[2] J. D. Considine of The Baltimore Sun described 'Step by Step' as "a slick, synth-driven number that recalls the '80s-style sparkle of her early hits", and "certain to spend many weeks in the Top 10".
He also called it "a rousing, gospel-kissed chugger", adding that "[i]t's been too long since Houston has cut loose on an uptempo number, and she whips through this jam with engaging ease".
[4] In its review for the dance single for 'Step By Step', the magazine deemed it as an "uplifting anthem", in which "Houston cuts loose with stirring gospel fervor".
[5] Chris Willman from Entertainment Weekly said in his soundtrack review, "Best among the non-gospel fare, [...] [is] 'Step by Step', a house throbber penned by Annie Lennox, represents an admirable departure but gets tripped up by a pallid Inspirations R Us lyric and perhaps too much of its author's stamp.
[7] A reviewer from Music Week gave it five out of five, writing, "Tight production, a strong pop song written by Annie Lennox and a thumping groove all single this out as a smash hit for the Christmas party market.
"[8] While reviewing The Preacher's Wife album, Cary Darling of the Orange County Register said that Houston "turns in a credible, danceable take" on the Lennox song, adding that the Teddy Riley remix "digs a deep new jack groove.
Following Houston's death in 2012, Entertainment Weekly published a list of her 25 best songs and ranked 'Step by Step' number 13, explaining, "The Preacher's Wife wasn't a masterpiece, but for gospel lovers, its soundtrack was [...] [a]nd its Annie Lennox-penned second single – an ode to not biting off more than you can chew, set to a churchy dance beat – peaked at a respectable No.
[17] BET placed it at number 22 in their list of "The 40 Best Whitney Houston Songs", adding that "she ably recalls her '80s uptempo prime with a result that's both spirit- and body-moving".