Taylor Swift song- Love Story wiki | Taylor Swift song- Love Story

Taylor Swift's "Love Story" | taylor swift wiki

 

 

 

Love Story

 

Taylor Swift's "Love Story" | taylor swift wiki

 

Lyrics

 

We were both young when I first saw you

I close my eyes and the flashback starts

I'm standin' there

On a balcony in summer air

See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns

See you make your way through the crowd

And say, "Hello"

Little did I know

That you were Romeo, you were throwin' pebbles

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"

And I was cryin' on the staircase

Beggin' you, "Please don't go, " and I said

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone

I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess

It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"

So I sneak out to the garden to see you

We keep quiet, 'cause we're dead if they knew

So close your eyes

Escape this town for a little while, oh oh

'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"

But you were everything to me

I was beggin' you, "Please don't go, " and I said

Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone

I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess

It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"

Romeo, save me, they're tryna tell me how to feel

This love is difficult, but it's real

Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess

It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"

Oh, oh

I got tired of waiting

Wonderin' if you were ever comin' around

My faith in you was fading

When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said

Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone

I keep waiting for you, but you never come

Is this in my head? I don't know what to think

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring

And said, "Marry me, Juliet

You'll never have to be alone

I love you and that's all I really know

I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress

It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes"

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh, oh

'Cause we were both young when I first saw you

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Taylor Swift

Love Story lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

 

 

Taylor Swift's "Love Story"

Love Story (Taylor Swift Song)

Taylor Swift's "Love Story" came out as the first single from her second album, *Fearless*, on September 15, 2008, under Big Machine Records.

Inspired by personal experiences, Swift built a narrative around a romance caused by forbidden love, drawing from (William Shakespeare's) Romeo and Juliet. Unlike the tragic fate of famous lovers, Swift's story ends with a hopeful marriage proposal, underpinned by the song's midtempo country-pop vibe, a key shift post-bridge and rich acoustic instrumentation, including (banjo, fiddle, mandolin) and Includes guitar.

Initially, critics praised the production of "Love Story" but questioned the effectiveness of its literary references. However, over time, the song has been recognized as one of Taylor Swift's standout singles. Its global impact is undeniable, having topped the charts in Australia and achieved an impressive thirteen-times platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). It also reached the top five in Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, making history as the first country song to top the mainstream Top 40 chart. The RIAA certified it eight-times platinum, and it has sold over 6 million copies domestically and 18 million copies worldwide, cementing its status as a commercial juggernaut.

The music video, directed by Terry Fanjoy, transported viewers to a bygone era with Swift and Justin Gaston portraying star-crossed lovers against a backdrop reminiscent of the Renaissance and Regency periods. This captivating visual storytelling earned the video the 2009 Video of the Year award at both the Country Music Association Awards and the CMT Music Awards. "Love Story" quickly became a staple in Swift's live performances, featured in the setlists of her headlining tours from the Fearless Tour (2009-2010) to the recent Eras Tour (2023-2024).

In 2019, amid a legal dispute over her back catalog, Swift re-recorded and released the song as "Love Story (Taylor's Version)" in February 2021. This re-recorded version also achieved significant success, climbing to the top of the charts and making Swift, alongside Dolly Parton, one of the few artists to have a number one hit with both an original and a re-recorded version of a song.

Love Story (Taylor Swift song) Background and writing

 

In 2004, Taylor Swift left Pennsylvania for Nashville, Tennessee, driven by her dream of becoming a country singer-songwriter. By 2006, at just 16 years old, she released her debut album, "Taylor Swift." The album made a huge impact, spending more time on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart than any other release in the 2000s. Her third single, "Our Song," made history, making her the youngest solo writer and performer of a number-one single on the Hot Country Songs chart. Swift's rise was especially notable in a country music scene dominated by adult male artists.

While touring to promote her debut album throughout 2007 and 2008, Swift was already writing songs for her second album, "Fearless." One of these songs was "Love Story," which evolved significantly during the album's production. In an April 2009 interview with Time, Swift explained that the song was inspired by a romantic interest she never officially dated. Despite her inner circle's skepticism about this person, Swift connected with the story of Romeo and Juliet, feeling a kinship with their isolated love.

Although she admired Shakespeare's classic, Swift felt that the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet overshadowed what could have been the ultimate love story. She wanted to create a happier ending, envisioning "Love Story" concluding with a joyful marriage proposal, a fate she felt the characters deserved. Swift wrote the song's lyrics in a burst of inspiration on her bedroom floor, finishing it in just 20 minutes. Drawing from her childhood fascination with fairy tales, the song reflects her optimistic view of love.

Years later, Swift reflected on "Love Story," acknowledging its blend of cinematic and personal influences. She noted that it captured elements from movies, literature, and her own experiences with infatuation.

 

 

Love Story (Taylor Swift Song) Production and release

 

 

After finishing the songwriting process, Taylor Swift quickly recorded a rough demo of "Love Story" the next day in just 15 minutes. In March 2008, she went to Blackbird Studios in Nashville with producer Nathan Chapman to record the album version of the song. During these sessions, Swift experimented with different microphones and finally settled on an Avantone CV-12 multi-pattern tube microphone, designed by country music artist Ray Kennedy, who had also worked on her debut album.

 

Impressed by the performance of the Avantone CV-12 during sound tests, Swift decided to use it for not only "Love Story" but other tracks on the album as well. Accompanied by her band, which provided acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and drums, Swift performed the song live in the studio. Chapman added additional instruments, including nine acoustic guitars, which were later overdubbed along with background vocals. Recording engineer Chad Carlson used Pro Tools to capture the track, while Justin Niebank handled the mixing using a Solid State Logic 9080 K series console and Genelec 1032 studio monitors. Drew Bollman and Richard Edgeler also contributed to the recording process.

 

The entire "Fearless" album, including "Love Story," was mastered by Hank Williams at MasterMix Studios in Nashville. The track, influenced by traditional country music elements such as banjo and fiddle, was released by Big Machine Records on September 15, 2008, as the lead single from "Fearless." Chapman also produced an alternate version for pop radio, modifying Niebank's mix by using Apple Logic to mute acoustic instruments like the banjo and fiddle. This version featured an opening beat created by Apple Logic's Ultrabeat and an electric guitar produced with Amplitube Stomp I/O. Keith Harris of Rolling Stone described these electric guitars as "reasonably brilliant" and louder than the country version.

 

"Love Story" was introduced to U.S. pop radio on October 14, 2008, by Big Machine and Republic Records. In the UK, the track was released on March 2, 2009, a week before the UK debut of "Fearless." Music Week noted that the UK edition included a remix tailored for European audiences.

 

 

 

Love Story (Taylor Swift Song) Music and lyrics

 

 

"Love Story" is a melodic country pop anthem featuring acoustic instruments such as banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. John Bream of the Star Tribune described it as "pure pop with a minimal vibe," making it perfect for both country and pop radio listeners. Despite its traditional elements, The New York Times noted that the song could easily be adapted into an emo rock style. The sharp tones, with a slight twang, add a unique charm to the composition. Kristen Hay of Billboard mentioned that the mix and master are dynamically flat but audibly vibrant, designed to captivate listeners through FM radio speakers.

The song "Love Story" is inspired by Shakespeare's famous "Romeo and Juliet," depicting a romance that captures the complex emotions of love, including both pain and joy. Psychologist Katie Barclay highlights that the song unfolds primarily from Juliet's point of view, describing the challenges of their courtship, including her father's disapproval. The opening verse echoes the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare's play, setting the stage for a timeless story of young love. As the song progresses, Juliet's pleas for secret moments with Romeo intensify, revealing the desperation of forbidden love.

In the second verse, Juliet meets Romeo in a garden, only to learn of his impending departure due to her father's objections. A reference to Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" symbolizes the social stigma attached to their relationship, adding depth to Swift's lyrical imagery. Juliet's powerful declaration, "This love is difficult, but it's real," encapsulates the essence of their forbidden love.
The song's bridge, marked by pounding drums and soaring vocals, sets the stage for the final refrain. In a significant shift, the point of view changes to Romeo as he expresses his commitment to Juliet, culminating in a heartfelt marriage proposal. Unlike Shakespeare's tragic lovers, Swift's characters defy fate and create a hopeful future together.

By connecting her emotions to the timeless story of Romeo and Juliet, Swift created a song that resonated deeply with audiences, especially teenage girls and young women. Journalist Deborah Evans Price acknowledged the song's universal appeal, emphasizing that its emotional depth transcends age and experience.

 

Love Story (Taylor Swift Song) Critical reception

 

 

Blender ranked "Love Story" at number 73 in its 2008 year-end poll, while Village Voice and Jupe critics ranked it at number 48. Many critics praised the production within the Fearless album, including Sean Daley of St. Louis. The Petersburg Times, Rob Sheffield of Blender, and Stephen Thomas Earlwine of AllMusic highlighted the track as outstanding. Deborah Evans Price of Billboard praised the "swirling, dreamy" production, predicting that Swift's success in the country music scene will only continue to grow.
 
Others, such as James Reed of the Boston Globe and Alyssa Gardner of USA Today, praised "Love Story" as a testament to Swift's songwriting ability at a young age, an authentic portrayal of teenage emotions. However, some critics expressed reservations, especially regarding the literary context. Fraser McAlpine of the BBC, while acknowledging the story aspect of the song, felt that the Shakespearean context lacked subtlety. Composer James E. Perrone acknowledged the song's strong melodic hooks but rendered the lyrics somewhat predictable.
 
While John Bream of The Star Tribune felt that "Love Story" fell short of Swift's debut single "Tim McGraw", he still praised its catchy production. Jonathan Keefe of Slant magazine praised Swift's melodic skill but called the song's references to Romeo and Juliet and The Scarlet Letter misleading.
 
In a later review, English professor Robert N. Watson praised "The Love Story" as evidence of Swift's best lyric of failed romances, particularly because of its Shakespearean narrative. The song consistently ranks high in Swift's discography, with critics such as Hannah Mylaria of NME, Jene Song of Pest, and Nate Jones of Vulture praising its importance. Roisin O'Connor of The Independent ranked "Love Story" at number 15 on Swift's Top Tracks, recalling its depiction of forbidden romance. Similarly, Alexis Petridis of The Guardian ranked it second behind "Blank Space", praising its reliable youth literature references.
 
"Love Story" has also landed on various best-of lists, including Top 100 Country Songs, Time Out's 35 Best Country Songs, and Billboard's Top 50 Country Live Songs.

 

 

Love Story (Taylor Swift Song) Commercial performance

 

 

In the United States, "Love Story" made a formidable debut, entering the Billboard Hot 100 at number 16 and the Hot Country Songs chart at number 25, both on September 27, 2008. The following week, it swiftly ascended to number five on the Hot 100, eventually peaking at number four on January 17, 2009, and maintaining a remarkable 49-week presence on the chart. It also claimed the top spot on the Hot Country Songs chart for two consecutive weeks. Notably, the song achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first track to dominate both the country-radio and pop-radio charts, surpassing Shania Twain's "You're Still the One" as the highest-charting country crossover to pop radio.
 
Across other Billboard airplay charts, "Love Story" achieved significant success, reaching number one on Ad***ult Contemporary and number three on Ad**ult Pop Songs. Together with "Teardrops on My Guitar," the song solidified Swift's status as the first artist in the 2000s decade to secure two titles within the top 10 of four airplay charts: Hot Country Songs, Mainstream Top 40, Ad**ult Pop Songs, and A**dult Contemporary. Additionally, it topped the 2009 year-end Radio Songs chart. By February 2009, "Love Story" had become the first country song to amass three million downloads. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) later certified it eight-times platinum in 2015. Notably, the single had sold 6.2 million copies in the U.S. by October 2022, establishing itself as Swift's highest-selling single in the nation.
 
Internationally, "Love Story" marked Swift's inaugural number-one single in Australia, where it received a thirteen-times platinum certification. It also secured top-five positions on singles charts in Japan, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, and Scotland, among others. Across mainland Europe, it achieved notable success, peaking at number ten on the European Hot 100 Singles chart and securing top-ten positions in various countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway, and Sweden. The song received certifications ranging from triple platinum in the UK to gold in Italy and Japan. Worldwide, "Love Story" garnered 6.5 million digital copies in sales, making it the sixth-most-downloaded single of 2009. As of February 2021, estimated global sales of "Love Story" stood at an impressive 18 million units.

 

 

 Love Story (Taylor Swift Song)Music video

 

 

Directed by Trey Fanjoy, known for her collaboration with Swift on previous music videos, "Love Story" was conceptualized by Swift to evoke historical eras like the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Regency. She aimed to craft a period-piece-styled video with a timeless narrative that could seamlessly fit into various historical epochs. After an extensive six-month search for the male lead, Swift chose Justin Gaston, a fashion model and former contestant on the television series Nashville Star, based on a recommendation. Impressed by Gaston's natural expressions and demeanor, Swift believed he perfectly embodied the character.
 
Filming took place over two days in August 2008 in Tennessee. While initially considering European locations for the video, the crew ultimately selected Castle Gwynn in Arrington, a site steeped in history and part of the annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival. Wardrobe, aside from Swift's custom-designed dress for the balcony scene, was provided by Jacquard Fabrics. The first day focused on capturing scenes on the balcony and in the fields, while the second day saw the filming of the ballroom sequence featuring 20 dancers from Cumberland University. Swift, learning the choreography just minutes before filming, invited fans from other states to participate in the video.
 
"Love Story" premiered on CMT on September 12, 2008, showcasing behind-the-scenes footage on Great American Country on November 12, 2008.
 
In the video, Swift transitions from a modern-day college setting to a romantic period scene, where she encounters Gaston reading under a tree before embarking on a journey reminiscent of classic fairy tales. Spin magazine highlighted the video's lush production design, likening it to an HBO production, and noted the narrative's resemblance to "Rapunzel," particularly in scenes where Swift's character waits atop a castle. Glamour praised Swift's fashion choices, which echoed the lyrical theme, while Swift herself reflected on the video's fairy-tale-inspired wedding setting in a 2010 Billboard interview, emphasizing its idealistic portrayal of happy-ever-after moments.

 

 

Love Story (Taylor Swift Song) Awards and nominations

"Love Story" earned prestigious accolades, including Song of the Year at both the Country Awards in 2009 and the Pop Awards in 2010, hosted by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) to recognize the year's most-performed songs on U.S. radio and television. This marked Swift's second consecutive Song of the Year win at the BMI Country Awards, following her previous triumph with "Teardrops on My Guitar" in 2008. Notably, at just 20 years old, Swift became the youngest songwriter to clinch Song of the Year at the BMI Pop Awards. Additionally, the song garnered a nomination for International Work of the Year at the Australian APRA Awards.

 

Although it faced stiff competition, "Love Story" received nominations at various award ceremonies, including the People's Choice Awards (Favorite Country Song), the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards (Favorite Song), and the Teen Choice Awards (Choice Love Song). The music video earned a nomination for Video of the Year at the 45th Academy of Country Music Awards, although it ultimately lost to Brad Paisley's "Waitin' on a Woman" (2008). However, it secured victories at the 2009 CMT Music Awards, where it won both Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year. Furthermore, it clinched the title of Music Video of the Year at the 43rd Country Music Association Awards and Favorite International Video at the Philippine Myx Music Awards 2010.

 

Love Story (Taylor Swift Song) Live performances and other uses

 

 

"Love Story" has become a cornerstone of Swift's live performances, with over 500 renditions as of July 2023. During the promotion of Fearless in 2008 and 2009, Swift showcased "Love Story" on various television programs, including Good Morning America, Late Show with David Letterman, The Today Show, Dancing with the Stars, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Saturday Night Live. At the 2008 Country Music Association Awards, she even reenacted the music video's scenes, performing on a ballroom stage with Gaston as her love interest.

 

The song featured prominently in Swift's 2009 festival performances, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Florida Strawberry Festival, Sound Relief, the CMA Music Festival, and the Craven Country Jamboree. It was also a highlight of her inaugural headlining concert tour, the Fearless Tour (2009–2010), where it was performed amidst Victorian-themed choreography and elaborate stage settings.

 

Subsequent tours, including the Speak Now World Tour (2011–2012), the Red Tour (2013–2014), the 1989 World Tour (2015), and the Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), continued to feature "Love Story" in various arrangements and performances. Swift has showcased the song at prestigious events like the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the Time 100 Gala, and the American Music Awards, where she received accolades and performed captivating renditions of the track.

 

In addition to live performances, "Love Story" has left its mark on popular culture through parodies and adaptations. Notably, Swift collaborated with rapper T-Pain for a parody titled "Thug Story" at the 2009 CMT Music Awards. More recently, an unofficial house remix by American DJ Disco Lines gained viral popularity on TikTok in August 2020, even charting in Poland's airplay charts.

 

Throughout Swift's evolving career, "Love Story" remains a cherished and enduring favorite, showcasing her versatility and enduring appeal across different musical styles and performances.

 

 

Love Story (Taylor Swift Song) "Love Story (Taylor's Version)

 

 

After securing a fresh deal with Republic Records, Swift embarked on the task of re-recording her initial six studio albums, including Fearless, starting in November 2020. This decision stemmed from a public feud in 2019 between Swift and talent manager Scooter Braun, who obtained Big Machine Records, thereby acquiring the masters of Swift's albums released by the label. By re-recording her catalog, Swift regained complete ownership of the new masters, along with the copyright licensing of her songs, effectively diminishing the value of the Big Machine-owned masters.

 

Swift reimagined "Love Story" and titled it "Love Story (Taylor's Version)". A snippet of the re-recording featured in a Match.com advertisement in December 2020. Serving as the inaugural re-recorded track she released, it became available for download and streaming on February 12, 2021, leading up to the unveiling of the re-recorded album Fearless (Taylor's Version) in April. An EDM rendition of "Love Story (Taylor's Version)" crafted by Swedish producer Elvira hit the airwaves on March 26, 2021, and was included in the deluxe edition of Fearless (Taylor's Version).

 

The production of "Love Story (Taylor's Version)" was helmed by Swift and Nashville-based producer Christopher Rowe. Recorded at various studios in Nashville and Los Angeles, the re-recording saw David Payne capturing the essence at Blackbird Studios, with additional contributions from Rowe at Prime Recording and Studio 13. Mixing was handled by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios, while mastering took place at Sterling Sound. Swift reunited with some of the musicians who originally worked on the 2008 version, including Jonathan Yudkin, Amos Heller, and Caitlin Evanson, all part of her touring band.

 

Critics lauded "Love Story (Taylor's Version)" for its fidelity to the original while appreciating the polished production and Swift's matured vocals. The re-recording's debut atop the Hot Country Songs chart marked Swift's eighth number-one single and her first number-one debut, further solidifying her status as the first artist to lead the chart in three consecutive decades. It also made history as the second instance of an artist achieving a number one with both the original and re-recorded versions of a song, following Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You". While it peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, the re-recording enjoyed global success, charting in several countries and earning accolades, including the Trending Comeback Song of the Year at the 2022 CMT Music Awards.

 

 

 

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