One Step Closer is the first single from Linkin Park's debut album Hybrid Theory. The track peaked at #75 on The Billboard Top 100 and reached its highest chart accolade at #4 in The Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks. One Step Closer is known for catapulting the band into mainstream rock radio as well as generating a thriving audience and fan base. The band claimed that this song was partly written in frustration over trying to perfect fellow Hybrid Theory track Runaway, in that they couldn't reach the standards for the chorus they wanted, so worked on this instead. One Step Closer was formerly titled Plaster, in which a demo exists which features a slightly different arrangement and mix as seen in the final version.

This CD single saw the first CD release of Hybrid Theory B-Side tracks My December & a newly recorded version of High Voltage, titled High Voltage (Reprise). This version of High Voltage features a brand new mix and includes lead vocalists Chester Bennington's vocals.