"Haunted" | |
---|---|
Song by Taylor Swift | |
from the album Speak Now | |
Released | October 25, 2010 |
Genre | |
Length | 4:02 |
Label | Big Machine |
Songwriter(s) | Taylor Swift |
Producer(s) |
|
Official audio | |
"Haunted" on YouTube |
"Haunted" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Inspired by an unsettling realization, the lyrics are about the harrowing feelings following the aftermath of a relationship. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Haunted" is an arena rock and goth rock song with an orchestral arrangement; it incorporates a composite instrumental riff, a dramatic piano line, and dense percussion. Critics primarily praised the song for the vocals, songwriting, and production, though some deemed it lacking.
An acoustic version of "Haunted", originally included on the deluxe edition of Speak Now, was released for download by Big Machine Records on November 8, 2011. The song charted in Canada and the United States, where it received a gold certification as well as in Australia. Swift included the track on the set list of her Speak Now World Tour (2011–12) and performed it at certain dates of her later tours. Following a 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of Swift's back catalog, she re-recorded the song as "Haunted (Taylor's Version)" for the album's re-recording, Speak Now (Taylor's Version) (2023).
Taylor Swift began development on her third studio album, Speak Now (2010), two years prior to its release. [1] She conceived the album as a collection of songs about the things she had wanted to but was unable to do with the people she had met in real life. [2] Speak Now was solely written by Swift, who co-produced it with Nathan Chapman. [3] [4] Swift was inspired to write "Haunted" after waking up of a disturbing realization of someone she was in love with drifting away. Because of that, she envisioned the music to "reflect the intensity of the emotion of the song is about", and brought Paul Buckmaster to arrange strings for it. Both of them recorded the strings at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles. [5]
"Haunted" was included as the twelfth track on Speak Now, which was released on October 25, 2010, by Big Machine Records. [6] An acoustic version of the song was also released as part of a Target-exclusive deluxe edition of the album. [7] The track debuted and peaked at number 61 on the Canadian Hot 100 [8] and number 63 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [9] It also reached number eight on the US Country Digital Song Sales and spent five weeks on the chart. [10] In November 2011, all of Speak Now's deluxe tracks became available for iTunes-exclusive download; Big Machine Records released the acoustic version of "Haunted" onto the platform on November 8. [11] [12] It re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 98 on the issue of November 26, 2011. [13]
On December 27, 2017, the song received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for reaching 500,000 units in the US. [14] In November 2023, the acoustic version was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for selling over 35,000 units in Australia; [15] the original also received the certification in January 2024. [16]
"Haunted" is 4 minutes and 2 seconds long. [17] It has an orchestral arrangement [18] containing sweeping violins, [19] tense accents, and dramatic countermelodies. [20] The production incorporates an alternating eighth-note line in the orchestral strings and the song's lead electric guitar, both of which mix to create an unabashed composite instrumental riff. [18] It also features a dramatic piano line [21] and heavy-sounding percussion [22] with a persistent drum line. [19]
Critics deemed the song one of Speak Now's tracks that experimented beyond Swift's country style. [a] Nate Jones of Vulture described the music as "Evanescence-style goth-rock", [29] while The New York Times ' journalist Jon Caramanica called it "anthemic arena rock". [26] The musicologist James E. Perone said that the song combined arena rock and contemporary styles with "big-production and musical theater". [18] Chris Willman from OurCountry stated that "Haunted" was musically the most dramatic on the album and thought the track had "Evanescence-qualities" to it. [30] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock agreed and attributed the sentiment to the song's groove. [31] Carena Liptak from Taste of Country thought the song recalled rock acts like the aforementioned band. [21] Roisin O'Connor of The Independent wrote that a number of musical elements were too dramatic for Swift. [32] Hannah Dailey of Billboard and James Rettig of Stereogum thought it veered into pop-punk. [33] [28] For The Morning Call , John J. Moser wrote that the song had "an almost emo vibe and dramatic approach". [25]
The lyrics of "Haunted" takes place at the end of a relationship with Swift's character pleading for her lover to not leave her. [34] The lover does depart from her, and she is tormented by the aftermath of their relationship: "Something's gone terribly wrong/You're all I wanted". [18] [30] She is also unable to forget the romance. [31] PopMatters ' Dave Heaton thought it was reminiscent of the film Vertigo (1958) and made the "breakup sound like death". [35]
Early and retrospective reviews for "Haunted" were generally positive. Critics commented on the production. Perone considered the song memorable and a highlight from Speak Now because of its composition. [18] Caramanica applauded Chapman's versatility as a producer on the album and picked "Haunted" as an example. [26] Jane Song from Paste said that Swift "should use more string instruments in her music". [36] Liptak believed that it was entertaining to see her exploring darker tones and that it has the "perfect musical treatment" for the narrative but thought it was "not quite beyond the point of no salvation". [21] Rettig wrote that how much the song would sound better if Swift executed it with a different production. [28]
Swift's vocals received commentary. The Los Angeles Times ' writer Ann Powers commended her on how she handled the song's climax. [37] Moser considered "Haunted" one of the best tracks from the album and an "impressive switch-up" and thought Swift's voice "overwrought over-reaching and crackling" was effective. [25] Willman, writing for Variety , believed that it was where she "had a touch of girlish shrillness in her voice" that although not technically skillful, "doesn't mean we can't feel a twinge of quaint nostalgia" of her excessive performance on the track. [38] Matthew Horton from BBC Music wrote that Swift's "[ripping] with her overwrought inner Bonnie Tyler" on the track was "less convincing" and made it sound misplaced on the album. [39] Jones said that she almost succeeded with "Haunted" but thought her voice was not strong enough to pull the "unrestrained performance" it intended. [29]
Critics also discussed the songwriting and lyrics. Dailey deemed the song mysterious and quaint, and a "banger" that "captures a darker strain of the magical themes" of the album. [33] A staff from Billboard deemed Swift's melodramatic songwriting on "Haunted" made it an "extremely compelling deep cut" and a standout because they thought it did not follow the formula of breakup songs. [22] Sam Gnerre of the Los Angeles Daily News thought the song was too long but said that it still contained her great skill of "crafting hooky choruses, melodic bridges and appealing vocal arrangements". [40] Hannah Mylrea from NME viewed the song a "younger sibling to Swift's fairy-tale epics" but felt it "[lacked] the nuance that some of her enchanting," ideal romances her other tracks have. [41]
On November 25, 2010, Swift performed "Haunted" during an NBC Speak Now Thanksgiving Special, which took place at the Psycho House in Universal Studios Hollywood; she was accompanied by a band with a string section. Rolling Stone 's Larisha Paul praised the emotion and vulnerability of the performance. [42] Swift included the song on the set list of her second headlining tour, Speak Now World Tour (2011–12), where aerial dancers dropped out of massive bells, which Swift hit with mallets as she performed. [43] [44] Kevin Coffey of Omaha World-Herald reported that the song's set was the biggest of the entire concert, and where Swift's voice was exceptionally strong at. [45]
Swift would sing "Haunted" outside the set lists of her later tours. It was performed during the first Glendale show of her Red Tour (2013–14) [46] and the second Landover show of her Reputation Stadium Tour (2018). [47] In the Eras Tour (2023–24), Swift sang the song as a standalone track with an acoustic guitar on the first show in Detroit [48] and as part of a mashup with her song "Exile" (2020) two times on the Sydney and Edinburgh stops of the tour. [49] She also performed "Haunted" in a mashup with her song "Wonderland" (2014) during an Eras Tour show in Vancouver. [49]
Chart (2010–11) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [8] | 61 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [9] | 63 |
US Country Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [10] | 8 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [16] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Australia (ARIA) [15] Acoustic version | Gold | 35,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [14] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
"Haunted (Taylor's Version)" | |
---|---|
Song by Taylor Swift | |
from the album Speak Now (Taylor's Version) | |
Released | July 7, 2023 |
Length | 4:05 |
Label | Republic |
Songwriter(s) | Taylor Swift |
Producer(s) |
|
Lyric video | |
"Haunted (Taylor's Version)" on YouTube |
Swift departed from Big Machine and signed a new contract with Republic Records in 2018. She began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020. [50] The decision followed a 2019 dispute between Swift and the talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine Records, over the masters of Swift's albums that the label had released. [51] [52] By re-recording the albums, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, which enabled her to encourage licensing of her re-recorded songs for commercial use in hopes of substituting the Big Machine-owned masters. [53] She denoted the re-recordings with a "Taylor's Version" subtitle. [54]
The re-recording of "Haunted" is titled "Haunted (Taylor's Version)" and was included on Speak Now (Taylor's Version) , the re-recording of Speak Now, which was released on July 7, 2023. [55] The song has more reverberation and three additional seconds compared to the original. [56] [57] Kate Solomon from the i said that the "high drama" of the re-recorded track gave her a new appreciation for it. [58] "Haunted (Taylor's Version)" peaked within the countries of Singapore (20), [59] the Philippines (25), [60] New Zealand (40), [61] Australia (48), [62] and Canada (55). [63] The song debuted and peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 [64] and number 22 on Hot Country Songs. [65] It also reached number 83 in the United Kingdom's Audio Streaming Chart. [66]
Adapted from Speak Now (Taylor's Version) digital album inline notes [67]
Chart (2023) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [62] | 48 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [63] | 55 |
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [68] | 53 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [61] | 40 |
Philippines ( Billboard ) [60] | 25 |
Singapore (RIAS) [59] | 20 |
UK Streaming (OCC) [66] | 83 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [64] | 50 |
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [65] | 22 |
"Fearless" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the title track of her second studio album, Fearless (2008). She wrote the track with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey, and produced it with Nathan Chapman. A country pop and pop rock song, "Fearless" is instrumented by booming drums and chiming guitars. Lyrically, it sees Swift's narrator embracing the romantic drive of a thrilling first date, allowing herself to live true to her heart.
"You're Not Sorry" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). The lyrics see Swift calling out an ex-boyfriend for his betrayal. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "You're Not Sorry" is a rock power ballad with a sound that critics describe as mournful or dramatic: its verses are driven by piano and fiddle, while its refrains incorporate dynamic, crescendoing electric guitars.
"Ours" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for the deluxe edition of her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). It was released to US country radio as the album's last single on December 5, 2011, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Ours" is an understated country pop ballad with a folk-influenced production. The lyrics depict a young couple's resilience to protect their relationship despite others' scrutiny.
Speak Now is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was 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.
"Mine" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the lead single from her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Big Machine Records released the song for download and to radio on August 4, 2010. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Mine" is a country pop and pop rock song. In its lyrics, it discusses the ups and downs of young love, inspired by Swift's tendency to run away from love for fears of heartbreak.
"Back to December" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Big Machine Records released it as the album's second single on November 15, 2010. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Back to December" is a country pop power ballad that incorporates a string section. Inspired by Swift's relationship with the actor Taylor Lautner, the lyrics are about a remorseful plea for forgiveness from a former lover.
"Speak Now" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It is the title track for her third studio album of the same name (2010), and was released for digital download as a promotional single on October 5, 2010, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Speak Now" is an acoustic guitar-driven country pop song with its refrain incorporating the 1950s rock chord progression. Lyrically, the track is about a protagonist interrupting a wedding in an attempt to win her ex-lover back. Swift was inspired to write it after learning that an ex-boyfriend of her friend would marry someone else.
"Mean" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Big Machine Records released the song to US country radio as the album's third single on March 13, 2011. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Mean" is a six-string banjo-led country pop and bluegrass track that incorporates hand claps, fiddles, and multitracked vocals. Inspired by critics of Swift, the lyrics narrate a protagonist's self-awareness of her own shortcomings, efforts to overcome the criticism, and ridicule of a "mean" antagonist.
"Sparks Fly" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Swift had written the track in 2006 and occasionally performed it live, and she recorded it for Speak Now after receiving fan requests to release it. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Sparks Fly" is a track combining pop rock, arena rock, and country; its production incorporates dynamic electric guitars and subtle fiddles. The lyrics are about temptations and reluctance caused by a dangerous love affair.
"The Story of Us" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). The international mix was released to radio in Europe on April 7, 2011 and the original version was sent to US pop radio on April 19, 2011, as the fourth single from the album. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the track combines pop-punk, dance-pop, new wave, and power pop, with a production consisting of fast-paced drums and dynamic electric guitars. For the lyrics, which are about the awkwardness between two parted lovers, Swift was inspired by her encounter with an ex-boyfriend at an awards show.
"Better than Revenge" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Swift and Nathan Chapman produced the track, which is an electric guitar-driven pop-punk song. In the lyrics, Swift's character addresses a romantic rival that stole her boyfriend, lambasting the sexual habits, tastes, and life choices of the other girl. "Better than Revenge" charted in Canada and the United States in 2010, and it was included in the set list of Swift's Speak Now World Tour (2011–2012).
Speak Now World Tour – Live is the first live album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on November 21, 2011, by Big Machine Records. It consists of two components: an audio CD and a visual accompaniment on DVD and Blu-ray. Recorded on Swift's Speak Now World Tour, which she embarked on to support her third studio album Speak Now, the live album consists of songs and performances on various dates.
"Long Live" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Long Live" is a heartland rock song featuring girl group harmonies and chiming rock guitars. The lyrics are about Swift's gratitude for her fans and bandmates, using high-school and royalty imagery to describe the accomplishments in the narrator's life.
"State of Grace" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fourth studio album, Red. To promote the album before its release, Big Machine Records released the song for download on October 16, 2012. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "State of Grace" is an arena rock song that uses chiming, feedback-drenched guitars and pounding drums. An acoustic version features as a deluxe-edition bonus track. The lyrics are about the tumultuous feelings evoked by the first signs of love.
"Everything Has Changed" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from Swift's fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the sixth single from the album on July 14, 2013, by Big Machine Records. A music video for the song was released earlier on June 6, 2013. Produced by Butch Walker, "Everything Has Changed" is a guitar-led folk-pop ballad. Its lyrics are about wanting to know a new lover better. The song received mixed reviews from critics, who either complimented or criticized the production.
"Innocent" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the song was written in response to Kanye West's interruption of her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, feeling the need to sympathize with him after the public outrage he received. A gentle pop and alternative country ballad with tender vocals, its lyrics are about a protagonist's encouragement of someone who has committed wrongdoings, claiming them to hold innocence and believing that they could redeem themself.
"Enchanted" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the song is a power ballad combining pop, rock, and country. The production incorporates gentle acoustic guitars and crescendos after each refrain, leading to dynamic electric guitars, a steady drum beat, and a vocal harmony-layered coda. In the lyrics, a narrator is infatuated with someone after meeting them for the first time, and she worries about whether the initial feeling will be reciprocated.
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"Dear John" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). The title references the Dear John letter, which is a letter written to a man by his romantic partner to inform him that their relationship is over. The lyrics describe a 19-year-old's toxic and inappropriate relationship with an older man. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Dear John" is a slow-burning power ballad combining soft rock, electric blues, and country pop; the production incorporates electric guitar licks.
"Never Grow Up" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). She wrote the track inspired by her own feelings about childhood and growing up and handled the production with Nathan Chapman. An acoustic guitar-led ballad, "Never Grow Up" deals with Swift's reflection and contemplation on her childhood. Critics interpreted the lyrics as a message to younger fans and girls about childhood and growing up.
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