1, 2 Step

Background and composition

"1, 2 Step" is one of four songs Ciara and Jazze Pha originally recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta two years before the release of Goodies. 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." Pha asked Missy Elliott to appear on the track and she accepted. Elliott recorded her rap verse at the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami. She did not meet Ciara until the song's music video was filmed.

"1, 2 Step" is an electro 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 for old school hip hop songs and b-boy break dance tracks. "1, 2 Step" is inspired by Afrika 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." "1, 2 Step" references her past song "Goodies" and "We Will Rock You" by Queen. Missy Elliott's verse was inspired by Teena Marie's song "Square Biz".

Critical reception

"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." Jason Birchmeier of Allmusic was published that the track is "good, if not great." Gerardo E. wrote it is "a feel good track," something that is not overproduced but works its magic." Kate Watkins of The Situation called it "a funky song in the style we have come to expect from Missy." Fazed stated that the song is about "joys of dancing around with family." Slant thought that "1, 2 Step" was a "fun dance track."

"1, 2 Step" was nominated for the 2006 Grammy Award for "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration," but lost to "Numb/Encore" by Jay-Z and Linkin 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 2005 BET Awards, but lost to Omarion's "O." The song won the award "Best Performed Songs in the ASCAP Repertory for the 2005 Survey Year," which included the 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 2005 Teen Choice Awards and "Best Collaboration" and "Viewer's Choice" at the BET Awards in 2005.

Chart performance

"1, 2 Step" debuted at number 74 on the US Billboard Hot 100. on October 30, 2004. On the January 8, 2005, issue of Billboard, the song climbed to number two on the chart and stayed there for seven weeks, becoming Ciara's second top-10 single. "1, 2 Step" reached number one on the Hot Dance Airplay and Top 40 Mainstream charts. It also peaked within the top five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic Airplay charts and within the top 30 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. "1, 2 Step" was ranked at number five for the year on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2005 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over three million digital copies in the United States.

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 the UK and Irish Singles Charts. 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. It was a top-30 hit in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), France, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Music video

The music video for "1, 2 Step" was directed by Benny 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 with Lloyd and Lil Scrappy. Ciara can be seen teaching others the song's title "one, two step" dance, which is similar to the traditional grapevine.

Synopsis

The video begins with Ciara putting her Goodies 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.

Track listings

US 12-inch single :A1. "1, 2 Step" (main) – 3:22 :A2. "1, 2 Step" (instrumental) – 3:22 :B1. "1, 2 Step" (main) – 3:22 :B2. "1, 2 Step" (acappella) – 3:14

UK CD1

1. "1, 2 Step" (album version) – 3:22
2. "1, 2 Step" (instrumental) – 3:22

UK CD2

1. "1, 2 Step" (album version) – 3:22
2. "1, 2 Step" (Delinquent "Growing Pains" remix) – 4:55
3. "1, 2 Step" (Phatbelly club remix) – 3:30
4. "1, 2 Step" (Eazy remix) – 5:16
5. "1, 2 Step" (video) UK 12-inch single :A1. "1, 2 Step" (album version) – 3:22 :A2. "1, 2 Step" (Phatbelly club remix) – 3:30 :B1. "1, 2 Step" (Delinquent "Growing Pains" remix) – 4:55 :B2. "1, 2 Step" (Eazy remix) – 5:16

European CD single

1. "1, 2 Step" (album version) – 3:22
2. "1, 2 Step" (Johnny Budz Mixshow edit) – 4:40

Australian CD single

1. "1, 2 Step" (album version) – 3:22
2. "1, 2 Step" (Johnny Budz Mixshow edit) – 4:40
3. "1, 2 Step" (Ford's E-Hop club mix) – 5:28
4. "Goodies" (Bimbo Jones full vocal) – 7:18

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the UK CD1 liner notes.

Studios

• Recorded at Doppler Studios (Atlanta, Georgia) and Hit Factory Criteria (Miami)
• Mixed at Patchwerk Studios (Atlanta, Georgia)

Personnel

• Ciara – writing (as Ciara Harris), vocals
• Jazze Pha – writing (as Phalon Alexander), production
• Missy Elliott – writing, featured vocals
• Pierre Medore – vocal production
• Sam Thomas – recording
• Carlos Bedoya – recording
• Leslie Brathwaite – mixing
• Kori Anders – mixing assistant

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Decade-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

References

1. Breihan, Tom. (December 19, 2022). "The Number Ones: Mario's 'Let Me Love You'".
2. "The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks – Decade Year End Charts". Prometheus Global Media.
3. [http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2015/11/revealed-season-1-episode-4-ciara-jazze-pha-interview REVEALED: CIARA & JAZZE PHA ON POSSIBLY WORKING TOGETHER AGAIN]. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
4. [[Associated Press]]. (November 29, 2018). "Missy Elliott on Writing For Aaliyah, Beyonce and Herself".
5. Missy Elliott. (December 29, 2010). "@LaniBeautifull Yes".
6. [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/ciarax09x03x05 CIARA – FEATURING MISSY ELLIOTT – 1, 2 STEP – ZOMBA – single review]. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
7. [{{AllMusic
8. {{usurped
9. [http://www.thesituation.co.uk/reviews/ciara_review.htm Ciara – Goodies] {{webarchive. link. (February 7, 2012 . Retrieved January 13, 2008.)
10. [http://www.fazed.com/music/ciara_goodies.html Fazed – style, culture & fashion] {{webarchive. link. (August 23, 2013 . Retrieved January 13, 2008.)
11. link. (October 29, 2013 . Retrieved January 13, 2008.)
12. (October 31, 2004). "Billboard Hot 100".
13. (2004). "1, 2 Step". [[LaFace Records]], [[Sho'nuff Records]].
14. (2005). "1, 2 Step". LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records, [[Sony BMG]].
15. (2005). "1, 2 Step". LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records, Sony BMG.
16. (2005). "1, 2 Step". LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records, Sony BMG.
17. (2005). "1, 2 Step". LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records, Sony BMG.
18. (2005). "1, 2 Step". LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records, Sony BMG.
19. (February 11, 2005). "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30".
20. "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". [[Croatian Radiotelevision]].
21. (April 30, 2005). "Eurocharts".
22. "Top 30 RnB Singles : 01.05.2005".
23. "Ciara Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales)".
24. (December 17, 2004). "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs".
25. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2005". [[Australian Recording Industry Association.
26. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2005". ARIA.
27. "Jaaroverzichten 2005". [[Ultratop]].
28. "Rapports annuels 2005". Ultratop.
29. (April 3, 2018). "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2005". [[Crowley Broadcast Analysis]].
30. "Year End European Hot 100 Singles Chart 2005 01 – 2005 52". [[VNU Media]].
31. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2005". [[GfK Entertainment]].
32. "End of Year Charts 2005". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
33. "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 2005". [[Romanian Top 100]].
34. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005".
35. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005". [[Official Charts Company]].
36. (January 14, 2006). "2005 Urban Top 40".
37. "Billboard Top 100 – 2005".
38. (December 24, 2005). "2005 The Year in Music & Touring: Hot Dance Airplay".
39. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2005".
40. (December 16, 2005). "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Mainstream Top 40 Songs".
41. (December 24, 2005). "2005 The Year in Music & Touring: Hot Rhythmic Songs".
42. (December 19, 2009). "The Decade in Music – Hot 100 Songs".
43. (October 29, 2004). "Going for Adds".
44. (December 3, 2004). "Going for Adds".
45. (February 28, 2005). "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 28th February 2005". ARIA.
46. "1, 2, Step".
47. (April 9, 2005). "New Releases: Singles".