One Step Closer is the ninth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 1980. (see 1980 in music).

Track listing

1. "Dedicate This Heart" (McDonald, Paul Anka) - 4:07
2. "Real Love" (McDonald , Henderson) - 4:18
3. "No Stoppin' Us Now" (Simmons, McDonald, Christopher Thompson) - 4:40
4. "Thank You Love" (Cornelius Bumpus) - 6:22
5. "One Step Closer" (Knudsen, Carlene Carter, McFee) - 4:10
6. "Keep This Train A-Rollin" (McDonald) - 3:29
7. "Just in Time" (Simmons) - 2:43
8. "South Bay Strut" (McCracken, McFee) - 4:05
9. "One By One" (Bobby LaKind, McDonald) - 3:47

Personnel

The Doobie Brothers

• Patrick Simmons - guitars, vocals
• Michael McDonald - keyboards, synthesizers, vocals
• John McFee - guitars, vocals
• Keith Knudsen - drums, vocals
• Chet McCracken - drums, vibraphone, marimbas
• Tiran Porter - bass
• Cornelius Bumpus - tenor saxophone, organ, vocals

Additional personnel

• Bobby LaKind - congas, bongos, background vocals
• Nicolette Larson - vocals on "Real Love", "Dedicate This Heart", and "Just In Time"
• Rev. Patrick Henderson - keyboards on "Real Love", "One By One", and "Keep This Train A-Rollin'"
• Lee Thornburg - trumpet on "South Bay Strut" and flugelhorn for "Dedicate This Heart"
• Christopher Thompson - background vocals on "No Stoppin' Us Now"
• Ted Templeman - tambourine, cowbell, maracas
• Jerome Jumonville - tenor saxophone
• Joel Peskin - baritone saxophone
• Bill Armstrong - trumpet
• Byron Berline - violin
• Jimmie Haskell - strings

Production

• Producer: Ted Templeman
• Production assistant: Joan Parker
• Engineers: James Isaacson, Gene Meros
• Mastering: Kent Duncan
• Photography: Norman Seeff
• Design: Jim Welch
• Art Direction: Jim Welch
• Conductor: Bobby LaKind
• Horn arrangements: Jerome Jumonville (for "Keep This Train A-Rollin'")
• String arrangements: Jimmy Haskell (for "Real Love" and "South Bay Strut")

Charts

Album

Singles