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Delicate (Taylor Swift song)

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"Delicate"
File:Taylor Swift - Delicate (Sawyr and Ryan Tedder Remix).png
Sawyr and Ryan Tedder remix artwork
Single by Taylor Swift
from the album Reputation
ReleasedMarch 12, 2018 (2018-03-12)
GenreElectropop
Length3:52
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Gorgeous"
(2018) 		"Delicate"
(2018) 		"Babe"
(2018)
Music video
"Delicate" on YouTube

"Delicate" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her sixth studio album, Reputation (2017). It was released on March 12, 2018, as the album's fifth American single and sixth overall.[1] Swift wrote the song with producers Max Martin and Shellback. "Delicate" has been labeled as an "electropop love song"[1] with lyrics concerning "what happens when you meet somebody that you really want in your life and then you start worrying about what they've heard before they met you".

Writing and composition

"Delicate" was written by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback, and was produced by the latter two. "Delicate" runs for a duration of three minutes and 52 seconds;[2][3] and it has a tempo of 95 beats per minute. Swift performs it in the key of C major in a vocal range span from G3 to A4.[4] Musically, the track has been described as a "electro-pop love song".[1] The singer used a vocoder to create an "emotional" and "vulnerable" sound for the track. She explains that the song is about "what happens when you meet somebody that you really want in your life and then you start worrying about what they've heard before they met you." Swift went on to call the song "the first point of vulnerability in the record"[5]

Critical reception

"Delicate" received universal acclaim from music critics. Geoff Nelson of Consequence of Sound coined the track as one of Reputation's strongest moments, along with "Gorgeous" and "Call It What You Want".[6] Zach Schonfeld of Newsweek called it as "the album's first real moment of vulnerability", and it succeeds by "peeling back all the bravado and EDM aggression of the opening tracks".[7] In another positive review, Roisin O’Connor of The Independent stated that "Taylor Swift produced some of her most honest and direct songwriting to date", and ""Delicate" was one of the best examples of that".[8]

Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone named it the best song of 2017,[9] and was also included in Vanity Fair's The 17 Best Pop Songs of 2017, stating that "even at her most publicly beset, Taylor Swift possesses a secret weapon that separates her from the competition: truly unimpeachable songcraft".[10]

Music video

The video was filmed at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel (above) and the 7th Street/Metro Center station. (below)

The music video for "Delicate" premiered on March 11, 2018 at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards after Swift accepted her award for "Female Artist of the Year". Directed by Joseph Kahn, the music video was shot in various locations around Los Angeles, including the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, the 7th Street/Metro Center station, the Los Angeles Theater and adjacent St. Vincent's Court, and the Golden Gopher bar.[11] The video features Swift discovering that she is invisible after a mystery man hands her a note, and is a satire and symbolic of Swift being able to be herself for the first time, and not caring about how others view her.[12][13] The video gained almost 13 million online views in the first 24 hours of release.[14] As of July 2018, the music video has gained over 220 million views on YouTube.[15]

Synopsis

Swift is seen looking vacant on the red carpet, snapping to attention as hordes of reporters shove microphones at her. A mysterious figure slips a piece of paper into her hands. In a hotel lobby, people turn and stare as she walks by surrounded by four bodyguards. As she tries to take a photo with fans, a bellhop tries to grab her and security drag him away. Swift rolls her eyes and continues to walk with her security team, testing how they mimic her every move.

In a dressing room she makes silly faces in the mirror before being interrupted by a group of women: turning back to the mirror, the piece of paper glows on the counter and she can't see her reflection anymore, and she realizes that she's invisible. Delighted to have freedom, she breaks out into joyful dance all over the hotel, although she gets sad when she realizes she cannot engage in close conversation with a stranger. Swift moves from the hotel into the Los Angeles subway and onto rain-drenched streets. Soaked but happy, she arrives at the dive bar she references in the song, opening the glowing note, seemingly removing her invisibility as she is choosing to reveal herself to some. People turn to look as she comes in, drenched, and she realizes she is no longer invisible - but she smiles as she seems to recognize someone there.

Vertical video

On March 30, 2018, Swift uploaded an alternate video exclusively to Spotify, which was made available for users in the US, the UK, Sweden, and Latin America.[16] The video was filmed in one continuous shot in a vertical format. It features Swift walking in the woods while singing and also referencing her relationship with Joe Alwyn by "clutching her necklace with a J on the pendant".[17]The video was later released on YouTube on May 16. To date the video has over 2.5 million views on YouTube.

Commercial performance

After its release as a single, "Delicate" debuted at number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it has since peaked at number 15 becoming Swift's 41st top 20 hit. It was the fifth song from Reputation to do so making it the first album in three years to have five top 20 hits. The last album to do so was Swift's own album 1989 in 2015. It also debuted at number 24 on the Adult Contemporary chart, becoming the week's highest ranking debut. It also debuted at number 32 on the Mainstream Top 40 and peaked at number 5. It has peaked at number 1 on the Adult Top 40 chart after debuting at number 37, becoming the first single from Reputation to do so. Billboard noted that compared to other singles from Reputation, which peaked high initially and then fell, "Delicate" was a slow growing radio smash which gained popularity the longer audiences stayed with it.[18]

In Canada, after the release of Reputation, the song debuted at number 98 on the Canadian Hot 100 falling off the chart the following week. After its release as a single it re-entered the chart at number 44, becoming the fifth consecutive song from Reputation to peak within the top 50 of the chart. The next week it moved to number 38, later peaking at number 30.

The song also debuted at number 87 in the UK, before peaking at number 45. In Australia it debuted at number 56, later peaking at number 28.

Acoustic version

The track was re-recorded at The Tracking Room in Nashville, Tennessee for Swift's acoustic installment of the Spotify Singles series.[19] The acoustic version was released on April 13 exclusively on Spotify along with Swift's cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's "September".

Remixes

A remix for the song featuring American musicians Ryan Tedder and Sawyr was released on May 25, 2018. On June 8th a remix of the song featuring musician Seeb was released. Both the remixes received positive reviews from music critics.

Accolades

Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2018 Teen Choice Awards Choice Pop Song Pending [20]

Live performances

The song had its debut performance at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on May 8, 2018, as part of the setlist for Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour. On May 27, 2018, Swift performed a stripped-down, acoustic version of the song as part of her performance at BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend in Swansea, where she supported herself on the guitar.

Charts

Chart (2017–18) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[21] 28
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[22] 70
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[23] 4
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[24] 4
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[25] 27
Canada AC (Billboard)[26] 10
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[27] 10
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[28] 8
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[29] 19
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[30] 31
France (SNEP)[31] 169
Honduras (Monitor Latino)[32] 11
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[33] 32
Iceland (RÚV)[34] 3
Ireland (IRMA)[35] 31
Malaysia (RIM)[36] 15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[37] 33
Norway (VG-lista)[38]
Seeb Remix 		27
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[39] 42
Portugal (AFP)[40] 56
Scotland (OCC)[41] 51
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[42] 44
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[43] 98
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 88
UK Singles (OCC)[45] 45
US Billboard Hot 100[46] 15
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[47] 9
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[48] 1
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[49] 11
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[50] 3
Venezuela (National-Report)[51] 69

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States March 12, 2018 Hot adult contemporary radio
[52]
March 13, 2018 Contemporary hit radio [53]
Italy April 20, 2018 Universal Music Group [54]
United Kingdom
  • Big Machine
  • Republic
 [55]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Wass, Mike (February 28, 2018). "Taylor Swift Is Releasing "Delicate" As The Next Single From 'Reputation'". Idolator. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  2. ^ "reputation by Taylor Swift on TIDAL". TIDAL. November 10, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  3. ^ Kornhaber, Spencer (November 10, 2017). "The Old Taylor Swift Is Hiding Within Reputation". The Atlantic. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  4. ^ "Digital Sheet Music – Delicate". Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  5. ^ Michaels, Wendy (November 15, 2017). "Taylor Swift's Behind-The-Scenes Video For 'Delicate' Is Making Fans Freak Out". Elite Daily. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  6. ^ Nelson, Geoff (November 11, 2017). "Taylor Swift – Reputation". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  7. ^ Schonfeld, Zach (November 14, 2017). "TAYLOR SWIFT'S 'REPUTATION': A TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW, FROM 'READY FOR IT' TO 'NEW YEAR'S DAY'". Newsweek. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  8. ^ O’Connor, Roisin (March 12, 2018). "Taylor Swift dances like nobody's watching in 'Delicate' video". Independent. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  9. ^ Sheffield, Rob (December 20, 2017). "Rob Sheffield's Top 25 Songs of 2017". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  10. ^ XIV, DJ Louie (December 4, 2017). "The 17 Best Pop Songs of 2017". Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  11. ^ Taylor, Elise (March 12, 2018). "All the Downtown Los Angeles Spots Featured in Taylor Swift's 'Delicate' Music Video". Vogue. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  12. ^ Warner, Denise (March 12, 2018). "Taylor Swift Channels Britney Spears' 'Lucky,' Maddie Ziegler in 'Delicate' Video". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  13. ^ Paige, Rachel (March 11, 2018). "Here's the meaning behind the "Delicate" video, because Taylor Swift is finally living her best life". HelloGiggles. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  14. ^ Bradley, Nina. "Fans Can't Stop Comparing Taylor Swift's New Video To This 2016 Perfume Ad". Bustle. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
  15. ^ "Taylor Swift - Delicate". YouTube. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  16. ^ "Taylor Swift's New Delicate Video Only on Spotify". 29 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  17. ^ Aniftos, Rania (March 30, 2018). "Taylor Swift Gets Up Close & Personal in 'Delicate' Vertical Video". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  18. ^ "Taylor Swift's "Delicate" is Reputation's biggest radio hit". Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Spotify Singles - Taylor Swift". Spotify. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  20. ^ Cohen, Jess (June 13, 2018). "Teen Choice Awards 2018: Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther and Riverdale Among Top Nominees". E! News. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  21. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  22. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  23. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  24. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  25. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  26. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  27. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  28. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  29. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 25. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  30. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 14. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  31. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  32. ^ "Monitor Latino – Top 20 General – Honduras – Del 21 al 27 de Mayo, 2018" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  34. ^ "TOPPLISTINN 26. MAI 2018". RÚV. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Taylor Swift". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  36. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  37. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  38. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 25, 2018". VG-lista. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  39. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  40. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  41. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  42. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201815 into search. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  43. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  44. ^ "Taylor Swift – Delicate". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  45. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  46. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  47. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  48. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  49. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  50. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  51. ^ "Top 100 Venezuela" (in Spanish). National-Report. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  52. ^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  53. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  54. ^ Ceschi, Isabella (April 20, 2018). "Taylor Swift - Delicate (Radio Date: 20-04-2018)". Universal Music Group. EarOne. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  55. ^ "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. April 20, 2018. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
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