"I Know Places" | |
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Song by Taylor Swift | |
from the album 1989 | |
Released | October 27, 2014 |
Studio | Conway Recording, Los Angeles |
Genre | Trip hop |
Length | 3:15 |
Label | Big Machine |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
|
Official audio | |
"I Know Places" on YouTube |
"I Know Places" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). She wrote the song with Ryan Tedder, and the two produced it with Noel Zancanella. A trip hop song with influences of reggae and trap in its instrumentation, "I Know Places" is about a couple's struggle with public scrutiny. Music critics generally praised the composition and imagery of "I Know Places", with some deeming it one of 1989's most vulnerable and underrated tracks, although a handful of them deemed it a weaker track in her discography.
"I Know Places" received gold certifications in Australia and the United States. Swift performed the song on the 1989 World Tour (2015) and as a surprise number in select shows in her future tours. Following a 2019 dispute over her masters, Swift re-recorded the song as "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)" for her fourth re-recorded studio album, 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023). Critics praised its increase in power in Swift's vocals compared to the original version.
The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift abandoned the country stylings of her past music and embraced a pop production for her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014), which she marketed as her "first official" pop album. [1] Her musical inspiration was 1980s synth-pop and its experimentation with synthesizers, drum pads, and overlapped vocals. [2] [3] She began writing the album in mid–2013 while touring in support of her fourth album, Red (2012), [4] and enlisted prominent contemporary pop producers including Ryan Tedder, whom she contacted via a Voice Memo. [5] [6] In that voice memo, Swift sang a demo of the chorus while playing a piano. [7]
During the production of 1989, Swift faced a lot of media scrutiny, which she said put her in a place where "no one is going to sign up for [a relationship]". Swift stated, "There are just too many cameras pointed at me. There are too many ridiculous elaborations about my life". She stated that wrote "I Know Places" after fantasizing about a relationship in which she "[met] someone awesome, and they were like, hey, I'm worried about all this attention you get", with Swift responding, "Hey, I know places we can hide. We could outrun them". [8] [9]
"I Know Places" is a trip hop song [10] about the pressures of public scrutiny. [11] With a length of three minutes and fifteen seconds, "I Know Places" is co-written by Swift and Tedder, who co-produced the track alongside Noel Zancanella. The song was recorded at Conway Recording, located at Los Angeles. [12] It contains influences of reggae and incorporates trap-inspired snare beats. [13] It takes a seemingly hopeless perspective on a lifestyle where nothing is private, [14] and Swift's need to "hide [her personal information] from the world". [15] It has angry and anthemic feels in the verses and chorus, which were praised by Cosmopolitan 's Eliza Thompson. [16] In an interview with Grammy Pro, Swift mentioned that the love she wrote about in "I Know Places" was similar to that of her 2016 single "Out of the Woods". [8] "I Know Places" portrays the paparazzi as people that "cage" celebrities and put them into "boxes", with the lyrics showing Swift "running from something" despite being painted as a role model to other people. [15] It builds up trap-influenced snare drums before launching into a chorus reminiscent of the American singer-songwriter Pat Benatar. [17] The song also focuses on Swift's desire to preserve an unstable relationship. [9]
In a ranking of Swift's entire catalog, Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone placed "I Know Places" at number 115, describing it as "underrated" and saying that Swift "goes all Kate Bush" in the song". [18] While ranking every track on 1989's standard edition, Christine DiStasio of Bustle ranked "I Know Places" at number four, praising the song's intense imagery and suspense and claiming that it was unsuspected by anyone. DiStasio deemed "I Know Places" 1989's most vulnerable track, believing that it made her worried about Swift's well-being. [19] [20] Lindsay Zoladz, writing for Vulture , compared "I Know Places" to the soundtrack of the dystopian film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014). Zoladz thought that the song was inspired by the "moody" and "electro-minimalist" vibe of the New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde, who curated the soundtrack album to the film. [21] [22] The Independent 's Roisin O'Connor ranked "I Know Places" 34th out of 100 select album tracks of Swift, praising the way Swift sounds "delightfully menacing" with the lyrics: "Loose links sink ships all the damn time/ Not this time". However, O'Connor also described the song as an inferior version of "Out of the Woods". [23] Nate Jones, writing for Vulture, criticized the song's "lack of universality" but praised its "slice of gothic pop-star paranoia", which gave 1989 a "much-needed bit of edge". [10] In a ranking of Swift's entire catalog, Jones ranked "I Know Places" at number 122 in 2024. [24]
Big Machine Records released 1989 on October 27, 2014; "I Know Places" is number 12 on the standard track listing. [12] The song received received gold certifications in Australia (ARIA) [25] and the United States (RIAA). [26]
Swift performed "I Know Places" as part of the permanent setlist of the 1989 World Tour (2015), during which Swift wears thigh-high black boots and garters. [27] The song's intense lyrics and production are accompanied by a performance of Swift being chased by the masked dancers through multiple mobile doors as she sings "They are the hunters / We are the foxes". [28] [29] Outside the 1989 World Tour, Swift performed the song as a surprise song during the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) (Tokyo, first show) and the Eras Tour (2023–2024) (Los Angeles, fifth show). [30] [31] During the first Edinburgh show of the Eras Tour, Swift performed "I Know Places" in a mashup with "Would've, Could've, Should've" (2022). [31] The Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy recorded a video of him covering "I Know Places" to his YouTube channel. [32] Swift described his cover as "so mesmerizing" and "so pretty". [33] The American singer-songwriter Ryan Adams covered the song as part of his track by track cover of 1989. [11]
Adapted from the liner notes of 1989. [12]
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
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Canada Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [34] | 51 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA) [25] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [26] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
"I Know Places (Taylor's Version)" | |
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Song by Taylor Swift | |
from the album 1989 (Taylor's Version) | |
Released | October 27, 2023 |
Studio | Mandarin Oriental, Milan |
Length | 3:15 |
Label | Republic |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
Lyric video | |
"I Know Places (Taylor's Version)" on YouTube |
After signing a new contract with Republic Records, Swift began re-recording her first six studio albums in November 2020. [35] The decision followed a public 2019 dispute between Swift and talent manager Scooter Braun, who acquired Big Machine Records, including the masters of Swift's albums which the label had released. [36] [37] By re-recording the albums, Swift had full ownership of the new masters, which enabled her to control the licensing of her songs for commercial use. In doing so, she hoped that the re-recorded songs would substitute the Big Machine–owned masters. [38]
The re-recording of "I Know Places", subtitled "Taylor's Version" was released as part of 1989's re-recording, 1989 (Taylor's Version) (2023). [39] Swift produced "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)" with Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella, who reprised their co-production roles. [40] The re-recording is also three minutes and fifteen seconds long, but is recorded at Mandarin Oriental, located in Milan, instead. [41] Upon release, all songs on 1989 (Taylor's Version) entered the US Billboard Hot 100, with "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)" peaking at 36. [42] The re-recording also charted in Canada (35), [43] Greece (41), [44] New Zealand (32), [45] the United Kingdom (38), [46] and the Billboard Global 200 (30). [47]
Rachel Martin of Notion praised its uptick in emotion in the vocals of "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)", alongside its "more powerful end", and the addition of more "depth and emotion" made by a few tweaks in the bridge of the song. [48] Kelsey Barnes of The Line of Best Fit hailed the re-recording as one of the best re-recordings on 1989 (Taylor's Version), elaborating that it is "more guttural" and hypothesizing that Swift "[channeled] her anger" at media scrutiny into the recording. [49] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine praised Swift's vocals' soar in power in "I Know Places (Taylor's Version)". [50]
Adapted from the liner notes of 1989 (Taylor's Version). [41]
Chart (2023) | Peak position |
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Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [43] | 35 |
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [47] | 30 |
Greece International (IFPI) [44] | 41 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [45] | 32 |
UK Streaming (OCC) [46] | 38 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [51] | 36 |
"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.
Ryan Benjamin Tedder is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder, frontman and lead vocalist for the pop rock band OneRepublic, while also serving as a prolific contributor—by songwriting and production—to material for other artists since the mid-2000s.
Noel Patrick Zancanella is an American record producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. He has written and produced songs for rock and pop artists such as Taylor Swift, OneRepublic, Maroon 5, B.o.B., Gym Class Heroes, Gavin DeGraw, and Colbie Caillat.
"Neon Lights" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato from her fourth studio album, Demi (2013). The song was released as the album's third single on November 19, 2013 by Hollywood Records. Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella produced and co-wrote the song along with Lovato, Mario Marchetti and Tiffany Vartanyan. On September 29, 2013, Lovato announced the name of her concert tour, the Neon Lights Tour, and soon after that "Neon Lights" would become the third single from the album. The song, with its prominent EDM and four-on-the-floor influences, covered new ground for Lovato, who had been previously known for her pop rock and ballad singles. Its accompanying music video was released on November 21, 2013.
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.
"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 19, 2014, to market 1989 as Swift's first pop album after her previous country–styled sound.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"Clean" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Written and produced by Swift and the British musician Imogen Heap, the track is a steady soft rock, dream pop, and synth-folk ballad with an electronic production. Its lyrics depict difficulty in letting go of a broken relationship.
"Delicate" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her sixth studio album, Reputation (2017). She wrote the song with the producers Max Martin and Shellback. Inspired by events surrounding Swift's celebrity and personal life, the lyrics depict a narrator's vulnerability when she ponders if her reputation would affect the blossoming romance. "Delicate" is an electropop and synth-pop ballad that features vocals manipulated with a vocoder. Its production incorporates dense synthesizers and beats that evoke tropical house and dancehall.
"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.
"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, synth-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.
"Question...?" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022). Written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, it is a minimalist electropop and synth-pop track that incorporates synth tones and sharp drum machine beats. The song contains a vocal sample of Swift's 2014 track "Out of the Woods". In the lyrics, Swift's narrator confronts an ex-lover with questions regarding their past behaviors and what could have happened differently.
1989 (Taylor's Version) is the fourth re-recorded album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 27, 2023, by Republic Records. A re-recording of Swift's fifth studio album, 1989 (2014), it is part of her ongoing re-recording projects following the 2019 dispute over the masters of her back catalog. It was announced at the final Los Angeles show of the Eras Tour on August 9, 2023.
"All You Had to Do Was Stay" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). Swift wrote the song with Max Martin, who produced it with Shellback and Mattman & Robin. The lyrics were inspired by a dream where Swift asked an ex-lover to stay when he was leaving, and the track's refrain incorporates her high-pitched voice shouting "stay". Musically, the synth-pop song incorporates an electronic groove consisting of dense synths, drum pads, and processed backing vocals.
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