Step Back in Time#Charts
{{Short description|1990 single by Kylie Minogue}}
{{About|the song|the album|Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Step Back in Time
| cover = Kylie Minogue - Step Back in Time single cover.png
| alt = An image of a singer Kylie Minogue wearing a gold-like dress, and standing in front of a blue-ish white background with lights. The song title, a backwards clock, and the name is superimposed on the cover.
| type = single
| artist = Kylie Minogue
| album = Rhythm of Love
| released = {{Start date|1990|10|22|df=y}}
| recorded =
| studio = PWL (London, England)
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=5}}
| label = PWL
| writer =
| producer = Stock Aitken Waterman
| prev_title = Better the Devil You Know
| prev_year = 1990
| next_title = What Do I Have to Do
| next_year = 1991
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|6ykq-E_7TZA|"Step Back in Time"}}}}
}}
"Step Back in Time" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her third studio album, Rhythm of Love (1990). It was released as the album's second single on 22 October 1990, and distributed by PWL and Mushroom as a CD single, cassette tape and 12-inch and 7-inch singles. The track was written, arranged, and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman, who are collectively known as Stock Aitken and Waterman, and was recorded in London, United Kingdom. Musically, it is a disco song that lyrically pays tribute to 1970s' culture.
"Step Back in Time" received positive reviews from music critics. Some had selected the single as one of Minogue's best work, and many complimented the backing track and production. Commercially, the single experienced success in regions such as Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, Finland, and Ireland, whilst peaking inside the top 40 in countries like France, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
An accompanying music video was directed by visual artist Nick Egan, which paid homage to the 1970s culture and figures.{{Cite web |title=A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 63: Step Back In Time (and Rhythm Of Love) on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-63-step-back-in-time-and-rhythm-of-love/id1565879477?i=1000632177537 |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-AU}} The song has been performed on seven of Minogue's concert tours, the most recent being her Summer 2019 tour. Since its release, "Step Back in Time" has been used in several media including an appearance in the 2013 British comic science fiction film The World's End.
Background and composition
"Step Back in Time" was written, arranged, and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman, collectively known as Stock, Aitken and Waterman. It was recorded in London, England, whilst Stock and Aitken provided instrumentation including keyboards, drums, trumpets and guitars. While expressing his pride in the song, Stock felt the lyrical concept wasn't taken to its full potential due to time constraints.
The song was mixed very early on in the process by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, after Pete Waterman decided to meet Kylie's demands for a newer and much more dance-inspired sound by upping the creative and co-production involvement of his mix teams. This caused some friction, with Matt Aitken and Mike Stock both voicing some dissatisfaction with elements of the end result, with Stock in particular unhappy with the bass sound.
After Minogue's musical adaption to mainstream dance and disco music, particularly experimented with the predecessor single "Better the Devil You Know", "Step Back in Time" was composed as a disco song that intended to pay tribute to the 1970s culture and sound.{{cite book|last1=Baker|first1=William|last2=Minogue|first2=Kylie|title=Kylie: La La La|year=2002|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|isbn=0-340-73439-6}} According to Minogue's official website, the lyrical content "paid homage to the classic songs and dance moves of the disco era."{{cite web|author=Minogue, Kylie|url=http://www.kylie.com/discography/singles/step-back-in-time/|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=Kylie Minogue's official website|date=2012|access-date=5 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415124441/http://www.kylie.com/discography/singles/step-back-in-time/|archive-date=15 April 2012}} However, Jon Kutner, who wrote the book 1000 UK Number One Hits, labelled the sound as a "jingly pop song",{{cite book|author=Kutner, Jon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BwwLBaH9488C&q=kylie+minogue+step+back+in+time&pg=PT1151|title=1000 UK Number One Hits|date=1 July 2000| publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn = 9780857123602|access-date=2 September 2016}} a sentiment also echoed by AllMusic's Tim Sendra.{{AllMusic |class=album |id= mw0003274772|title= Kylie Minogue - Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection (2019): Review |last= Sendra|first= Tim|access-date= February 21, 2024}} According to the demo sheet music at Music Notes published by Universal Music Publishing Group, the song is set in E Minor and has a time signature of common time with a tempo of 126 beats per minute. During the opening sequence and first verse, it has a chord progression of Em-D-G/D-Cm7♭5-C-Bm7-Em-D-C/D-Cm7♭5-C-Bm7-Em-Em9, and Minogue's vocals span between the notes B4 and B5.{{cite web|author=Universal Music Publishing Group (publisher)|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0115514|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=Music Notes|date=2010|access-date=5 September 2016}} In retrospect, Waterman commented that the production and completion of "Step Back in Time" took longer to create than expected.{{cite web|url=http://louderthanwar.com/interview-pete-waterman-with-kylies-first-four-albums-getting-the-deluxe-reissue-treatment-we-talk-to-the-producer-behind-them/|title=Interview: Pete Waterman – with Kylie's first four albums getting the deluxe reissue treatment we talk to the producer behind them|publisher=Louder than War|date=9 February 2015|access-date=5 September 2016}}
Release and reception
File:Kylie Minogue - Kiss Me Once Tour - Sheffield - 13.11.14. - 072 (15466009923) (cropped).jpg (2014-15)]]
Originally, the follow-up single, "What Do I Have to Do?", from Rhythm of Love was intended to be released after "Better the Devil You Know", but PWL executives scrapped the idea and changed it to "Step Back in Time".{{cite web|author=Minogue, Kylie|url=http://www.kylie.com/discography/singles/what-do-i-have-to-do/|title=Kylie Minogue – What Do I Have to Do?|publisher=Kylie Minogue's official website|date=2012|access-date=5 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415125429/http://www.kylie.com/discography/singles/what-do-i-have-to-do/|archive-date=15 April 2012}} "Step Back in Time" was released as the album's second single on 22 October 1990, and distributed by PWL and Mushroom.{{cite AV media notes |title=Step Back in Time|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1990|type=12" vinyl; Liner notes|publisher=PWL, Mushroom|id=PWLT 64|location=Worldwide}} A standard 12-inch and 7-inch vinyl were released worldwide, and featured the original recording, instrumental version and the Walkin' Rhythm mix; in the UK, the original recording was omitted.{{cite AV media notes |title=Step Back in Time|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1990|type=12" vinyl; Liner notes|publisher=PWL, Mushroom|id=X 14911|location=Worldwide}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Step Back in Time|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1990|type=7" vinyl; Liner notes|publisher=PWL, Mushroom|id=K10258|location=Worldwide}} In November 1990, a CD single was issued by PWL in Japan; it was distributed worldwide that same month.{{cite AV media notes |title=Step Back in Time|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1990|type=CD single; Liner notes|publisher=PWL|id=ALCB-154|location=Worldwide}} In France, a special mini CD included the original recording and instrumental version, alongside a cassette tape in Australia.{{cite AV media notes |title=Step Back in Time|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1990|type=Mini CD; Liner notes|publisher=PWL, Mushroom|id=656493 1|location=France}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Step Back in Time|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1990|type=Cassette tape; Liner notes|publisher=PWL, Mushroom|id=C10258|location=Australia}} As part of the PWL Archives, a 10-track EP was released on iTunes Store in 2009.{{cite news|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/step-back-in-time/id316109787|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131175800/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/step-back-in-time/id316109787|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2014|title=Step Back in Time – Single – by Kylie Minogue|publisher=iTunes Store (United States)|date=2009|access-date=5 September 2016}}
"Step Back in Time" received positive reviews from most music critics. British author and music critic Adrian Denning selected the single as the best offering on Rhythm of Love (1990), stating that he preferred it over the "more popular 'Better the Devil You Know'." Denning commended the production of the song, more so complimented the backing track.{{cite web|author=Denning, Adrian|url=http://www.adriandenning.co.uk/kylie.html|title=Kylie Minogue Reviews|publisher=Adrian Denning|date=19 September 2010|access-date=2 September 2016}} Similarly, Nick Levine from Digital Spy pointed out the song as one of the better cuts from the parent album.{{cite web|author=Levine, Nick|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a219929/kylie-revisited-3-rhythm-of-love/|title=Kylie Revisited 3: Rhythm of Love|website=Digital Spy|date=15 May 2010|access-date=5 September 2016}} AllMusic's Chris True, who wrote the biography of Minogue on the website, selected the track amongst some of Minogue's best work.{{cite web|author=True, Chris|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kylie-minogue-mn0000776093/songs|title=Kylie Minogue – Songs|website=AllMusic|date=2010|access-date=5 September 2016}} However, in a separate review of the single, True awarded the single two stars out of five.{{cite web|author=True, Chris|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/step-back-in-time-mw0000936593|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|website=AllMusic|date=2010|access-date=5 September 2016}}
Cameron Adams from the Herald Sun placed it at number 17 on his list of the singer's best songs in honour of her 50th birthday, writing that: "["Step Back in Time"] flips the script and makes it about the love of music. 'Remember the old days/Remember the O’Jays', Kylie sang for people who weren't old enough to remember the O’Jays. Heck, Kylie herself wasn't old enough to remember the O’Jays. But this is a brilliant homage to the disco anthem — Motown meets HiNRG meets Studio 54 — and indeed may have single-handedly laid the path for Disco Kylie, a touchstone of her career to this day".{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Cameron |title=For her 50th birthday, we rank Kylie Minogue's 50 best songs |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/melbourne/for-her-50th-birthday-we-rank-kylie-minogues-50-best-songs/news-story/f7d1f1f850b7579153567df0cc28528e |work=Herald Sun |access-date=3 April 2019 |date=18 May 2018}} Olive Pometsey from GQ deemed it a "three-minutes-and-seven-seconds taste of what Studio 54 might have been like if ABBA had been regulars".{{cite web |last1=Pometesey |first1=Olive |title=The best Kylie bangers to listen to before she headlines Glastonbury By Olive Pometsey |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best-kylie-minogue-songs |work=GQ |access-date=18 November 2019 |date=30 June 2019}} In 2020, Alexis Petridis of British daily newspaper The Guardian ranked the song at number 19 in his "Kylie's 30 greatest singles" list, adding that it was a "total joy".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/24/kylies-30-greatest-singles-ranked |title=Kylie's 30 greatest singles – ranked! |first=Alexis |last=Petridis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |work=The Guardian |date=24 September 2020 |issn=1756-3224 |place=London |accessdate=28 February 2024}} In 2023, Robert Moran of Australian daily tabloid newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald ranked the song as Minogue's 106th best song (out of 183), adding that although he was not impressed by the song, "the hiphop production, still novel for Kylie at the time, salvages it".{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/every-kylie-minogue-song-ranked-170-1-20230906-p5e2dk.html |title=Every Kylie Minogue song ranked |first1=Robert |last1=Moran |first2=Annabel |last2=Ross |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 September 2023 |issn=0312-6315 |place=Sydney |accessdate=28 February 2024}} In 2024, British magazine Classic Pop ranked the song at number 25 in its list of "Top 40 Kylie Minogue songs".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/2024/03/top-40-kylie-tracks/|first=|last=|title=Top 40 Kylie Minogue songs|magazine=Classic Pop|date=27 March 2024|accessdate=1 May 2024}}
Commercial performance
Commercially, the single experienced success in regions such as Australia, United Kingdom, and Ireland. It debuted at number eight on the Australian Singles Chart, the highest debut of the chart week 2 December 1990, and peaked at number five the following week.{{cite news|author=Hung Medien|url=http://australian-charts.com/weekchart.asp?year=1990&date=19901202&cat=s|title=Australian Charts Portal|publisher=Australian-charts.com|date=2 December 1990|access-date=5 September 2016}}{{cite news|author=Hung Medien|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kylie+Minogue&titel=Step+Back+In+Time&cat=s|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=Australian-charts.com|date=22 October 1990|access-date=5 September 2016}} The single was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for physical shipments of 35,000 units in that region.{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}} It had a similar chart run on the UK Singles Chart, where it debuted at number nine, and peaked at number four the following week. It stayed inside the top 10 for three weeks, and the top 100 chart for eight weeks in total.{{cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/step%20back%20in%20time/|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=22 October 1990|access-date=2 September 2016}} It peaked at number four on the Irish Singles Chart, her second consecutive single to peak in that position after "Better the Devil You Know", and was present for six weeks in total.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement|title=Irish Charts > Kylie Minogue|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|access-date=5 September 2016}} Note: Type the song title and/or artist to receive information.
Outside of these regions, "Step Back in Time" experienced moderate success. In New Zealand, it entered at number 36 on the singles chart. It peaked at number 21 in its third week, but fell outside the top 50 the following week.{{cite news|author=Hung Medien|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Kylie+Minogue&titel=Step+Back+In+Time&cat=s|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=charts.nz|date=22 October 1990|access-date=5 September 2016}} It peaked at number 19 in Sweden, and fell to number 20 the following week; it was present for two charting weeks.{{cite news|author=Hung Medien|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kylie+Minogue&titel=Step+Back+In+Time&cat=s|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=swedishcharts.com|date=22 October 1990|access-date=5 September 2016}} In the Belgium region Flanders, it debuted at number 22 and reached number 11 in its third week; it stayed there for three consecutive weeks, and stayed in the top 100 chart for 10 weeks.{{cite news|author=Hung Medien|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/898/Kylie-Minogue-Step-Back-In-Time|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=Ultratop.be|date=22 October 1990|access-date=5 September 2016}} It stayed inside the German Singles Chart for 15 weeks, peaking at number 36, and peaked at number 23 on the French Singles Chart for the same charting span as the former chart.{{cite news|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-2200|title=Offiziellen Deutschen Charts – Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=Media Control Charts|date=22 October 1990|access-date=5 September 2016|language=de}}{{cite news|author=Hung Medien|url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kylie+Minogue&titel=Step+Back+In+Time&cat=s|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=lescharts.com|date=22 October 1990|access-date=5 September 2016}} Elsewhere, the single reached number 29 in Switzerland and 36 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.{{cite news|author=Hung Medien|url=http://hitparade.ch/song/Kylie-Minogue/Step-Back-In-Time-2200|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=hitparade.ch|date=22 October 1990|access-date=5 September 2016}}{{cite news|author=Hung Medien|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Kylie+Minogue&titel=Step+Back+In+Time&cat=s|title=Kylie Minogue – Step Back in Time|publisher=dutchcharts.nl|date=22 October 1990|access-date=5 September 2016}}
Music video
An accompanying music video was directed by visual artist Nick Egan in Los Angeles, who says aspects of the retro concept were conceived by Minogue. He cast one of his friends, singer N'Dea Davenport, in the video. It was Minogue's first video to have been shot outside of Australia or the United Kingdom. According to British fashion designer and Minogue's long-term friend William Baker, who contributed to writing Minogue's biography Kylie: La La La (2002), he wrote that Minogue wanted to pay homage to the 1970s culture and figures, as she believed that was the era that celebrated disco music.{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Sean|title=Kylie|year=2006|publisher=Pocket|isbn=1-84739-030-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/kyliebiography0000smit}} The video opens with Minogue putting an 8-track tape in a stereo, and moves to moments with Minogue and back-up dancers dancing near a large cityscape; intercut scenes have Minogue in a blue room wearing colourful clothing. Minogue and the back-up dancers are driving in a red Cadillac throughout Los Angeles. Another shot, which inspired by the artwork of the single, featured Minogue in a green and pink dress dancing in front of the wall of patterns and lights. Throughout the video, majority of the scenes repeat and has Minogue singing the entire track.{{cite AV media notes |title=Ultimate Kylie|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=2004|type=DVD Compilation; Liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=544 3629|location=United Kingdom}} According to British author Sean Smith, who had written a biography detailing Minogue's career, the video "positioned Minogue as a dance artist", but stated that the public was "not convinced" and attracted negative commentary upon its release.
Live performances, other uses and appearances
"Step Back in Time" has been performed on several concert tours by Minogue. The track's first appearance was during her Rhythm of Love Tour, where it was the opening number. It appeared again as the opening track to Minogue's follow-up Let's Get to It Tour, and was included on the live release that was recorded in Dublin, Ireland.{{cite AV media notes |title=Live in Dublin|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1992|type=VHS Live; Liner notes|publisher=Mushroom|id=V82459|location=Australia}} Seven years later, it was included on Minogue's 1998 Intimate and Live show, where it was sung on the third segment.{{cite AV media notes |title=Intimate and Live|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1999|type=Live CD; Liner notes|publisher=Warner Music Australia, Mushroom|id=MUSH33183.2|location=Australia}} It was next sung during her Hits Medley section of the 2001 On a Night Like This Tour, and was included on the live DVD of the show.{{cite AV media notes |title=Live in Sydney|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=2002|type=Live DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Warner Music Australia|id=0927 40553-2|location=Europe}}
On her 2005 Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour in London, United Kingdom, a sample of the track was sung during the performance of her 2000 single "Spinning Around".{{cite AV media notes |title=Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=2005|type=Live DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Warner Music Australia|id=5101119762|location=Australia}} This act was re-vamped and was sampled again on the show's extension Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour, which was a comeback after her diagnosis of breast cancer in May 2005.{{Cite news| title=Kylie Minogue Has Breast Cancer| publisher=CBS News | date =17 May 2005 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kylie-minogue-has-breast-cancer/ | access-date =24 March 2008}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=2007|type=Live CD; Liner notes|publisher=Warner Music Australia|id=385 3312|location=Europe}} For Minogue's X Tour, the song appeared during the Black Verses White segment.{{cite AV media notes |title=KylieX2008|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=2008|type=Live DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Warner Music Australia|id=FHED2518|location=Australia}} "Step Back in Time" was also performed as part of a medley on the 2012 Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert in London, United Kingdom.{{cite web|author=Rolling Stone Staff|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/kylie-minogue-sings-her-hits-at-the-queens-diamond-jubilee-20120605|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606184857/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/kylie-minogue-sings-her-hits-at-the-queens-diamond-jubilee-20120605|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2012|title=Kylie Minogue Sings Her Hits at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee|work=Rolling Stone|date=5 June 2012|access-date=5 September 2016}} It was also added to the set list of 2014-15's Kiss Me Once Tour and her 2015 summer tour.{{cite AV media notes |title=Kiss Me Once Live at the SSE Hydro|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=2015|type=Live DVD/CD; Liner notes|publisher=Warner Music Australia|id=2564616308|location=Australia}}{{cite web|author=Hawkes, Rebecca|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/11683842/Kylie-British-Summer-Time-Hyde-Park-review-a-celebration.html|title=Kylie, British Summer Time Hyde Park, review: 'a celebration'|work=The Telegraph|date=22 June 2015|access-date=25 September 2016}} Most recently, "Step Back in Time" was performed during Minogue's 2019 summer tour.{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/festivals/glastonbury/why-kylie-minogue-cancel-2005-breast-cancer/|title=Why did Kylie Minogue pull out of headlining Glastonbury in 2005?|date=28 June 2019|website=Radio X|access-date=28 June 2019}} "Step Back in Time" has appeared on numerous greatest hits compilation albums, throughout the years, conducted by Minogue, including Greatest Hits (1990), Ultimate Kylie (2004), K25: Time Capsule (2012) and was the namesake for her latest compilation, Step Back In Time: The Definitive Collection (2019){{cite AV media notes |title=Greatest Hits|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=1990|type=Compilation album; Liner notes|publisher=PWL Records|id=RMD 53366|location=Australia}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Ultimate Kylie|others=Kylie Minogue|first=Kylie|last=Minogue|year=2004|type=Compilation album; Liner notes|publisher=Mushroom|id=338372|location=Australia}}
Formats and track listings
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- "Step Back in Time" (Edit) – 3:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Walkin' Rhythm Mix) – 8:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Instrumental) – 3:30
- "Step Back in Time" (Edit) – 3:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Walkin' Rhythm Mix) – 8:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Instrumental) – 3:30
- "Step Back in Time" (Walkin' Rhythm Mix) – 8:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Instrumental) – 3:30
- "Step Back in Time" (Edit) – 3:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Walkin' Rhythm Mix) – 8:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Instrumental) – 3:30
{{col-2}}
- "Step Back in Time" (Edit) – 3:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Instrumental) – 3:30
- "Step Back in Time" – 3:05
- "Step Back in Time" (Walkin' Rhythm Mix) – 7:58
- "Step Back in Time" (Harding/Curnow Remix) – 6:45
- "Step Back in Time" (Tony King Remix) – 7:28
- "Step Back in Time" (Original 12-inch Mix) – 8:07
- "Step Back in Time" (7-inch Instrumental) – 3:29
- "Step Back in Time" (Extended Instrumental) – 4:58
- "Step Back in Time" (Backing Track) – 3:04
- "Secrets" (Instrumental) – 4:05
- "Secrets" (Backing Track) – 4:05
{{col-end}}
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the CD liner notes of "Step Back in Time".
Recording and mixing
- Recorded in London, England, and mixed at Larrabee Studios, North Hollywood, California.
Personnel
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{{col-2}}
- Kylie Minogue – vocals, backing vocals
- Linda Taylor – backing vocals
- Mae McKenna – backing vocals
- Peter Day – engineer
- Matt Aitken – songwriting, composing, keyboards, guitar, production
- Mike Stock – songwriting, composing, keyboards, production
{{col-2}}
- Pete Waterman – songwriting, composing, production
- Ian Curnow – mixing
- Phil Harding – mixing
- Markus Morianz – photography
- Nick Egan – music video director, packaging design
{{col-end}}
Charts
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=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Step Back in Time" !Chart (1990–1991) !Peak |
{{single chart|Australia|5|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
{{single chart|Flanders|11|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|title=Hits of the World|magazine=Billboard|date=17 November 1990|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-11-17.pdf|access-date=4 July 2019}}
|align="center"|12 |
---|
scope="row"| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book | first= Jake | last= Nyman |year= 2005 | title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja | edition= 1st | publisher=Tammi | location= Helsinki| isbn= 951-31-2503-3| language= fi }}
| style="text-align:center;"| 4 |
{{single chart|France|23|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
{{single chart|Germany|36|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|songid=2200|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
{{single chart|Ireland2|4|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
scope="row"|Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg){{cite web |url= http://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=F&ChDay=&ChMonth=&ChYear=&ChBand=Kylie+Minogue&ChSong= |title=Radio Luxembourg Singles |publisher=umdmusic.com|access-date=27 April 2025}}
|align="center"|3 |
{{single chart|Dutch40|49|year=1990|week=11|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
{{single chart|Dutch100|36|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
{{single chart|New Zealand|21|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
scope="row"|Spain (AFYVE){{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}
|align="center"|6 |
{{single chart|Sweden|19|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
{{single chart|Switzerland|29|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
{{single chart|UK|4|artist=Kylie Minogue|song=Step Back in Time|date=19901104|rowheader=true|access-date=20 February 2018}} |
scope="row"|UK Dance (Music Week){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1990/MW-1990-11-10.pdf |title=Top Dance Singles |magazine=Music Week |date=10 November 1990 |page=13 |via=World Radio History |access-date=6 September 2023}}
|align="center"|40 |
scope="row"|UK Indie (Music Week){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1990/MW-1990-12-01.pdf|title= Indie Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 1 December 1990 |page= 14 |access-date= 2 June 2025}}
| align=center|1 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for "Step Back in Time" !scope="col"|Chart (1990) !scope="col"|Position |
scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite news|url=http://i.imgur.com/CKUmhCF.png|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1990|issue=50|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=2 May 2017}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 91 |
---|
scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine |title=1990 Top 100 Singles |magazine=Music Week |publisher=Spotlight Publications |location=London, England |page=41 |date=2 March 1991}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 95 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Step Back in Time"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|access-date=18 November 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120415124441/http://www.kylie.com/discography/singles/step-back-in-time/ "Step Back in Time"] at Kylie's official website (Archived).
{{Kylie Minogue singles}}
{{Stock Aitken Waterman}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Step Back In Time}}
Category:Mushroom Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Nick Egan
Category:Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Stock Aitken Waterman
Category:Songs written by Matt Aitken
Category:Songs written by Mike Stock (musician)