"Wrong Direction" is a song by American singer Hailee Steinfeld and was released by Republic Records on January 1, 2020.[1] The song serves as the lead single from Steinfeld's second EP Half Written Story (2020).
| "Wrong Direction" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Hailee Steinfeld | ||||
| from the EP Half Written Story | ||||
| Released | January 1, 2020 | |||
| Length | 4:09 | |||
| Label | Republic | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Koz | |||
| Hailee Steinfeld singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Wrong Direction" on YouTube | ||||
Background and composition
editSteinfeld first teased the song's release by posting a picture on social media with the caption "1/1".[2] Later that day she announced the song's title.[3] It is speculated that the song is about Steinfeld's split from ex-boyfriend Niall Horan in 2018. Its title is also presumed to be a reference to Horan's band One Direction, who are currently on hiatus.[4][5][6][7][8]
"Wrong Direction" was written by Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Hailee Steinfeld, Skyler Stonestreet and Stephen Kozmeniuk, and was produced by Koz. The song runs for four minutes and eight seconds.[9] Ashley Iasimone of Billboard characterized "Wrong Direction" as "an emotional ballad that addresses a past relationship".[10]
Music video
editThe Alexandre Moors-directed music video was released on January 8, 2020, via YouTube premiere.[11]
Credits and personnel
editCredits adapted from Tidal.[12]
- Hailee Steinfeld – vocals, songwriting
- Koz – production, songwriting, bass guitar, drums, programming, synthesizer
- Lowell – songwriting, backing vocals, piano
- Skyler Stonestreet – songwriting, backing vocals
- Todd Clark – backing vocals
- Matt Snell – assistant recording engineering, studio personnel
- Phil Hotz – assistant recording engineering, studio personnel
- Josh Gudwin – mixing, studio personnel
- Drew Jurecka – string arrangement
Track listing
editCharts
edit| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[14] | 61 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] | 9 |
| Scotland (OCC)[16] | 71 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[17] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[18] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | January 1, 2020 | Republic | [13][12] |
References
edit- ^ "Is Hailee Steinfeld Releasing a Diss Track About Ex Niall Horan with New Song 'Wrong Direction'?". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ "hailee steinfeld on Instagram: "1/1"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ "hailee steinfeld on Instagram: "1/1"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ "Hailee Steinfeld to Release 'Wrong Direction' Song After Niall Horan Split". Us Weekly. 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ "Telling All! Hailee Steinfeld Seemingly Shades Ex Niall Horan in New Song". In Touch Weekly. 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ Atad, Corey (2019-12-30). "Fans Think Hailee Steinfeld's New Song 'Wrong Direction' Is About Ex Niall Horan". ET Canada. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ "Hailee Steinfeld Announces New Single "Wrong Direction" One Year After Split From Niall Horan". NYLON. 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ Kelli, Boyle (December 30, 2019). "Why Fans Think Hailee Steinfeld Is Releasing a Diss Track About Ex Niall Horan". E! News. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ "Wrong Direction". Spotify. January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- ^ "Hailee Steinfeld's New Year Begins With New Song 'Wrong Direction': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- ^ Shaffer, Claire (2020-01-08). "Hailee Steinfeld Gets Up Close and Personal in 'Wrong Direction' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
- ^ a b c "Wrong Direction / Hailee Steinfeld". Tidal. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
- ^ a b "Wrong Direction – Single by Hailee Steinfeld". Apple Music. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Hailee Steinfeld – Wrong Direction" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Hailee Steinfeld – Wrong Direction". Music Canada. Retrieved August 26, 2021.