One Step Up

Bruce Springsteen

About One Step Up

"One Step Up" is a song by Bruce Springsteen from his eighth studio album, Tunnel of Love (1987). It was released as the third single from the album, following "Brilliant Disguise" and the title track. It reached position #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the United States. It also reached #2 on the U. S. Album Rock Tracks chart, giving Springsteen three straight top two tracks from the album. The song was only released as a single in America. One of the great unreleased songs from 1980's The River, "Roulette", recorded April 3, 1979, was released as the b-side, using an alternate vocal mixed on April 12, 1980, that would also be used in 1998, when it was chosen for Tracks. 


Year:
1987
4:22
415 
#2

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Woke up this morning my house was cold
Checked out the furnace she wasn't burnin'
Went out and hoped in my old Ford
Hit the engine but she ain't turnin'
We've given each other some hard lessons lately
But we ain't learnin'
We're the same sad story that's a fact
One step up and two steps back

Bird on a wire outside my motel room
But he ain't singin'
Girl in white outside a church in June
But the church bells they ain't ringing
I'm sittin' here in this bar tonight
But all I'm thinkin' is
I'm the same old story same old act
One step up and two steps back

It's the same thing night on night
Who's wrong baby who's right
Another fight and I slam the door on
Another battle in our dirty little war
When I look at myself I don't see
The man I wanted to be
Somewhere along the line I slipped off track
I'm caught movin' one step up and two steps back

There's a girl across the bar
I get the message she's sendin'
Mmm she ain't lookin' to married
And me well honey I'm pretending
Last night I dreamed I held you in my arms
The music was never-ending
We danced as the evening sky faded to black
One step up and two steps back

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949), nicknamed "The Boss", is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who records and tours with the E Street Band. Springsteen is widely known for his brand of heartland rock, poetic lyrics, Americana sentiments centered on his native New Jersey and his lengthy and energetic stage performances, with concerts from the 1970s to the present decade running up to an uninterrupted 250 minutes in length. more »

22 fans

Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Album Release
"One Step Up" is a song by Bruce Springsteen from his eighth studio album known as "Tunnel of Love."
Chart Performance
Upon release, the track reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 2 on the Adult Contemporary charts in the United States.
Release Year
The song along with its album "Tunnel of Love" were released in the year 1987, October 9 to be precise.
Commendable Lyrics
"One Step Up" is notably appreciated for its profound lyrics that beautifully depict the struggles of maintaining a relationship.
Artist’s Personal Life Influence
The song, along with the entirety of the "Tunnel of Love" album, was influenced by Springsteen's troubled relationship with his first wife, Julianne Phillips. The two were going through a divorce at the time which influenced many of the album's songs.
Video Director
The music video for "One Step Up" was directed by Meiert Avis, a prolific music video director who has also worked with artists such as U2 and Avril Lavigne.
Impact
The song still continues to be popular in Springsteen's live performances, and has also been covered by several artists, including Kenny Chesney and Eddie Vedder.
Recognition
"One Step Up" was listed as the 14th best song of 1987 by the rock magazine Spin.
Production
The song was produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Chuck Plotkin.
Song Interpretation
The song uses a metaphor of a broken down car to represent a failing marriage, highlighting Springsteen's gift for storytelling through his music.
Unique Musical Style
"One Step Up" is one of the songs on the album that veered away from Springsteen's traditional hard-rock style, leaning more towards pop and softer rock. This new direction was a bit of a risk but successfully showcased his versatility as an artist.

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    One Step Up

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1988

    Billboard #13


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