"One Step Ahead of My Past" is a song written by Hal Blair and Don Robertson. It was originally recorded by American

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...

singer–songwriter Hank Locklin. In 1960, it was released as a

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and became a major hit on the American country chart the following year. It would later be released on Locklin's studio album titled '' This Song Is Just for You.''

Background and content

In 1960, Hank Locklin had the biggest hit single of his career with the song "

Please Help Me, I'm Falling "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" is a 1960 song written by Don Robertson and Hal Blair and first recorded by Hank Locklin. The single was Locklin's most successful recording and was his second number one on the country charts. "Please Help Me, I'm F ...

." The song became his second to top the country charts and also crossed over into the pop market, becoming a top ten hit there. Its success elevated Locklin's career and he had further fits after the single. "One Step Ahead of My Past" was one of those songs. It was composed by Hal Blair and Don Robertson, both of whom had co-written "Please Help Me, I'm Falling." The song was recorded in 1960 at the RCA Victor Studio, located in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...

. It was produced by Chet Atkins.

Release and chart performance

"One Step Ahead of My Past" was released as a single in November 1960 on RCA Victor Records. It was Locklin's follow-up single to "Please Help Me, I'm Falling." The single was released as a seven-inch RPM record, containing "One Step Ahead of My Past" as the A-side and "Tonjours Moi" as the B-side. The song spent a total of 12 weeks on the ''

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'' Hot Country and Western Sides chart, peaking at number 14 in February 1961. It was later released on Locklin's 1963 studio album, '' This Song Is Just for You.''

Track listing

7 inch vinyl single * "One Step Ahead of My Past" – 2:30 * "Tonjours Moi (Always Me)" – 2:30

Chart performance

References

{{Hank Locklin 1960 singles 1960 songs Hank Locklin songs RCA Victor singles Song recordings produced by Chet Atkins Songs written by Don Robertson (songwriter)