Music Review: Debbie Gibson "One Step Ahead"

One Step Ahead
Album: Anything Is Possible
Year: 1990

Debbie Gibson encourages people to outsmart their competition and be the best in the graceless "One Step Ahead."

An obnoxious drum machine starts the single, setting a jumbled tone. To open the single, she raps. Yes, that is written correctly. Gibson raps that people should watch their competition's every move. It will let them know where they stand. She also says following her advice means they'll never be broke.

"Always gotta be one step ahead/You know where you're lying/When you make your own bed/You'll never end up in the red/So watch your step, one step ahead."

In the intro, Gibson tells her producer to make the song faster.

"Energy up!/Bring the energy up!"

In the first verse, she explains people offend others and put them down in order to succeed. She says that if people are doing what's expected of them, they are simply going through the motions. She tells people to better themselves and do things that would be outside their box.

"Steppin' on toes is a common routine/Sneakin' up from behind/You won't get anywhere/Dancin' out of time/If you're living up to expectations/You may as well be dead/Gotta go for it, gotta go for it/Always gotta be one step ahead/So."

In the chorus, she tells people to be enthusiastic and race to the next opportunity. Otherwise, they'll miss out.

"Don't calm down/Bring the energy up/Don't depend on lady luck/Can't walk, you just run instead/If you want to be one step ahead."

In the second verse, she says that people should watch what's going on around them and think of the next move. She says if they are bored, they aren't living. She tells them to be successful and to rely on themselves. If they don't do anything to change, life will be the same. Other people have agendas which destroy goals.

"Look over your shoulder/And predict what's to come/You're not feeling life if you're simply numb/So don't be dumb, grab the brass ring/You really can't depend on anything/Gotta make it happen all by yourself/Why rely on anyone else?"

The chorus is sung again.

In the bridge, Gibson says she dreams of being a CEO is close to her. She thinks it's realistic and in the future. She asks God in her prayers if she will get it. Later, she adds she has the moxy and she will be a CEO.

"This dream is holding me tight/Keeping me up all night/It's not out of reach, just out of sight/Do you think I'll get it?/Think I may, say I might, oh/This dream is holding me tight/Keeping me tossing and turning/It's not out of reach, just out of sight/Do you think I'll get it?/With the way I'm burning/I just might!/It's time to rap."

The rap is said two more times.

A modified chorus follows to close the song.

"Don't calm down, bring the energy up/You gotta go for it, go for it, go for it/Don't calm down, bring the energy up/You gotta go for it, go for it, go for it/Don't calm down, bring the energy up/Don't depend on lady luck/Can't walk, you just run instead/If you want to be one step ahead/Don't calm down, bring the energy up/Don't calm down, bring the energy up."

Gibson lectures that achievement should be happen by moral means. However, people can't become discouraged or get involved in office politics. They need to do what's right for themselves. She expects nothing but the most coveted position. Strangely, hard work and sheer determination are never mentioned as factors. It’s all about how badly the person wants it. She focuses more on the personal factor and a sense of entitlement.

Her whitebread, gullible vocals do not suit the pseudo R&B dance arrangement. They needed grit and some naughtiness to them in order to work. She doesn't exude the spirit of doing whatever's needed to reach her dream.

"One Step Ahead" is like a pep talk without the pep.

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