Step by Step is the third studio album from pop act New Kids on the Block. Released in June 1990, the group at this time was the biggest in the world and was being maximally merchandised…with everything from pillowcases, to marbles, to dolls, to a Saturday morning cartoon with their name and/or likeness. Because of the over exposure, a backlash was beginning to brew — the naysayers though were being outscreamed by the fans, as Step by Step was released to a frantic commercial response. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and also at #1 on the UK Albums Chart, with the leadoff title track single also topping the charts simultaneously and selling nearly three million copies, making it one of their highest selling singles. Another top ten single "Tonight" followed with just over a million copies sold, as the group embarked on their most ambitious world tour to date. After having earned success with Hangin' Tough, the group took a slightly more active role creatively on this album and attempted to usher in a slightly more stylized, edgy image to avoid the pigeonhole. This new look was partially inspired by the choreography and stage costume choices of Michael Jackson. They even started playing instruments on most of their songs. Danny wrote, produced with Starr, and sang lead on "Never Fall In Love Again," and Jonathan sings lead on "Happy Birthday." In retrospect, however, Step by Step ultimately seemed like another supplement from the New Kids marketing assembly — not unlike the marbles and keychains. By the end of 1990, in spite of the album having gone multi-platinum, the group backlash that had been simmering at the time of its release was now in full swing…as evident with Step by Step's third and last release, "Let's Try It Again," which failed to crack the top 50.
