My Tears Ricochet

Last updated

"My Tears Ricochet"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Folklore
ReleasedJuly 24, 2020 (2020-07-24)
Studio
  • Kitty Committee Studio (Los Angeles)
  • Long Pond (Hudson Valley)
Genre
Length4:15
Label Republic
Songwriter(s) Taylor Swift
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"My Tears Ricochet" on YouTube

"My Tears Ricochet" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). She produced the song with Jack Antonoff and Joe Alwyn. [lower-alpha 1] "My Tears Ricochet" infuses arena and gothic styles of rock music and gospel. The production incorporates choir-inflected layered vocals, mellow synths, and shuddering drums, bringing forth a soundscape that critics described as haunting and sorrowful. Its lyrics are a narration by the ghost of a dead woman, which finds its murderer, who she once loved dearly, at its own funeral.

Contents

Critics received "My Tears Ricochet" with rave reviews, who praised the concept, imagery, emotion, vocals and production. Upon release, the song peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and in the top 15 of the singles charts in Australia, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. "My Tears Ricochet" was included on the set list of Swift's sixth headlining concert tour, the Eras Tour (2023–2024).

Background and release

"My Tears Ricochet" was the first track written for the album, penned by Swift alone. [2] Album co-producer Aaron Dessner regarded the song as a "beacon" for the record. [3] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly , Swift said that, following the sale of her master recordings to Scooter Braun, narratives around divorce had been triggering her, and she incorporated imagery of the end of marriage into "My Tears Ricochet", writing the first lines of the song after watching the 2019 film Marriage Story , which tells the story of a divorce. [2] [4]

I found myself being very triggered by any stories, movies, or narratives revolving around divorce, which felt weird because I haven't experienced it directly. There's no reason it should cause me so much pain, but all of a sudden it felt like something I had been through. I think that happens any time you've been in a 15-year relationship and it ends in a messy, upsetting way. So I wrote "My Tears Ricochet" and I was using a lot of imagery that I had conjured up while comparing a relationship ending to when people end an actual marriage. All of a sudden this person that you trusted more than anyone in the world is the person that can hurt you the worst. Then all of a sudden the things that you have been through together, hurt. All of a sudden, the person who was your best friend is now your biggest nemesis, etc. etc. etc. I think I wrote some of the first lyrics to that song after watching Marriage Story and hearing about when marriages go wrong and end in such a catastrophic way.

— Swift's on how "My Tears Ricochet" stemmed from her dispute with Big Machine, Entertainment Weekly [5]

Swift announced her eighth studio album, Folklore , on July 23, 2020. She revealed the track-list, where "My Tears Ricochet" placed fifth. In the primer that preceded the release, Swift described "My Tears Ricochet" as imageries of "an embittered tormentor showing up at the funeral of his fallen object of obsession" and "battleships sinking down into the ocean, down, down, down". [6]

Composition and lyrics

"My Tears Ricochet" is an icy arena-goth [7] and gospel ballad [8] with hints of synth-pop, [9] about the specter of a dead woman haunting her murderer. [10] [8] The track subsequently utilized funereal symbolism to depict the effect of total betrayal. [2] The song sees Swift's vocals range from C3 to F5, and was written in a C major key with a moderate tempo of 130 beats per minute. [11] [12] It encompasses a twinkling music box, backing choir, reverbed ad-libs in the bridge, and reaches a tumultuous climax over shuddering drums. [13] [14] Backing vocals on the track are provided by producer Jack Antonoff. [15]

Lyrically, "My Tears Ricochet" sees the narrator question whether they deserve their mistreatment, and admit that she chose not to "go with grace" by haunting the memorial. The song enquires why the former lover chose to attend her funeral despite "cursing [her] name" and compares their disoriented relationship to sunken battleships in the sea. [16] The song's lyrics and symbols reference Swift's masters dispute, and the bitter ending of her ties with the founder of Big Machine, Scott Borchetta. [4] Apart from the overarching funereal motif, Swift uses the imagery of battleships sinking into an ocean, to draw a dramatic picture of how it feels to make one wrong move and lose something enormous. [17]

Critical reception

Swift performing "My Tears Ricochet" on the Eras Tour (2023) Taylor Swift Eras Tour - Arlington TX 20230331 - My Tears Ricochet (cropped).jpg
Swift performing "My Tears Ricochet" on the Eras Tour (2023)

"My Tears Ricochet" received widespread acclaim from music critics, praising the song's concept, lyrics, imagery, emotion, Swift's vocals and production. Writing for NME , Hannah Mylrea drew comparisons between "My Tears Ricochet" and "Clean" from Swift's record 1989 , remarking that "a megawatt pop song is encased in layered vocals and twinkling music box instrumentals". [18] Jody Rosen of the Los Angeles Times said in a review that the track built up to "a tumultuous climax", and that the track was "goth, like Chartres Cathedral is goth". [19] Billboard 's Jason Lipshutz wrote that the song "builds into a sorrowful anthem", and that "a bitter parting becomes a literal death". [15] In a piece for Slant Magazine , Eric Mason named this track "one of Folklore’s most straightforwardly resentful stories", saying that "the sharp beats of strings on the chorus recall the bridges of early-2010s Swift songs", comparing it with "Mad Woman" and "Cruel Summer". [20] Ann Powers of NPR deemed the song "more sophisticated" than Swift's previous writing while remaining "classic Taylor Swift", and stated that the singer takes an event "specific almost only to her, and opens it up into something universal ... because we have all experienced a sense of betrayal and loss of self-ownership." [21] Lucy Harbron of Clash wrote "My Tears Ricochet" is one of Swift's most "gut-wrenching" songs; she said the track "turns into a funeral lament that perfectly vocalises all the sadness and anger and displacement that comes with a mega heartbreak." [22]

Commercial performance

Driven by Folklore's release, "My Tears Ricochet" opened at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100, amongst the album's 10 tracks to chart inside the top 40 and five to enter the top 20; it charted for two weeks before its exit. The song further reached number 3 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. [23] It also reached number 7 on the Singaporean and Malayasian singles charts, number 8 on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart, and number 14 on the Canadian Hot 100.

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from Tidal, except where noted. [24]

Charts

Certification

Certifications for "My Tears Ricochet"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [36] Platinum70,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [37] Gold400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Note

  1. 1 2 3 In the liner notes of Folklore, only Swift and Antonoff are credited as producers. The Recording Academy recognized Alwyn as the track's co-producer after Folklore won Album of the Year at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. [1]

Related Research Articles

"Mirrorball" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). She wrote the song as a tribute to her fans, after she cancelled a planned concert tour to support her seventh studio album Lover (2019) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Produced by Swift and co-writer Jack Antonoff, "Mirrorball" is a dream pop, jangle pop, and indie folk song with flavors of country music, accompanied by reverbed, gentle guitars, vocal harmonies, and live drums. Lyrically, the narrator likens herself to a fragile disco ball and sings about doing anything to keep her audience entertained.

<i>Folklore</i> (Taylor Swift album) 2020 studio album by Taylor Swift

Folklore is the eighth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was a surprise album, released on July 24, 2020, via Republic Records. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Swift canceled the concert tour for her seventh studio album Lover (2019). She conceived Folklore during quarantine as "a collection of songs and stories that flowed like a stream of consciousness", working with producers Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff virtually; Dessner and Antonoff operated from recording studios in the Hudson Valley and New York City, respectively, while Swift recorded her vocals in a home studio at her Los Angeles residence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardigan (song)</span> 2020 single by Taylor Swift

"Cardigan" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the lead single from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). Republic Records released the song on July 27, 2020. Written by Swift and its producer, Aaron Dessner, "Cardigan" is a folk, soft rock, and indie rock ballad, with a stripped-down arrangement of a piano, drums, and violins.

"Peace" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). Swift wrote the song with its producer, Aaron Dessner. According to Swift, "Peace" is her most personal song on Folklore. It has a minimal composition of a soft piano and harmonized guitars over an electric pulse, combining elements of R&B, funk, and jazz. In the lyrics, Swift's character pledges her commitment to a lover while acknowledging the downsides she might bring to their relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betty (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2020 single by Taylor Swift

"Betty" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). It was written by Swift and Joe Alwyn, and the former produced the track with Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff. MCA Nashville and Republic Records released the song to US country radio on August 17, 2020. "Betty" is an Americana-inspired song combining country, folk rock, and guitar pop. Its production consists of a harmonica, a pedal steel, guitars, and a key change after the bridge.

"August" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). Swift wrote and produced "August" with Jack Antonoff; Joe Alwyn was credited as a co-producer. A dream pop and guitar pop ballad, "August" features elements of soft rock in its guitars, strings, and vocal reverberation. In the lyrics, an unnamed female narrator expresses her sorrow over James, a 17-year-old boy who reconciles with Betty after a fleeting summer romance with her. She is a character involved in a love triangle depicted in three Folklore tracks, the other two being "Cardigan" and "Betty".

"Seven" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). Swift co-wrote the song with its producer, Aaron Dessner. "Seven" is a folk song with nostalgic lyricism. It blends present and past perspectives: a 30-year-old narrator introspecting on her childhood in Pennsylvania while recalling the purity of her relationship with an old friend and the then 7-year-old narrator incapable of understanding the domestic violence her friend had experienced but realizing it years later. The song is led by Swift's upper register over a swirling piano line, complemented by acoustic guitars, drums, and strings.

"Exile" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring the American band Bon Iver. It is from Swift's eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). "Exile" was written by Swift, Joe Alwyn, and Bon Iver's frontman Justin Vernon, with production by Aaron Dessner and Alwyn. Republic Records released the song to US alternative radio on August 3, 2020.

"Illicit Affairs" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It is taken from her eighth studio album, Folklore, which was released on July 24, 2020. The track was written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, and Joe Alwyn was credited as co-producer. "Illicit Affairs" is an acoustic guitar-led folk love song describing an infidelity of a narrator wanting to maintain her deceitful relationship.

"Invisible String" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, Aaron Dessner. The lyrics are about how fate brings two soulmates together and refer to specific moments from their lives, containing references to the literature classics Jane Eyre and The Sun Also Rises. Musically, "Invisible String" is a folk tune with elements of blues, pop, and country. Its spare acoustic arrangement is driven by acoustic guitar strums on a rubber bridge and vocal backbeats.

"Mad Woman" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). The song was written by Swift and its producer, Aaron Dessner. "Mad Woman" is a ballad that confronts gaslighting and the sexist taboo regarding women's anger.

"Hoax" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It is the final track of the standard edition of her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). Swift wrote the track with its producer, Aaron Dessner. A slow-paced piano ballad, "Hoax" is about a flawed but everlasting relationship; Swift describes the details using motifs and imagery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lakes (song)</span> 2020 song by Taylor Swift

"The Lakes" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from the deluxe edition of her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). Written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, "The Lakes" is a midtempo indie ballad, set to acoustic guitar and strings, with themes of introspection and escapism that reflect on Swift's semi-retirement in Windermere, the largest natural lake in England.

"The 1" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the opening track from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, Aaron Dessner. Republic Records released "The 1" for download on October 9, 2020, in Germany. A folk and soft rock tune with elements of indie folk, it has a production consisting of piano and percussion. In the lyrics, the narrator positively introspects a failed romance, detailing the time when she found "the one" who never came to be.

"Champagne Problems" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). She wrote the song with Joe Alwyn, who is credited under the pseudonym William Bowery, and produced it with Aaron Dessner. "Champagne Problems" is a lo-fi tune driven by a rhythmic composition of piano and guitar riff.

"Coney Island" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020), featuring the American band the National. Joe Alwyn co-wrote the song under the pseudonym William Bowery. The National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner co-wrote and produced the song, and Matt Berninger contributed guest vocals. Republic Records sent "Coney Island" to US adult album alternative radio as a single on January 18, 2021.

"Long Story Short" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, Aaron Dessner. "Long Story Short" is an upbeat song that consists of dynamic programmed and live drums, synths, strings, and guitars; music critics characterize the genre as synth-pop, electropop, folk-pop, and indie rock. The lyrics see Swift reminiscing about a dark part of her past and her contentment with a current state of mind.

"That's When" is a song by Taylor Swift featuring Keith Urban. Swift wrote the song with the Warren Brothers when she was 14, and she recorded it with Urban for her first re-recorded album, Fearless (2021), the re-recording of her 2008 studio album Fearless. Produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, "That's When" is one of the six unreleased "From the Vault" tracks on Fearless .

"This Is Me Trying" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). It was written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, and Joe Alwyn was credited as co-producer. The track is an orchestral pop and dream pop tune with a production featuring an organ, slow-paced beats, and horns. "This Is Me Trying" was inspired by Swift's state of mind during 2016 and 2017, when she said she was at her lowest. The narrator of "This Is Me Trying" proclaims themselves as an unwanted person who struggles with existentialism and alcoholism.

"Sweet Nothing" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022). Swift wrote the song with Joe Alwyn, who is credited under the pseudonym William Bowery, and produced it with Jack Antonoff. An electric piano-led ballad, "Sweet Nothing" features a bedroom pop production that is reminiscent of 1970s ballads. It is accompanied by saxophone and clarinet accents. The lyrics are about a narrator's appreciation of her lover for his calming presence and simple gestures amidst the chaos of the outer world.

References

  1. ↑ Grein, Paul (April 26, 2021). "Taylor Swift's Boyfriend Joe Alwyn Is Officially a Grammy Winner". Billboard . Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Suskind, Alex (December 9, 2020). "Taylor Swift broke all her rules with 'Folklore' — and gave herself a much-needed escape". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. ↑ Gerber, Brady (July 27, 2020). "As Told to July 27, 2020 The Story Behind Every Song on Taylor Swift's folklore". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Gallagher, Alex (December 9, 2020). "Taylor Swift wrote early 'My Tears Ricochet' lyrics after watching 'Marriage Story'". NME . Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  5. ↑ Suskind, Alex (December 2020). "Taylor Swift broke all her rules with Folklore — and gave herself a much-needed escape". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  6. ↑ "'It Started With Imagery': Read Taylor Swift's Primer For 'Folklore'". Billboard . July 24, 2020. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  7. ↑ Wood, Mikael (June 26, 2020). "Taylor Swift's 'Folklore': All 16 songs, ranked". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Johnson, Chole (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift – Folklore". MusicOMH . Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  9. ↑ Magan, Valerie (July 28, 2020). "Taylor Swift – folklore". Clash. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  10. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (November 24, 2020). "All 173 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked". Rolling Stone . Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Taylor Swift "my tears ricochet" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. July 27, 2020. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Key & BPM for "my tears ricochet"". tunebat. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  13. ↑ Mylrea, Hannah (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift – 'Folklore' review: pop superstar undergoes an extraordinary indie-folk makeover". NME . Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  14. ↑ Rosen, Jody (July 24, 2020). "Review: Taylor Swift's radically intimate 'Folklore' is the perfect quar album". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  15. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (July 24, 2020). "Every Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's 'Folklore': Critic's Picks". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  16. ↑ Recchio, Thomas. "Review of Taylor Swift's 'folklore'". the Eagle. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  17. ↑ Lauren, Huff (July 28, 2021). "The best lyrics off Taylor Swift's Folklore". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  18. ↑ Mylrea, Hannah (July 24, 2020). "Taylor Swift – 'Folklore' review: pop superstar undergoes an extraordinary indie-folk makeover". NME . Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  19. ↑ Rosen, Jody (July 24, 2020). "Review: Taylor Swift's radically intimate 'Folklore' is the perfect quar album". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  20. ↑ Mason, Eric (September 12, 2020). "Every Song on Taylor Swift's Folklore Ranked". Slant Magazine . Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  21. ↑ Stephen Thompson, Ann Powers, Lyndsey McKenna (July 28, 2020). "Let's Talk About Taylor Swift's 'Folklore'". NPR. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ "Taylor Swift: Her 15 Best Songs". Clash Magazine. January 2, 2022. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Taylor Swift — Billboard Hot 100 History". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Folklore by Taylor Swift". Tidal. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Taylor Swift – My Tears Ricochet". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia . Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Taylor Swift – My Tears Ricochet". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  29. ↑ "RIAS International Top Charts Week 31". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on August 5, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Taylor Swift – My Tears Ricochet". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Top 100 Songs, July 24, 2020 - July 30, 2020". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  36. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  37. ↑ "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – My Tears Ricochet". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 8, 2024.


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.