One for Sorrow (song)

Unlike Steps' previous single, "Last Thing on My Mind", which featured solo vocals by all three girls, Claire performs lead vocals of all of the verses, which are harmonised with Faye, before the entire band join for the chorus.

On 29 July 2015 Claire Richards premiered a new solo acoustic version of the track at an event celebrating Pete Waterman's career at the Royal Festival Hall.

AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien described the song as "melancholic dance-pop".[1] Lucas Villa from AXS noted that Richards "took the song's tragic wordplay to church in a powerhouse performance." He added that it "stands as one of Steps' finest pop moments."[2] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "U.K. youth quintet Steps is all about conjuring up the timeless Abba in its debut U.S. single, a joyous romp that will propel hands into the air and, with the proper push from Jive, send this song into the upper reaches of the pop charts—where it's already been across much of Europe. This U.S. mix is the tastiest kind of bubble gum, with a happy-go-lucky dance beat from production maestro Tony Moran; a solid, zippy vocal; and a sing-along chorus that sticks with maddening proficiency."[3] Birmingham Evening Mail commented, "The nearest thing you'll get to an Abba tribute song in the top ten. This sounds just like the Swedes around the time their complex inter-band relationships were hitting a rocky patch."[4] CantStopThePop described it as a "brilliant moment in '90s pop music", adding that "this is pop music with a heart". They complimented Richard's vocals, stating that the track is "the perfect showcase for the power and range of her vocals."[5] Daily Record stated, "It sounds like Abba, but Steps prove they are the real thing with their biggest hit yet".[6] Gary James from Entertainment Focus noted that "starting with the rain effect and gentle tickle of the piano, Claire’s voice tells the tale of wanting love but getting uncertainity as it builds to a big power chorus."[7] Sunday Mirror commented, "Pop's next big things crank up the Abba again minus the beards thankfully."[8]

"One for Sorrow" was successful on the charts in Europe, peaking at number-one in Belgium. It managed to reach number 2 in the United Kingdom on 30 August 1998,[9] in its first week on the UK Singles Chart. It was held off reaching the top spot by Manic Street Preachers' "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" and spent 11 weeks on the chart. Additionally, the single also went to the Top 10 in Ireland and Scotland, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. Outside Europe, "One for Sorrow" peaked at number 13 in New Zealand, number 26 on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban Chart and number 34 in Australia. In the US, it went to number 38 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs in October 1999, as Steps' only single to appear on any US Billboard chart.

There were made two different music videos for the song; one for the European market and one for the US market. The first one was filmed in Italy.[10] In the beginning, Claire performs alone inside a villa, standing by a window. Later the group performs in front of a field of sunflowers. The US version was uploaded to YouTube in October 2009. By August 2020, it had more than 1 million views.[11]