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	CD single, digital download
Recorded	2007; Jeberg Studio (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Genre	Pop, R&B
Length	3:25
Label	Jive
Writer(s)	Robbie Nevil, Lauren Evans, Jonas Jeberg, Mich Hansen
Producer	Jonas Jeberg, Cutfather, Robbie Nevil
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 single from American Pop/R&B singer Jordin Sparks, from her eponymous 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 #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Week Ending August 27, 2008), Jordin 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 #3 on the R&R airplay chart.

The song is track #13 on Now That's What I Call Music! 29 along with 19 other hits of 2008. It is Jordin's 3rd 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 has already surpassed the success of previous single "Tattoo" as it was A-Listed on Radio 1's playlist on the 14th January.^[2] On February 1, 2009, the song reached a peak of #16 on the UK Singles Chart despite no physical release.

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".^[3] 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".^[4]

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 has also been used in advertisements for the USA hit series, The Starter Wife, starring Debra Messing.

Chart performance

The song debuted at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and peaked at #17, 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.^[5]

On the Billboard Pop 100, it became her third consecutive top ten and second top five hit, reaching #5. On pop radio the song is also her third consecutive song to reach the top five in airplay, so far peaking at #3 on Mainstream Top 40. It also became Sparks' third consecutive top twenty hit on the Canadian Hot 100 where it has peaked at #11. In Australia, "One Step At A Time" debuted at a promising #78 and eventually peaked at #12. In New Zealand the song debuted at #27 and peaked at #2, 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.^[6] On January 11, 2009, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at #56 on downloads alone and eventually peaked at #16.

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 reached #7 on TRL.

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, Jordin flashes her palm at the camera, the words, "I <3 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.

On August 9, 2008 "One Step at a Time" reached the #1 spot after jumping 16 slots on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown. It is Sparks' third #1 video on the countdown, the first two being her singles "Tattoo" and "No Air".

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

• Songwriting – Robbie Nevil, Lauren Evans, Jonas Jeberg, Mich Hansen
• Production – Jonas Jeberg, Cutfather, Robbie Nevil
• Recording, keyboards and programming – Jonas Jeberg
• Vocal recording – Robbie Nevil
• Vocal engineering – Adam Kagen
• Assistant vocal engineering – Eric Rennaker
• Backing vocals – Lauren Evans
• Percussion – Mich Hansen
• Mixing – Manny Marroquin
• Assistant mixing – Jared Robbins

Source: ^[7]

Charts and certifications

Charts Chart (2008) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 12 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 11 Czech Republic (IFPI)[10] 59 European Hot 100 Singles[11] 54 Germany (Media Control AG)[12] 55 Ireland (IRMA)[13] 42 New Zealand (RIANZ)[14] 2 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15] 53 UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[16] 16 US Billboard Hot 100[17] 17 US Pop Songs (Billboard)[18] 3

Certifications Country Certifications (sales thresholds) Sales United States 1,377,000[19] New Zealand Gold[6] Australia Gold[20]

Release history

Region	Date
United States	June 10, 2008
Australia	September 13, 2008
United Kingdom	January 26, 2009
Germany	April 10, 2009

References

1. ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691. Retrieved 2010-07-04. 
2. ^ "(UK) | News | Jordin Sparks - One Step At A Time". RCA Label Group. http://www.rcalabelgroup.co.uk/news/11573/0/. Retrieved 2010-07-04. 
3. ^ Chuck Taylor.Single Reviews: One Step at a Time. Billboard. June 19, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2008.
4. ^ The Bullseye. EW.com. June 13, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2008.
5. ^ Barnes, Ken. [1]. USA Today. September 9, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2008.
6. ^ ^{a b} "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles - RadioScope New Zealand". Radioscope.net.nz. http://www.radioscope.net.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=63. Retrieved 2010-07-04. 
7. ^ (2007) Album notes for Jordin Sparks by Jordin Sparks [Liner Notes]. Jive Records.
8. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Jordin Sparks – One Step At A Time". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien.
9. ^ "Jordin Sparks Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Jordin Sparks. Prometheus Global Media.
10. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200838 into search.
11. ^ "Jordin Sparks Album & Song Chart History" European Hot 100 for Jordin Sparks. Prometheus Global Media.
12. ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche - musicline.de" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
13. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association.
14. ^ "Charts.org.nz – Jordin Sparks – One Step At A Time". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien.
15. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Jordin Sparks – One Step At A Time". Singles Top 60. Hung Medien.
16. ^ "Chart Stats – Jordin Sparks – One Step At A Time" UK Singles Chart. Chart Stats.
17. ^ "Jordin Sparks Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Jordin Sparks. Prometheus Global Media.
18. ^ "Jordin Sparks Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Jordin Sparks. Prometheus Global Media.
19. ^ "Chart Watch Extra: American Idol's Million-Sellers". 2010-05-05. http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/52621/chart-watch-extra-american-idols-million-sellers/. Retrieved 2010-05-05. 
20. ^ "Pandora Archive". Pandora.nla.gov.au. 2006-08-23. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20090120-0000/issue985.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-04. 

External links

• Official music video on YouTube