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Steps’ “Gold: Greatest Hits” turns 25, so we’re doing an honest, track by track review of the new songs from the group’s final era before the 2001 Boxing Day split. “Chain Reaction”, “Baby Don’t Dance”, “Only In My Dreams”, “Words Are Not Enough” and “I Know Him So Well” all get rated, and we finish with a Cut or Keep.
Chris and Chantel get into Claire’s “Chain Reaction” ad-libs (and those toothpaste-commercial teeth), the one-shot hospital video, and why the disco-funk “Baby Don’t Dance” was shelved as a single not once but twice. Plus the first song all five members wrote together, the CGI video game world of “Words Are Not Enough”, and why Steps’ take on “I Know Him So Well” might beat every other version, Broadway included. We also talk about H and Claire telling the group they were quitting two hours before the final Gold Tour show.
Steps fans, do you have a fandom name? Are you going to the 30th anniversary tour? Tell us in the comments.
The Gold era B-sides are exclusive on Patreon!
Timestamps:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 2:12 - Album Cover
- 3:28 - “Chain Reaction”
- 11:08 - “Baby Don’t Dance”
- 17:01 - “Only In My Dreams”
- 21:45 - “Words Are Not Enough”
- 27:52 - “I Know Him So Well”
- 34:00 - Cut or Keep
- 34:45 - Overall Thoughts & Final Rating
References:
- Diana Ross - “Chain Reaction” MV https://youtu.be/lspNn8ZBAsI?si=596POCBh3DmoL3LT
- “Chain Reaction” MV https://youtu.be/EsuRgxsd6bk?si=HwbtVL2_v5KSL5sM
- “Chain Reaction” Live at Blue Peter https://youtu.be/cgDaOL1bBBY?si=eahtk0idHYProEr9
- “Chain Reaction” Live at Smash Hits 2001 https://youtu.be/KXkhEGYdG90?si=yt0VH6-oXuTRZPYv
- “Chain Reaction” Live at What The Future Holds Tour 2021 https://youtu.be/yNZW1AtZ0yk?si=kWq5yKpRlQqFKeWS
- “Baby Don’t Dance” MV (Gold Tour) https://youtu.be/eOw8q3AGsbU?si=O1m2NHNS7ZeeV4Se
- “Baby Don’t Dance” Live at London Palladium 2012 (Fancam by @stueeb1) https://youtu.be/KEdvtluNO_4?si=NCv34KtX_IJ7Dw1P
- “Words Are Not Enough” MV https://youtu.be/BvbT8hx4oR8?si=iyaLwGQyUWPIUG05
- “Words Are Not Enough” Live at TOTP https://youtu.be/VZTARIPYrBM?si=K2WQ0CYKdvXBAox3
- Elaine Paige & Barbara Dixon - “I Know Him So Well” (from CHESS) https://youtu.be/s2SDInk6voA?si=cl5_NnKhO7YBtknp
- “I Know Him So Well” MV (Abbamania) https://youtu.be/Ts6-sJE6ruE?si=auyOxA4jKah91tbd
- “I Know Him So Well” Live at Steps Into Summer https://youtu.be/DMOLgsO-2Wc?si=VO-7Zjm4uHx5L-Pm
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Baby, don't dance.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:03 Baby, don't sing.
00:00:06 --> 00:00:13 This is CCTV, the nonstop pop show where we do honest reviews, unfiltered discussions, and iconic interviews across global pop music.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 Make sure to click that subscribe or follow button.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 We are fully independent, so that helps more than you know.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:20 Yes!
00:00:21 --> 00:00:26 And we are here reviewing Gold Greatest Hits because it hits 25 years this month.
00:00:26 --> 00:00:31 So we're reviewing Step's final release before their Boxing Day split.
00:00:31 --> 00:00:35 And since this is a hit album, we're focusing on the brand new songs from that era.
00:00:35 --> 00:00:36 That's right.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:44 So, Gold, The Greatest Hits, came out in the UK in October 2001, and it was Steph's first Greatest Hits album.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:54 And so when Steph announced the album in May 2001, split rumors started right away, and the group denied them, with Lisa say they hadn't even talked about splitting up.
00:00:55 --> 00:01:03 And the original release of the album had every step single up to that point, except You'll Be Sorry, which did not fit on the CD, plus a few brand new songs.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:12 The album debuted at number one in the UK and spent three weeks on top, and it finished as the sixth biggest album of 2001, and it also hit number one in Ireland.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 Yes, not the Ivory Coast.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:17 That's right.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:21 It's four-time platinum in the UK with over a million copies sold.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:26 And in the US, a shorter version came out in 2002 called The Best of Steps.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:30 The gold tour ran from November 24th to December 22nd, 2001.
00:01:31 --> 00:01:36 Two hours before the final show, though, H and Claire told the others that they were quitting.
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 And the split was announced on Boxing Day.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:40 So today...
00:01:40 --> 00:01:46 We're going to dive into the production, vocals, visuals, and performances of each song and then give our individual ratings.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 You are so free to join us, of course.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:53 And the four new songs, including I Know Him So Well, are on the main show.
00:01:54 --> 00:02:00 The B-sides from this era are exclusive to Patreon, so be sure to sign up for that because we have a free tier and we're lots of fun.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 And we're, you know, uncut.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:05 Unfiltered.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:05 Yeah.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:06 Yes.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 But be warned, your discretion is advised.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 Your fave will be criticized.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:16 Okay, so before we talk about the songs, let's talk about this album cover.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:17 Gold.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:17 Gold.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:18 Yes.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:19 What do you think?
00:02:19 --> 00:02:20 It's very serious.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:20 It is.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:21 I think I fit on it.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:21 Hang on.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:24 I feel like I'm wearing the outfit.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:25 A little bit.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:25 A little bit.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 You could stand with them, yeah.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:27 I could.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 Just find a few eras later.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:30 This is what the future holds me.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:31 Okay.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 I don't have any sets merch.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:36 We're changing that.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 But yes, I feel like this is very mature for them.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:41 Yeah.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:44 Especially, like, just talking about their past albums, like, the styling, the hair.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:45 There's no height.
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 Like, the other half, like, there's ponytails.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:48 Yeah, there's color.
00:02:48 --> 00:02:49 Yeah, there's color.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:49 Yeah.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:50 Literally.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 But yeah, I think they look really mature.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:56 And it feels kind of disco-y because of the silhouettes of the outfits, like, Claire is giving, for sure.
00:02:56 --> 00:02:58 But yeah, they look a little, like, aged.
00:02:58 --> 00:02:58 Yeah.
00:02:59 --> 00:02:59 Yeah.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:00 I don't...
00:03:00 --> 00:03:01 It's just very serious.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:02 Yeah.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:05 I just don't think it really matches their sound.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 However, there's Abagold, you know?
00:03:08 --> 00:03:13 So I think they were maybe kind of going for that just, like, timeless classic situation.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:14 So I get it.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:14 Okay.
00:03:15 --> 00:03:19 But also, I find it interesting that, you know, three... Or I guess Faye and Lisa are smiling.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 The other three are, like, smizing.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:22 Right?
00:03:23 --> 00:03:24 There was no conversation.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:25 Yeah.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:27 Exactly.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:28 Oh, man.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:32 Okay, so let's get to the first song, which was Chain Reaction, written by the Bee Gees.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 And their version was produced by Graham Stack and Mark Taylor.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:39 And it's that second Bee Gees cover after tragedy.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:45 And though Bee Gees wrote it, it actually was originally a Diana Ross hit and spent three weeks at number one in the UK in 1986.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:54 And fun fact, Mark Taylor also co-produced, shares believe.
00:03:55 --> 00:03:55 Mm-hmm.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:56 Yes.
00:03:56 --> 00:04:05 So Chain Reaction was the lead single of the Greatest Hits album, released in September 2001 with the Tony Moran remix of One for Sorrow as the double A side.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:10 The single peaked at number two in the UK, stuck behind Kylie's Can't Get You Out of My Head.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 But it was huge.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 It was their biggest selling single since The Say You'll Be Mine and Better The Devil You Know on double A side.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:25 So before Love on Top, the routine reaction, because what's that ending?
00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 Oh, my God, it's so big.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:28 And it gets bigger and bigger and bigger.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:28 Yeah.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 It was funny because when I heard this song, I was like, oh, it's because I think it's because it is.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:33 It is.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 Because it literally is past.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:35 Yes.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:37 I think it's so funny.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:45 I think it's so interesting how much attachment that the UK has with like doing covers, but also like a Motown sound.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:53 Because not a lot of countries are like, okay, this is something that we wanted to, you know, Annie Winehouse and like Adele and all these other artists that sound very like old school.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 I'm like, how did y'all, why is what you latched onto?
00:04:56 --> 00:04:57 I'm not mad at it though.
00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 But yeah, I think this is really fun.
00:04:58 --> 00:04:59 I love the drums in this.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 It makes everything sound so dramatic and exciting.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 And it makes steps on steps, obviously.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 But you know, you get a cover and you're like, girl, girl.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:12 I mean, Girls Aloud is a huge victim of the, we're going to do a cover and we're going to do a cover.
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 Like, it's not...
00:05:15 --> 00:05:16 It's not like a, let's change it up.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 Sometimes I think jump is probably like their best.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 Even then, though, production-wise, they kept it quite close to the original.
00:05:22 --> 00:05:23 Yeah.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:24 Where this is different, right?
00:05:24 --> 00:05:24 So I like that.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:25 Yeah.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 I mean, Diana's is quite chill, right?
00:05:27 --> 00:05:30 And, like, of course, the lyrics are very filthy.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 But even Diana's is, like, she makes it sound quite sweet.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:34 Yeah.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:38 This one, with that percussion that you mentioned and everything, like, they added a lot to it.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:43 And, of course, with the boys there, too, you get this octave and all these extra background vocals and stuff.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 So, yeah, I think this is a cool choice.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 Yeah.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:46 For a cover.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 And especially because it was written by the Bee Gees, that makes sense too.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 It's like obviously tragedy is like their biggest thing, right?
00:05:52 --> 00:05:56 So yeah, that all is very inspired, I think.
00:05:56 --> 00:06:00 And yeah, Claire, I mean, the key changes in this are crazy.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:05 And those ad-libs, I think they're her best ad-libs maybe in their old listography.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:10 I have to think about that now, my gosh, because I always like mimic her.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 Oh, she's her mouth is open.
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 All 32 are showing y'all.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 Cheriacha.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 Colgate.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:17 She's literally Colgate.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:17 I love her.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:18 Yes.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:25 Shout out to Glitter and Gold, the Steps podcast, because I believe they mentioned too, because their teeth look amazing in this music video.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 And they were like, this was a this was a toothpaste commercial.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 Missed opportunity.
00:06:29 --> 00:06:32 It literally was, because what do you mean all your teeth are so white?
00:06:33 --> 00:06:33 Uh-huh.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 Yeah.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:36 So what did you think of the music video, this hospital concept?
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 You know, when we were watching it, I asked if anyone did.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:43 Obviously, age was, like, off the board, but there's Lee.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:49 And it was, like, probably not, but it's just so interesting how they make, like, the records always, like, look at each other lovingly, and they're just, like...
00:06:50 --> 00:06:53 Yeah, there is a weird kind of touchy moment with Faye, which is Ellie.
00:06:53 --> 00:06:58 And then they were, I think they were also coupled up in the It's the Way You Make Me Feel music video, too.
00:06:58 --> 00:06:58 So yeah, you're right.
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 It is kind of weird.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 I like the campiness of it, though.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:05 It's just really funny how they're all like doctors and nurses.
00:07:05 --> 00:07:09 And mind you, Claire is like, her boobs are all out.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 Only on paycheck you get the rest of it.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:19 Oh, is Patreon the right place to go?
00:07:20 --> 00:07:20 Oh my.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:28 Yeah, I appreciate the doctor thing because it was just interesting for them because I feel like it was just a different concept for them.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:34 You know, like their music videos have always been quite young, I would say.
00:07:34 --> 00:07:37 And then they start, you know, with Buzz and everything, you had that kind of like,
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 alien UFO situation.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 So doing something that was kind of just more grounded for them, I think it was good.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:45 And yeah, I liked it.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 It was all just like one shot as well.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 You kind of just following them around.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:54 I will say the funniest thing for me is H like waking up to sing his verse.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:58 And then he's like, he's like behind Lisa as she's doing her part.
00:07:58 --> 00:08:03 And he like kind of like slowly tries to fall asleep again, but then he has to wake up again because like the chorus is about to come.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 Like I find that so funny.
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 And she's like upstaging him the whole time.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:08 Yeah.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:09 Oh, yeah.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:12 I'm trying to laugh over the thing because I know the audio cleanup.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 I'm dying.
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 It's just so funny because like, what the hell?
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 She's in the camera light.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:18 Mm-hmm.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 Directed in St.
00:08:19 --> 00:08:19 Moon.
00:08:20 --> 00:08:20 What?
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 I love the video.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 I mean, she waited for his verse to end, to be fair.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 Yes.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:24 You know what?
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 Yeah, it was her turn.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 What procedure do you think she was getting?
00:08:27 --> 00:08:27 Yeah.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:30 his heart was broken, you know, maybe.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:33 Or no, maybe he just, I mean, Ching Reactions is a very smexy song.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:36 We just had a really crazy night.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 I'm not going to hold you.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 The way this music sounds, it's very big.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 It's very, it's horn-ish.
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 Like, there's horns in it.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 It took away the smex, I will say that.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:49 Because it's so big and bright, because it's just like, I'm about to get laid, or maybe I already did.
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 Like, either way, it's just kind of like, it's not smexy.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 I think I appreciate that, but also I'm just like,
00:08:55 --> 00:09:06 but it's their brand yeah and i think they actually already changed a couple of the words from diana's because diana's was pg 18 it was black jelly knee nasty
00:09:08 --> 00:09:12 But yes, then there was a dance scene with the beautiful teeth and the blues and the tans and stuff.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 They look amazing.
00:09:13 --> 00:09:13 They do.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 The beautiful teeth.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 You know, I love the outfits.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 Like Lisa's outfits, this era.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:19 Oh, yeah.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 Love them.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:25 She's the only one who looked like she was just a grown 20-something-year-old, and the rest of them were dressed like really cool teachers.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:26 Like...
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 Your favorite teacher in the classroom.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 Like, maybe they teach English or history.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 He always had, like, a ball or something.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:32 It was just...
00:09:33 --> 00:09:33 Yeah.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:33 Yeah.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 I do like the office.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 So I feel like it did look more mature because it wasn't right.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 It was like metallic, but like a muty kind of color.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:39 So I was into it.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 I was into it.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 And then live performances were fun.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 Like the choreography is fun as usual, of course.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:49 But I think what the feature holds tour is like probably hands down like.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:49 Oh.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 You know, the drum line is really cool.
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 And I remember watching that.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 And did we talk to Steve about that?
00:09:55 --> 00:09:55 Yes, we did.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 Yes, that's right, guys.
00:09:56 --> 00:09:59 So again, we have music interviews on our show, all right?
00:09:59 --> 00:09:59 And reviews.
00:10:00 --> 00:10:04 But we had Steve Anderson, Kylie Minogue, Steps, Britney's Breathe On Me.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 Like, we had them on the show.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 We talked about it.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:10 So I think thinking about all of that, that performance really stands out.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 Because it's like you had the best of the best work on your stuff.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 The song was really good.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 The drum line was adorable.
00:10:15 --> 00:10:17 And H in his shorts.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:17 I mean.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:44 yes yeah i actually love the dancer team for this um like you know the little x kind of going back for the ching reaction um and and yeah it's like very dynamic there's like in the original version there's a ton of formation changes and stuff going on um and then yeah i love the what the future holds one i thought the a party on the dance floor one is so good too because they did bring back the hospital beds for that i think that was one of the first times we heard them properly sing this song live too and like claire is like
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 belting her face off at the end.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 It's sounding amazing.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:50 So this one is a highlight in their live shows for sure.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:51 Yes.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 So I love this cover.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 I will give it a 10.
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 I think it's among Seth's best, actually.
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 Okay.
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 Now you guys want to heal me.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:03 I'm going to give it a nine because something about this song just hasn't stuck out to me for all the stuff that we've done before.
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 I mean, nine is high, though.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 Yeah, it is.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 It is.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 Up next is, baby, don't dance.
00:11:10 --> 00:11:13 And this was done by Peter Cunna and Simon Ellis.
00:11:13 --> 00:11:19 And this song was planned as a single for February 2002, but it was scrapped following the split that we mentioned.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:30 The song was then resurrected as a single again for November 2002 to promote The Last Dance, their remix and B-Side's album, but this was also cancelled.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:37 And the WIP remix version featured on The Last Dance has an official music video that uses footage from their Gold Tour performance.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 So, baby don't dance.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:43 Baby don't dance, baby don't sing.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:50 Now, every single time Chris might talk about what argument kind of genre is, Chris always has said disco.
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 And I was like, I don't understand.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:55 He goes, that's random, you know, thinking about what you grew up listening to.
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 This is amazing.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 It explains everything.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:04 And it's so cool because this is what I want.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:07 When I hear someone say, I'm doing the 70s in my music.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 I'm using this glass and influence.
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 I want to hear this.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 Yeah.
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 I want to hear this.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:15 This is a new track to the whole collection where the narrator's like,
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 I don't need you to do anything except me.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:18 You have to dance.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 You have to sing.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 You're perfect.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 I'm going to be honest.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 So the name alone is the funniest thing here.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:28 Cause it's like asking them not to dance in your whole existence as a group is to dance.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 Cause I love it.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 I love the disco vibe.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 It's funky.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:32 It's groovy.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:36 And it does sound like Boulay Boo by Ava.
00:12:36 --> 00:12:39 Because I was like, how do I know this already?
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 I didn't already know it.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 I knew it because it feels like I know it.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:43 So I was like, okay, that's good.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:48 And I think that whole ABBA on speed thing has been like a through line in their career.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:53 And it's been so consistent because I feel like every time we talk about a group or, especially in America, they change their sound.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 And it's like, girl, what happened?
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 Just do what you've been doing, what you're doing.
00:12:57 --> 00:13:00 So I appreciate that everything is like amazing.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:03 And like the dance floor versus like heartbreak tension.
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 There's no heartbreak here.
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 It's literally just, this is perfect.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 Don't change.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 I love you.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 Keep that eight count.
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 Matter of fact, don't do the eight count.
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 Just stand down with free.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 I love you.
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 I'm here for it.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 I'm just joking.
00:13:15 --> 00:13:15 I love it.
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 Yes.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:18 I mean, first, shout out to Simon Ellis.
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 I would love to get him on the show.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:24 Obviously, he was the Spice Girls music director in the first couple tours.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 He did a bunch of stuff for S Club 7.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 Still Westlife's music director as well.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 So I love that he wrote this.
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 I had no idea until we started doing this episode.
00:13:33 --> 00:13:35 But yeah, I love Baby Don't Dance.
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 It's such a missed opportunity as a single.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:40 And the fact that it got canceled twice is crazy.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:51 Because I think if you look at their projection, or if you look at their journey sonically, and even visually, you can tell they want to be bit more mature.
00:13:51 --> 00:13:55 You know, with Buzz, they were like, okay, we want to do this American-ish sound.
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 We like, a little bit cooler.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:57 Yeah.
00:13:57 --> 00:14:01 You know, and so this, I think, makes more sense, right?
00:14:01 --> 00:14:04 It's still disco, but it's a little funkier.
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 It's a little slicker.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:09 That bass line keeps it a bit more grounded.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:13 And it's just, it's not as bright, you know, as everything else.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:17 And it doesn't have that Eurodance-like instance to it.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 So as a single, I'm really curious how it would have done.
00:14:20 --> 00:14:24 Because I think actually as a progression of their sound, I think it's a perfect next step for them.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 Makes sense.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:26 Yeah.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:31 And then vocally as well, like the arrangement, none of it is done solo.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 It's all unison.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 And it's like, you know, it's an interesting combo.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 It's like Lee, Claire, and Lisa singing one part.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 And then it's like,
00:14:38 --> 00:15:07 H response like it's like okay like this is actually like a really cool vocal arrangement as well um so yeah I I love this one and I think it deserves more light I do think they added the song just like digitally to like the greatest hits like the newer greatest hits that they've done recently and I was like okay good they're like maybe giving it some flowers as because it's kind of was a single but not really right um so yeah I love this one and then that WIP remix as well is great it's not it's not that different they made it a fit you
00:15:07 --> 00:15:13 They added like bongos and some extra like electric guitar and stuff just to make it even more disco.
00:15:13 --> 00:15:15 But yeah, drums.
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 Sounds like this.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 I think about them.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 Yeah.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:20 But then lyrically as well, it's so funny because it's like the opposite of the Spice Girls.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 You can't dance where it's like you can't dance.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 You can't do anything for me.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:26 And this one, they're like, you are perfect.
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 You could just stand there.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 You don't need to know how to groove.
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 You need to do anything.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 Okay.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 I feel like I don't want my manners to be like that.
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 I don't need you to be out here and about.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 Just be you.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 The glasses.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:38 Like, I know where you are.
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 I say right there.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 I'll go hit the dance floor.
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 I'll be right back.
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 Like... No, I do like this song.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 I love the routine for it.
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 It's not like...
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 I would say it's cheesy, their choreography.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:52 But after a while, a lot of hand motions can come across as, quote, unquote, juvenile.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 Only because it's very easy.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 When I taught English, it was called TPR, total physical response.
00:15:57 --> 00:16:00 It's like, this is a five and exciting.
00:16:00 --> 00:16:04 So it's more pointing and footwork, and it feels grounded.
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 Everything just felt so good.
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 So for this to not be a single...
00:16:09 --> 00:16:13 But also, my score will reflect my love for this song.
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 Yeah.
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 Okay.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:15 Yes.
00:16:16 --> 00:16:20 I do have to shout out, they did perform it at the Intimate Christmas Shows in 2012.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 Yeah.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 And it sounded great with a live band.
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 I really got to hear it in the same life.
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 It did sound great.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:25 Yeah.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:27 It was my favorite looks.
00:16:28 --> 00:16:31 Yeah, I mean, we haven't actually gone into the ultimate era yet.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 Actually, you've never seen that tour.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:36 Oh, we have a lot to talk about.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:48 But I just, I feel like this song for the next tour, even just as a part of a medley or something or an interlude, I would love this to get a little bit of light on it because it's a great song.
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 It is?
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 Yeah.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 Okay, so what do you give that?
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 Ten.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 Okay.
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 Ten.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 Love it.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 Right.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 Love it.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 Okay, I'll have it as nine.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 Right.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 But you get it.
00:16:58 --> 00:17:00 Okay, next is Only In My Dreams.
00:17:01 --> 00:17:07 And this was written by all five members of Steps with longtime collaborator Andrew Frampton.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 And this is the first Steps song that they all wrote together.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:11 Yeah, I'll get that.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 I'm getting the credits.
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 Good, good, good for you.
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 Yeah.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:22 This song feels like a teen movie.
00:17:22 --> 00:17:25 Miracles happen once in a while when you believe.
00:17:26 --> 00:17:32 For me, it feels like I could hear this when our main heroine is just finding something out about herself.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:37 It's just at the climax of the movie when everything changes, that switch at 180.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:42 The key lyrics about the classic, I can only have you with my sleeve.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 It's...
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 Super classic.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 We hear it.
00:17:45 --> 00:17:48 But I like to think of it like sad girl hours at the club.
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 You know, crying in the club.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 But like now you're in bed, but you can't go to sleep.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:53 Because you know it's like... Or maybe...
00:17:54 --> 00:17:56 But yeah, when you live your life, it's like, oh my God.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 Like, I effed up.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 I was cursed.
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 I effed up.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 When you dream, everything works out.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:01 And I get it.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 It's like, you realize you mess up so bad.
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 But maybe...
00:18:05 --> 00:18:08 if you just don't think about it, maybe you go to sleep, it's okay.
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 And even then it sucks then too.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:16 So I do appreciate like the whole dichotomy of being like, life is perfect when I'm not thinking about this.
00:18:17 --> 00:18:19 Like, well, you poor thing, but you messed up, suffer.
00:18:20 --> 00:18:26 So I do, I do like the juxtaposition of like dreams are perfect.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 Like is a fantasy there.
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 Like I didn't make this huge mistake.
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 When you wake up, it's like a nightmare.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 They don't want to like say it's a nightmare.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:37 But I will say it does dim in comparison to their bigger singles with the same vibe.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:41 It's a safe space for them sonically, which is why it makes sense.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 I'm like satisfied with it.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 I don't love it.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:47 However, what I do love is Claire Hall running on it.
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 So I'm here.
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 Yeah.
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 I'm here for the hollering.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 It's hot.
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 It's gonna be fun.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 Yeah.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:54 Yeah.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 I mean, yeah, I agree with you.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 It feels very classic steps.
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 It feels like buzz.
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 Like, it feels like it fits on the last album.
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 You know, it has that kind of Eurodance beat.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 It has the drama to it.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 But melodically, I do like it.
00:19:07 --> 00:19:09 I think Claire's pre-chorus is great.
00:19:09 --> 00:19:12 I like Faye leading the chorus as well.
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 And yeah, it is the whole Crying on the Dance Force thing.
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 It's melancholic, but...
00:19:16 --> 00:19:20 there's like a lot of energy in the music.
00:19:21 --> 00:19:28 So yeah, and then vocally as well, again, vocal arrangement wise, which is where I feel like this shows kind of the progression of their sound a bit.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:32 It's not just Faye gets the first verse, Claire gets the second verse, and Lisa gets the bridge.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:38 Like it's, you have H coming in, kind of responding as the girls are singing.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:40 And it's like different melodic moments for each girl.
00:19:40 --> 00:19:42 Like I appreciate that.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 And that's why it,
00:19:44 --> 00:20:07 sucks that they split right after this yeah because it felt like they really were sonically making their next step as like shah hits that sounds pun intended but i i feel like in these couple of songs chain reaction you know like it feels like there's a growth there yeah so it feels like oh dang you guys really ended like right when you kind of were about to kind of find your
00:20:14 --> 00:20:42 in it you know so it's they were I don't know it's interesting right but then I think if they didn't at this point we wouldn't have gotten scared of the dark and all this and all that everything that's happening now so yeah so but yeah I think this is a decent one I think I was excited I remember at the time when I was like 12 or whatever that all five of them got to write on it you know because it was also nice just to kind of see that they were getting just a bit more creatively involved as well that's all puppety
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 Yeah.
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 Dancing.
00:20:43 --> 00:20:45 But yeah, this feels safe for sure.
00:20:45 --> 00:20:50 I mean, there are some B-sides on this kind of era that I think are both quite good.
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 We'll talk about for Patreon.
00:20:53 --> 00:20:56 So could one of those have replaced this song?
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 Maybe.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 But I don't mind this song at all.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 Yes.
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 Yeah.
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 Ooh.
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 I like it.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 I like it.
00:21:03 --> 00:21:05 I feel like 7.5 is a sweet spot.
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 It's okay.
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 It's not bad.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 It might be too low.
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 But I feel like 7.5 is good.
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 Okay, I'll go a little higher and do an 8.
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 Yes.
00:21:13 --> 00:21:17 Okay, we're already halfway through this episode.
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 Oh.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:22 Yeah, so if you're enjoying it so far, be sure to click that subscribe and follow button.
00:21:22 --> 00:21:26 You can follow us everywhere at CCTV Pops on all social media.
00:21:26 --> 00:21:34 You can also join the CCTV crew for exclusive live sessions and the ability to help pick future episode topics at patreon.com slash CCTV Pops.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:40 And you might get some more visual stuff to look at as well.
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 Same reaction, yeah.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 Oh my.
00:21:45 --> 00:22:04 okay up next is words are not enough and this was written by andreas carlson and helle nylan and produced by walter turbot and mark taylor and it was the second single released this summer third 2001 as a double a side with i know him so well and this debuted at number five in the uk and it was their last
00:22:05 --> 00:22:08 last top 10 hit and their last hit before the split.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:11 And the video is almost entirely animated.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:20 I'm not sure if you guys remember, but it opens up with the group at Head & Kim Castle in Essex and getting pulled into a magic mirror and turned to CGI spray.
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 Yes.
00:22:26 --> 00:22:28 Well, before we get to the video, let's talk about the song.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:33 You know, another kind of steps ballad, which they have some great ones, you know, from through the years.
00:22:33 --> 00:22:36 So do you think this is as good as those?
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 What do you think of this as a single?
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 What are steps fans called?
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 Just escalators?
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 Like what we call steps fans.
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 Ooh, steps fans.
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 What are we called?
00:22:47 --> 00:22:47 The plastic seven eights.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:51 The eight counts.
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 Eight counts.
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 Yeah.
00:22:53 --> 00:23:20 the eight counts is cute it is cute right yeah or if they're the steps are we just like a floor oh my god i don't know here we are fellow floors fellow tiles no the eight counts is cute you like linoleums i'm trying to think of like steps i mean i was thinking like the escalator is like the evolution of a step
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 You're so right.
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 We don't have a name.
00:23:24 --> 00:23:27 So because some of the sugar babes were called the salt fellas.
00:23:27 --> 00:23:29 Well, I call us the salt fellas.
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 Yeah.
00:23:29 --> 00:23:31 Like, because it's, you know, such girls allowed.
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 We need a more fun way.
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 A louders.
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 Right.
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 Yeah.
00:23:34 --> 00:23:34 That's kind of boring.
00:23:34 --> 00:23:36 I know it is.
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 At least they have a name.
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 Right.
00:23:37 --> 00:23:39 And then, you know, Kylie's the lovers.
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 It makes sense.
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 So, yeah.
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 Step fans.
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 If you are obviously a fan, please.
00:23:43 --> 00:23:56 oh my god yes maybe it's like a song name or something yeah leave it in the comments um but yes as a fellow lilonium floor tile or tiles whatever i as a brand new one i would say um
00:23:57 --> 00:24:01 I don't think this even like comes close to a louder ballad.
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 It's not bad.
00:24:02 --> 00:24:05 Like I will never sit here and be like, oh yeah, this is a bad song.
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 They can't sing.
00:24:06 --> 00:24:09 They obviously can sing, but it's not like something that's like amazing.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 Yeah.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:16 I do get the sentiment of the song, but like, show me, don't tell me, you know, that it's like, oh, please stop.
00:24:16 --> 00:24:40 yeah um i'm that kind of person uh the pop equivalent of action speak louder than words is here so i do appreciate that um i do love the line there is nothing i'm missing out also prove me wrong because i've said it many times to you i don't see the point of me dating i hi every new year never had a man never had a boyfriend i'm like no one's convinced me that i should like change my mind so show me show me the meaning of being lonely um
00:24:42 --> 00:24:49 But yeah, I think this song is interesting because they're not saying it in a way where it's like kind of sassy, which I was kind of expecting.
00:24:49 --> 00:24:51 It's more like it's a little bit more gentle.
00:24:51 --> 00:24:54 There's vulnerability here where it's like, I want you to do it.
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 So please prove it.
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 Like it's not begging.
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 So I do appreciate that.
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 Yeah.
00:24:58 --> 00:25:03 Like the lyrics was that like, let me see you bring out the best of me.
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 You may find it tough.
00:25:04 --> 00:25:07 And it's like, I'm not just playing hard to get like, I want you to actually do it.
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 Show me I can trust you.
00:25:09 --> 00:25:15 So I like the sentiment here, but I just think the delivery in terms of production was just meh, meh.
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 It's okay.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 It's okay, you know?
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 Yeah.
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 I do think it's pretty.
00:25:20 --> 00:25:24 I will say it is often forgotten in the steps discography.
00:25:24 --> 00:25:27 Obviously doesn't help that it was released right when they split as well.
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 They said, sorry, guys, here.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:37 Like, I do remember at the time I was like, oh, like, they're, like, singing live on all the TV shows and stuff, which was rare at the time, right?
00:25:37 --> 00:25:40 So I was like, oh, okay, like, this makes sense for them.
00:25:40 --> 00:25:44 But, yeah, I just think the chorus just isn't that impactful, melodically.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 That's what it is.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 Yeah.
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 I think the harmonies and stuff are nice.
00:25:49 --> 00:25:53 There's some nice moments in the verse and stuff, but there's just, I don't know.
00:25:53 --> 00:25:56 There's nothing that memorable about this one, unfortunately.
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 What do you mean?
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 The music video exists.
00:26:04 --> 00:26:07 I mean, the music video for sure is memorable.
00:26:07 --> 00:26:16 I will say it's almost distracting though, because I feel like when I'm watching it, I'm like, you know, they're like rescuing Claire and they all have powers and stuff.
00:26:16 --> 00:26:20 And I'm like trying to understand what's going on and I'm not listening to the song at all.
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 I had to look at what I was making my notes.
00:26:25 --> 00:26:29 I had to literally like take my eyes away from the screen.
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 Because I'm like, what is this song about?
00:26:30 --> 00:26:34 And the great thing is we literally had a collab episode with Can't Stop the Pop.
00:26:35 --> 00:26:39 Craig and Maddie, we were talking about it and I cannot remember my notes from them either.
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 I just remember the video.
00:26:41 --> 00:26:43 It was, it was jump scare.
00:26:43 --> 00:26:45 It was very scary to see.
00:26:45 --> 00:26:49 I think Faye's sprite, sorry, CJ character is probably like my least favorite.
00:26:49 --> 00:26:52 Cause like it tried to like do her hair as well.
00:26:52 --> 00:26:52 Yes.
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 I don't like it.
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 Claire's outfit was the best.
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 H's power was hilarious.
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 You look like the road runner.
00:26:58 --> 00:27:01 And shout out to the team that made that video.
00:27:01 --> 00:27:03 Cause it, for the technology that they had.
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 Right.
00:27:05 --> 00:27:07 Like that's fully manual rendering.
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 Yeah.
00:27:08 --> 00:27:11 You know, so you can tell there was a lot of work put in.
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 Yes.
00:27:12 --> 00:27:12 Yes.
00:27:12 --> 00:27:15 So for all my teasing, it just reminds me of Bardot's video.
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 I should never let you go.
00:27:17 --> 00:27:21 We also introduced, introduced, interviewed Belinda from Bardot.
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 Ah, again, come join us on the show.
00:27:24 --> 00:27:29 But yeah, so that whole like CGI video game effect thing was really trendy at the time.
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 So it makes sense.
00:27:30 --> 00:27:33 I think for what it was, for when it was, good video.
00:27:33 --> 00:27:33 Yeah.
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 Song, however.
00:27:36 --> 00:27:57 so me i feel like it's not great so seven for me yeah i'll give it a 7.5 okay it's like fine but i much prefer pretty much every other steps valid yeah i would say yeah including the next one specifically yes so i know him so well yeah
00:27:57 --> 00:28:01 written by Benny Bjorn of ABBA, with Tim Rice for the musical Chess.
00:28:02 --> 00:28:05 And Steps' version was produced by Dan Frampton and Pete Waterman.
00:28:06 --> 00:28:11 And the original by Elaine Page and Barbara Dixon spent four weeks at number one in the UK in 1985.
00:28:11 --> 00:28:15 And Guinness says it's the biggest-selling UK single ever by a female duo.
00:28:21 --> 00:28:28 So Steps first recorded it back in 1999 for the ABBA Mania album and TV special, along with Lay All Your Love on Me.
00:28:28 --> 00:28:33 But it was finally released as a single in December 2001 as the AA side with Words Are Not Enough.
00:28:33 --> 00:28:38 So it's not on the gold album, but it's in the era, technically.
00:28:38 --> 00:28:41 Kind of, you know, kind of from the Sceptacular era, right?
00:28:43 --> 00:28:45 So yeah, but they performed it live a bunch over the years.
00:28:46 --> 00:28:49 They always did it on tour with the three ladies showing off their vocals.
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 So what do you think of I Know Him So Well?
00:28:57 --> 00:29:03 I can tell you right now that when we first, when you first show me steps, I heard, I know I'm still from that.
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 Yeah.
00:29:03 --> 00:29:05 Like I did not know Chess.
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 Sorry.
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 Sorry.
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 And then it wasn't ABBA.
00:29:08 --> 00:29:10 It was the two, two ex-husbands.
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 No offense.
00:29:11 --> 00:29:11 They're talented.
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 I'm just saying.
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 I was not connected.
00:29:16 --> 00:29:18 You know, they wrote every, all things.
00:29:19 --> 00:29:21 Hear me out, everyone.
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 Women's rights and wrongs over here.
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 I'm just...
00:29:24 --> 00:29:26 It just sucks that they literally didn't have any careers without their husbands.
00:29:26 --> 00:29:28 But I was like, golly girl, Michael's so bad.
00:29:29 --> 00:29:32 And Abba, that's something we need to talk about on this show.
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 I'm totally joking.
00:29:34 --> 00:29:37 Major Rossman, how dare you talk about it baby?
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 I'm joking.
00:29:40 --> 00:30:03 did not think about it heard this song during the concert and you showed me and i was like okay okay i have learned to understand the f out of this song to understand the song and i'm like wow it's so well written yeah and it's so interesting where it's just like i don't like that this is over but i got a chance to know this person it's almost like with ariana grande's um
00:30:05 --> 00:30:26 um can't believe you happen it's like i don't want you back but it's like wow that happened that you were like this that happened in my life so i think that whole like retrospective kind of thing is really important to have in pop and be able to sing it well and have it be a good melody and have it resonate with people says enough i mean you took me up whitney houston cover i did not know like yeah
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 We're learning here.
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 Welcome to the show.
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 But yeah, I think it's a great song.
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 It's well written.
00:30:30 --> 00:30:32 And it feels like a conversation with friends.
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 It makes it even better.
00:30:33 --> 00:30:35 Because it's like, I realized you did like him.
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 He was so nice.
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 And he was so wonderful.
00:30:38 --> 00:30:40 And the friend understands.
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 The woman speaking.
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 And her friend's like, I get it.
00:30:43 --> 00:30:46 And it feels even more like there's some camaraderie here in the song.
00:30:46 --> 00:30:50 So in terms of like what it means emotionally and like lyrically, so well written.
00:30:50 --> 00:30:52 And then you have the girls.
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 The guys weren't there.
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 Yes, I get it.
00:30:54 --> 00:30:56 But the girls were singing it down.
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 Yeah.
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 And even Lisa.
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 I didn't peg Lisa as a singer.
00:30:59 --> 00:31:04 So shout out to Lisa for really singing the song.
00:31:04 --> 00:31:09 Because it is not an easy song to sing because of the emotional depth.
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 Not so I can sing a song.
00:31:11 --> 00:31:13 Okay, but can you emote well?
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 I think everyone did their job.
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 Yes.
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 Very well.
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 Yes.
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 I love the Steps version.
00:31:18 --> 00:31:21 Theirs was also the first version that I had ever heard.
00:31:22 --> 00:31:24 And of course, since then, I have heard the original.
00:31:24 --> 00:31:26 There is the Whitney Houston version with her mother.
00:31:27 --> 00:31:30 And of course, Chess has since been on Broadway.
00:31:30 --> 00:31:33 So now I've seen it in the context of the show, right?
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 And I'm like, oh, okay, I get it.
00:31:34 --> 00:31:36 It was like Lea Michele and stuff.
00:31:36 --> 00:31:40 And even then, I was still like, Steps version is better.
00:31:42 --> 00:31:45 You know, there's also the Melanie C. and Emma Bunton version as well.
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 Like there's so many versions of the song.
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 That's the one.
00:31:47 --> 00:31:54 Um, but yeah, even experiencing it live on Broadway, I'm still like, no, Claire, Faye and Lisa should, should be on here.
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 Sorry, Leah and Michelle.
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 Yeah.
00:31:56 --> 00:32:03 Um, but yeah, I think the first time I heard it was watching the Steptacular Tour VHS tape that I had.
00:32:03 --> 00:32:05 What's that?
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 Yeah.
00:32:07 --> 00:32:09 And I just remember being, because I think it was one of the first songs.
00:32:09 --> 00:32:12 I think it's like the fourth song in the show or something.
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 They just did, like, Say You'll Be Mine live.
00:32:14 --> 00:32:16 And I was already like, oh, wow, they're singing live.
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 And then they did this.
00:32:17 --> 00:32:19 And I was like, oh, like, oh, they can actually sing, sing.
00:32:20 --> 00:32:23 Because, you know, obviously in the studio, it's like, yeah, Claire can felt your face off.
00:32:23 --> 00:32:26 Like, Faye has a really strong voice as well.
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 But, you know, it's different live.
00:32:28 --> 00:32:30 And, like, I think I had watched the previous tour and some TV performances.
00:32:30 --> 00:32:32 Like, everything was loose at that point.
00:32:32 --> 00:32:36 You know, so I just my expectations were just, you know, low at that point.
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 But yeah, I agree with you.
00:32:37 --> 00:32:39 I think the melody is just absolutely beautiful.
00:32:40 --> 00:32:43 What a well written song, like you just said.
00:32:43 --> 00:32:48 And the way they did it vocally, they balanced each other so well.
00:32:48 --> 00:32:51 Like it wasn't Claire belting above everyone else.
00:32:52 --> 00:32:55 Like she kept it right where Faye was.
00:32:55 --> 00:32:59 And Lisa chose her moments too, where she could also belt her face off too.
00:33:03 --> 00:33:13 favorite moment of that whole song because they, it's just their tones are actually balanced so well and then Faye comes back in right after they finish to then start her own version of the Quarix.
00:33:13 --> 00:33:15 Like, the whole thing is just perfect.
00:33:16 --> 00:33:23 I know, I know and well wasn't it good?
00:33:24 --> 00:33:28 And this is another one where I would love for it to make a return live.
00:33:28 --> 00:33:29 Oh my god, with their voices now?
00:33:30 --> 00:33:30 Yeah.
00:33:31 --> 00:33:31 Yeah.
00:33:32 --> 00:33:33 That sounds so good.
00:33:33 --> 00:33:34 Oh, my God.
00:33:34 --> 00:33:34 Okay, yes.
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 I feel like I scored this one pretty high.
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 Like, high enough, y'all.
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 So don't come for me.
00:33:39 --> 00:33:40 Okay, what is that?
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 It's a 9.5.
00:33:42 --> 00:33:44 I think I'm going to give it the 10.
00:33:44 --> 00:33:45 That's fine.
00:33:45 --> 00:33:45 Go ahead.
00:33:45 --> 00:33:45 Yeah.
00:33:46 --> 00:33:48 It's so good.
00:33:48 --> 00:33:50 Like I said, I'm still growing to it.
00:33:50 --> 00:33:52 Because when I first listened to it, I didn't care for it or whatever.
00:33:52 --> 00:33:53 Right, right.
00:33:53 --> 00:33:56 So it's one of those things, I think, as I get older and I still live more life, I'm going to be like...
00:33:59 --> 00:34:23 okay guys so it was really short i get it i get it i get it but we have more all right it's called cut or keep where we get to cut a song get to keep some one song oh this never bodes well correct word i'm where it's like i don't know well we only have a couple songs to choose from yeah yeah i i guess i would cut words are not enough i just i i never choose to listen to it really to be honest
00:34:24 --> 00:34:26 Oh, yeah, they can matter, actually.
00:34:26 --> 00:34:27 Oh, you know what?
00:34:28 --> 00:34:30 Yeah, sorry to them little video game sprites.
00:34:31 --> 00:34:32 Great work on the video.
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 Not so great work on the song.
00:34:34 --> 00:34:35 So that was my lowest score, I think.
00:34:35 --> 00:34:36 So bye-bye.
00:34:37 --> 00:34:37 Yeah.
00:34:37 --> 00:34:37 Okay.
00:34:38 --> 00:34:39 In terms of a keep, chain reaction.
00:34:40 --> 00:34:41 Okay, mine is Baby Don't Dance.
00:34:41 --> 00:34:43 I feel like it's obvious.
00:34:45 --> 00:34:45 Yes.
00:34:45 --> 00:34:50 Okay, so that was the gold era right before their first splits.
00:34:51 --> 00:34:54 So, yeah, what do you think of this kind of moment for them?
00:34:54 --> 00:34:57 I mean, I feel like you really encapsulated what you were... Oh, fly's wide open there.
00:34:58 --> 00:34:59 Actually, that's not on camera.
00:35:01 --> 00:35:02 If you want to see more.
00:35:03 --> 00:35:08 I'll get to our show.
00:35:09 --> 00:35:10 Okay, my fly's wide open there.
00:35:11 --> 00:35:14 Good thing we're not at the studio, because I would have been like just butch on main.
00:35:15 --> 00:35:16 So basically...
00:35:18 --> 00:35:22 So basically, I feel like you really said everything really well.
00:35:22 --> 00:35:27 Like, they were right at the cusp of what could have been.
00:35:27 --> 00:35:32 But things were gotten their way because scared of the dog is what got me to a fan.
00:35:32 --> 00:35:34 So things need to happen for things to happen, right?
00:35:34 --> 00:35:41 I think, though, for this to have been like the last hoorah, you can still hear the effort from the two members that decided to leave, right?
00:35:41 --> 00:35:43 It wasn't just like, we found it in, girl.
00:35:43 --> 00:35:44 We're found it in.
00:35:44 --> 00:35:46 It was more like, okay, we're here.
00:35:46 --> 00:35:47 We're going to show up.
00:35:47 --> 00:35:48 I'm going to do what I have to do.
00:35:49 --> 00:36:09 you want to make the make the breakup at the concert yeah but you know that's what it happens a little effed up but i do like what we got added to it and then you put it all together with the full project the full set of music it's like undeniably so good um so yeah i like this this is like making me really excited for next year
00:36:10 --> 00:36:26 um so yeah i think for this is it's pretty freaking solid it just sucks that there's such a long gap yeah between what we what was this what this was and what we got later on but i think this is really it's good it's good like weak moments okay i get they were weak but like the strong ones are like undeniably so
00:36:26 --> 00:36:27 Yeah.
00:36:27 --> 00:36:32 I mean, I think that, like you were just saying, the Gold album is a brilliant pop album.
00:36:32 --> 00:36:34 Like a lot of the greatest hits from these eras, right?
00:36:34 --> 00:36:39 We just did The Sound of Girls Aloud, The Atomic Kitten greatest hits album.
00:36:39 --> 00:36:41 Like these are the Saturdays greatest hits album.
00:36:42 --> 00:36:47 Like it is from the beginning to the end, a brilliant pop album.
00:36:47 --> 00:36:48 And I say the same for Gold.
00:36:49 --> 00:36:50 And I think...
00:36:51 --> 00:36:57 at least as a fan at that point, like watching the tour and everything, I was like, dang, this show is so good.
00:36:57 --> 00:36:58 Yeah, they were tight.
00:36:58 --> 00:37:00 It was so polished.
00:37:00 --> 00:37:02 Yeah, it felt so effortless.
00:37:04 --> 00:37:08 And yeah, you could definitely feel them getting older, but they were balancing it really well at the time.
00:37:09 --> 00:37:10 And so, and it was a huge success for them.
00:37:11 --> 00:37:13 So, yeah, I'm very grateful for this era.
00:37:13 --> 00:37:14 I'm really excited.
00:37:14 --> 00:37:20 I forgot, kind of forget about the ultimate era that kind of happens in between this and Scared of the Dark.
00:37:20 --> 00:37:22 I don't think I've shown you anything from that.
00:37:22 --> 00:37:22 Nope.
00:37:22 --> 00:37:23 At all.
00:37:24 --> 00:37:25 There's kind of a reason for that.
00:37:25 --> 00:37:27 So we're going to talk about that.
00:37:28 --> 00:37:29 But I did show you the goal.
00:37:30 --> 00:37:31 greatest hits show.
00:37:31 --> 00:37:34 And I was like, yeah, they literally split up two hours before the show.
00:37:34 --> 00:37:37 And you were just like, oh my God, like how is this possible?
00:37:37 --> 00:37:38 Because they were so professional.
00:37:38 --> 00:37:40 They're still laughing with each other.
00:37:40 --> 00:37:41 Yes.
00:37:41 --> 00:37:46 Can I tell you, he told me, before we even started watching, he told me they broke up right before.
00:37:46 --> 00:37:49 And then I had to watch it.
00:37:50 --> 00:37:51 So I didn't have that knowledge.
00:37:51 --> 00:37:54 Like the fans are like, just, oh man, it is whatever.
00:37:56 --> 00:37:58 He treated me like I was part of the group.
00:37:58 --> 00:37:59 So we're leaving.
00:37:59 --> 00:38:00 Go out there and watch it.
00:38:01 --> 00:38:03 Every time it was like a slow motion, slow moment in the concert.
00:38:04 --> 00:38:06 Chris, how the hell are they on stage together?
00:38:07 --> 00:38:10 So they were very super professional because I could not.
00:38:10 --> 00:38:10 Yes.
00:38:11 --> 00:38:11 I'm not looking at you.
00:38:12 --> 00:38:12 Yeah.
00:38:12 --> 00:38:16 But regardless of that though, this era is great.
00:38:16 --> 00:38:17 Yeah.
00:38:17 --> 00:38:18 And some great music for sure.
00:38:18 --> 00:38:22 So yeah, I think just given everything, this era gets a nine from me.
00:38:23 --> 00:38:25 Ooh, I can see your nine.
00:38:27 --> 00:38:32 I mean, this is the greatest hits with the five new songs.
00:38:33 --> 00:38:34 I will match your nine.
00:38:34 --> 00:38:34 Okay.
00:38:35 --> 00:38:38 I'll match your nine because I feel like they do have a 10 in me.
00:38:38 --> 00:38:38 Oh.
00:38:38 --> 00:38:39 I feel like they do.
00:38:39 --> 00:38:40 I think I haven't gotten to it yet.
00:38:40 --> 00:38:41 Yeah.
00:38:41 --> 00:38:44 There are some great B-sides, as you mentioned.
00:38:44 --> 00:38:49 So if you'd like to hear us talk about those, come over to patreon.com slash ccbpops.
00:38:49 --> 00:38:50 But until then...
00:38:50 --> 00:38:55 Let us know what you think of the gold era and the songs we got from this time.
00:38:55 --> 00:38:56 What do you think of the tour?
00:38:56 --> 00:39:00 Let us know in the comments and tell us what other artists or albums you want us to review next.
00:39:00 --> 00:39:06 And are you attending the Next Steps tour next year for the 30th anniversary?
00:39:06 --> 00:39:06 Because we are.
00:39:06 --> 00:39:08 Oh, that's great.
00:39:09 --> 00:39:09 Yes.
00:39:09 --> 00:39:11 Huge shout out to our CCTV crew on Patreon.
00:39:11 --> 00:39:18 We have Lily, Emily, George, Jonathan, Janelle, Julianne, Darius, Ren, Hillary, Luke, Ivana, Ryan, Chase, Diego, Aaron, Espin, and Sarah.
00:39:18 --> 00:39:18 Okay.
00:39:19 --> 00:39:22 You can follow us everywhere at CCTV Pops on social media.
00:39:22 --> 00:39:24 And if you're watching on YouTube, don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn notifications.
00:39:24 --> 00:39:28 If you're listening on a podcast app, a follow, rating, and share really helps us out.
00:39:29 --> 00:39:30 Until next time, that's Chantel.
00:39:30 --> 00:39:31 That's Chris.
00:39:31 --> 00:39:33 And we're signing off from CCTV, the nonstop pop show.
00:39:34 --> 00:39:35 Yay!
00:39:35 --> 00:39:37 Baby, don't dig.
00:39:37 --> 00:39:39 Baby, don't sing.