How You Get the Girl

Last updated
"How You Get the Girl"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album 1989
Genre Synth-pop
Length4:07
Label Big Machine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
"How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album 1989 (Taylor's Version)
Genre Synth-pop
Length4:07
Label Big Machine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"How You Get the Girl" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Co-written and produced by Swedish record producers Max Martin and Shellback, the song is track 10 from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). "How You Get the Girl" is a song about a woman giving her ex-boyfriend a guide on how to get back together after their breakup. Critics praised its catchiness, although a handful of them criticized its immaturity. "How You Get the Girl" was used in a Diet Coke commercial, and was part of the permanent setlist of the 1989 World Tour (2015). It's choreography on said tour was inspired by the 1952 musical, Singin' in the Rain .

Contents

Following a dispute over her masters, Swift re-recorded the song as "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" for her fourth re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023). The re-recording received general praise for its sonic similarity to its original counterpart, alongside Swift's matured vocals.

Background and release

Taylor Swift had identified as a country musician until her fourth studio album, Red , which was released on October 22, 2012. [1] Red incorporates eclectic pop and rock styles beyond the country stylings of Swift's past albums, which led to critics questioning her country-music identity. [2] Swift began writing songs for her fifth studio album in mid-2013 while touring on the Red Tour. [3] Inspired by 1980s synth-pop, she named the album 1989 after her birth year to signify an artistic reinvention: she described it as her first "official pop album". [4] [5]

On 1989, Swift worked with Max Martin as executive producers. Martin and Shellback produced seven out of 13 tracks for 1989's standard edition, including "How You Get the Girl". [6] [7] The song was released on October 27, 2014 as part of 1989; "How You Get the Girl" is track 10 on the album and lasts for four minutes and seven seconds. [6] "How You Get the Girl" charted in Canada (81) [8] and the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100. [9] The song received a platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), [10] a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), [11] and a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [12]

Following a dispute over the masters of her first six albums with her previous record label Big Machine, Swift re-recorded and re-released "How You Get the Girl", subtitled "Taylor's Version" as part of her fourth re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor's Version), on October 27, 2023. [13] The song is produced by Swift and Christopher Rowe, and is four minutes and seven seconds long. [14] "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" peaked in Canada (34), [15] New Zealand (31), [16] Billboard Hot 100 (40) [17] and Global 200 (29). [18]

Music and critical reception

"How You Get the Girl" is a synth-pop song [19] where Swift gives instructions on how to get her affections to an ex-lover [20] six months after their relationship ends. [21] The song is also about taking a good relationship for granted and letting it, only to want it back. [22] The song has a guitar-based instrumental [23] supported by bass beats. [24]

Alex Kritselis of Bustle regarded "How You Get the Girl" as a "lightweight" song, but complimented its "stompin' beat and totally irresistible chorus", applauding its worth as a potential single from 1989 and comparing it to her 2013 single, "22". [20] Bradly Burgess of The Argonaut complimented the song's catchiness and danceability. [25] Isabelle Porter of Redbrick Reviews connected the song to "Paper Rings" (2019), commending its catchiness. [19]

On a less positive side, John Caramanica of The New York Times regarded the song ineffective, elaborating that she sounds "least jaded" in the song, alongside her 2014 promotional single, "Welcome to New York". [26] Courteney Larocca of Business Insider called the song a "bathroom break" song with a bad message in the name of "girl code". [21] Additionally, Callie Alghrim compared the song to Radio Disney songs, calling it "basic" and "juvenile". [27]

"How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" received generally positive reviews from critics. Mary Randolph of The Daily Northwestern complimented the "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)"'s sonic similarity to its original counterpart, as well as the increase in maturity of her voice. [28] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine applauded the increase in heft in the re-recording. [29] However, Kimberly Tyson of The Dickinsonian regarded the chorus of "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)" as "stitled and cut-off". [30]

Live performances and usage in media

The performance of "How You Get the Girl" was accompanied by a Singin' in the Rain-inspired choreography. Taylor Swift 7 (18912291189).jpg
The performance of "How You Get the Girl" was accompanied by a Singin' in the Rain -inspired choreography.

"How You Get the Girl" was used in a Diet Coke advertisement, where more cats appear whenever Swift takes a sip of a can of coke. [31] [20] "How You Get the Girl" is also part of the permanent setlist of the 1989 World Tour (2015), where Swift performs it wearing a pink two-piece light up dress, accompanied by choreography inspired by the 1952 musical, Singin' in the Rain. Backup dancers perform the choreography with neon umbrellas. [32] [33] Outside the 1989 World Tour, Swift performed the song on acoustic guitar during the second Dublin show of the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) [34] and the third Atlanta show of the Eras Tour (2023-4). [35] [36] Additionally, during the final Stockholm show of the Eras Tour, Swift performed it as part of a medley with singles "Message in a Bottle" (2021) and "New Romantics" (2016), in dedication to Martin. [37]

Personnel

Adapted from the liner notes of 1989 (Taylor's Version)

Charts

Chart performance for "How You Get the Girl"
Chart (2014)Peak

position

Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [8] 81
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [9] 4
Chart performance for "How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)"
Chart (2023)Peak

position

Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [15] 34
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [18] 29
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [16] 31
US Billboard Hot 100 [17] 40

Certifications

Certifications for "How You Get the Girl"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [10] Platinum70,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [11] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [12] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Romantics (song)</span> 2016 single by Taylor Swift

"New Romantics" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who wrote it with the producers Max Martin and Shellback. The title is a reference to a cultural movement of the 1970s and 1980s, whose new wave musical style influenced the song's synth-pop production and pulsating synthesizers. The lyrics are about reigniting one's hopes and energy after emotional hardships.

<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">Fearless (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2010 single by Taylor Swift

"Fearless" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the title track of her 2008 album Fearless. Swift wrote the song in 2006 with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey while promoting her first album Taylor Swift, and she produced it with Nathan Chapman. She placed it first on Fearless's track listing because she thought it encompassed the album's overarching theme; the song's lyrics are about a perfect first date despite its uncertainties. The production is country pop and pop rock and incorporates dynamic guitars. Big Machine Records released "Fearless" to US country radio as the album's fifth and final single on January 4, 2010.

<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">Long Live (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2010 song by Taylor Swift

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Knew You Were Trouble</span> 2012 single by Taylor Swift

"I Knew You Were Trouble" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fourth studio album, Red (2012). Swift wrote the song with its producers, Max Martin and Shellback. A dance-pop, pop rock, and teen pop song with a dubstep refrain, "I Knew You Were Trouble" features electric guitars and synthesizers, with lyrics that talk about self-blame after a toxic relationship. The dubstep production divided music critics, who noted it as a radical move from Swift's previous country pop songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">22 (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2013 single by Taylor Swift

"22" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the album's fourth single on March 12, 2013, by Big Machine Records. Written and produced by Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback, "22" combines pop styles such as dance-pop and bubblegum with disco and 1990s rock. The track begins with an acoustic guitar riff and progresses into an upbeat refrain which incorporates pulsing synthesizers and syncopated bass drums. The lyrics celebrate being 22 years old while acknowledging the heartache that the narrator experienced in the past.

"All Too Well" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Written by Swift and Liz Rose, the song was first produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman for her fourth studio album, Red (2012). After a 2019 dispute regarding the ownership of Swift's masters, she re-recorded the song as "Taylor's Version" and released an unabridged "10 Minute Version" as part of the re-recorded album Red in November 2021.

"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.

<i>1989</i> (album) 2014 album by Taylor Swift

1989 is the fifth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 27, 2014, by Big Machine Records. Executive produced by Swift and the Swedish producer Max Martin, it was Swift's effort to recalibrate her artistic identity from country to pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake It Off</span> 2014 single by Taylor Swift

"Shake It Off" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the lead single from her fifth studio album, 1989. She wrote the song with its producers, Max Martin and Shellback. Inspired by the media scrutiny on Swift's public image, the lyrics are about her indifference to detractors and their negative remarks. An uptempo dance-pop song, it features a looping drum beat, a saxophone line, and a handclap–based bridge. Big Machine Records released "Shake It Off" on August 18, 2014, to market 1989 as Swift's first pop album after her previous country–styled sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of the Woods</span> 2016 single by Taylor Swift

"Out of the Woods" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift wrote and produced the song with Jack Antonoff. With lyrics inspired by a failed relationship and the ensuing anxieties that Swift experienced, "Out of the Woods" is a synth-pop song with elements of Eurodance and indietronica and features heavy synthesizers, looping drums, and layered background vocals.

"Welcome to New York" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Written by Swift and Ryan Tedder, the song was inspired by Swift's relocation to New York City in April 2014. Its lyrics explore a newfound freedom in the city and a lighthearted attitude towards past heartbreaks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blank Space</span> 2014 single by Taylor Swift

"Blank Space" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the second single from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift wrote the song with its producers, Max Martin and Shellback. Inspired by the media scrutiny on Swift's love life that affected her girl-next-door reputation, "Blank Space" portrays a flirtatious woman with multiple romantic attachments. It is an electropop track with a minimal arrangement consisting of synthesizers, hip hop-influenced beats, and layered vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Style (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2015 single by Taylor Swift

"Style" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the third single from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). She wrote the track with its producers Max Martin, Shellback, and Ali Payami. An incorporation of pop, funk, disco, and electronic styles, "Style" is built on an electric guitar riff, pulsing synthesizers, and dense vocal reverb. The lyrics are about a couple who could not escape from an unhealthy relationship because they are never "out of style". Big Machine in partnership with Republic Records released the song to US radio on February 9, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2015 single by Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar

"Bad Blood" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). She wrote the song with the Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback. It is a pop song using keyboards and hip hop–inspired drum beats, and the lyrics are about betrayal by a close friend. A remix featuring the American rapper Kendrick Lamar, with additional lyrics by Lamar and production by the Swedish musician Ilya, was released to radio as 1989's fourth single on May 17, 2015, by Big Machine and Republic Records.

"This Love" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift produced the song with Nathan Chapman. An atmospheric ballad, "This Love" combines soft rock and synth-pop. Its lyrics use oceanic imagery to describe the revival of a faded romance.

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Message in a Bottle (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2021 single by Taylor Swift

"Message in a Bottle" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was her first writing collaboration with Max Martin and Shellback. The song was intended for but excluded from her fourth studio album, Red (2012). Shellback and Elvira Anderfjärd produced the track for Swift's re-recorded album, Red (2021). "Message in a Bottle" is a 1980s-influenced dance-pop and electropop song with lyrics about the anxiety from falling in love.

"Treacherous" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her fourth studio album, Red (2012). Swift wrote the track with its producer Dan Wilson. Blending styles of country and pop, "Treacherous" is a slow-burning ballad that builds up into a finale. Its lyrics are about a narrator's attempt to protect a fragile and dangerous relationship. A demo of the song was included in the tracklist of Red's deluxe edition.

References

  1. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (October 30, 2012). "Taylor Swift's Red Sells 1.21 Million; Biggest Sales Week for an Album Since 2002". Billboard . Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  2. ↑ Light, Alan (December 5, 2014). "Billboard Woman of the Year Taylor Swift on Writing Her Own Rules, Not Becoming a Cliche and the Hurdle of Going Pop". Billboard . Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  3. ↑ Talbott, Chris (October 13, 2013). "Taylor Swift Talks Next Album, CMAs and Ed Sheeran". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  4. ↑ Eells, Josh (September 16, 2014). "Taylor Swift Reveals Five Things to Expect on 1989" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  5. ↑ Sisario, Ben (November 5, 2014). "Sales of Taylor Swift's 1989 Intensify Streaming Debate" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Taylor Swift (2014). 1989 (CD liner notes). Big Machine Records. BMRBD0500A.
  7. ↑ Zollo, Paul (February 12, 2015). "The Oral History of Taylor Swift's 1989". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2024– via Cuepoint.
  8. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  10. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – All You Had to Do Was Stay". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  12. 1 2 "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – All You Had to Do Was Stay". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  13. ↑ Vassell, Nicole (October 27, 2023). "Taylor Swift Fans Celebrate As Pop Star Releases 1989 (Taylor's Version)" . The Independent . Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ 1989 (Taylor's Version) (Compact disc liner notes). Taylor Swift. Republic Records. 2023. 0245597656.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. 1 2 "Taylor Siwft Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  16. 1 2 "Taylor Swift – How You Get the Girl (Taylor's Version)". Top 40 Singles.
  17. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  18. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard.
  19. 1 2 "Redbrick Reviews: 1989 (Taylor's Version) | Redbrick Music". Redbrick. 2023-12-02. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  20. 1 2 3 "Taylor Swift Song "How You Get the Girl" Should Make Fans of "22" Happy". Bustle. 2014-10-27. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  21. 1 2 Larocca, Courteney. "17 of the best and 17 of the worst Taylor Swift songs of all time". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  22. ↑ Hopper, Alex (2023-11-03). "The Meaning Behind the Apologetic "How You Get The Girl" by Taylor Swift". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  23. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (2024-04-25). "All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  24. ↑ Norton, Bea (2023-11-03). "REVIEW: Taylor Swift proves her knowledge of pop doesn't stop with '1989 (Taylor's Version)'". The University Daily Kansan. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  25. ↑ Manager, Web (2014-11-13). "Album review: '1989' by Taylor Swift". The Argonaut. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  26. ↑ Caramanica, John (October 23, 2014). "A Farewell to Twang". The New York Times.
  27. ↑ Ahlgrim, Callie. "The 5 best and 5 worst songs on Taylor Swift's new album '1989 (Taylor's Version)'". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  28. ↑ Randolph, Mary (2023-10-30). "'1989 (Taylor's Version)' reminds us Taylor Swift will 'never go out of style'". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  29. ↑ Keefe, Jonathan (2023-10-30). "Taylor Swift '1989 (Taylor's Version)' Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  30. ↑ Tyson, Kimberly. "1989 (Taylor's Version): A disappointing remake". The Dickinsonian. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  31. ↑ "Taylor Swift's Cats: All About Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  32. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (July 11, 2015). "Taylor Swift's Epic '1989' Tour: Every Night With Us Is Like a Dream" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  33. ↑ Pollock, David (June 27, 2015). "Taylor Swift, Hydro Glasgow, gig review: Two-hour hyperactive spectacle is a triumph for both the artist and her fans". The Independent . Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  34. ↑ 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 July 21, 2023.
  35. ↑ Iasimone, Ashley (August 20, 2024). "All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on The Eras Tour (So Far)". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  36. ↑ Smith, Katie (September 4, 2024). "Every Surprise Song Performed On Taylor Swift's Eras Tour So Far". Capital FM. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  37. ↑ West, Bryan. "Taylor Swift performs 'Max Martin Medley' in Sweden on final night of Stockholm Eras Tour: Watch". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
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.