steps 2001

COVER vs ORIGINAL: ‘Chain Reaction’

The song, “Chain Reaction”, was originally recorded by Diana Ross in 1985

The Bee Gees, Barry (b.1946), Robin (1949-2012) and Maurice (1949-2003) Gibb, wrote the song, “Chain Reaction”, for Diana Ross‘ 1985 studio album, “Eaten Alive”. The track was released as the second single in November 1985 in the US, but only made it as far as No.66. The song was far more successful internationally, topping the charts in Australia and the UK in early 1986 as well as being a top ten hit everywhere else. “Chain Reaction” was re-issued in 1993 with a slightly different production and peaked at No.20 in the UK this time around.

British pop group Steps covered the song for their 2001 best of, “Gold”, and released it as the lead single from the album in September. Their version charted at No.2 in the UK, selling 200,000 copies, compared to the 670,000 Diana Ross’ original shifted. The track was a top ten hit in Ireland but only peaked at No.41 in Australia, when released there in 2002.

But whose version is the best? DIANA ROSS’ original or STEPS’ cover?