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 American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl (2025). Swift wrote and produced the track with Max Martin and Shellback. A 1960s Motown-inspired song, "Wood" incorporates synth-pop, pop-funk, pop soul, dance, and disco. Its instrumentation features a guitar riff and a prominent horn arrangement. The lyrics contain sexual innuendos to describe a male lover's genitals, as well as references to superstition. Upon its release, critics deemed the production catchy but panned the lyrics as clunky.

Contents

Background

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 and lyrics

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

The song is about Kelce's penis [11] and compares it to a magic wand and a hard rock. [7] [12] The line "new heights of manhood" references Kelce's podcast, New Heights. [13] The lyrics also reference 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. [12] [14] In an appearance 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. [15]

Critical reception

Music critics generally criticized the lyricism of "Wood". India Block of The London Standard felt that it could be confused for a track from "a parody album hallucinated by some porn-addled AI". [16] 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". [7] 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". [17] 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". [18] Pitchfork 's Anna Gaca felt the song had the "spiritual energy of bachelorette-party penis décor". [9] The Spectator 's Graeme Thomson criticized the sexual innuendos, saying that they were not Swift's songwriting strengths. [19]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from album liner notes. [20]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100) [21] 50
Australia (ARIA) [22] 5
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100) [23] 44
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [24] 5
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [25] 29
Denmark (Tracklisten) [26] 12
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [27] 38
France (SNEP) [28] 59
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [29] 6
Greece International (IFPI) [30] 9
Hong Kong ( Billboard ) [31] 24
India International (IMI) [32] 16
Italy (FIMI) [33] 75
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA) [34] 13
Lithuania (AGATA) [35] 36
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [36] 12
Malaysia International (RIM) [37] 20
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [38] 6
Norway (IFPI Norge) [39] 21
Philippines (IFPI) [40] 9
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100) [41] 7
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) [42] 45
Portugal (AFP) [43] 13
Singapore (RIAS) [44] 11
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [45] 41
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [46] 36
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [47] 11
United Arab Emirates (IFPI) [48] 12
UK Streaming (OCC) [49] 10
UK Video Streaming (OCC) [50] 67
US Billboard Hot 100 [51] 5

Certifications

Certifications
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [52] Gold35,000‡

‡ 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. ↑ "'Wood' Is Taylor Swift's Most R-Rated Song — And It's All About Travis Kelce". Parade via Yahoo Entertainment. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Shepherd, Fiona (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl Review". The Scotsman . Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl Is a Loved-Up Pop Victory Lap". BBC News. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 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.
  8. ↑ Stutsman, Samantha (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl: Listen and Read the Full Credits". People. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Gaca, Anna (October 6, 2025). "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  10. ↑ Breihan, Tom (October 3, 2025). "Premature Evaluation: Taylor Swift 'The Life Of A Showgirl'". Stereogum . Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  11. ↑ Handler, Rachel (October 3, 2025). "I Didn't Need to Know All of That About Travis Kelce". Vulture. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Partridge, Ken (October 4, 2025). "Taylor Swift Makes A Bunch Of Sex Jokes On New Song 'Wood'". Genius . Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  13. ↑ ""New Heights of Manhood": Taylor Swift References Travis Kelce & Jason Kelce's Podcast in 'Wood' Lyrics". The SportsRush. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ Law, Angela (October 3, 2025). "I Only Have One Word For Taylor Swift After Listening To 'Wood': Nice". Elle Australia . Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ 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 London Standard . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  17. ↑ Hague, Lauren (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl". Clash . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  18. ↑ Carr, Mary Kate (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift Takes the Bait on The Life of a Showgirl". The A.V. Club . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  19. ↑ Thomson, Graeme (October 8, 2025). "Has Taylor Swift Been Reading The Spectator?". The Spectator Australia . Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  20. ↑ Anon. (2025). The Life of a Showgirl (booklet). Taylor Swift. Republic Records.
  21. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Taylor Swift. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  22. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  25. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Track Top-40 Uge 40, 2025". Hitlisten . Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Taylor-Swift: Wood" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  30. ↑ "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.
  31. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  32. ↑ "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.
  33. ↑ "Top Singoli – Classifica Settimanale WK 41 (Dal 03.10.2025 Al 09.10.2025)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  34. ↑ "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.
  35. ↑ "2025 41-Os Savaitės Klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  37. ↑ "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.
  38. ↑ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Singel 2025 Uke 41". IFPI Norge . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  40. ↑ "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]
  41. ↑ "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.
  42. ↑ "OLiS – Oficjalna Lista Sprzedaży – Single W Streamie" (Select week 03.10.2025–09.10.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Top 200 Singles Semana 41 De 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  44. ↑ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 41 (3 - 9 Oct 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  45. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  46. ↑ "100 Songs Weekly". Promusicae . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, Vecka 41" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  48. ↑ "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.
  49. ↑ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Official Video Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  52. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 17 November 2025". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 17, 2025. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
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