One Step Up by Bruce Springsteen

Album: Tunnel of Love (1987)

Charted: 13

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This song depicts a troubled relationship where every time they take one step up, they take two steps back. The guy in the song is really down on his luck; he finds himself in a motel room and looking to cheat on his marriage. It was painfully relevant for Springsteen, who was having problems with his marriage to Julianne Phillips at the time. They divorced in 1989 and Bruce took up with his backing singer Patti Scialfa. They had their first child in 1990 and got married in 1991.
Springsteen recorded the song in his home studio in Rumson, New Jersey. He played all the instruments on the track, and the only other vocalist is Patti Scialfa, who sang backup. It was a sign of things to come: Bruce broke up the E Street Band two years later and did a lot of recording on his own, using another set of musicians to play on his next albums, Human Touch and Lucky Town (both released on the same day in 1992) and yet another group when he toured to support them.
This was the third single released in America from Springsteen's Tunnel Of Love album, a far more somber and introspective set than its predecessor, Born In The U.S.A.. The first two singles were "Brilliant Disguise" and "Tunnel of Love," which also look at what happens when doubt creeps into a marriage.

These were far removed from the stadium stompers Springsteen was known for, but they hold up as some of his more poetic and heartfelt songs, and they did pretty well on the charts, with "One Step Up" climbing to #13.
The music video is unusual in that Springsteen plays the character in the song. We even see him visiting a strip club. It was directed by Meiert Avis and got a lot of airplay on VH1, which launched in 1985 and played videos by more seasoned artists.
The Wallflowers borrowed the line "hit the engine but she ain't turnin'" for their 1996 hit "One Headlight," with Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan (who wrote the song) singing:

It feels just like a beat up truck
I turn the engine, but the engine doesn't turn

Springsteen didn't mind a bit. He joined The Wallflowers to perform the song at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1997.
In 2002, Country singer Kenny Chesney covered this on his No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems album. Chesney always loved the song and thought the lyrics were very country, but was afraid to record it because he generally dislikes covers and has a great respect for Springsteen. When he sent his version to Springsteen, Bruce sent him back a note telling Chesney he did a great job with it, bringing a lot of sensitivity to the lyrics.

Comments: 10

Deanrobert99 from Bc, CanadaThe honest lyrics provide an emotional backdrop I could always visualize in my mind, creating a vivid video following along. At the time of release I was 19, perhaps the best of times yet I powerfully connected to the songs deeper lyrics. Perhaps a message of warning, of experience, of truth. Beautiful song. Here I am some thirty years later... isolating thru COVID-19 and acknowledging this as my top Springsteen track. Be well.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 23rd 1988* Bruce Springsteen performed "One Step Up" at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California...
At the time the song was at #13 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it stayed at #13 for one week and that would also be its peak position on the chart...
It reached #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
Was track four of side two on his eighth studio album, 'Tunnel of Love', and on November 1st, 1987 the album peaked at #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, it also reached #1 in Canada, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom...
Two other tracks from the album also made the Top 100, and both also made the Top 10, "Brilliant Disguise" at #5 and "Tunnel of Love" at #9...
* April 23rd, 1988 was Roy Orbison's 52nd birthday, and he was at the Sports Arena that night and the Boss brought him on stage and the 15,352 concert goers sang 'Happy Birthday'; sadly less than eight months later on December 6th, 1988 Mr. Orbison would pass away...
May he R.I.P.
Zachheart from Dallas, AzerbaijanThis is by far my favorite Bruce Springsteen song ever. To me it expresses a very vulnerable man in the midst of a failing marriage, he doesn't want to end. I can feel his pain when he sings this song. Some of his best writing to this day. He has such depth to the very core of his soul in this song. Thanks Bruce!
Alma from Laredo, TxIt seems that he really could identify with anyone who has tried to make a relationship work. All relationships take work and he knew exactly what they entail.
Sarah from Kennewick, WaIs Bruce going to cheat when he utters the lines "She aint lookin too married and me, well, honey, I'm PRETENDING?"
Kevin from Memphis , TnThis classic was also used on an episode of "Cold Case" (perfect at the end in the wrap up segment)
Dave from San Antonio, TxSome days it feels pointless to argue. So you just except it without anger. THANX BRUCE! He can write about LOVE and Pain without being whiny.
Scott from Philadelphia, PaI have always liked this song. And it seems whenever I am having a particularity bad day, I hear this song. For me, it?s not necessarily about marriage, but more about the bad karma that emanates around me. I fix one thing and two more break. Almost all of the songs on this album are kinda depressing and mood killers; but still a very good album indeed.
Brian from Howell, NjI'm pretty certain part of this song was used in the ABC show CIVIL WARS that starred Marguex(sp?) Hemingway that was about a law practice. In the show, her character was breaking up with her law partner. Very poignant at the time
Shelly from Mexia, TxI have just truly always loved the song and it hits home for me because when it came out my parents were having problems.

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