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22 (Taylor Swift song)

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"22"
Song

"22" is a song by American recording artist Taylor Swift from her fourth studio album Red (2012). It was written by Swift along with Max Martin and Shellback. Production was handled by Martin and Shellback, with Scott Borchetta serving as executive producer. The song is set to be released as the album's fourth single on March 12, 2013. "22" received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented Swift's collaboration with Martin and Shellback and the new pop sound they created for her.

Background

Swift during her appearance on Good Morning America, where she talked aboout "22", and also previewed the song

After writing Speak Now (2010) entirely solo, she opted to collaborate with different songwriters and producers for Red. Thus, she called Max Martin and Shellback, two songwriters and producers whose work she admired, to discuss a possible collaboration. She told Billboard magazine: "For me, being 22 has been my favorite year of my life. I like all the possibilities of how you're still learning, but you know enough. You still know nothing, but you know that you know nothing. You're old enough to start planning your life, but you're young enough to know there are so many unanswered questions. That brings about a carefree feeling that is sort of based on indecision and fear and at the same time letting loose. Being 22 has taught me so much."[3]

Critical reception

The song has received generally positive reviews from music critics. Idolator gave the song a very positive review, saying 22 is a thunderous pop track kicking off with a twangy acoustic guitar riff before a propulsive beat that evokes Katy Perry‘s 'Teenage Dream' drops to make way for verses that are cute and likably bratty".[4]

Meanwhile, Billboard also has praised for the song saying that it is "Swift's most blatantly pop song off her career", adding ""22" is all about trying to "forget about the deadlines" and embraces only the most sugary hooks available. Underneath the heel-clicking positivity and shiny production sits the line "We're happy, free, confused and lonely in the best way," a rather stunning meditation on being in your early 20s that's flicked off like a piece of pre-chorus lint. Even when she's having fun, Swift is succinctly communicating conflicting emotion".[5]

Further, Amy Sciaretto of PopCrush also gave it a positive review, saying that the song starts out with an acoustic guitar, but quickly escalates into a fun anthem for sleepover parties. There is some requisite twang, which again might appeal to her country base, but this sounds penned for the teens when she sings about being “happy, free, confused and lonely” at the same time. It has the same cadence and energy as the lead single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and some Avril Lavigne-style sass. There is a self-referential sound bite and a clip of the phone ringing saying "Who's Taylor Swift anyway? Ew."[6]

Music video

Jessica Szohr (pictured) plays Taylor's best friend in the music video.

The music video for "22" was filmed in February 2013, and was directed by Anthony Mandler, who previously directed Swift in the "I Knew You Were Trouble" music video. the "22" video features a cast of Swift's real-life friends and is scheduled to premiere on March 13, 2013.[7]The music video has the participation of former Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr.

Live performance

Swift first performed the song during her live webchat on August 13, 2012, the performance was later released around holiday season. Also, she performed the song at Comic Relief on February 22, 2013, and for a private concert in France while on a boat which was broadcasted on OFF.tv

Chart performance

Several songs from Red, including "22", charted in different countries due to strong digital sales following the release of the album. "22" debuted at number 44 on United States Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as at number 7 on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs chart with sales of 108,000.[8][9] It later re-entered the Hot 100 at number 84 on the chart week of January 12, 2013.[10] "22" also debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and number 129 on the UK Singles Chart.[11][12]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2012–13) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 22
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 29
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 58
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 23
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 66
US Billboard Hot 100[18] 44
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[19] 38

Radio and release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[20] March 12, 2013 Contemporary hit radio Big Machine Records, Republic Records
CD single March 13, 2013[21][22]
United Kingdom[23] April 1, 2013 Impact Day

References

  1. ^ Lansky, Sam (February 6, 2013). "Taylor Swift Announces "22″ As Next 'Red' Single". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  2. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  3. ^ "Adele, Swift nominated for Golden Globes". 2012-12-15.
  4. ^ "Taylor Swift's "22″: Listen To The Storming Pop Track". Idolator. October 18, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  5. ^ "Taylor Swift, 'Red': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. October 19, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  6. ^ "Taylor Swift, 'Red'- Album Review". Popcrush. October 19, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  7. ^ "TAYLOR TO PREMIERE VIDEO FOR "22" THIS WEDNESDAY". Taylor Swift. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  8. ^ Caulfield, Keith (November 3, 2010). "Taylor Swift Sells Over 1 Million in Record Billboard 200 Debut". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  9. ^ Grein, Paul (October 31, 2012). "Week Ending Oct. 28, 2012. Songs: Chris Brown's Comeback". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  10. ^ "Hot 100 – Week of January 12, 2013 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  11. ^ Williams, John (November 3, 2010). "Taylor Swift shakes up charts". JAM! Music. Canoe.ca. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  12. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: New Entries Update – 3.11.2012 (Week 43)". zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved November 5, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  13. ^ "Taylor Swift – 22". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
  14. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  15. ^ "Chart Track: Week 10, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  16. ^ "Taylor Swift – 22". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2013-2-18.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-03-16.
  18. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  19. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  20. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases (March 5, 2013)". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  21. ^ "Taylor Swift LIMITED EDITION "22" Single CD". TaylorSwift.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  22. ^ "LIMITED EDITION "22" Single Package". TaylorSwift.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  23. ^ "UK Forthcoming singles list". Radio1. February 20, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
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