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Return of Steps

Steps are back! If you were a child or teenager in the UK in the late 90s, then you probably remember the group Steps. When I first saw their video for 5, 6, 7, 8 I wasn't that impressed but I later became a fan! lol.

Steps were formed in 1997 and debuted in November that year with the single 5,6.,7,8. The band consists of Claire Richards, H (real name Ian Watkins), Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee and Lee Latchford-Evans. They became very successful in the UK and also did well in other European countries, Japan and Australia. Their hits include Tragedy (probably the most successful), One For Sorrow, Deeper Shade of Blue, Better Best Forgotten and Stomp.

Steps released their debut studio album Step One in September 1998 and went on to release 3 more, Steptacular (1999), Buzz (2000) and Light Up The World (2012). They broke-up in 2001 and H and Claire went on to form a duo, a move which upset the other members. In 2011 the group reunited for a TV special called Steps: Reunion where they discussed the split and their feelings about it all. They released a greatest hits album (their second) called The Ultimate Collection and then went on tour. Another series of Steps: Reunion followed and their album Light Up The World came out in 2012.

Lisa launched a solo career in the early 2000s, her most well known singles are Lately and Too Far Gone. She released her debut album Never or Now in 2007 but apparently it was only released as a physical CD in South Africa. It came out digitally here.

The group have reformed again to celebrate their 20th anniversary. (Can't believe it's been 20 years! That's crazy! lol). They just released a new single called of Scared Of The Dark on 10th March and their 5th album Tears on the Dancefloor is scheduled for release next month. They will also tour later this year.

Here's Scared Of The Dark. I don't like it as much as their older stuff so far but I think it will grow on me. :)






Also, in honour of the reunion, here are a couple of my fave Steps songs! :)


Here is Better Best Forgotten. This came out in March 1999 and is from their first album Step One. It was No 2 in the UK Singles Chart.






This is Deeper Shade of Blue. It was released in April 2000 and was the 5th single from Steptacular. It got in No 4 in the charts.




Bonus



Plus here's H and Claire's single DJ just because I like it! It was released in May 2002 and did well; it got to No 3 in the charts.




For more on Steps visit their site: http://www.stepsofficial.co.uk


And Lisa's Too Far Gone, my fave of her solo singles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zK_8-iYu8Q


I haven't posted it directly on here because apparently it's blocked in the UK and may later be removed.



90s/00s pop fan? Read on for more:


Due to the popularity of the Steps reunion show, another programme was made featuring 90s/00s bands reforming.  It was called The Big Reunion. There were two series in 2013 and 2014 and groups featured included Atomic Kitten, 911, Liberty X, Blue, Honeyz and Damage.

90s  pop is continuing to make a comeback with Atomic Kitten recently touring Australia and New Zealand, along with other 90s bands B*Witched (who also took part in Series 1 of the Big Reunion), East 17 and S Club (formerly S Club 7. Michelle Heaton from Liberty X stood in for Liz McClarnon because Liz has a fear of flying. (The band is back to its original line-up of Nastasha Hamilton, Kerry Katona and Liz since Jenny Frost now lives in Ibiza). I'd like to see them record new music and also it would be good if Liberty X reformed.

Random fact: Lisa's brother Andy Scott-Lee (who had his own group 3SL with his brothers Steve and Anthony) was once married to Michelle from Liberty X. Lisa herself is married to Johnny Shentall, who replaced Kym Marsh in Hear'say, the group who were formed after winning the reality show Popstars. Liberty X were runners up on the show.

Sugababes are another band I'd like to see get back together but in the format of Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Heidi Range (my favourite line-up). Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan Donaghy (the original line-up) did briefly reunite as MKS and released the single Flatline in 2013, but there's been nothing since.


Who were your favourite 90s and 00s groups and singers? Who do you wish would make a comeback?

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