Step (Kara song)
| "Step" | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japanese Digital single cover | |||||||
| Single by Kara | |||||||
| from the album Step | |||||||
| Released |
September 6, 2011 (see release history) | ||||||
| Format | Digital download | ||||||
| Recorded | 2011 | ||||||
| Genre | Dance-pop, EDM | ||||||
| Length | 3:21 | ||||||
| Label | DSP Entertainment, CJ E&M | ||||||
| Writer(s) |
Han Jae-ho Kim Seung-soo | ||||||
| Producer(s) | Sweetune | ||||||
| Kara Korean singles chronology | |||||||
| |||||||
| |||||||
"Step" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Kara for their third studio album, Step (2011). It was released as the lead single on September 6, 2011 to online music sites. The song was ranked fourteenth on the List of 21 Greatest K-pop Songs of All Time by Spin.[1] An arranged version of "Step" is featured in the international arcade music game, DJ Max Technika 3 and Pump It Up Fiesta 2.
Background
On August 4, 2011, the group confirmed that they will be releasing their third official album on mid-September and will resume their activities in South Korea for the first time in over six months. It was also reported by industry representatives that the group has been recording songs for the album during their spare time while they were busy promoting their fourth Japanese single, "Go Go Summer!". DSP Media responded to the news by stating that the group are in the process of reviewing which song is to be used as the lead song from the album.[2]
Regarding the concept of the album and its title track, the group was faced with a choice between maintaining their usual bright, cute and youthful concept which Kara was popular for in South Korea or transforming into something new and unique.[3]
Release and artwork
On August 22, "Step" was eventually announced by DSP Media as the lead single for the group's third full-length album, titled "Step", slated for release on September 6.[4][5] The song was also included onto the limited edition of the group's second Japanese studio album, Super Girl. The Japanese version of the song was eventually released on February 29, 2012 and is also included as a bonus track on the group's sixth Japanese single, "Speed Up / Girl's Power".
Music video
The full music video officially premiered on September 6. The video features the group dancing in front of microphones while dressed in deep blue clothes with some colorful patterns around it. In the background, there are bright lighting signs that show the names of the group's past hit songs. In other scenes the group can be seen individually in a bright room with colored walling dressed in colored neon clothing while jumping up. During the bridge of the song the girls are seen dressed in glittering dresses and holding onto microphone stands in a plain white room.
Release and reception
Jen Erenza from Ryan Seacrest Blog described the video as “colorful” with “out-of-this-world scenes“, and asserted, “With their super cute styles and head-bopping music, there is no doubt their popularity will rise stupendously!”.[6]
Live performances
The group began performing the song on TV music starting in September 15, on Mnet's M! Countdown. They also performed "Date (My Boy)" and "With My Heart (Dear Kamilia)" as a part of the group's performance. Due to the group's commitments with their schedule in Japan they only performed the song on several music shows for three weeks.[2]
Chart
| Song | Peak chart position | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR | JPN | ||||||||
| K-Pop Billboard[7] | RIAJ Chart[8] | Billboard Japan[9] | |||||||
| "Step" | 2 | 2 | 42 | ||||||
Release history
| Region | Release date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 6 September 2011 | Digital download | DSP Media |
| Japan | 22 February 2012 (Recochoku) 29 February 2012 (iTunes) |
Universal Sigma | |
External links
References
- ↑ David Bevan and Chuck Eddy (June 1, 2012). "The 21 Greatest K-Pop Songs of All Time". Spin. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
- 1 2 카라 ‘너무 바빠’ 9월 국내 컴백 ‘3주만 활동’ (in Korean). Nate. 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ↑ '9월 컴백' 카라, 타이틀곡 고심 중.."발랄이냐, 카리스마냐" (in Korean). Nate. 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ↑ Lee, Mi-yeong. 카라, 9월 전격 컴백…소녀시대와 정면승부? (Kara Plans "Lightning" Comeback in September...Face-off with Girls' Generation?). Naver News/JoyNews. July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
- ↑ 카라 ‘너무 바빠’ 9월 국내 컴백 ‘3주만 활동’ Naver News. August 6, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011
- ↑ http://ryanseacrest.com/2011/09/14/crazy-colorful-south-korean-band-k-pop-gets-2-million-views-in-three-days-video/
- ↑ "Korea K-Pop Hot 100 Music Chart". Billboard. 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ↑ "RIAJ Digital Track Chart: Chart issue October 4, 2011" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
- ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100" (in Japanese). Billboard. Retrieved 2011-10-14.