“1 step forward, 3 steps back” is about the ups and downs of life and the challenge of navigating relationships with an inconsistent partner, as every time Olivia takes a step forward towards meeting her true love, she immediately feels pushed back from her goals.
The song contains a slight interpo...
[Verse 1]
Called you on the phone today
Just to ask you how you were
All I did was speak normally
Somehow, I still struck a nerve
You got me fucked up in the head, boy
Never doubted myself so much
Like, am I pretty? Am I fun, boy?
I hate that I give you power over that kinda stuff
[Chorus]
'Cause it's always one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me?
Boy, I don't understand
No, I don't understand
[Verse 2]
And maybe in some masochistic way
I kind of find it all exciting
Like, which lover will I get today?
Will you walk me to the door or send me home crying?
[Chorus]
It's one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me?
Boy, I don't understand
[Bridge]
No, it's back and forth, did I say something wrong?
It's back and forth, going over everything I said
It's back and forth, did I do something wrong?
It's back and forth, maybe this is all your fault instead
[Chorus]
It's one step forward and three steps back
And I'd leave you, but the rollercoaster's all I've ever had
Yeah, it's one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me?
Boy, I don't understand
No, I don't understand
1 step forward, 3 steps back was written by Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff & Olivia Rodrigo.
1 step forward, 3 steps back was produced by Olivia Rodrigo & Dan Nigro.
Olivia Rodrigo released 1 step forward, 3 steps back on Fri May 21 2021.
I really loved that concept of “one step forward, three steps back”—somebody texted it to me once and I was like, “Ooh, that’s really interesting.” I’ve never heard somebody say something like that, so I thought it would be a cool way to describe this toxic, sort of manipulative relationship. But …...
We interpolated “New Year’s Day,” which is Taylor’s song off of reputation. I came up with the “one step forward” concept and I wrote a verse and a chorus. I was in the car on a roadtrip, and when I got home, I decided to sing it over the chords of “New Year’s Day,” and I think they’re really beauti...
“1 step forward, 3 steps back” debuted and peaked at #19 on the Hot 100 during the week ending June 5, 2021.
Yes, “1 step forward, 3 steps back” was certified gold by the RIAA on November 17, 2021.
I just wrote this song actually the day before this guy broke up with me, so I remember not being able to listen to it for a while. “1 step forward, 3 steps back,” I wrote in my car, on the way to Salt Lake City with my mum. I think loving someone who is so inconsistent is so challenging, and just r...