Heartbeat/Tragedy

"Heartbeat / Tragedy" is the fourth single released by British pop group Steps. "Heartbeat", written by Jackie James, was the first ballad released as a single by the group. The double A-side reached number one in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The video for "Tragedy", originally a hit by the Bee Gees, contained the dance step of putting both hands parallel to the sides of the head in time with the word 'Tragedy', which became a trademark of the group.
The single hit the number one spot in the UK Singles Chart after eight weeks on that chart. "Heartbeat / Tragedy" spent a total of 30 weeks in the chart, and sold more copies than all three previous Steps singles combined, with 1.21 million copies sold in the UK. Heartbeat features Claire and Faye singing the first two verses. Lisa performs the middle eight, followed by Claire. The rest of the group join in for the choruses. Tragedy features again Faye and Claire singing the verses, with the rest of Steps joining in for the choruses. While promoting the 2012 Hit Factory Live event, Pete Waterman revealed that the song had sat in a drawer for years before he gave it to the band to record.
Critical reception.
"Tragedy".
"Aberdeen Evening Express" stated that Steps "did such a sparkling remake" of the song, noting that it "gets [Steptacular] off to a discotastic start". AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien described it as a "triumphant cover". Lucas Villa from AXS wrote that Claire, Faye and Lisa's "powerful performances (coupled with that iconic hands dance step) made "Tragedy" an undeniable dance floor anthem." "Daily Record" commented, "Once again, Steps have come up with a catchy tune and the reworking of Tragedy has clubbers mimicking the band's dance techniques."
Music videos.
The music videos for "Heartbeat" and "Tragedy" were directed by David Amphlett. "Heartbeat" is set in snowy surroundings. It begins with Steps riding a sleigh while an evil Ice Queen has her sights set on Ian "H" Watkins; she is watching an image on the tiny pond in her throne room. The group are staying in a lodge, and H goes out back to fetch some wood for the fire. The Ice Queen decides that this is the time to strike, and she sends her three dwarf guards to kidnap H. They jump H, and the Ice Queen casts a spell, knocking him out. By the time H wakes up, he is in the back of their sleigh. The rest of the group come out and find H is missing, finding only a little sword carried by one of the guards. On skis and snowmobiles, they set off to rescue H. Along the way to the Ice Queen's castle, they stop at a barn, finding absolutely nothing. Arriving at the castle, they break into the throne room where H is tied up in the middle of the frozen pond. Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans and Claire Richards easily take care of the guards (while H is able to free himself), and Lisa Scott-Lee defeats the Ice Queen with a karate kick to the chin. The group then return to the lodge for a Christmas party.
The video for "Tragedy" starts with a Doraemon-shaped alarm clock ringing and sees Faye, Claire, and Lisa getting married. The lads, Lee and H, sabotage all three weddings before they all go to a disco. The church and disco scenes were filmed in All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald, London and the adjoining Blackwell Hall, respectively. The external location shots of the boys leaving their house and driving were filmed in Blackheath, South London. The group's actual families all took part in the video, with the girls' fathers walking them down the aisle, and record producer Pete Waterman appears as the wedding DJ.
Track listings.
UK CD single
US CD single
Cassette single
Credits and personnel.
A-side: "Heartbeat".
Recording
Vocals
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Step One".
A-side: "Tragedy".
Recording
Vocals
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Steptacular".