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In theory, this record probably shouldn't have existed. By all accounts, Steps were convened to release one single, the line-dance cash-in '5,6,7,8'. But despite being one of the worst records ever made, that actually sold remarkably well (it's still one of the biggest-selling singles not to reach the Top 10) and so Pete Waterman stepped in (er, no pun intended) and a career was born.
Like the Karen Ramirez track earlier on this disc, 'Last Thing On My Mind' was once an unsuccessful single by a familiar act: Bananarama's original peaked at 71 towards the end of their initial run of UK success, when they were already down to their last two members. As a co-writer, Waterman clearly saw it as in his interest for the song finally to shift some units, and in doing so he established the template for future Steps singles; not only did this begin the run of Top 10 hits that lasted until their split, but the sound is all there too. The video depicts Faye Tozer, Claire Richards and Lisa Scott-Lee singing verses in turn, but anyone who can hear the difference deserves some sort of medal. And if they can figure out where the male vocals are, it should be a gold one. Theoretically downbeat lyrical material is delivered with a smile and the whole thing is, like a lot of this disc, utterly flimsy. But dash it if this isn't the most fun we've had yet.
Also appearing on: Now 39, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
Available on: Hits for Kids, Vol. 7
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