"2step" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his fifth studio album = (2021), appearing as the ninth track on its track listing. It was written by Sheeran, David Hodges, Louis Bell and Andrew Wotman, and produced by the latter two. A remix featuring American rapper Lil Baby was released on 22 April 2022, making it the fifth and final single from the album. It was sent to hot adult contemporary radio in the United States three days later. On 2 May 2022, Sheeran released a version of the song featuring Ukrainian pop-rock band Antytila, and later released an additional 12 "global remixes" of the song, with artists from Finland, India, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil.
Background Sheeran said that he wrote this song from the "lowest point of confidence" telling Dev: "Every song I did, I would send in and just get a lukewarm reaction. I went into the studio and just wrote about being really low on confidence and I think that's probably one of my favorite songs on the album."
Promotion and release On 19 August 2021, Sheeran announced his fifth studio album, = in which the song is listed number ninth on the tracklist. On 29 October 2021, "2step" was released alongside other album tracks that appeared on the album =.
Lyric video A lyric video for the song was uploaded on Sheeran's YouTube account on 29 October 2021 along with the other lyric videos of the songs that appeared on the tracklisting of =.
Music video The music video for the single version of the song, filmed in Kyiv, Ukraine and directed by Henry Scholfield, was uploaded to YouTube on 22 April 2022. The video was filmed prior to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and all revenue from YouTube streams are earmarked for Ukraine.
Track listing Digital download, streaming and CD – Single "2step" (featuring Lil Baby) – 2:43 Digital download and streaming – The Remixes "2step" (featuring Lil Baby) – 2:43 "2step" (featuring Ultimo) – 2:34 "2step" (featuring Potter Payper) – 2:33 "2step" (featuring Antytila) – 2:33 "2step" (featuring Leto) – 2:34 "2step" (featuring Ellinoora) – 2:33 "2step" (featuring 1.Cuz) – 2:33 "2step" (featuring Budjerah) – 2:33 "2step" (Star.One remix) – 3:25 "2step" (featuring Chefin) – 2:44 "2step" (featuring reezy) – 2:33 "2step" (featuring Quevedo) – 2:33 "2step" (featuring Denise Chaila) – 2:33 Digital download and streaming – Single "2step" (featuring Armaan Malik) – 2:33
Credits and personnel Ed Sheeran – vocals, guitar, production, songwriting, writing David Hodges – production, songwriting, writing Louis Bell – drums, keyboards, production, programming Andrew Watt – guitar, keyboards, production, programming Stuart Hawkes – mastering Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing Paul LaMalfa – engineering
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "2step" (solo or with featured artist) Chart (2021–2023) Peakposition Iceland (Tónlistinn) 37 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan) 4 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 4 San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50) 17 South Korea (Gaon) 151
Monthly charts + Monthly chart performance for "2step" Chart (2022) Peakposition Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 4
Year-end charts +2022 year-end chart performance for "2step" Chart (2022) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) 156 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia) 52 Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 37 France (SNEP) 117 Global 200 (Billboard) 151 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 40 UK Singles (OCC) 49 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 8 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) 28 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 47 + 2023 year-end chart performance for "2step" Chart (2022) Position Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 107
Certifications
Release history + Release dates and formats for "2step" Region Date Format(s) Version Label Various 22 April 2022 featuring Lil Baby United States 25 April 2022 Hot adult contemporary album version Atlantic 26 April 2022 Contemporary hit radio featuring Lil Baby Various 2 May 2022 featuring Antytila 4 May 2022 featuring Ellinoora 6 May 2022 featuring Ultimo 9 May 2022 featuring 1.Cuz 11 May 2022 featuring Budjerah 12 May 2022 Star.One remix 13 May 2022 featuring Leto 16 May 2022 featuring Chefin 18 May 2022 featuring reezy 20 May 2022 featuring Potter Payper 23 May 2022 featuring Quevedo 25 May 2022 featuring Denise Chaila 3 June 2022 featuring Armaan Malik
References