"Say You'll Be Mine" is a song by British dance-pop group Steps, released as a double A-side with a cover version of Kylie Minogue's "

Better the Devil You Know "Better the Devil You Know" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, taken from her third studio album '' Rhythm of Love'' (1990). The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman. The song was released as the album's ...

". Steps' cover of "Better the Devil You Know" was later included as the opening track on their third studio album, '' Buzz'' (2000), but did not serve as a lead single. A limited-edition single was released as a digipack that was included with a doubled-sided poster in the sleeve. The song is the first to feature all five members on lead vocals. "Say You'll Be Mine" / "Better the Devil You Know" was released on 13 December 1999 and reached number four on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

in January 2000. The double A-side also reached the top 40 in Australia and Ireland. A new Matt Pop's Old Skool Mix was included on the remix album ''Stomp All Night: The Remix Anthology'' as the first track on the second disc.

Critical reception

Scottish newspaper '' Aberdeen Evening Express'' noted that "this is the first track where the Stepsters all take turns on lead." They added, "The instantly catchy singalong fest has a mature feel and is a dead cert to get you bopping this winter." Lucas Villa from AXS stated that Steps was at "its most adorable" on the "sweet" pop tune "Say You'll Be Mine". Can't Stop the Pop described it as "fascinating" and "one of their most brilliantly uplifting songs", adding that the track is "bursting at the seams with subtly catchy hooks." Also they noted that it is their first song to feature all five members of the group on lead vocals.

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, "Say You'll Be Mine" / "

" entered the

at number seven on 19 December 1999 and peaked at number four for two weeks in January 2000, becoming Steps' sixth consecutive top-five hit and spending 18 weeks on the chart. The double A-side also reached the top 20 in Ireland, peaking at number 13. Elsewhere in Europe, the single reached number seven in Hungary, entered the top 50 in

Flanders Flanders (, ; Dutch: ''Vlaanderen'' ) is the Flemish-speaking northern portion of Belgium and one of the communities, regions and language areas of Belgium. However, there are several overlapping definitions, including ones related to cultu ...

and the Netherlands, and appeared within the top 100 in Germany and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the single peaked at number 19 on the issue dated 22 January 2000. In Australia, the double A-side charted for eight weeks, peaking at number 21 on the week of its debut, 30 January 2000.

Music video

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...

was made for "Say You'll Be Mine", directed by David Amphlett. He also directed the videos for "

Tragedy Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy ...

" and " Heartbeat". It features the band acting out different films. H and Claire act out ''

Romeo + Juliet Romeo Montague () is the male protagonist of William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Romeo and Juliet''. The son of Lord Montague and his wife, Lady Montague, he secretly loves and marries Juliet, a member of the rival House of Capulet, through a pries ...

'', H and Faye act out '' Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'', H and Lisa act out ''

Titanic RMS ''Titanic'' was a British passenger liner, operated by the White Star Line, which sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after striking an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, Unit ...

'', Lee and Claire act out ''

There's Something About Mary ''There's Something About Mary'' is a 1998 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly. It stars Cameron Diaz as the title character with Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, and Chris Elliott all playing men w ...

'', Lee and Faye act out ''

Batman Returns ''Batman Returns'' is a 1992 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton and written by Daniel Waters. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, it is the sequel to ''Batman'' (1989) and the second installment in the 1989–1997 ''Batman ...

'' and Lee and Lisa act out ''

Armageddon According to the Book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, Armageddon (, from grc, Ἁρμαγεδών ''Harmagedōn'', Late Latin: , from Hebrew: ''Har Məgīddō'') is the prophesied location of a gathering of armies ...

''. The group members also wear gold-coloured outfits while performing a dance routine.

Track listings

UK and Australian CD single # "Say You'll Be Mine" – 3:32 # "

" – 3:49 # "Better the Devil You Know" (2T's 2 Go mix) – 5:43 UK cassette single and European CD single # "Say You'll Be Mine" – 3:32 # "Better the Devil You Know" – 3:49

Credits and personnel

A-side: "Say You'll Be Mine"

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of '' Steptacular''. Recording * Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester, in 1999 * Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester * Mastered at Transfermation Studios, London Vocals * Lead vocals – Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee, Lee Latchford-Evans, Ian "H" Watkins Personnel * Songwriting – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Lance Ellington * Production – Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman * Mixing – Dan Frampton * Engineer – Dan Frampton * Drums – Pete Waterman * Keyboards – Andrew Frampton * Guitar – Greg Bone * Bass – Dan Frampton

A-side: "Better the Devil You Know"

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of '' Buzz''. Recording * Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester, in 1999 * Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester * Mastered at Transfermation Studios, London Vocals * Lead vocals – Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee * Background vocals – Lee Latchford-Evans, Ian "H" Watkins Personnel * Songwriting – Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman * Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman * Mixing – Dan Frampton * Engineer – Tim Speight * Drums – Dan Frampton * Keyboards – Karl Twigg * Bass – Mark Topham

Charts

References

{{Authority control 1999 songs 1999 singles Steps (group) songs Songs written by Pete Waterman Jive Records singles Pete Waterman Entertainment singles Songs written by Andrew Frampton (songwriter) UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles