a year. It has a circulation of around 40,000....
gave the single a very successful review. In this particular review, the song was heavily praised for its "orchestral grandeur" and "slick production". Ending the review, it congratulated Duffy
Duffy (singer)
Aimée Ann Duffy , known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her 2008 debut album Rockferry entered the UK Album Chart at number one. It was the best-selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008 with 1.68 million copies sold...
for being "one of the most potent pop talents in the UK". Daily Music Guide followed the positive style of Clashs review, giving the single a "4/5" rating. The writer said that Duffy
Duffy (singer)
Aimée Ann Duffy , known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her 2008 debut album Rockferry entered the UK Album Chart at number one. It was the best-selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008 with 1.68 million copies sold...
"stands out" and that when compared to other soul singers such as Adele
Adele (singer)
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins , known professionally as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. She was the first recipient of the Brit Awards Critics' Choice and was named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of 2008 in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2008...
and Estelle
Estelle (musician)
Estelle Fanta Swaray commonly known as Estelle, and formerly as Est'elle, is an English R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer.-Early Life:Estelle was born 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England...
, her "songs are better". However, the Daily Music Guide did point out that "Stepping Stone" is not as good as previous singles, when saying "'Stepping Stone' doesn't quite have the majesty of 'Warwick Avenue', the oomph of 'Mercy' or the epic sweep of the song 'Rockferry'". The review closed with the writer noting that the song is "a thoughtful and emotional piece of music". As with a Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
review, Duffy and the song were compared to Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
. Another reviewer for The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
compared "Stepping Stone" to "elegant Bacharach style".
Following the positive trend of reviews by critics, The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
said that the song "shows what all the fuss is about", referring to Duffy's success worldwide. It went on to say that Duffy "sheds so many previous vocal comparisons" with the song, also noting that the single is "clearly aimed at adults who may have shied away from the party vibe of 'Mercy'".
However, many critics gave the single mixed reviews. Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
, in particular, gave the single a mixed review. Giving the song three stars out of five, the reviewer noted that "[Stepping Stone] is her weakest to date". This is against previous reviews given by the website, which were generally positive. The review went on to say that "[Duffy (with the song)] plays into the hands of critics who brand her music "coffee table soul". Finally, the reviewer said that "it [Stepping Stone] lacks the heart-melting chorus which made the former [Warwick Avenue] a triumph". A reviewer for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
said that "Stepping Stone" was "noticeably hanging limply" when compared to the full tracklisting of Rockferry.
Commercial and chart performance
The song was originally one of the most popular songs on Rockferry, debuting on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number 99, on 9 March 2008, due to strong sales from the album. This performance was behind that of the other non-single popular from the album, "Warwick Avenue
Warwick Avenue (song)
"Warwick Avenue" is the third single from the album Rockferry by Duffy. The title refers to Warwick Avenue tube station in London. It was written by Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White, and Duffy and produced by Hogarth. It was released in May 2008, but had already charted by March and April due to download...
", which entered the chart at number 83. However when the song was released as a single, "Stepping Stone" re-entered the chart at number 80 and rose to a peak position of 21, reached on the chart dated 13 September, 2008 . The song is Duffy's least successful single in that country, behind "Rain on Your Parade
Rain on Your Parade
"Rain on Your Parade" is a song by Welsh recording artist Duffy from her debut studio album, Rockferry. Written by Duffy and Steve Booker, the song was released as the first single from the album's deluxe edition, and fifth overall, on 9 February 2009, by A&M Records...
", which peaked at position 15. However, the song managed to stay in the UK Singles Chart for a total of 21 weeks. The song also featured on UK's Official Charts Company year-end chart at number 180, behind all of Duffy's previous singles. In Australia, despite little promotion, the song managed to chart at a peak position of 55. In Ireland, "Stepping Stone" entered and peaked in the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
at number 49. In the United States, "Stepping Stone" was the third single to be released from Rockferry. The song did not manage to place on any major U.S. Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
singles charts, instead reaching a peak of 25 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
. However, on the European Hot 100, "Stepping Stone" managed to peak at number 67 on the chart.
Elsewhere, in mainland Europe, despite not being released as an official single, the song managed to chart on various singles charts in that region. In Belgium (Flanders), the song reached a peak of 27 on the Ultratop
Ultratop
Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
charts, whilst in Switzerland, the song reached a peak of 49 on the official Swiss Singles Chart
Swiss Music Charts
The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75...
, becoming the singer's worst charting position there.
Music video
The music video for "Stepping Stone" depicts a mature, sophisticated style as Duffy is involved with one mysterious man. Early anticipation suggested that Duffy would be "depicted as a 1960s sexpot who is seduced by a stranger in a nightclub".The video begins with Duffy sitting in bed, singing that she "will never be a stepping stone" to her lover. The video continues with Duffy trying on many different outfits throughout the day whilst singing the song, as if trying to impress somebody. Each time she leaves her house, she is seen going back to get changed, before finally building up the courage to leave. It ends with Duffy entering a filled bar, whilst someone enters and she looks up. The storyline suggests that Duffy is in love, however he does not love her in the same way. This fits in with the theme of the song, with its chorusline "I will never be a Stepping Stone", perhaps showing that Duffy is the bridge between two better relationships.
The music video was directed by Sophie Muller
Sophie Muller
Sophie Muller is a British music video director, noted for her long-time collaborations with artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, No Doubt, Sade, Shakira, Shakespears Sister, Garbage, Blur, Annie Lennox and Eurythmics.-Background:...
, and was first shown on video-sharing website, YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
on August 4, 2008.
Tracklistings
CD single(#1780731)
- "Stepping Stone"
- "Frame Me" (Duffy, Bernard Butler)
7" vinyl single
(#1780732)
- "Stepping Stone"
- "Big Flame"(Richard J. Parfitt)
Charts
| Chart (2008/09) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... Singles Chart |
55 |
| Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... |
27 |
| Danish Singles Chart Tracklisten Tracklisten is a Danish top 40 record chart that is presented every Thursday midnight at .The weekly Danish Singles Chart also known as Track Top-40 combines the 40 best selling tracks from legal music downloads and the sales of music singles on either CD or vinyl... |
18 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
26 |
| European Billboard Hot 100 Singles | 67 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
41 |
| Swiss Singles Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
49 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
21 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
25 |
| Billboard Greece | 3 |
Year-End
| Chart (2008) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
180 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | September 1, 2008 | CD single | 1780731 |
| 7" vinyl | 1780732 |
Credits
The following people contributed to the recording and production of "Stepping Stone":- Vocals: DuffyDuffy (singer)Aimée Ann Duffy , known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her 2008 debut album Rockferry entered the UK Album Chart at number one. It was the best-selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008 with 1.68 million copies sold...
- Backing vocals: Duffy
- Guitar: Steve BookerMuruga BookerMuruga Booker is an American drummer, recording artist, and Orthodox priest.- Biography :Booker was born Steven Bookvich in Detroit, Michigan on December 27, 1942 and is of Serbian decent. His father, Melvin Bookvich, was a shoemaker who played accordion. He has a wife, Shakti; a son, Aaron; and a...
- Bass: Steve Booker
- Keyboard: Steve Booker
- Written by: Duffy and Steve Booker
- Producer, recorder, programmer, mixer: Steve Booker
- Publisher: EMI Music Publishing/Universal Music Publishing
Covers
The song was coveredCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by the opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
tic soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Renée Fleming
Renée Fleming
Renée Fleming is an American soprano specializing in opera and lieder. Fleming has a full lyric soprano voice.Fleming has performed coloratura, lyric, and lighter spinto soprano repertoires. She has sung roles in Italian, German, French, Czech, and Russian, aside from her native English. She also...
on her 2010 album Dark Hope
Dark Hope
Dark Hope is a 2010 album of indie rock titles sung by operatic soprano Renée Fleming.The album was the idea of Peter Mensch and Cliff Burnstein; after listening to Fleming's performance of "In the Pines" on Elvis Costello's TV show Spectacle, they approached Fleming and producer David Kahne...
.
External links
- Official website
- "Stepping Stone" at Polydor RecordsPolydor RecordsPolydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...