"1, 2 Step" is a song by American singerCiara featuring American rapperMissy Elliott. Written alongside producerJazze Pha, it was released on November 1, 2004, as the second single of Ciara's debut studio album,Goodies. It peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several countries worldwide, including Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the song peaked at number two on theBillboard Hot 100 and stayed there for seven weeks. The song is heavily inspired by 1980selectro music production. Throughout the song, Ciara gives a description of how the song'sbeat feels as she exhorts party-goers to dance to the music. "1, 2 Step" was ranked 59th onBillboard's Top 100 Songs of the 2000s.[2]
"1, 2 Step" is one of four songs Ciara and Jazze Pha originally recorded atDoppler Studios inAtlanta two years before the release ofGoodies. It is explained that Ciara was inspired by Roscoe Blunt, leading to the creation of this song. "The two connected so well, that half of the album was made within eight days or so."[3] Pha asked Missy Elliott to appear on the track and she accepted. Elliott recorded her rap verse at theHit Factory Criteria in Miami.
"1, 2 Step" is anelectro song, created on one of Jazze Pha's five Akai MPC3000s. Pha used laser pulses from E-mu Proteus in the 2000s that were used forold school hip hop songs andb-boybreak dance tracks. "1, 2 Step" is inspired byAfrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock." Jazze Pha thought about how he could create a more melodic version and "shared some interesting ideas on what kind of music he would like to produce with her. Let's put it this way, it would be epic."[3] "1, 2 Step" references her past song "Goodies" and "We Will Rock You" byQueen. Missy Elliott's verse was inspired byTeena Marie's song "Square Biz".[4]
"1, 2 Step" received favorable reviews from music critics.Contact Music gave the song three out of five stars and called it "arse shaking floor filling R&B" and a "wicked melodic souful twist."[5] Jason Birchmeier ofAllmusic was published that the track is "good, if not great."[6] Gerardo E. wrote it is "a feel good track," something that is not overproduced but works its magic."[7] Kate Watkins ofThe Situation called it "a funky song in the style we have come to expect from Missy."[8]Fazed stated that the song is about "joys of dancing around with family."[9]Slant thought that "1, 2 Step" was a "fun dance track."[10]
"1, 2 Step" was nominated for the2006 Grammy Award for "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration," but lost to "Numb/Encore" byJay-Z andLinkin Park. The song also received a nomination at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Music Awards for "Best Dance Cut." The song was nominated for "Viewer's Choice" at the 2005BET Awards, but lost toOmarion's "O." The song won the award "Best Performed Songs in theASCAP Repertory for the 2005 Survey Year," which includedthe title track from the album as well as third single, "Oh." The song won the award for "Choice Music R&B/Hip Hop Track" at the 2005Teen Choice Awards and "Best Collaboration" and "Viewer's Choice" at theBET Awards in 2005.
Internationally, "1, 2 Step" was successful, reaching the top 10 in several countries. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, "1, 2 Step" entered and peaked at number three on both theUK andIrish Singles Charts.[20][21] In Ireland, the single stayed at three for three weeks. The song reached number two in Australia for one week and in New Zealand for two weeks.[22][23] It was a top-30 hit in Belgium (Flanders andWallonia), France, the Netherlands, and Sweden.[24]
The music video for "1, 2 Step" was directed byBenny Boom. It takes place in an Atlanta dance studio and on the streets.R&B boy band,B5, makes a short appearance in the video, along withLloyd andLil Scrappy. Ciara can be seen teaching others the song's title "one, two step" dance, which is similar to the traditionalgrapevine.
The video begins with Ciara putting herGoodies CD in a radio, setting it to the "1, 2 Step" track, and pressing the play button. As the song begins, you see Jazze Pha reciting the introduction, featuring Elliott, and then finally Ciara herself. We see Ciara and her dancers, dancing in the Atlanta dance studio, and certain shots of her teaching her female friend the "1, 2 Step". We then see a clip of Ciara meeting up with B5 and performing the "1, 2 Step". Later, Ciara is seen dancing alone on the streets. While dancing at the studio, she looks behind her, and sees Elliott in the mirror, says she is just looking things. Then Elliott begins to rap her verse and they continue dancing with each other in front of the mirror, until the songs ends. During this time, we also see shots of Ciara teaching a group of young girls the dance and also, she meets a boy who is standing in front of his house and kind of gives him a flirtatious look. We also see four skaters, three male, and one female skater, skating in the streets and a last shot of Ciara and her dancers.
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
