Deeper Shade of Blue

"Deeper Shade of Blue" is a song by British group Steps, released as the band's ninth single. The song is an uptempo pop song about the darker side of life and an attempt to break free. It was the fifth song to be released from the group's second album Steptacular. The song was originally recorded by Tina Cousins but, aside from a few promotional 12" records, her version remains unreleased.

The single entered the UK Singles Chart at number four and spent one more week in the top ten before falling down the charts. After a total of nine weeks, the shortest for any Steps single, the song left the top 75.

The first two verses are performed by H and Claire, respectively, whilst all 5 members perform the middle 8. The chorus features all five voices. In October 2011 following the reformation of the band, they performed the track on Lorraine Kelly and Loose Women. The song was included on Steps's compilation albums Gold: Greatest Hits (2001), The Last Dance (2002), and The Ultimate Collection (2011).

On September 1, 2015, Claire Richards premiered a new stripped backed piano recording of the track via her social media pages.

Composition and reception
Jon O'Brien wrote for Allmusic and in two different reviews he noted it is a "club potential", and the Sleaze Sisters remix is "realized on a Sash-esque trance remix". O'Brien also commented it is "Italo house-inspired" and it "fits right in with the current retro-dance revival".

The song was referenced by Dave Benson-Phillips during an episode of Get Your Own Back when band member Ian "H" Watkins was thrown in the Gunk Dunk. After Watkins' shocked reaction to being gunged, Benson-Phillips remarked "As we can see, H has gone a deeper shade of blue" before H splashed him.

Music video
The music video has a futuristic style, with the group wearing blue latex uniforms for the dance sequences and each transforming into a darker alter-ego during the video. The alter-egos are to show the darker side of life that the song talks about.

Track listings
UK CD-Maxi Enhanced
 Deeper Shade of Blue [Radio Edit] - 3:45
 Deeper Shade of Blue [W.I.P. Mix] - 6:47
 Deeper Shade of Blue [Sleaze Sisters Anthem Mix] - 7:54
 Deeper Shade Of Blue (Video)

Europe CD-Maxi
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Kiss W.I.P. Remix) 3:59
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Radio Edit) 3:45
Deeper Shade Of Blue (W.I.P. Mix) 6:47
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Sleaze Sisters Anthem Mix) 7:54
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Blockbuster Dirt Blue Klub Mix) 6:49

Europe CD-Single
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Kiss W.I.P. Remix) 3:59
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Radio Edit) 3:45

Cassette
 Deeper Shade of Blue [Radio Edit] - 3:45
 Deeper Shade of Blue [W.I.P. Mix] - 6:47

Remixes
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Sleazesisters Anthem Edit) - featured on "The Last Dance" CD.
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Sleazesisters Anthem Mix)
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Blockbuster Dirty Blue Klub Mix) - appears on European Single
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Blockbuster Dirty Blue Dub Mix)
Deeper Shade Of Blue (Kiss W.I.P. Remix) - appears on European single

Credits and personnel
Recording
Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester in 1999
Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester
Mastered at Transfermation Studios, London

Vocals
Lead vocals – Ian "H" Watkins, Claire Richards
Background vocals – Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee, Lee Latchford-Evans

Personnel
Songwriting – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg
Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman
Mixing – Tim Speight
Engineer – Chris McDonnell, Tim Speight
Drums – Chris McDonnell
Keyboards – Karl Twigg
Guitar – Mark Topham
Bass – Mark Topham
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Steptacular.

Charts

Certifications

References

External links
 

Category:2000 singles
Category:Steps (group) songs
Category:Songs written by Karl Twigg
Category:Songs written by Mark Topham
Category:1999 songs
Category:Jive Records singles