Steps - Review

“5, 6, 7, 8!” – A review of Steps. 

It’s the early 2000s and I am incredibly excited. I’m wearing my glittery, sequined gold dress, equally glittery trainers (which will soon be kicked off), and there are butterfly clips in my hair. My school hall is no longer a venue for dull assemblies and hymn singing; no, it’s school disco night, and I am ready to slide all over the place as I scream along to the likes of Abba, S Club 7 and, of course, Steps.

Steps emerged in the late 1990s with catchy pop songs and fun dance routines which a very young Tam was obsessed with. Nowadays, I don’t find myself seeking out their music the way I did when I was six or seven years old, but I must admit, there’s no keeping me off a wedding dancefloor if Better the Devil You Know comes on. Steps didn’t disappear into obscurity though, with new music and even tours being announced in recent years. So, how did Steps reach such levels of fame?

Forming in 1997, Steps is made up of Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee, Ian “H” Watkins and Lee Latchford-Evans. Their debut single, “5,6,7,8” became a staple on TV and radio, the country tinged, line dancing inspired track helping them to reach the charts. Sure, the song was something of a novelty rather than musical genius, but that was the point – not only was it energetic, but it was also incredibly catchy and most of all, fun.

Far from being a one hit wonder, Steps went on to release several hits which showed they weren’t just a gimmick, they were capable of incredibly melodic songs. “Tragedy”, “Last Thing on My Mind” and “One for Sorrow” helped to cement the band as pop royalty at the time and bought them a remarkable amount of chart success.

Steps are not afraid to be pop, although there are certainly nods to disco and Eurodance to be found as well. Optimistic, feel-good songwriting coupled with powerful vocals and pretty harmonies made for immediately recognisable, fun music. I won’t pretend that Steps did anything overly unique, especially lyrically, as their music was fun but was often about love and heartbreak. With that said, their music is still incredibly catchy, and the ability to sing along with a chorus is always a win.

Steps are also unashamedly bright, colourful and energetic, with their music also being very camp, and it can often be found being blasted out at LGBTQIA+ events. Something they’re known for is their choreography, dance routines which are usually simple enough for anyone to learn, helping them to connect with their fans. Yes, even I, someone who went through an incredibly emo teenage phase, learned the dance routine to Tragedy as a young child, and I absolutely loved performing it at the before mentioned school disco.

Steps initially parted ways in 2001, but this wasn’t the end for the band, who had an emotional reunion in 2011. This comeback delivered new music, which has become more mature as time has passed, although even songs like “What the Future Holds” (released in 2020) are still deeply nostalgic and poppy.

Steps are well known for engaging with their fans, whether through TV documentaries, social media or concerts. They actively encourage fans to participate, sing and dance throughout their shows, and they seem to have a strong relationship with each other, although it’s always hard to tell when it comes to manufactured pop.

I’m not going to act like I love Steps. As I’ve grown older, my music tastes have changed, and sadly Steps, and many other bands of my childhood, have been left behind. For all their fun lyrics and choreography, Steps are a manufactured pop group with a formulaic nature. There’s nothing wrong with that, and I’m pleased that people still find joy in the brightly coloured community they have created. Whilst they may not be for me, I can appreciate them for what they are, and little seven-year-old me will always be a fan.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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