ONE STEP UP

Album version



Woke up this morning, the house was cold
Checked out the furnace, she wasn't burning
Went out and hopped in my old Ford
Hit the engine but she ain't turning
We've given each other some hard lessons lately
We ain't learning
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 singing
Girl in white outside a church in June
But the church bells ain't ringing
I'm sitting here in this bar tonight
But all I'm thinking
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 'long the line I slipped off track
I'm caught moving one step up and two steps back

There's a girl across the bar
I get the message she's sending
Hmm she ain't looking too married
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
(One step up and two steps back)
One step up and two steps back
(One step up and two steps back)
One step up and two steps back


PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Info

ONE STEP UP is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1987 album Tunnel Of Love. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of ONE STEP UP as released in 1987.


The album version of ONE STEP UP was included on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition) compilation album and the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album.

Writing and Recording

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

Tunnel Of Love

Tunnel Of Love is Bruce Springsteen's eighth studio album. It was released on 06 Oct 1987 on Columbia Records. It was recorded between January and July 1987 at Thrill Hill East, Springsteen's home studio in Colts Neck, NJ.

Bruce Springsteen -- Tunnel Of Love
Bruce Springsteen -- Tunnel Of Love

The album features 12 tracks and clocks at 46:25. It is produced by produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Chuck Plotkin.

Music Video

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

The music video for ONE STEP UP was included on the Video Anthology / 1978-88 home video and the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album. It was posted on Bruce Springsteen's VEVO YouTube channel in October 2009.


Single Release

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

Bruce Springsteen -- One Step Up
Bruce Springsteen -- One Step Up

7" single - CBS / Sony (05SP 3017) - Japan, 1988

Comes with a picture insert. Promotional copies are identical to the commercial ones with the exception of "NOT FOR SALE / SAMPLE" (in Japanese) imprint above the catalogue number on the labels.

A1- ONE STEP UP
B1- ROULETTE
Bruce Springsteen -- One Step Up
Bruce Springsteen -- One Step Up

12" single - CBS (651442 6) - Spain, 1988

A1- ONE STEP UP
B1- ROULETTE
Bruce Springsteen -- If I Should Fall Behind
Bruce Springsteen -- If I Should Fall Behind

CD EP - Columbia (658898 2) - Australia, 1992

01- IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND
02- IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [Live 22 Sep 1992 version]
03- ONE STEP UP
04- MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER
Bruce Springsteen -- If I Should Fall Behind
Bruce Springsteen -- If I Should Fall Behind

CD EP - Columbia (658898 2) - Europe, 1992

Austrian pressing for the European market.

01- IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND
02- IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [Live 22 Sep 1992 version]
03- ONE STEP UP
04- MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ghost Of Tom Joad
Bruce Springsteen -- The Ghost Of Tom Joad

CD EP - Columbia (663031 5) - Austria, 1995

Pressed in Austria for distribution in the UK.

01- THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
02- MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER
03- ONE STEP UP
04- NEBRASKA

Video Anthology Home Video

Video Anthology / 1978-88 is a collection of 18 Bruce Springsteen music videos and concert performances, released on VHS on 31 Jan 1989. The home video was also released on LaserDisc.

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA VHS cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA VHS cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (Japan LaserDisc cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (Japan LaserDisc cover art)

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version] — originally released in 1978, directed by Arnold Levine
  2. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  3. THUNDER ROAD [Mix of live 21 Sep 1979 version and live 22 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  4. ATLANTIC CITY — originally released in 1982, directed by Arnold Levine
  5. DANCING IN THE DARK — originally released in 1984, directed by Brian De Palma
  6. BORN IN THE U.S.A. — originally released in 1984, directed by John Sayles
  7. I'M ON FIRE — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  8. GLORY DAYS — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  9. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1985, directed by Arthur Rosato
  10. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1986, directed by Arthur Rosato
  11. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version] — originally released in 1986
  12. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version] — originally released in 1987, directed by Arthur Rosato
  13. BRILLIANT DISGUISE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  14. TUNNEL OF LOVE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  15. ONE STEP UP — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  16. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  17. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Carol Dodds
  18. BORN TO RUN [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis

Sonny reissued the video on DVD on 16 Jan 2001. Titled The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000, the new expanded release added a second disc with 15 additional music video, concert performances, and television appearances.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 (DVD cover art)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 (DVD cover art)

Disc 1:

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version] — originally released in 1978, directed by Arnold Levine
  2. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  3. THUNDER ROAD [Mix of live 21 Sep 1979 version and live 22 Sep 1979 version] — originally released in 1980, directed by Danny Goldberg, Julian Schlossberg, Anthony Potenza
  4. ATLANTIC CITY — originally released in 1982, directed by Arnold Levine
  5. DANCING IN THE DARK — originally released in 1984, directed by Brian De Palma
  6. BORN IN THE U.S.A. — originally released in 1984, directed by John Sayles
  7. I'M ON FIRE — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  8. GLORY DAYS — originally released in 1985, directed by John Sayles
  9. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1985, directed by Arthur Rosato
  10. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version] — originally released in 1986, directed by Arthur Rosato
  11. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version] — originally released in 1986
  12. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version] — originally released in 1987, directed by Arthur Rosato
  13. BRILLIANT DISGUISE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  14. TUNNEL OF LOVE — originally released in 1987, directed by Meiert Avis
  15. ONE STEP UP — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  16. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in1988, directed by Meiert Avis
  17. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Carol Dodds
  18. BORN TO RUN [Live 27 Apr 1988 version] — originally released in 1988, directed by Meiert Avis

Disc 2:

  1. HUMAN TOUCH — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  2. BETTER DAYS — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  3. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON) — originally released in 1992, directed by Adam Bernstein
  4. LEAP OF FAITH [Live 06 Aug 1992 version] — originally released in 1992, directed by Meiert Avis
  5. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA — originally released in 1993, directed by Jonathan Demme and Ted Demme
  6. MURDER INCORPORATED — originally released in 1995, directed by Jonathan Demme
  7. SECRET GARDEN — originally released in 1995, directed by Peter Care
  8. HUNGRY HEART [Live 09 Jul 1995 version] — originally released in 1995, directed by Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher
  9. DEAD MAN WALKIN' — originally released in 1196, directed by Tim Robbins
  10. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD — originally released in 1996, directed by Arnold Levine
  11. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD [Live 27 Nov 1995 version] — from The Tonight Show With Jay Leno
  12. HIGHWAY PATROLMAN — previously unreleased, directed by Sean Penn
  13. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [25 Sep 1999 sound-check version] — previously unreleased, directed by Jonathan Demme
  14. BORN IN THE U.S.A. [Live 20 Nov 1998 version] — from The Charlie Rose Show
  15. LIFT ME UP — audio only, plays over end credits
  16. SECRET GARDEN [with Strings] — previously unreleased, directed by Peter Care

The Essential Bruce Springsteen

The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released as part of Sony BMG'S (previously Sony Music Entertainment) series of "Essential" sets. According to Springsteen's liner notes comments, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour.

The collection is fundamentally a 2-disc set (clocking at 153:37) compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Live In New York City release. A 3-disc limited edition (clocking at 201:04) was also released. It includes a bonus third disc comprising of a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was released on 11 Nov 2003 on Columbia Records. It debuted and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart where it spent 13 weeks. It also reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records by the RIAA on 16 Dec 2003.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 edition)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 edition)

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was reissued on 16 Oct 2015, this time as a 2-disc set (clocking at 156:25) with an updated track list, compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Greatest Hits (1995 edition) collection. This 2015 reissue features remastered tracks not found in that form on other Springsteen releases.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition)
Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition)

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released by Sony Music Japan in 2023. The compilation, which was exclusively released in Japan, consists of previously released 35 audio tracks and 62 video tracks. The collection is part of a 26-title reissue campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's debut album. The series, issued in three waves (25 Oct 2023, 22 Nov 2023, and 20 Dec 2023), includes 25 albums originally released between 1973 and 2014 plus a new compilation album that includes all of Springsteen's singles released in Japan from 1975 to 1999. All audio CD's were manufactured using Sony Japan's Blu-spec CD2 format.

Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-
Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Disc 1: (audio CD)

  1. BORN TO RUN
  2. TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT
  3. PROVE IT ALL NIGHT
  4. BADLANDS
  5. HUNGRY HEART
  6. I WANNA MARRY YOU
  7. SANTA CLAUSE IS COMIN' TO TOWN [Live 12 Dec 1975 version]
  8. ATLANTIC CITY
  9. DANCING IN THE DARK
  10. COVER ME
  11. BORN IN THE U.S.A.
  12. I'M ON FIRE
  13. GLORY DAYS
  14. I'M GOIN' DOWN
  15. MY HOMETOWN
  16. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  17. FIRE [Live 16 Dec 1978 version]

Disc 2: (audio CD)

  1. BRILLIANT DISGUISE
  2. TUNNEL OF LOVE
  3. ONE STEP UP
  4. TOUGHER THAN THE REST
  5. SPARE PARTS
  6. HUMAN TOUCH
  7. BETTER DAYS
  8. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON)
  9. ROLL OF THE DICE
  10. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA
  11. SECRET GARDEN
  12. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
  13. DEAD MAN WALKIN'
  14. BLOOD BROTHERS [Alternate studio version]
  15. I WANNA BE WITH YOU
  16. CHIMES OF FREEDOM [Live 03 Jul 1988 version]
  17. AMERICAN BEAUTY
  18. I'LL STAND BY YOU

Disc 3: (DVD)

  1. ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) [Live 08 Jul 1978 version]
  2. BORN TO RUN [Live 19 Aug 1985 version]
  3. TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  4. THUNDER ROAD [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  5. PROVE IT ALL NIGHT [Live 08 Jul 1978 version]
  6. BADLANDS [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  7. HUNGRY HEART [Live 09 Jul 1995 version]
  8. I WANNY MARRY YOU [Live 05 Nov 1980 version]
  9. THE RIVER [Live 21 Sep 1979 version]
  10. ATLANTIC CITY
  11. HIGHWAY PATROLMAN
  12. DANCING IN THE DARK
  13. COVER ME [Live 30 Jun 2013 version]
  14. BORN IN THE U.S.A.
  15. I'M ON FIRE
  16. GLORY DAYS
  17. I'M GOIN' DOWN [Live 30 Jun 2013 version]
  18. MY HOMETOWN [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  19. WAR [Live 30 Sep 1985 version]
  20. FIRE [Live 13 Oct 1986 version]
  21. BRILLIANT DISGUISE
  22. TUNNEL OF LOVE
  23. ONE STEP UP
  24. TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
  25. SPARE PARTS [Live 10 Jul 1988 version]
  26. VIGILANTE MAN [Live Feb 1988 version]
  27. HUMAN TOUCH
  28. BETTER DAYS
  29. 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON)
  30. ROLL OF THE DICE [Live 22 Sep 1992 version]
  31. LEAP OF FAITH [Live 06 Aug 1992 version]
  32. IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [25 Sep 1999 sound-check version]

Disc 4: (DVD)

  1. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA [1993 music video version]
  2. MURDER INCORPORATED
  3. SECRET GARDEN
  4. THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD [Live 27 Nov 1995 (NBC Studios) version]
  5. DEAD MAN WALKIN'
  6. LONESOME DAY
  7. WAITIN' ON A SUNNY DAY [Live 16 Oct 2002 version]
  8. DEVILS & DUST
  9. RADIO NOWHERE
  10. LONG WALK HOME
  11. WORKING ON A DREAM
  12. THE LAST CARNIVAL
  13. A NIGHT WITH THE JERSEY DEVIL
  14. SAVE MY LOVE
  15. WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN
  16. ROCKY GROUND
  17. HIGH HOPES
  18. JUST LIKE FIRE WOULD
  19. HELLO SUNSHINE
  20. TUCSON TRAIN
  21. WESTERN STARS
  22. I'LL STAND BY YOU
  23. LETTER TO YOU
  24. GHOSTS
  25. THE POWER OF PRAYER
  26. I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS
  27. DO I LOVE YOU (INDEED I DO)
  28. NIGHTSHIFT
  29. DON'T PLAY THAT SONG
  30. TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

Other Official Releases

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

The album version of ONE STEP UP was included on some various artists albums.

Various artists -- Kuschelrock 30
Various artists -- Kuschelrock 30

2xCD - Sony Music (88985 31348 2) - Germany, 2016

Other versions of ONE STEP UP were also officially released.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Joe Louis Arena, Detroit 1988
The live 28 Mar 1988 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit 1988 official live download in 2020.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- LA Sports Arena, California 1988
The live 23 Apr 1988 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the LA Sports Arena, California 1988 official live download in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Los Angeles, April 1988
The live 28 Apr 1988 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Los Angeles, April 1988 official live download in 2021.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band -- Madison Square Garden 1988
The live 23 May 1988 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Madison Square Garden 1988 official live download in 2019.
Bruce Springsteen -- Schottenstein Center, Ohio 2005
The live 31 Jul 2005 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Schottenstein Center, Ohio 2005 official live download in 2015.
Bruce Springsteen -- Van Andel Arena, Michigan 2005
The live 03 Aug 2005 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Van Andel Arena, Michigan 2005 official live download in 2018.

Live History: on-tour

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

Live History: off-tour

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

Covers

SECTION NOT YET COMPLETED

At least 13 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's ONE STEP UP.

Ostbahn-Kurti & Die Chefpartie -- Liagn & Lochn
Ostbahn-Kurti & Die Chefpartie -- Liagn & Lochn

LP - Amadeo (841 122-1) - Austria, 1989
CD - Amadeo (841 122-2) - Austria, 1989

Includes two Bruce Springsteen covers: FACTORY and ONE STEP UP. ONE STEP UP is a German adaptation titled "A Schritt Vire (Zwa Schritt Zruck)".
Various artists -- For You: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- For You: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

CD - Totem Records (TTM 480499 2) - Italy, 1995

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. ONE STEP UP is performed by Marco Conidi & The Rocking Chairs.
Various artists -- One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - The Right Stuff (7243 8 59780 2 9) - USA, 1997
2xCD - EMI (TOCP-50377/8) - Japan, 1997

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. Disc 1 was reissued in 2000 as The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen. ONE STEP UP is performed by Paul Cebar.
Kenny Chesney -- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
Kenny Chesney -- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems

CD - BNA Records (BNA07863-67038-2) - USA, 2002
Session musicians featuring David West -- Pickin' On Springsteen Volume 2
Session musicians featuring David West -- Pickin' On Springsteen Volume 2

CD - CMH (CD-8463) - USA, 2003

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

3xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797-02) - Spain, 2003

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. There are five issues of this album (with three track configurations) and this track was only included on the issue listed above. ONE STEP UP is performed by Sean Collins.
Tom Brooksby -- Brooksby Does Bruce
Tom Brooksby -- Brooksby Does Bruce

CD - unknown label (unknown catalog number) - UK, 2009

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Various artists -- Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool: A Global Pop Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Various artists -- Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool: A Global Pop Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Where It's At Is Where You Are (WIACD20) - UK, 2009

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. ONE STEP UP is performed by Jeniferever.
Catch This Beat -- Tribute To Bruce Springsteen
Catch This Beat -- Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Talking Clive (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2012

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Martyn Joseph -- Tires Rushing By In The Rain
Martyn Joseph -- Tires Rushing By In The Rain

CD - Pipe Records (PRCD023) - UK, 2013

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Zerbo -- Never Ending Volume I
Zerbo -- Never Ending Volume I

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Italy, 2019

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA
Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA

Digital album - Rosenklang (unknown catalog number) - Germany, 2021

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.
Nigel Hallchurch -- Cross My Heart
Nigel Hallchurch -- Cross My Heart

CD-R - no label (no catalog number) - UK, 2022

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Available Versions

List of available versions of ONE STEP UP on this website:

ONE STEP UP [Album version]

Page last updated: 08 Dec 2016