One Step Up
One Step Up

Bruce Springsteen - One Step Up Lyrics

Rock
Oct 5, 1987
86
One Step Up Music Video

One Step Up Lyrics

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

Writer(s): BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where was 'One Step Up' recorded?

    'One Step Up' was recorded at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, California, between May and June 1987. Unlike much of the Tunnel of Love album, it was not recorded in Springsteen's home studio, Thrill Hill East.

  2. Who provided the backing vocals for 'One Step Up'?

    The backing vocals for 'One Step Up' were provided by Patti Scialfa, who later became Springsteen's wife. No other members of Springsteen's usual backing group, the E Street Band, were involved in the recording.

  3. What are some of the metaphors used in the song?

    The song uses metaphors like a broken furnace and a car that won't start to describe the troubled relationship. Other metaphors include a bird that won't sing and church bells that won't ring for a new bride-to-be, symbolizing the couple's stagnant state.

  4. Who directed the music video for 'One Step Up'?

    The music video for 'One Step Up' was directed by Meiert Avis. The video intersperses scenes of Springsteen singing the song with images reflecting the song's narrative, including a visit to a strip club.

  5. Did the song 'One Step Up' make it to the Billboard charts?

    Yes, 'One Step Up' climbed to #13 on the Billboard charts, making it one of the successful singles from the Tunnel of Love album.

  6. What was the significance of Patti Scialfa's involvement in the song?

    Patti Scialfa's involvement in the song is significant as she provided the backing vocals and eventually became Springsteen's wife. Their personal relationship adds an extra layer of poignancy to the song about a troubled marriage.

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