Fearless (Taylor Swift song)

Last updated

"Fearless"
Taylor Swift - Fearless (Single).png
Single by Taylor Swift
from the album Fearless
ReleasedJanuary 4, 2010 (2010-01-04)
Recorded2008
Studio Blackbird (Nashville)
Genre
Length4:01
Label Big Machine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Two Is Better Than One"
(2009)		"Fearless"
(2010)		"Today Was a Fairytale"
(2010)
Music video
"Fearless" on YouTube

"Fearless" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She wrote it with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey while touring to promote her first album Taylor Swift (2006), and she produced the track with Nathan Chapman. Lyrically, "Fearless" sees Swift's character embracing the romantic drive of a thrilling first date, allowing herself to live true to her heart. She picked it as the title track for her 2008 studio album Fearless because she thought it encapsulates the album's overarching theme of being fearlessly oneself.

Contents

A country pop and pop rock song, "Fearless" is instrumented by booming drums and chiming guitars. The track was released to US country radio as the album's fifth and final single on January 4, 2010, by Big Machine Records. Music critics generally praised the production as appealing to the mass and lyrics for portraying earnest adolescent sentiments. In the United States, "Fearless" peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on Hot Country Songs, and it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song also charted in Canada and Spain.

Swift included "Fearless" in the set list to her first headlining tour, the Fearless Tour (2009–2010); footage from the tour were used in the song's music video, released on February 17, 2010. She later included it in the set lists of the Speak Now World Tour (2011–2012) and the Eras Tour (2023–2024). After a 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of Swift's back catalog, she re-recorded the song and released it as "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" for her 2021 re-recorded album Fearless (Taylor's Version).

Background and writing

Taylor Swift wrote songs for her second studio album, Fearless , while touring as an opening act for other country musicians to promote her first album, Taylor Swift, during 2007–2008, when she was 17–18 years old. [1] [2] Continuing the romantic themes of her first album, Swift wrote songs about love and personal experiences from the perspective of a teenage girl to ensure her fans could relate to Fearless. As such, Swift said that nearly every album track had a "face" that she associated with it. [3] The end product is a collection of songs about the challenges of love with prominent high-school and fairy-tale lyrical imagery. [4] Swift and the producer Nathan Chapman recorded over 50 songs for Fearless, [5] and "Fearless" was one of the 13 tracks that made the final cut. [6]

Swift wrote "Fearless" with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey. [7] She first conceived the track while touring, when she was unattached romantically: "I wasn't even in the beginning stages of dating anybody." [8] She imagined what could happen during an ideal first date—an idea that developed into the final track. [8] Summarizing the song's theme as "the best first date [she hasn't] had yet", Swift described "Fearless" as an aspirational song that deviated from love songs about real-time feelings or experiences. [8]

Music and lyrics

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Fearless" (2010)
"Fearless" is a country pop and pop rock song incorporating booming drums and chiming guitars.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Fearless" is four minutes and one second long. [6] It is a country pop [8] and pop rock song. [9] [10] Its arrangement consists of booming drums and chiming guitars [8] alongside mandolin and fiddle; [9] the bridge incorporates a key change. [8] The musicologist James E. Perone writes that there are "unexpected musical influences" evoking diverse styles of country, pop, folk, and alternative rock in the drums, guitars, and other instruments' "tone colors". [4] Larry Rodgers of The Arizona Republic categorized the song as "rootsy pop". [11]

Lyrically, the song narrates Swift's imagination of an ideal first date. [7] Her character embraces the romantic drive while going on a thrilling date. [8] She pays attention to the details, such as how the pavement glistens in the moonlight after a rain, how her date "runs [his] hand through [his] hair", and how she gets excited and nervous anticipating a first kiss. [12] The couple have an impromptu dance in a parking lot and frolic in the rain before giving each other a passionate kiss. [8] She relinquishes her pretense, allowing herself to live true to her heart ("I don't know why, but with you I'd dance in as storm in my best dress"). [8] [12]

The song uses many of the imagery commonly used in Swift's other songs, such as dancing in the rain in one's best dress [13] and concealing one's timidity. [14] Swift described the song's greater concept as "the fearlessness of falling in love": "[No] matter how many times you get hurt, you will always fall in love again." [15] Rob Sheffield, writing for Blender, opined that the lyric mentioning Swift's character getting caught in a storm "in my best dress" showed that she "likes to make a scene". [16] For Annie Zaleski, the track encapsulates the excitement of a wonderful date that one wishes "would last forever". [8] Amanda Ash of the Edmonton Journal, meanwhile, thought that there is a sense of uncertainty under those thrilling moments. [17]

Release and commercial performance

The song was first released as a promotional single from the album on October 14, 2008, as part of "Countdown to Fearless", an exclusive campaign by the iTunes Store. [8] [18] Big Machine Records released Fearless on November 11, 2008. Swift chose "Fearless" as the title track because she felt it represented the overarching theme of the album about fearlessly being oneself; [8] "fearless doesn't mean you're completely unafraid and it doesn't mean that you're bulletproof. It means that you have a lot of fears, but you jump anyway." [19] It was later released as the fifth [20] and final single from Fearless to US country radio on January 4, 2010. [21] [22] After its digital release, on the issue dated November 1, 2008, "Fearless" debuted and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 with sales of 162,000 digital downloads. [23] It made Swift the first female artist since Madonna in 1998 to have two top-10 debuts in one calendar year. [24]

Following its single release, the song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 99 on the week ending February 20, 2010. [25] Its highest position on the chart while being released as a single was number 76 on the week ending April 10, 2010; [26] it ultimately spent 15 weeks on the Hot 100. [27] The song is one of 13 songs from Fearless charted within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, breaking the record for the most top 40 entries from a single album. [28] "Fearless" also peaked at number 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart and spent 19 weeks on the chart, making it Swift's tenth consecutive top 10 hit but also her lowest-charting single, [29] and 27 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart, where it spent 15 weeks. [30] The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the sale of over 500,000 units on October 12, 2009, before its official release as a single on January 4, 2010, [31] therefore becoming the first single to be certified gold before being released as an official single. [32] "Fearless" was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 23, 2012, [31] and had sold a million copies in the United States by November 2017. [33]

On the week ending November 29, 2008, "Fearless" debuted and peaked at number 69 in Canada, spending a total of five weeks on the chart. [29] It eventually reached number 7 on the Canadian Country Airplay chart. [34] The song peaked at number 32 in Spain. [35]

Critical reception

"Fearless" has received critical acclaim. Alice Fisher of The Guardian praised "Fearless" for its "perceptive lyrics about universal truths that can be enjoyed at any age." [36] Jim Harrington of The San Jose Mercury News expressed a similar sentiment in a review of Swift's Fearless Tour: "Moms and daughters, as well as groups of teens and couples out for a date night, [can sing] along with equal gusto." [37] Many critics praised the production. Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone chose the song as a highlight from Fearless, applauding its "loud, lean guitars and rousing choruses". [38] Jim Abbott of the Orlando Sentinel wrote that the song is "built for arena sing-alongs", [39] and Thomas Kintner of the Hartford Courant named it an "essential download" from the album, saying that its "juicy jangling" production "keeps her ahead of the game". [40] Rashod D. Ollison in The Baltimore Sun selected "Fearless" as an album highlight, describing it as "breezy". [41]

Retrospectively, critics have remained favorable towards the imagery and passion of the lyrics. Nate Jones of Vulture ranked the song as her 25th best song (out of 173 ranked in total), highlighting that the emotion Swift invested into the lyrics "is matched in the way she tumbles from line to line into the chorus." [13] Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield ranked it 42nd out of Swift's 274 songs as of 2024, opining that Swift makes even some of her most common tropes feel fresh. [14] Jules Lefevre of Junkee ranked it as the third best song on Fearless, similarly praising the presence of Swift's most common imagery and describing the song as captivating. [42] In a review of Fearless (Taylor's Version) , a reviewer for Clash Magazine retrospectively described "Fearless" as a "first kiss soundtrack". [43]

Accolades

YearOrganizationAwardResultRef.
2010 BMI Awards Award-Winning SongsWon [44]
Publisher of the YearWon

Live performances

Swift performing "Fearless" during her Fearless Tour in Austin, Texas. Taylor Swift - Fearless Tour - Austin 14.jpg
Swift performing "Fearless" during her Fearless Tour in Austin, Texas.

Swift's first televised performance of "Fearless" was on November 10, 2008, on the Late Show with David Letterman. [45] She went on to perform the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Clear Channel Communications's Stripped. [45] [46] Swift performed the song on all venues of her first headlining concert tour, the Fearless Tour, which ran from April 23, 2009, to July 10, 2010. During each performance, Swift escorted a silver sparkly dress and black boots and played an acoustic guitar as floral patterns with a moving butterfly were projected on the stage. [47] Alice Fisher of The Observer attended the May 7, 2009 concert at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London and said that while Swift drifted off during the performance, it "clearly made perfect sense to the girls in the audience." [36]

The song was also performed on the Speak Now World Tour, [48] in a mashup with Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" and Train's "Hey Soul Sister". [49] [50] Swift performed the song, acoustically, on selected dates during both The Red Tour and The 1989 World Tour. In 2018, she performed it, in place of "All Too Well", during the second East Rutherford show at Metlife Stadium on her Reputation Stadium Tour. [51] The song was included on the regular setlist of her sixth headlining tour, the Eras Tour (2023–2024). [52]

Music video

Various performances from the Fearless Tour were used to comprise a music video for "Fearless", directed by Todd Cassetty. The video premiered on February 17, 2010, on CMT. [47] It begins when Swift tells her band before they step onstage, "You guys, this tour has been the best experience of my entire life." The video intermingles footage from the tour itself with fans excitedly showing off signs to Swift with behind-the-scenes footage of Swift and her band as they travel on the Fearless Tour. The video ends with Swift waving goodbye as she exits the stage. [53] Jocelyn Vena of MTV News interpreted it to be "Swift's love letter to her fans", as it showed an "inside view of what it's like to go on tour". [53] As of August 2024, the video has accumulated over 63 million views on YouTube. [54]

Charts

Certifications

Certification for "Fearless"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [64] Platinum70,000‡
United States (RIAA) [31] Platinum1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

"Fearless (Taylor's Version)"

"Fearless (Taylor's Version)"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Fearless (Taylor's Version)
ReleasedApril 9, 2021 (2021-04-09)
Studio
Genre
Length4:01
Label Republic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"Fearless (Taylor's Version)" on YouTube

"Fearless (Taylor's Version)" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The re-recorded version of Swift's 2008 song "Fearless", it is the opening track of Swift's first re-recorded album of the same name, a re-recording of her 2008 album Fearless. Fearless (Taylor's Version) was released on April 9, 2021, through Republic Records. Swift wrote the song with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey and produced it with Christopher Rowe. "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" replicates the lyrics, production, and instrumentation of the original "Fearless".

Upon the release of Fearless (Taylor's Version), "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" debuted at 71 on the Billboard Hot 100, 14 on the Hot Country Songs chart, and 36 on the Rolling Stone Top 100. The song additionally charted at number 26 in Singapore, 46 in Canada, 53 on the Billboard Global 200, and 54 in Australia.

Background and release

On February 11, 2021, following a dispute with Big Machine Records over the rights to the masters of her first six studio albums, Taylor Swift announced that the first of her re-recorded albums, Fearless (Taylor's Version) , a re-recording of Swift's 2008 album, Fearless . [65] On April 8, a snippet of the song was teased on Good Morning America . [66] Fearless (Taylor's Version) was released on April 9, 2021. The song was also included in Fearless (Taylor's Version): The I Remember What You Said Last Night Chapter, a streaming compilation by Swift released on May 24, 2021, featuring five other songs from Fearless (Taylor's Version). [67]

Critical reception

In a review of Fearless (Taylor's Version), Hannah Mylrea of NME described the title track as brilliant, praising its "starry-eyed lyricism" and "stellar instrumental arrangements" that elicit memories of Swift's older music while simultaneously being much more refined in its production. [68] A reviewer for Clash magazine highlighted Swift's improved vocals and the crisper production while also pinpointing the nostalgia the song evokes. [43]

Commercial performance

Following the release of Fearless (Taylor's Version) , its title track debuted at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 alongside 7 other tracks from Fearless (Taylor's Version). It debuted at number 36 on the Rolling Stone Top 100, with 64,100 units sold and 7.6 million streams in its first week. "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" debuted at number 14 on the Hot Country Songs chart, one of 18 songs from the album charting simultaneously, and 6 on the Country Streaming Songs chart. [69] Internationally, "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" debuted at number 26 in Singapore, 46 in Canada, 53 on the Billboard Global 200, and 54 in Australia.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal [70]

  • Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriting, production
  • Hillary Lindsey – songwriting
  • Liz Rose – songwriting
  • Christopher Rowe – production, vocal engineering
  • Mike Meadows – acoustic guitar, twelve-string guitar, background vocals, Hammond B3, mandolin
  • Derek Garten – engineering
  • John Hanes – engineering
  • Lowell Reynolds – engineering, recording
  • David Payne – recording
  • Caitlin Evanson – background vocals
  • Paul Sidoti – background vocals, electric guitar
  • Amos Heller – bass
  • Matt Billingslea – drums
  • Max Bernstein – electric guitar
  • John Yudkin – fiddle
  • Randy Merrill – mastering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing

Chart performance

Chart performance for "Fearless (Taylor's Version)"
Chart (2021)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [71] 54
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [72] 46
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [73] 53
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [74] 4
Singapore (RIAS) [75] 26
UK Audio Streaming (OCC) [76] 99
US Billboard Hot 100 [77] 71
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [78] 14
US Rolling Stone Top 100 [79] 36

Certifications

Certification for "Fearless (Taylor's Version)"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [64] Platinum70,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [80] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Swift</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1989)

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic reinventions, and cultural impact, Swift is a leading figure in popular music and the subject of widespread public interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Song</span> 2007 single by Taylor Swift

"Our Song" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the third single from her self-titled debut studio album (2006). Swift wrote "Our Song" for a high school talent show during ninth grade; the lyrics are about a young couple using the regular events in their lives to create their own song. She included the song on the track list because it was popular among her classmates. Big Machine Records released the song to US country radio on September 10, 2007. Produced by Nathan Chapman, "Our Song" is an uptempo banjo–driven country track incorporating fiddles and drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Should've Said No</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"Should've Said No" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her first album Taylor Swift (2006). The song was released to US country radio as the album's fifth and final single on May 19, 2008, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Nathan Chapman, "Should've Said No" combines country rock, pop rock, and post-grunge with banjo and distorted guitars. The lyrics are about Swift's contempt for a cheating ex-lover.

<i>Fearless</i> (Taylor Swift album) 2008 album by Taylor Swift

Fearless is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She wrote the majority of the album while touring in 2007–2008 and produced it with Nathan Chapman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2008 song by Taylor Swift

"Change" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on August 8, 2008, to promote the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack for the United States team at the 2008 Olympics. "Change" was included in Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008). Swift wrote the track after winning the Horizon Award at the 2007 Country Music Association Awards; its lyrics are about overcoming obstacles to achieve victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Story (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"Love Story" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released as the lead single from her second studio album, Fearless, on September 15, 2008, by Big Machine Records. Inspired by a boy who was unpopular with her family and friends, Swift wrote the song using William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet as a reference point. The lyrics narrate a troubled romance that ends with a marriage proposal, contrary to Shakespeare's tragic conclusion. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the midtempo country pop song includes a key change after the bridge and uses acoustic instruments including banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're Not Sorry</span> 2008 song by Taylor Swift

"You're Not Sorry" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). She was inspired to write "You're Not Sorry" by an ex-boyfriend who she realized was the contrary to what he had appeared to be. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "You're Not Sorry" is a rock power ballad that incorporates piano and dynamic electric guitars. Big Machine Records released the song for download via the iTunes Store on October 28, 2008. A remix was released for the television episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, in which Swift made an appearance. Some critics praised Swift's songwriting but others took issue with the balladic production as overdone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Belong with Me</span> 2009 single by Taylor Swift

"You Belong with Me" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and is the third single from her second studio album Fearless (2008). Big Machine Records released the song to radio on April 20, 2009. Swift was inspired to write "You Belong with Me" after overhearing a telephone call between a touring band member and his girlfriend; she and Liz Rose wrote the lyrics, which discuss an unrequited love. Swift and Nathan Chapman produced the track, which has a banjo-led country pop production and incorporates fiddle, mandolin, and rock-influenced bass and electric guitars. Although the single was promoted on country radio, some critics categorized it into 1980s pop subgenres such as pop rock and power pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Horse (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"White Horse" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the second single from her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Big Machine Records released the track to US country radio on December 8, 2008. Swift wrote "White Horse" with Liz Rose and produced it with Nathan Chapman. An understated country pop ballad, the song is driven by a finger-picked guitar and includes piano and cello accents. The lyrics incorporate fairy-tale imagery of princesses and white horses: the narrator is heartbroken upon realizing that her boyfriend is not an ideal figure like she thought, and in the end she leaves her town with hopes of finding somebody more worthy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifteen (song)</span> 2009 single by Taylor Swift

"Fifteen" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Inspired by Swift's high-school freshman year, the lyrics narrate how she and her friend Abigail Anderson, both at 15, experience teenage heartbreak and realize life aspirations. Swift included the track on the album after Anderson consented to the personal references. She and Nathan Chapman produced "Fifteen", a country pop song with a pop melody. Big Machine Records released "Fifteen" to American country radio on August 31, 2009, as the fourth single from Fearless.

"The Best Day" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "The Best Day" is an understated folk rock song with a country rock arrangement, with lyrics dedicated to Swift's parents, most of the verses being to her mother. A music video containing home footage edited by Swift was released on May 1, 2009, as part of a special Mother's Day promotion through Big Machine Records.

"Hey Stephen" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). It is a country pop, folk-pop, and teen pop song about an unrequited love, inspired by a real-life infatuation. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Hey Stephen" features drums inspired by girl-group records, an upright bass that propels its groove, and a subdued Hammond B-3 organ. In reviews of Fearless, critics who picked "Hey Stephen" as an album highlight praised its catchy melody and earnest lyrics about adolescent feelings. The song peaked at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Today Was a Fairytale</span> 2010 single by Taylor Swift

"Today Was a Fairytale" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, it was released digitally on January 19, 2010, by Big Machine Records as a single from the corresponding soundtrack for the 2010 film Valentine's Day, in which she acted. Swift had previously written the song and offered it to producers for the film's soundtrack. Musically, "Today Was a Fairytale" is country pop-influenced and, lyrically, speaks of a magical date.

"Breathe" is a song by Taylor Swift featuring Colbie Caillat from Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008). Swift wrote the song with Caillat and produced it with Nathan Chapman. A pop rock ballad, "Breathe" incorporates strummed acoustic instruments and a string section. The lyrics are about heartbreak from losing a close friend. Big Machine Records released the track onto Rhapsody on October 21, 2008. Music critics found "Breathe" a sentimental song with resonant lyrics, but some deemed it insubstantial. The song was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2010.

<i>Speak Now</i> 2010 studio album by Taylor Swift

Speak Now is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 25, 2010, by Big Machine Records. Swift wrote the album entirely herself while touring in 2009–2010 to reflect on her transition from adolescence to adulthood.

"Forever & Always" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Swift was inspired to write the song by her short-lived relationship with Joe Jonas in 2008. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Forever & Always" is a country pop and pop rock song with lyrics about a troubled relationship with an ex-boyfriend. Music critics found the song catchy but generic, and they commented that it set the precedent to Swift's songwriting about her highly publicized personal life on subsequent albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You All Over Me</span> 2021 song by Taylor Swift featuring Maren Morris

"You All Over Me" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring harmony vocals from the American singer Maren Morris. Swift wrote the track with Scooter Carusoe in 2005 for her second studio album, Fearless (2008), but excluded it from the track-listing. She produced the song with Aaron Dessner for the album's 2021 re-recording, Fearless . "You All Over Me" was released for download via Swift's website on March 26, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Perfectly Fine</span> 2021 song by Taylor Swift

"Mr. Perfectly Fine" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her first re-recorded album, Fearless (2021). It is one of the album's "From the Vault" tracks that was intended for but excluded from her second studio album, Fearless (2008). The song was released for limited-time download via Swift's website on April 7, 2021. She wrote "Mr. Perfectly Fine" in 2008, a track that incorporates wordplay and sees the narrator's heartbreak and fallout with a lover she presumed was the ideal figure for her.

"That's When" is a song by Taylor Swift featuring Keith Urban. It was released as part of Fearless (2021), a re-recording of Swift's second studio album Fearless (2008). She wrote the track with the Warren Brothers at age 14 and handled the production with Jack Antonoff. "That's When" is an acoustic country pop and indie folk ballad about the end and aftermath of a relationship: Swift's and Urban's characters contemplate how to reunite with one another.

"The Way I Loved You" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her second studio album, Fearless (2008). She wrote the song with John Rich and served as a producer with Nathan Chapman. Inspired by an encounter with a guy who seemed ideal to date with, it is about the rumination for an ex-lover despite being in a stable relationship. The song has a dynamic contemporary country production with a pop-oriented country and rock arrangement; it features a marching snare drum, and loud and subtle stringed instruments.

References

  1. ↑ Kawashima, Dale (February 16, 2007). "Special Interview (2007): Taylor Swift Discusses Her Debut Album, Early Hits, and How She Got Started". Songwriter Universe. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  2. ↑ Tucker, Ken (March 26, 2008). "The Billboard Q&A: Taylor Swift". Billboard . Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  3. ↑ Graff, Gary (March 26, 2010). "Living Fearless Taylor Swift Talks About Her Whirlwind Rise to the Top". The Oakland Press . Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Perone 2017, p. 20.
  5. ↑ Ganz, Caryn (October 2, 2008). "Fall Music Preview: Taylor Swift's Fearless" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Swift, Taylor (2008). Fearless (CD liner notes). Big Machine Records.
  7. 1 2 Spencer 2010, p. 60.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Zaleski 2024, p. 28.
  9. 1 2 Mylrea, Hannah (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift – Fearless (Taylor's Version) Review: A Celebration of Self". NME . Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  10. ↑ Barbieri, Alyssa (April 10, 2021). "Ranking Every Song on Taylor Swift's Re-Recorded Fearless Album". USA Today . Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  11. ↑ Rodgers, Larry (December 7, 2008). "Fearless". The Arizona Republic . p. E4. ProQuest   239095110.
  12. 1 2 Semon, Craig S. (November 30, 2008). "Teen Phenom Swift Sings with Fearless Sincerity". Telegram & Gazette . p. G4. ProQuest   269016248.
  13. 1 2 Jones, Nate (May 20, 2024). "All 245 Taylor Swift Songs, Ranked" . Vulture . Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Sheffield, Rob (April 25, 2024). "'Fearless' (2008)". Rolling Stone . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  15. ↑ Swift, Taylor. "Cut By Cut". Big Machine Records. Archived from the original on April 3, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  16. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (November 11, 2008). "Fearless". Blender . Archived from the original on February 28, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  17. ↑ Ash, Amanda (December 6, 2008). "Swift's More Mature, But Stays Fearless". Edmonton Journal . p. D3. ProQuest   250621343.
  18. ↑ Tucker, Ken (October 25, 2008). "Taylor Swift Goes Global". Billboard . Vol. 120, no. 43. pp. 22–25. ProQuest   227230140.
  19. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (November 11, 2008). "Taylor Swift Says She 'Owed It' To Her Fans To Be Open About Joe Jonas Breakup". MTV. Archived from the original on March 12, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  20. ↑ Trust, Gary (January 5, 2010). "Taking Peaks, Part 1: Nos. 100-76". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 28, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Going For Adds: CHR/Country". Radio & Records . January 4, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Country Aircheck Chart Info" (PDF). Country Aircheck. No. 172. December 29, 2009. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  23. ↑ Cohen, Jonathan (October 23, 2008). "T.I. Returns To No. 1 On The Hot 100". Billboard . Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  24. ↑ Pietroluongo, Silvia (November 1, 2008). "Another Swift Entry". Billboard . Vol. 120, no. 44. p. 54. ProQuest   227233802.
  25. ↑ "The Hot 100 Chart – February 20, 2010". Billboard . February 20, 2010. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Fearless (song) by Taylor Swift - Music Charts". aCharts.us. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Fearless Chart History". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  28. ↑ Pietroluongo, Silvio (November 12, 2009). "Rihanna's 'Roulette' Lands In Hot 100's Top 10". Billboard . Archived from the original on August 26, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  29. 1 2 "Fearless Chart History". Billboard . Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Fearless Chart History". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  31. 1 2 3 "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – Fearless". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  32. ↑ Roland, Tom (December 17, 2009). "Taylor Swift "Fearless"-ly Sets A New Precedent". Great American Country. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  33. ↑ Trust, Gary (November 26, 2017). "Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift's Career Album & Song Sales". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Fearless Chart History". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Taylor Swift - Fearless (Song)". Spanishcharts.com. Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  36. 1 2 Fisher, Alicer (May 9, 2009). "Enough to Make You Scream". The Guardian . Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  37. ↑ Harrington, Jim (April 12, 2010). "Review: Taylor Swift at HP Pavilion". The San Jose Mercury News . MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on March 20, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  38. ↑ Rosen, Jody (November 13, 2008). "Taylor Swift Fearless Album Review" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  39. ↑ Abbott, Jim (December 5, 2008). "Taylor Swift". Orlando Sentinel . p. 33. ProQuest   284212169.
  40. ↑ Kintner, Thomas (November 18, 2008). "Taylor Swift: Fearless". Hartford Courant . p. C3. ProQuest   257197529.
  41. ↑ Ollison, Rashod D. (November 11, 2008). "Fearless". The Baltimore Sun . p. C3. ProQuest   406214077.
  42. ↑ Lefevre, Jules (February 12, 2021). "Every Song On Taylor Swift's 'Fearless', Ranked". Junkee . Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  43. 1 2 "Taylor Swift - Fearless (Taylor's Version)". Clash . April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Bobby Braddock, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Sony/ATV & More Honored at 2011 BMI Country Awards". Broadcast Music, Inc. November 9, 2011. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  45. 1 2 "Taylor Swift - Body By Milk". About.com. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  46. ↑ "Watch Taylor on Clear Channel Stripped". Big Machine Records. November 11, 2008. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  47. 1 2 "Taylor Swift - 'Fearless'". CMT. Archived from the original on February 20, 2010. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
  48. ↑ Coffey, Kevin (May 28, 2011). "Taylor Swift shimmers in Omaha". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  49. ↑ Herrero, Javier (March 19, 2011). "Taylor Swift encandila a unos 4.000 madrileños con su country edulcorado" [Taylor Swift dazzle some 4,000 locals sweetened country]. La Rioja (in Spanish). Grupo Vocento. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  50. ↑ Sträter, Andreas (March 13, 2011). "Blaue Augen, süße Songs: Taylor Swift in Oberhausen" [Blues, sweet songs: Taylor Swift in Overhausen]. Soester Anzeiger (in German). Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  51. ↑ Iasimone, Ashley (May 26, 2018). "All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far)". Billboard . Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  52. ↑ Shafer, Ellise (March 18, 2023). "Taylor Swift Eras Tour: The Full Setlist From Opening Night". Variety. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  53. 1 2 Vena, Jocelyn (February 18, 2010). "Taylor Swift's 'Fearless' Video A Love Letter To Her Fans". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 3, 2010. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
  54. ↑ Swift, Taylor (February 26, 2010). Taylor Swift - Fearless (Video). YouTube. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Fearless" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  58. ↑ "Chart Log UK: DJ S - The System Of Life". Zobbel.de. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  59. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  60. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Billboard Singles". AllMusic . Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  62. ↑ "RIAS Top Charts Week 10 (1 - 7 Mar 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  63. ↑ "Year End Charts - Hot Country Songs - Issue Date: 2010". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  64. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  65. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (February 11, 2021). "Taylor Swift Announces Re-Recorded 'Fearless' Album: Updated 'Love Story' Out Tonight". Billboard . Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  66. ↑ GMA Team (April 8, 2021). "Taylor Swift debuts 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' exclusively on 'GMA'". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  67. ↑ Swift, Taylor (May 24, 2021), Fearless (Taylor's Version): The I Remember What You Said Last Night Chapter - EP by Taylor Swift, Apple Music, archived from the original on May 24, 2021, retrieved July 10, 2021
  68. ↑ Mylrea, Hannah (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift – 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' review: a celebration of the star's breakout album". NME . Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  69. ↑ "Country Streaming Songs Chart" . Billboard . April 24, 2021. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  70. ↑ "Credits / Fearless (Taylor's Version) / Taylor Swift". Tidal. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  71. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19 April 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1624. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 19, 2021. p. 4.
  72. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  73. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  74. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 19, 2021. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  75. ↑ "RIAS International Top Charts Week 15". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  76. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  77. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  78. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  79. ↑ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone . April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  80. ↑ "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – Fearless (Taylor's Version)". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved June 25, 2024.

Cited literature

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.