Steam (East 17 song) explained

Steam
Cover:East_17-Steam.jpg
Type:single
Artist:East 17
Album:Steam
Genre:
Length:3:25
Label:London
Producer:
  • Matt Rowe
  • Richard Stannard
Prev Title:Around the World
Prev Year:1994
Next Title:Stay Another Day
Next Year:1994

"Steam" is a song by English pop boy band East 17, released on 19 September 1994 by London Records as the second single from their second album by the same name (1994). The song was written by band member Tony Mortimer with its producers, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard. It was a major hit in Europe, peaking at number six in Portugal, number seven in the UK and number eight in Scotland, while becoming a top-20 hit in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Its accompanying music video was directed by Kevin Godley, featuring the band performing onstage at a concert.

Critical reception

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, "Whilst the last single was in truth a little wimpy "Steam" cranks up the pace and marks a return to the white-boy pop/rap the band have carved a niche for themselves with."[2] Victoria Segal from Melody Maker named it a "pop spectacular", noting its "Gett Off" rip-off.[3] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Street cred they've always had, more than all their competitors combined, but even with a Carter USM remix to their account, it's a proven fact that these lads have grown up."[4] Alan Jones from Music Week gave "Steam" four out of five and named it Single of the Week, adding, "Rock guitars and whistling are just two elements of this introductory jackswing-style single from the forthcoming East 17 album. Far from their best, but they have enough impetus to score Top 10 hits at will."[1] Iestyn George from NME commented, "A sweaty swingbeat vibe prevails on "Steam", coupled with a natty whistling riff that'll annoy the f— out of Credit to the Nation fans. Naturally, it is ACE and will be Number One for 16 weeks."[5]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single. It features the band performing at a concert, and was directed by English singer, songwriter, musician and music video director Kevin Godley.[6] "Steam" was later made available by London Records on YouTube in 2017[7] and had generated almost one million views as of October 2023.

Track listings

  1. "Steam" (Overworld Haze Mix)
  2. "Steam" (Man City Mix)
  3. "Steam" (P. & C Mix)
  1. "Steam" (Vapoureyes Mix) — 3:25
  2. "Steam" (Carter USM SW2 Mix) — 3:58
  1. "Steam" (Vapoureyes Mix) — 3:24
  2. "Steam" (Carter USM SW2 Mix) — 4:00
  3. "Deep" (Delta Steam House Of Funk Mix) — 4:24
  4. "Steam" (Overworld Haze Dub) — 6:50
  1. "Steam" (Vapoureyes Mix) — 3:25
  2. "Steam" (Carter USM SW2 Mix) — 3:58
  1. "Steam" (Vapoureyes Mix) — 3:24
  2. "Steam" (Carter USM SW2 Mix) — 4:00
  3. "Steam" (Overworld Heat Mix) — 5:59
  4. "Steam" (P + C No. 2 Mix) — 7:34
  1. "Steam" (Vapoureyes Mix) — 3:24
  2. "Steam" (Carter USM SW2 Mix) — 4:00

Charts

Chart (1994)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 17
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[9] 12
Italy (Musica e dischi)[10] 19
Lithuania (M-1)[11] 4
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[12] 50

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United Kingdom19 September 1994London[13]
Japan2 November 1994CD[14]

Notes and References

  1. Alan . Jones . Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles - Pick of the Week . . 24 September 1994 . 16 . 23 July 2021.
  2. Web site: Masterton. James. Week Ending October 1st 1994. Chart Watch UK. 25 September 1994. 8 September 2021. James Masterton.
  3. Victoria. Segal. Albums. Melody Maker. 9 November 1996. 49. 28 May 2024.
  4. New Releases: Singles . . 11 . 38 . 17 September 1994 . 10 . 23 July 2021 .
  5. Iestyn. George. Singles. NME. 24 September 1994. 39. 23 October 2023. Iestyn George.
  6. Web site: East 17: Steam. IMDb. 8 September 2021.
  7. Web site: East 17 - Steam (Official Video). YouTube. 28 September 2017. 8 September 2021.
  8. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 11. 42. 20. 15 October 1994.
  9. Week 39, 1994
  10. Web site: Classifiche. Musica e Dischi. it. 28 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "East 17".
  11. Web site: M-1 Top 40. M-1.fm. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104757/http://m-1.fm/top40/?topid=1285. 6 November 1994. 2 April 2015. 30 March 2022.
  12. The RM Club Chart. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 17 September 1994. 4. 20 May 2023.
  13. Single Releases. Music Week. 21. 17 September 1994. 25 July 2021.
  14. Web site: スティーム East 17. Steam East 17. Oricon. ja. 13 March 2024.