Artist: Faithless, Featuring Dido
Song: One Step Too Far
Album: Faithless 2.0 or Outrospective
Time: 5:19 or 3:25 (radio edit)
Genre: dance
BPM: 110
Category: endurance, recovery, climb, cool-down
Available: iTunes, Spotify
Today’s WTC comes from one of indoor cycling’s iconic bands, Faithless. Faithless has been one of my signature bands to play since I started teaching. I get great reviews anytime I bust out their classic electronic music. They have such a deep and rich catalog, songs like “Salva Mea” or “God is a DJ,” which are solidly in the top five of all time for indoor cycling classic tracks.
Faithless is a British dance band that had many dance chart hits both in the UK and in the US. They developed a large and loyal following during the late 1990s and into the late 2000s. The band retired back in 2012, but has resurrected some of their tracks in a release called Faithless 2.0, which they also played live to rave reviews in Ibiza earlier in 2015. Sadly, Maxi Jazz, the iconic regular voice of Faithless, passed away on December 23, 2022. This post highlights “Salva Mea,” the Faithless song that I consider one of the most amazing gifts to indoor cycling instructors around the world.
Today’s track is a bit of a diversion from the Faithless norm of driving beats and electronic techo riffs.
“One Step Too Far” is a smooth, easy, dance-y track that was originally released in 2002. It ran up to #4 on the US dance tracks chart. The intro and underlying beats are certainly Faithless with deep yet simple rhythms. The melody and vocals are where this track differentiates itself from the typical Faithless song. The vocals are provided by none other than Dido. Yes, the international mega-star of the 2000s. Her hits “White Flag” and “Thank You” set recording sales records in both the UK and US, and were played endlessly on radio stations the world over. She also accompanied Eminem on his early 2000s hit “Stan.” Dido’s vocals are heavenly, soft, and ethereal. She is one of my favorite female performers; her voice simply mesmerizes and melts me. The track has a very dance-oriented feeling, yet is oh so smooth. In addition to the Dido vocals there are quintessential rhymes from Maxi Jazz, the lead vocalist of Faithless.
Interesting note: Dido is the sister of Faithless member and founder Rollo Armstrong and she has appearances on other Faithless tracks, including “Salva Mea” and “Northstar,” as well as others. Rollo has been a producer on several of Dido’s albums.
I like to use this track for the middle of an endurance ride or even a tempo climb. The shorter radio edit also works nicely in a recovery ride since it has such a smooth and warm feeling. You can also use it for a cool-down or post-class music.
The video is nostalgic fun. I love the “cutting-edge” computers and technology displayed in the video. The plastic Apple Mac laptop and the video effects are wonderfully primitive by today’s standards. The faux rave club scene/theme is also wonderfully quaint compared to clubs portrayed in videos today.
Enjoy!
In addition to this track and “Salva Mea” linked above, other Faithless tracks that have appeared on ICA can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, and here!
One Step Too Far (Radio Edit), 3:25
One Step Too Far, 5:19