Hailee Steinfeld is making a major return to music with the release of her new single “Dangerous,” marking her first new track in two years. The 28-year-old actress and singer dropped the song on April 18, alongside the debut of her new movie Sinners, which features the track as part of its soundtrack.
For fans who have been eagerly awaiting new music from Hailee, this release is a much-anticipated comeback, following her last single “SunKissing” in March 2023. “It’s been a long two years away from music and I’m so beyond grateful for this moment,” Hailee shared on Instagram, expressing her excitement to finally be back in the studio after a long hiatus.
The song was co-written by Hailee herself, alongside composer Sarah Aarons and famed producer Ludwig Göransson. Hailee explained the creative process behind the track in an interview with Billboard, saying, “We were all so tuned into the vision, and because I was both inside the story as an actor, and helping shape it through music, it created this really fluid creative loop.”
For Hailee, blending music and acting in this way felt like the perfect expression of her artistry. “Blending music and acting like this feels like the fullest expression of who I am,” she explained. “It’s rare to have a project that lets you show up completely—and Sinners gave me that.” It’s clear that the opportunity to work on a project that combines both of her passions has had a significant impact on her music, and “Dangerous” is a direct reflection of that creative freedom.
Lyrically, the song taps into the vulnerability and intensity of Hailee’s character, Mary, in Sinners. “I wanted to tap into Mary’s deep desire to be with Stack and (maybe selfishly) not always acknowledging what a dangerous position that puts them in,” Hailee shared. “That sort of unrequited love. There’s a vulnerability in these characters that I really connected with, and I wanted my voice to reflect that.”
Taking two years away from music wasn’t just about stepping back—it was a conscious decision to reconnect with her creative roots. Hailee explained, “That two-year break was the exact amount of time I needed—to grow, live a little, and step back to reconnect with why I make music in the first place. I didn’t want to come back just to fill space. I wanted it to mean something.”
Reflecting on her journey, Hailee added, “There was something so raw and emotional about Sinners that pushed me creatively and personally. The music became an extension of that. It felt honest and it felt like me again.” For Hailee, this isn’t a “comeback,” but rather a return to her authentic self. “It’s about returning to the truth,” she said. “I’m so grateful to Ryan [Coogler] and Sinners for giving me the opportunity to do that.”
With Dangerous already making waves, it’s clear that Hailee Steinfeld’s return to music is a new chapter that fans will be excited to follow. Her evolution as an artist and the emotional depth of her work are proof that she’s more than ready for what comes next.
Download it on Spotify and on Apple Music.
Check out the full lyrics to “Dangerous”:
[Verse 1]
Oh, I wish that I could be selfish
But I know what that means
That you would be out there hurting
Oh, and I would be free
(Let me be selfish)
So, come find me in the middle of the night
I’ll be your home, we’ll be safe from all the lie
[Chorus]
Why am I so dangerous to you?
You know I wanna let you in
I know you what you wanna do
Why am I so dangerous to you?
You know I’m gonna let you in
Don’t you worry, I’ll find you
[Post-Chorus]
Give me one night, one dance, one sip (Sip)
Give me one night, no tears in your eyes
Give me one night with your hands on this (This)
Give me one bite and don’t be shy
Give me one night, one dance, one sip (Sip)
Give me one night, no tears in your eyes
Give me one night with your hands on this (This)
Give me one bite and don’t be shy
[Verse 2]
Give me what I what
And don’t be protecting me from the things we can’t control
Can’t we just be in denial one second to the next?
If we just stay here
[Chorus]
Why am I so dangerous to you?
You know I wanna let you in
I know you what you wanna do (I know you what you wanna do)
(Wanna make it dan-dan-dangerous)
Why am I so dangerous to you? (To you; Oh-oh-oh)
You know I’m gonna let you in
Don’t you worry, I’ll find you (Let me in, let me in)
[Post-Chorus]
Give me one night, one dance, one sip (Sip)
Give me one night, no tears in your eyes
Give me one night with your hands on this (This)
Give me one bite and don’t be shy
Give me one night, one dance, one sip (Sip)
Give me one night, no tears in your eyes
Give me one night with your hands on this (This)
Give me one bite and don’t be shy
[Outro]
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
I just wanted to keep you safe
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
But it was never gonna be here
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
And it was never gonna be with me
