Wood (song)

Last updated

"Wood"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album The Life of a Showgirl
ReleasedOctober 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
Studio
  • MXM
  • Shelback (Stockholm)
Genre
Length2:30
Label Republic
Songwriters
Producers
  • Taylor Swift
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
Lyric video
"Wood" on YouTube

"Wood" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl (2025). She wrote and produced it with Max Martin and Shellback. A 1960s Motown-inspired song, "Wood" incorporates a combination of disco, dance, funk, soul, and synth-pop styles. Its instrumentation features a guitar riff and a prominent horn arrangement. Lyrically, "Wood" contains sexual innuendos to describe a male lover's genitals, and makes references to superstition. The song was criticized for its lyrics.

Contents

Announcement

On August 13, 2025, Taylor Swift announced The Life of a Showgirl as her twelfth studio album during an episode of the podcast New Heights , hosted by NFL player and Swift's now-fiancé Travis Kelce and his brother Jason. [1] "Wood" was revealed on the same day as the album's ninth track. [2]

Composition

"Wood" incorporates disco, [3] [4] [5] synth-pop, [6] pop-funk, [7] synth-funk, [8] pop soul, [9] and dance, [10] with a rhythm and blues chorus. [11] The arrangement includes flugelhorn, cor anglais, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, cello, Clavinet, drums, electric guitar and flute. [12] Some critics compared the song's guitar riff to that of "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5. [13] [14]

The song centers around two main themes. The first references Western cultural associations of luck, including the practice of "knocking on wood", a tradition to avert misfortune, and the superstition that seeing a black cat is an omen of bad luck. [15] By the chorus, Swift declares that she doesn't need to rely on superstitions to bring her love. The second uses metaphors to allude to a male lover's penis, which she compares to a Redwood tree, a magic wand and a hard rock. [16] The line "new heights of manhood" references Kelce's podcast, New Heights. [17] Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon , Swift stated that she had originally intended for the song to be a more "innocent", "throwback kind of timeless-sounding song" about superstitions, but acknowledged that the lyrics had become increasingly racier and more sexual during the songwriting process. [18]

Critical reception

"Wood" was criticized for its lyrics. India Block of The Standard felt that it could be confused for a track from "a parody album hallucinated by some porn-addled AI". [19] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian said the song's "laid-back take on disco recalls not the sweaty hedonism of the dancefloor but the late 70s moment where four-to-floor rhythms and chicken-scratch guitar temporarily invaded the oeuvres of west coast singer-songwriters". [16] In Clash , Lauren Hague opined that, while the song fit "the Showgirl aesthetic" and Swift's vocal performance was "gutsy", the lyrics "border on the cringe". [20] Mary Kate Carr of The A.V. Club said the song "feels like an attempt to imitate [Swift's] friend and collaborator Sabrina Carpenter", highlighting how it "borrows heavily from Carpenter's cheeky-sexy shtick, laden with puns and innuendo spun out of superstitions", but felt it was "far less charming and convincing than Carpenter's work". [21] Pitchfork 's Anna Gaca felt the song had the "spiritual energy of bachelorette-party penis décor". [13] The Spectator 's Graeme Thomson criticized the sexual innuendos, saying that they were not Swift's songwriting strengths. [22] Paste listed it as one of the worst songs of 2025. [23]

A more positive review was from Tom Breihan of Stereogum , who opined that the song exemplified Swift's ability of translating "unhinged" sentiments into pop songs. [24]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Life of a Showgirl. [25]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Argentina Hot 100 ( Billboard ) [26] 50
Australia (ARIA) [27] 5
Brazil Hot 100 ( Billboard ) [28] 44
Canada Hot 100 ( Billboard ) [29] 5
Czech Republic Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI) [30] 29
Denmark (Tracklisten) [31] 12
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [32] 38
France (SNEP) [33] 59
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [34] 6
Greece International (IFPI) [35] 9
Guatemala Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino) [36] 13
Hong Kong ( Billboard ) [37] 24
India International (IMI) [38] 16
Italy (FIMI) [39] 75
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA) [40] 13
Lithuania (AGATA) [41] 36
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [42] 12
Malaysia International (RIM) [43] 20
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [44] 6
Norway (IFPI Norge) [45] 21
Philippines (IFPI) [46] 9
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100) [47] 7
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) [48] 45
Portugal (AFP) [49] 13
Singapore (RIAS) [50] 11
Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI) [51] 41
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [52] 36
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [53] 11
United Arab Emirates (IFPI) [54] 12
UK Streaming (OCC) [55] 10
UK Video Streaming (OCC) [56] 67
US Billboard Hot 100 [57] 5

Certifications

Certifications
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [58] Gold35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [59] Platinum80,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (August 13, 2025). "Taylor Swift Reveals Life of a Showgirl Release Date, Album Cover & Track List Featuring Sabrina Carpenter". Billboard . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  2. ↑ Bonner, Mehera (August 13, 2025). "Taylor Swift Reveals Tracklist for The Life of a Showgirl". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  3. ↑ Petrusich, Amanda (October 3, 2025). "Why Does Taylor Swift Think She's Cursed?" . The New Yorker . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ Hé, Kristen S. (October 6, 2025). "Taylor Swift – The Life Of A Showgirl review: magical when the songwriter just lets herself be". NME . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  5. ↑ Snapes, Laura (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift gives album low-key launch on cheerful tour of UK radio". The Guardian . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  6. ↑ Schilling, Tristen (October 7, 2025). "Album Review: Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl". Hot Press . Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ Hodgkinson, Will (October 3, 2025). "The Story Behind Every Song on Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl" . The Times . Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  8. ↑ Empire, Kitty (October 3, 2025). "Is Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl her happiest album yet?". The Observer . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  9. ↑ Shepherd, Fiona (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl Review". The Scotsman . Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  10. ↑ Savage, Mark (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl Is a Loved-Up Pop Victory Lap". BBC News . Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  11. ↑ Tucker, Ken (October 8, 2025). "The Life of a Showgirl spotlights Taylor Swift as she moves away from heartache". NPR . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  12. ↑ Stutsman, Samantha (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl: Listen and Read the Full Credits". People. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  13. 1 2 Gaca, Anna (October 6, 2025). "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  14. ↑ Breihan, Tom (October 3, 2025). "Premature Evaluation: Taylor Swift 'The Life Of A Showgirl'". Stereogum . Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  15. ↑ Law, Angela (October 3, 2025). "I Only Have One Word For Taylor Swift After Listening To 'Wood': Nice". Elle Australia . Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  16. 1 2 Petridis, Alexis (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl Review – Dull Razzle-Dazzle From a Star Who Seems Frazzled". The Guardian . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  17. ↑ ""New Heights of Manhood": Taylor Swift References Travis Kelce & Jason Kelce's Podcast in 'Wood' Lyrics". The Sports Rush. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  18. ↑ Olson, Samantha (October 7, 2025). "Taylor Swift Admits 'Wood' Wasn't Meant to Be NSFW: 'It Started Out In a Very Innocent Place'". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  19. ↑ Block, India (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl Review: Penis Metaphors and Poor Little Rich Girl Tales Start to Chafe". The Standard . Archived from the original on October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  20. ↑ Hague, Lauren (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl". Clash . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  21. ↑ Carr, Mary Kate (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift Takes the Bait on The Life of a Showgirl". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on October 4, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  22. ↑ Thomson, Graeme (October 8, 2025). "Has Taylor Swift Been Reading The Spectator?". The Spectator . Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  23. ↑ "The worst songs of 2025". Paste . December 22, 2025.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ Breihan, Tom (October 3, 2025). "Premature Evaluation: Taylor Swift The Life Of A Showgirl". Stereogum . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  25. ↑ Anon. (2025). The Life of a Showgirl (booklet). Taylor Swift. Republic Records.
  26. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  27. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 41. týden 2025" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Track Top-40 Uge 40, 2025". Hitlisten . Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Taylor-Swift: Wood" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 41/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Top 20 Guatemala – Anglo – Del 17 al 23 de Noviembre, 2025" [Top 20 Guatemala – English – From 17 to 23 November, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. November 24, 2025. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  38. ↑ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for Week Ending 13th October 2025 | Week 41 of 52". IMIcharts. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Top Singoli – Classifica Settimanale WK 41 (Dal 03.10.2025 Al 09.10.2025)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Teilore Svifta Plūc Mūzikas Topu Uzvaras Laurus Arī Latvijā" [Taylor Swift also tops the music charts in Latvia] (in Latvian). TV Net  [ lv ]. October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  41. ↑ "2025 41-Os Savaitės Klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  43. ↑ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 41 (03/10/2025-09/10/2025)". RIM. October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025– via Facebook.
  44. ↑ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Singel 2025 Uke 41". IFPI Norge . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  46. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 10/03/2025 To 10/09/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 14, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 41]
  47. ↑ "Billboard Philippines Hot 100 (Week of October 18, 2025)". Billboard Philippines . October 15, 2025. Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  48. ↑ "OLiS – Oficjalna Lista Sprzedaży – Single W Streamie" (Select week 03.10.2025–09.10.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Top 200 Singles Semana 41 De 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  50. ↑ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 41 (3 - 9 Oct 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  51. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – SK Singles Digital – Top 100 – 41. týden 2025" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  52. ↑ "100 Songs Weekly". Promusicae . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  53. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, Vecka 41" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  54. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 41, 2025 – 03/10 To 09/10/2025". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2025, week 41 and UAE chart to view peak.). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  55. ↑ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Official Video Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  57. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  58. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  59. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Taylor Swift – Wood". Music Canada . Retrieved December 18, 2025.
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