Tim McGraw (song)

Last updated

"Tim McGraw"
Taylor Swift - Tim McGraw.png
Single by Taylor Swift
from the album Taylor Swift
ReleasedJune 19, 2006 (2006-06-19)
Studio
  • Quad
  • Sound Cottage (Nashville)
Genre Country
Length3:54
Label Big Machine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Nathan Chapman
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Tim McGraw"
(2006)		"Teardrops on My Guitar"
(2007)
Music video
"Tim McGraw" on YouTube

"Tim McGraw" is the debut single by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who wrote it with Liz Rose for her self-titled debut studio album (2006). Big Machine Records released the song to US country radio on June 19, 2006. Produced by Nathan Chapman, "Tim McGraw" is an acoustic guitar-led country ballad that incorporates the '50s progression and elements of alternative rock. In the lyrics, Swift's character pleads with her ex-boyfriend to remember her every time he hears her favorite song by the country musician Tim McGraw, the song's namesake.

Contents

Music critics acclaimed Swift's songwriting on "Tim McGraw" for creating engaging and nostalgia-inducing music and lyrics. Retrospective reviews regarded the single as a defining career moment and a blueprint for Swift's songwriting on subsequent albums; Rolling Stone featured it on their list of the "100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time" in 2020. "Tim McGraw" peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on Hot Country Songs, and the Recording Industry Association of America certified the track double platinum. The single also charted at number 10 on Canada Country.

The accompanying music video, directed by Trey Fanjoy, sees Swift's character and the ex-boyfriend both reminiscing about a past summer romance in rural Tennessee. Swift promoted "Tim McGraw" and her debut album with a six-month radio tour in 2006, and she performed the song at the 42nd Academy of Country Music Awards. She included "Tim McGraw" in the set list of her first headlining tour, the Fearless Tour (2009–2010) and performed it on her later tours: the Red Tour (2013), the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), and the Eras Tour (2023).

Background

In 2004, Pennsylvania-born Taylor Swift moved to Nashville, Tennessee at fourteen to pursue a career in country music. [1] She signed with Sony/ATV in 2004 to become a professional songwriter, and with Big Machine Records in 2005 to become a country-music singer. [2] [3] Near the end of 2005, Swift recorded songs for her self-titled debut album with producer Nathan Chapman. [4] By the time production wrapped, Swift had completed her first year of high school in Hendersonville, Tennessee. [5]

Tim McGraw, the song's namesake Tim McGraw at WEZL Charleston's Best Country (cropped).jpg
Tim McGraw, the song's namesake

Swift and Liz Rose wrote "Tim McGraw" during Swift's freshman year at Hendersonville High School. She conceived the idea in the midst of her mathematics class: "I was just sitting there, and I started humming this melody." She then related the melody to a predicament she was encountering at the moment. [6] Swift knew that she and her senior boyfriend would break up at the end of the year when he left for college. In order to cope with the complicated emotions she was experiencing, Swift wrote the song. Rose said Swift showed up at her after school job, writing songs for Sony/ATV Music, "with the idea and the melody, knowing exactly what she wanted." She desired for the song to capture the sweetness and sadness of loving and losing someone. It was written about all the different things that would remind the subject of Swift and their time spent together, once he departed. "To her surprise, the first thing that came to mind was [her] love of Tim McGraw's music." [7] Several personal details were listed for the song. McGraw's mentioning was a reference to Swift's favorite song, "Can't Tell Me Nothin" from his 2004 album Live Like You Were Dying , [8] rather than McGraw as a person. [9] The writing process, as with "Our Song", took place in approximately twenty minutes, [10] and was executed with the use of a piano. [11]

Soon after, Scott Borchetta, CEO of Big Machine Records, signed Swift to his newly formed label. Early into the album production, in a meeting where Borchetta and Swift discussed potential songs for Swift's debut album, she performed "Tim McGraw" for Borchetta on fluke ukulele. According to Swift, as soon as Borchetta finished listening to the song, he faced Swift and said, "That's your first single." She responded, "Well. That's how that works then." [7] Prior to that event, Swift did not believe that the song was single material. However, she followed what label executives told her and accepted that they were correct. [12] Swift placed "Tim McGraw" as the first track on Taylor Swift because of its importance to her. [11] In retrospect, Swift has said that the song "is reminiscent, and it is thinking about a relationship you had and then lost. I think one of the most powerful human emotions is what should have been and wasn't... That was a really good song to start out on, because a lot of people can relate to wanting something you can't have." [7] When the song's subject discovered it, he thought it was "cool" and kept friendship with Swift despite their breakup. [13]

Composition

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Tim McGraw" (2006)
"Tim McGraw" is a country song with lyrics about a relationship that has come to an end. The narrator lists the things she associates the relationship with, including the country musician Tim McGraw, the title's namesake.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Tim McGraw" is 3 minutes and 52 seconds long. [14] It is a mid-tempo country ballad driven by an acoustic guitar. [15] [16] [17] Written in the key of C major, the song uses the '50s progression (the I-vi-IV-V chord progression; C—Am—F—G). [18] According to the musicologist James E. Perone, this chord progression is associated with late-1950s and early-1960s doo-wop and rock and roll songs, which lends "Tim McGraw" a nostalgic and timeless feel. [18]

The production of "Tim McGraw" is understated and lightweight. [17] [19] The refrain, as described by Perone, is "motivically based"—each one of the melodic motif is built within a small pitch range. According to Perone, this, as well as that the refrain is built on repetitions of the initial short motif, gives the song a catchy tune that makes the audience want to sing along to. [20] Additionally, the refrain—and to a certain extent, the verses—makes heavy use of syncopation at the sixteenth-note level, which lends the song a production reminiscent to non-country genres, such as alternative rock and hip hop. [20] These melodic techniques laid the groundwork to Swift's subsequent songs, known for catchy melodies and radio-friendly verses that defined her catalog for the following decade. [20]

The lyrics of "Tim McGraw" narrate a past summer romance. [17] Perone thinks that the relationship in the song "had ended perhaps a couple of years" before the time frame of the narrative. [20] In the opening line, Swift sings, "He says the way my blue eyes shine put those Georgia stars to shame at night/ I say, 'That's a lie'", which The Boot's Riane Konc found to be "genuine romanticism underscored by real cynicism". [21] The reference to the country musician Tim McGraw, in both the title and the refrain ("When you think Tim McGraw/ I hope you think my favorite song/ The one we danced to all night long"), is more about the nostalgia for the disappeared romance rather than McGraw himself. [17] [19] McGraw is one of the many items that the narrator associates her past relationship with; others include her little black dress, her faded blue jeans, and the moment she laid her head on the ex-boyfriend's chest. [14]

Critical reception

The song was acclaimed by critics. Rob Sheffield of Blender magazine described the track as a gem that hit hard. [22] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine believe "Tim McGraw" followed "time-tested narrative conventions and [...] massive pop hooks." [23] Jeff Tamarkin of AllMusic said that the song demonstrated Swift was "a talent to be reckoned with", because of her vocal delivery that, according to him, equated that of a seasoned professional. He selected "Tim McGraw" as Taylor Swift's main highlight for its homage to Tim McGraw, commenting, "It's a device that's been used countless times in as many ways [...], yet it works as a hook here and manages to come off as an original idea." [14] Roger Holland of PopMatters praised the song, commenting it was "good enough to recall some of the best country singles of recent years", such as Rachel Proctor's "Me and Emily" and Julie Roberts's "Break Down Here." He complimented Swift's vocal abilities on the song, saying it was executed "quite perfectly", something she was unable to carry throughout the album Taylor Swift. However, Holland was repugnant of the song's title. [16] In 2007, "Tim McGraw" was one of the Award-Winning Songs at the BMI Country Awards, which honored the most-played country songs on US television and airplay throughout the year. [24]

In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked "Tim McGraw" at number 11 on its "The 100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time" list, placing second among female artists; the magazine stated: "With her first song, Swift immediately showed her Nashville peers she could beat any of them at their own game, acing the classic genre trope of nostalgic country song about how country music is nostalgic". [25] In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #126 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking. [26]

Upon hearing the song, McGraw, despite liking it and being a fan and personal friend of Swift; initially had some concerns about it in a 2021 Billboard interview: “Well, when I first heard ‘Tim McGraw’ by Taylor Swift, I mean, I thought it was a good song. I was a little apprehensive about it when I first heard it,” he admitted. “Then I thought, ‘Have I gotten to that age now [he was thirty-nine years old at the time the song was released in 2006] to where they’re singing songs about me? Does that mean I’ve jumped the shark a bit? Is everything still cool?'” [27]

Chart performance

On the week ending September 23, 2006, "Tim McGraw" debuted at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100. [28] After 17 weeks of ascending and descending the chart, on the week ending January 13, 2007, the song reached its peak at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for two consecutive weeks. [29] On the week ending February 3, 2007, the song spent its last week on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 43, after a total of 20 weeks on the chart. [30] As of November 2017, "Tim McGraw" has sold 1.6 million copies in the United States. [31] The single was certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in March 2020, for surpassing two million units based on sales and streaming. [32]

Prior to charting on the United States' main chart, "Tim McGraw" charted on Billboard Hot Country Songs. On the week ending July 1, 2006, "Tim McGraw" debuted at number 60 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. [33] After spending 25 weeks upon Billboard Hot Country Songs, the song reached the top 10 with its new peak of number 10 on the week ending December 16, 2006. [34] In the proceeding six weeks, the song managed to remain in the top 10 until finding its peak at number six on the week ending January 27, 2007. [29] "Tim McGraw" spent a total of 35 weeks upon the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. [29]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Tim McGraw" was directed by Trey Fanjoy. It was filmed at the former home of Johnny & June Carter-Cash, which burned down the next year. The letter which the boyfriend receives is addressed to "Johnny" for this purpose. [35] In regards to the video's concept, Swift stated, "It deals with the haunting power of music and how hearing a song years after it was first popular can have such an emotional appeal." [36] Clayton Collins portrayed Swift's love interest in the music video. He was cast because of his physical resemblance to the real subject of the song, in that they were both tall with dark hair. [37]

The video begins with Swift, dressed in a white sundress, as she lies on the grass of a lake-bed and holds a transistor radio. Suddenly, the setting is switched to Collins as he drives a white and orange 1970 Chevrolet CST-10. He then turns his radio on and ceases driving, coming to a complete stop on a road. As Collins facial expressions become more serious, he flashbacks to memories with Swift. Swift and Collins are seen frolicking in a field, lying beside one another on the back of Collins' CST-10, staring at the stars together, holding hands as they walk, and slow dancing. When the song is in its final chorus, Collins arrives at a wooden cabin in his pick-up truck. He runs up the staircase to discover an enveloped letter next to the door. He then sits on the staircase, opens the envelope, and reads the letter. The video transcends towards Swift playing an acoustic guitar as she leans against the wooden cabin. Cut-scenes feature Swift lying on the lake-bed and performing with a guitar next to the wooden cabin. The video concludes with Swift, once again, lying on the initial setting.

The video premiered on July 22, 2006, on Great American Country. [36] The video received a nomination for "Number One Streamed Video From a New Artist (Rookie of the Year Award)" at the web-hosted 2006 CMT Online Awards, but lost to Lindsey Haun's video for "Broken". [38] At the 2007 CMT Music Awards, the video won the CMT Music Award for "Breakthrough Video of the Year". [39]

Live performances

Swift performing "Tim McGraw" on the Fearless Tour in 2010 Taylor Swift - Fearless Tour Prudential Center Newark (May 13, 2010).jpg
Swift performing "Tim McGraw" on the Fearless Tour in 2010

Swift spent six months of 2006 promoting "Tim McGraw" and Taylor Swift on a radio tour. [6] She performed the song as she opened for Rascal Flatts on several dates, from October 19 to November 3, 2006, including on the Me and My Gang Tour (2006–07). [40] Swift performed "Tim McGraw" as the concert's penultimate performance. She dressed in a black, knee-length dress and red cowboy boots with a design of a skull and cross bones across it, playing an acoustic guitar. Swift requested for the audience to raise their cell phones in order to simulate a sky filled with stars, when the song reached the lyrics "He said the way my blue eyes shined / Put those Georgia stars to shame that night / I said that's a lie." [41] She also performed the song when she served as opening act on twenty dates for George Strait's 2007 United States tour, [42] and selected dates for Brad Paisley's Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour in 2007. [43] [44] During mid-2007, Swift engaged as the opening act on several dates for Tim McGraw's and Faith Hill's joint tour, Soul2Soul II Tour (2006–07), where she again performed "Tim McGraw". [45] Swift performed the song while she was again opening for Rascal Flatts for their Still Feels Good Tour in 2008. [46]

Swift's first broadcast performance of "Tim McGraw" was on October 24, 2006, on Good Morning America . [40] She continued promotion for the track at Billboard headquarters, [47] the 2007 Academy of Country Music Awards, [48] The Engine Room, [49] and a concert at the Apple Store in SoHo, New York, which was recorded and released as a live extended play (EP), iTunes Live from SoHo, exclusively sold through the iTunes Store. [50] Since completing promotion for Taylor Swift and its corresponding singles, Swift has performed "Tim McGraw" at the 2009 CMA Music Festival, [51] the 2009 V Festival, [52] and the Australian charity concert Sydney Sound Relief. [53]

Swift performed "Tim McGraw" on all venues of her first headlining concert tour, the Fearless Tour, which extended from April 2009 to June 2010. The performances of "Tim McGraw" set on a small platform located at the opposite end, parallel to the stage in the arena. [54] Swift, dressed in a pastel sundress, sat on a wooden stool while performing with wooden acoustic guitar strapped to her shoulder. [54] [55] Swift then completed the performance standing and walking back to the main stage. As she worked her way back to the stage, she again hugged fans, squeezed their outstretched hands and scrawled quick autographs. [54] Nicole Frehsee of Rolling Stone favored Swift's performance of "Tim McGraw" at the August 27, 2009, concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Frehsee described the entire concert as an "elaborate spectacle that doesn't slow down, even when the singer hauls her acoustic guitar into the audience to play a sweet, stripped down set of tunes including [..] 'Tim McGraw'." [55] Brandy McDonnel of The Oklahoman reported a massive sing-along by the audience at the March 31, 2010, concert at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. [54] Molly Trust of Billboard attended the performance at the tour's final concert on June 5, 2010, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts and conjectured that the performance's setting was formed in order to "afford a better view to fans farther back." [56]

Swift performed "Tim McGraw" during the first show in Toronto and the performance in Charlotte during The Red Tour, in place of "I Almost Do". Additionally, she performed a piano version of the song in Nashville, during the Reputation Stadium Tour, with special guests Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. [57] Swift again sang "Tim McGraw" as a "surprise song" on the March 17, 2023, concert at Glendale, Arizona, as part of her sixth headlining tour, the Eras Tour. [58]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Tim McGraw"
Chart (2006–2007)Peak
position
Canada Country ( Billboard ) [59] 10
US Billboard Hot 100 [60] 40
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [61] 6
US Pop 100 ( Billboard ) [62] 69

Year-end chart

2006 year-end chart for "Tim McGraw"
Chart (2006)Position
US Country ( Radio & Records ) [63] 71
2007 year-end chart for "Tim McGraw"
Chart (2007)Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) [64] 59

Certifications

Certifications for "Tim McGraw"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [65] Gold35,000‡
United States (RIAA) [32] 2× Platinum2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Tim McGraw"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesJune 19, 2006 Country radio Big Machine [66]
August 16, 2019 7-inch vinyl [67] [68] [69]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim McGraw</span> American country singer and actor (born 1967)

Samuel Timothy McGraw is an American country singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has released 16 studio albums. 10 of those albums have reached number one on the Top Country Albums charts, with his 1994 breakthrough album Not a Moment Too Soon being the top country album of 1994. In total, McGraw's albums have produced 65 singles, 25 of which have reached number one on the Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay charts. Three of these singles – "It's Your Love", "Just to See You Smile", and "Live Like You Were Dying" – were respectively the top country songs of 1997, 1998, and 2004 according to Billboard Year-End. He has also won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, 11 Country Music Association (CMA) awards, 10 American Music Awards, and three People's Choice Awards. His Soul2Soul II Tour, which was done in partnership with his wife, Faith Hill, is one of the highest-grossing tours in country music history, and one of the top five among all genres of music. He has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Swift</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1989)

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. A subject of widespread public interest with a vast fanbase, she has influenced the music industry, popular culture, and politics through her songwriting, artistry, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.

<i>Taylor Swift</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is the debut studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Under Big Machine Records, it was released in North America on October 24, 2006, and elsewhere on March 18, 2008. Swift had signed with Sony/ATV Tree publishing house in 2005 to pursue a career as a country musician. Her contract with Big Machine Records in 2005 enabled her to work on the album during her second year of high school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teardrops on My Guitar</span> 2007 single by Taylor Swift

"Teardrops on My Guitar" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the second single from her self-titled debut album (2006). Swift wrote the song with Liz Rose, and Nathan Chapman produced it. Big Machine Records released "Teardrops on My Guitar" to US country radio on February 20, 2007. The song was released to US pop radio as a crossover single in November 2007. It was included on the international edition of Swift's second studio album, Fearless, and released in the UK in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picture to Burn</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"Picture to Burn" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the fourth single from her 2006 self-titled debut studio album. Big Machine Records released it to US country radio on February 4, 2008. Written by Swift and Liz Rose, the lyrics were inspired by a narcissistic classmate of Swift and depict a protagonist's vengeance against an ex-lover. Nathan Chapman produced the track, which is an incorporation of country rock and alternative rock that features plunking banjo and distorted electric guitars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Song (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2007 single by Taylor Swift

"Our Song" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the third single from her self-titled debut studio album (2006). Swift wrote "Our Song" for a high school talent show during ninth grade; the lyrics are about a young couple using the regular events in their lives to create their own song. She included the song on the track list because it was popular among her classmates. Big Machine Records released the song to US country radio on September 10, 2007. Produced by Nathan Chapman, "Our Song" is an uptempo banjo-driven country track incorporating fiddles and drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Should've Said No</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"Should've Said No" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her self-titled debut studio album (2006). The song was released to US country radio as the album's fifth and final single on May 19, 2008, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Nathan Chapman, "Should've Said No" combines country rock, pop rock, and post-grunge with banjo and distorted guitars. The lyrics are about Swift's contempt for a cheating ex-lover.

<i>Fearless</i> (Taylor Swift album) 2008 album by Taylor Swift

Fearless is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Under Big Machine Records imprint, it was released in the United States and Canada on November 11, 2008, and elsewhere on March 9, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Story (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"Love Story" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released as the lead single from her second studio album, Fearless, on September 15, 2008, by Big Machine Records. Inspired by a boy who was unpopular with her family and friends, Swift wrote the song using William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet as a reference point. The lyrics narrate a troubled romance that ends with a marriage proposal, contrary to Shakespeare's tragic conclusion. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the midtempo country pop song includes a key change after the bridge and uses acoustic instruments including banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar.

<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">White Horse (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2008 single by Taylor Swift

"White Horse" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the second single from her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Big Machine Records released the track to US country radio on December 8, 2008. Swift wrote "White Horse" with Liz Rose and produced it with Nathan Chapman. An understated country pop ballad, the song is driven by a finger-picked guitar and includes piano and cello accents. The lyrics incorporate fairy-tale imagery of princesses and white horses: the narrator is heartbroken upon realizing that her boyfriend is not an ideal figure like she thought, and in the end she leaves her town with hopes of finding somebody more worthy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifteen (song)</span> 2009 single by Taylor Swift

"Fifteen" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Inspired by Swift's high-school freshman year, the lyrics narrate how she and her friend Abigail Anderson, both at 15, experience teenage heartbreak and realize life aspirations. Swift included the track on the album after Anderson consented to the personal references. She and Nathan Chapman produced "Fifteen", a country pop song with a prominent pop melody. Big Machine Records released "Fifteen" to US country radio on August 31, 2009, as the fourth single from Fearless.

"The Best Day" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "The Best Day" is an understated song rooted in country rock, with lyrics dedicated to Swift's parents, most of the verses being to her mother. A music video containing home footage edited by Swift was released on May 1, 2009, as part of a special Mother's Day promotion through Big Machine Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fearless Tour</span> 2009–2010 concert tour by Taylor Swift

The Fearless Tour was the debut concert tour by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who embarked on it to support her second studio album, Fearless (2008). It was her first headlining concert tour after she had opened shows for other musicians to support her 2006 self-titled debut album.

Elisabeth Wagner, known professionally as Liz Rose, is an American country music songwriter, best known for her work with Taylor Swift. She has co-written 17 of Swift's officially released songs, including "You Belong with Me", which was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year; "Teardrops on My Guitar"; "White Horse", which won both Swift and her a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 2010; and "All Too Well ", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021 and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2023. She works regularly alongside songwriters Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey, collectively calling themselves The Love Junkies and notably writing songs for Little Big Town and Carrie Underwood, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mine (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2010 single by Taylor Swift

"Mine" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the lead single from her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Big Machine Records released the song for download and to radio on August 4, 2010. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Mine" is a country pop and pop rock song. In its lyrics, it discusses the ups and downs of young love, inspired by Swift's tendency to run away from love for fears of heartbreak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mean (song)</span> 2011 single by Taylor Swift

"Mean" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album, Speak Now (2010). Big Machine Records released the song to US country radio as the album's third single on March 13, 2011. Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, "Mean" is a banjo-led country pop and bluegrass track that incorporates hand claps, fiddles, and multitracked vocals. Inspired by critics of Swift, the lyrics narrate a protagonist's self-awareness of her own shortcomings, efforts to overcome the criticism, and ridicule of a "mean" antagonist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Begin Again (Taylor Swift song)</span> 2012 single by Taylor Swift

"Begin Again" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the second single from Red on October 1, 2012, by Big Machine Records. Produced by Swift, Dann Huff, and Nathan Chapman, "Begin Again" is a gentle country and soft rock ballad with acoustic guitar, steel guitar, and percussion. Its lyrics are about falling in love again after a failed, toxic previous relationship.

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

"Red" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the title track of her fourth studio album (2012). The song was produced by Dann Huff, Nathan Chapman, and Swift. Big Machine Records released the song onto the iTunes Store on October 2, 2012, as Red's second promotional single, and to U.S. country radio on June 24, 2013, as an official single. Musically, "Red" combines country, roots rock, pop rock, soft rock over acoustic banjo, guitars, and electronic vocal manipulation. Lyrically about a tumultuous relationship, the refrain likens the conflicting emotions to a spectrum of colors, including the color red which symbolizes the ensuing intense feelings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highway Don't Care</span> 2013 single by Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift featuring Keith Urban

"Highway Don't Care" is a song recorded by American country music singers Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift on vocals, featuring Keith Urban on guitar. It was released to US country radio on March 25, 2013, as the third single from McGraw's first album for Big Machine Records, Two Lanes of Freedom (2013). The song was written by Mark Irwin, Josh Kear and Brad and Brett Warren. McGraw and Swift recorded their parts separately. To date, this is Swift's seventh number one hit on Billboard's Country Airplay chart.

References

  1. ↑ Jo, Nancy (January 2, 2014). "Taylor Swift and the Growing of a Superstar: Her Men, Her Moods, Her Music". Vanity Fair . Archived from the original on November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  2. ↑ DeLuca, Dan (November 11, 2008). "Focused On 'Great Songs' Taylor Swift Isn't Thinking About 'the Next Level' or Joe Jon as Gossip". The Philadelphia Inquirer . p. 1. Archived from the original on November 18, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  3. ↑ Hiatt, Brian (October 25, 2012). "Taylor Swift in Wonderland" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  4. ↑ Morris, Edward (December 1, 2006). "When She Thinks 'Tim McGraw,' Taylor Swift Savors Payoff: Hardworking Teen to Open for George Strait Next Year". CMT News . Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  5. ↑ Spencer 2010, p. 28.
  6. 1 2 Morris, Edward (December 1, 2006). "When She Thinks 'Tim McGraw', Taylor Swift Savors Payoff: Hardworking Teen to Open for George Strait Next Year". CMT News . Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 Parvis 2009, p. 24.
  8. ↑ "20 Questions With Taylor Swift". CMT News . November 12, 2007. Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Tim McGraw — the Song". Great American Country . February 18, 2007. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Taylor Swift Proves Her Staying Power". Great American Country . August 23, 2007. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  11. 1 2 Swift, Taylor. "My Albums – Taylor Swift – Tim McGraw". taylorswift.com. Big Machine Records. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  12. ↑ Kawashima, Dale (February 16, 2007). "Special Interview (2007): Taylor Swift Discusses Her Debut Album, Early Hits, And How She Got Started". Songwriter Universe. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  13. ↑ Swift, Taylor (February 14, 2007). "The Ex Files". Great American Country . Archived from the original on April 30, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  14. 1 2 3 Tamarkin, Jeff. "Taylor Swift by Taylor Swift". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 18, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  15. ↑ Bream, Jon (October 4, 2008). "Download This: Taylor Swift". Star Tribune . Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  16. 1 2 Holland, Roger (November 9, 2006). "Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift". PopMatters . Archived from the original on August 13, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "A Singer's Son, Singing Rivals and a Singer as Song Title". The New York Times . October 22, 2006. ProQuest   2225239076.
  18. 1 2 Perone 2017, p. 6.
  19. 1 2 Masley, Ed (August 12, 2015). "30 Best Taylor Swift Singles Ever (So Far)". The Arizona Republic . Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Perone 2017, p. 7.
  21. ↑ Konc, Riane (October 23, 2020). "All of Taylor Swift's Country Singles, Ranked". The Boot . Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  22. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (November 11, 2008). "Fearless – Taylor Swift". Blender . Archived from the original on May 24, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  23. ↑ Keefe, Jonathan (November 16, 2008). "Taylor Swift: Fearless". Slant Magazine . Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  24. ↑ "2007 BMI Country Awards". Broadcast Music Incorporated. November 7, 2007. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  25. ↑ "The 100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time". Rolling Stone . May 19, 2020. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  26. ↑ "The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . May 24, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Here's Why Tim McGraw Felt 'a Little Apprehensive' About Taylor Swift's Song Named After Him". billboard.com.
  28. ↑ Hope, Clover (September 14, 2006). "Timberlake's 'Sexy' Fends Off Fergie For No. 1". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  29. 1 2 3 "Tim McGraw – Taylor Swift". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Hot 100: "Week of February 3, 2007"". Billboard. September 12, 2008. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  31. ↑ "Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift's Career Album & Song Sales". Billboard . November 26, 2017. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  32. 1 2 "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – Tim McGraw". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Country songs – Week of July 1, 2006". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Country Songs: "Week of December 16, 2006"". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Taylor Swift – "Tim McGraw"". CMT . Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  36. 1 2 "GAC gets exclusive premiere of new Taylor Swift music video". Great American Country . July 20, 2006. Archived from the original on December 30, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  37. ↑ Swift, Taylor (February 10, 2007). "Anti-Boyfriend Stage". Great American Country . Archived from the original on July 7, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  38. ↑ "CMT Loaded Awards 2006: Country Music Nominees and Video". CMT . Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  39. ↑ "CMT Music Awards: Archives: 2007 CMT Music Awards". CMT . Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  40. 1 2 "Taylor Swift Joins Rascal Flatts Tour". CMT News . October 18, 2006. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  41. ↑ Smith, Bobbi. "Rascal Flatts Concert Review – Air Canada Center – November 1, 2006: Taylor Swift Opens the Show". About.com . p. 1. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Taylor Swift Joins George Straits 2007 Tour". CMT News . November 17, 2006. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  43. ↑ "Brad Paisley Plans Tour With Three Opening Acts". CMT News . January 9, 2007. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  44. ↑ "Brad Paisley Announces More Tour Dates". CMT News . March 19, 2007. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  45. ↑ "Taylor Swift Joins Tim McGraw, Faith Hill on Tour". CMT News . June 1, 2007. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  46. ↑ Fabian, Shelly. "Rascal Flatts & Taylor Swift in Concert – Sacramento, CA – April 10, 2008". About.com . Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  47. ↑ "Underground:Taylor Swift". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  48. ↑ Gilbert, Calvin (May 16, 2007). "Carrie Underwood Wins Three ACM Awards". CMT News . Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  49. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Tim McGraw Live (The Engine Room)". Yahoo! Music . Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  50. ↑ "iTunes Live from SoHo by Taylor Swift". Apple Music. January 2007. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  51. ↑ "Taylor Swift "Belongs" on GAC". Great American Country . June 15, 2009. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  52. ↑ "Oasis and Killers to headline V Festival". NME . March 2, 2009. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  53. ↑ "Sydney Relief: Sydney Info: Line-Up". soundrelief.com.au. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  54. 1 2 3 4 McDonnel, Brandy (April 1, 2010). "Concert review: Taylor Swift brings Fearless show to Ford Center". The Oklahoman . Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  55. 1 2 Frehsee, Nicole (August 28, 2009). "Taylor Swift Performs a "Fearless" Set at Madison Square Garden". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  56. ↑ Trust, Molly (June 8, 2010). "Taylor Swift / June 5, 2010 / Foxboro, Mass". Billboard . Archived from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  57. ↑ Hudak, Joseph (August 26, 2018). "Watch Taylor Swift Sing 'Tim McGraw' With Faith Hill, Tim McGraw in Nashville" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  58. ↑ Shafer, Ellise (March 18, 2023). "Taylor Swift Eras Tour: The Full Setlist From Opening Night". Variety. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  59. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  60. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  61. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  62. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Billboard Singles". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  63. ↑ "Top Country Songs" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1687. December 8, 2006. p. 58.
  64. ↑ "Year End Charts – Hot Country Songs – Issue Date: 2007". Billboard . Archived from the original on July 5, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  65. ↑ "Jan 2024 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  66. ↑ "Taylor Swift, The New Single 'Tim McGraw'" (PDF). Radio & Records . June 16, 2006. p. 37. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  67. ↑ Tim McGraw (vinyl). Taylor Swift. Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (SESCA). 2019. BMRTS0101V.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  68. ↑ "Taylor Swift's Early Singles Released on Limited-Edition Vinyl by Big Machine". The Hollywood Reporter . July 10, 2019. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  69. ↑ "For the first time ever, we're releasing a Limited Edition 7" Vinyl Single with Acoustic B-Side Recording of Taylor Swift's debut single, "Tim McGraw."". Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.

Source

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.