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22 (Taylor Swift song)

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"22"
Song

"22" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was written by Swift along with the song's producers Max Martin and Shellback. The song was released as the album's fourth single on March 12, 2013. The lyrics describe the joys of being 22 years old.

The song peaked at 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the sixth single from Red to hit the top 20.

Background and release

After writing her third studio album 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 in-decision and fear and at the same time letting loose. Being 22 has taught me so much".[2]

The song was officially supposed to impact contemporary hit radio in the U.S. on March 5, 2013, before being pushed back by one week to March 12, 2013,[3] and in the UK on March 31, 2013.[4] An exclusive limited edition individually numbered CD single was also released exclusively to Swift's store on March 13, 2013, the same day the music video was released. The CD single was sold by itself or via an exclusive package with the Red Tour items and a T-shirt.[5][6]

Composition and lyrics

"22" is a pop[7] song lasting three minutes and 52 seconds, mainly accompanied by a twangy acoustic guitar, invoking a country pop influence from Taylor Swift's conventional repertoire. The song is written in the key of G major with a tempo of 104 beats per minute.[8][9] Swift's vocals span one and a half octaves, between G3 and D5.[8] The song was written by Swift, along with Max Martin and Shellback, who helped her in writing and producing her previous hits "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and "I Knew You Were Trouble". The lyrics describe the joys and the happiness of being 22 years old.[10]

Critical reception

Idolator said "'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".[11] Digital Spy said ""We're happy free confused and lonely at the same time," Swift acknowledges over perky guitars, before launching into an earworm chant of "twenty twooo-oo-oo" that will stubbornly swirl around your head for hours on end. She may have already achieved more during her youth than most do in their lifetime, but with one more pop smash to add to her repertoire, it seems she's only just getting started.", giving the song four out of five stars.[12]

Billboard said that it is "Swift's most blatantly pop song of her career", adding that:

"'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."[13]

Music video

The music video for "22" was filmed in February 2013, and premiered and released on March 13, 2013. It was directed by Anthony Mandler, who had previously directed the music video for Swift's I Knew You Were Trouble.[14]

Live performances

Swift first performed the song during her live webchat on August 13, 2012; the performance was later released during the 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 broadcast on OFF.tv. She also performed the song on her third concert tour, The Red Tour. She also performed it on May 19, 2013 at the Billboard Music Awards.[15]

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 seven on Billboard ('s) Hot Digital Songs chart with sales of 108,000.[16][17] It later re-entered the Hot 100 at number 84 on the chart week of January 12, 2013. When it was again released as a single, it reentered the charts at number 64.[18] "22" also debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 20. It also managed to reach number nine on the UK Singles Chart.[19][20] As of November 2014, the song has sold 2 million copies in the United States.[21]

Charts and certifications

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[46] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[47] Platinum 80,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] Gold 7,500*
United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Silver 200,000^
United States (RIAA)[50] 3× Platinum 2,000,000[21]
Venezuela (APFV)[51] Gold 15,000 
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[52] Gold 1,300,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States March 12, 2013[3] Contemporary hit radio Big Machine Records
March 13, 2013[53][54] CD single
United Kingdom March 31, 2013[4] Contemporary hit radio

References

  1. ^ Blackburn, Stevie-Leigh (April 3, 2013). "Single Review: Taylor Swift-22". Sound and Motion Magazine. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  2. ^ Gallo, Phil (October 19, 2012). "Taylor Swift Q&A: The Risks of 'Red' and The Joys of Being 22". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Top 40/M Future Releases (March 5, 2013)". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b "Singles Release Diary". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  5. ^ "Taylor Swift LIMITED EDITION "22" Single CD". TaylorSwift.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "LIMITED EDITION "22" Single Package". TaylorSwift.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Lansky, Sam (February 6, 2013). "Taylor Swift Announces "22" As Next 'Red' Single". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Digital sheet music - Taylor Swift - 22". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing. November 29, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  9. ^ "BPM for '22' by taylor swift". songbpm.com. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  10. ^ "Song Reviews For Taylor Swift's "Red"". October 29, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  11. ^ "Taylor Swift's "22": Listen To The Storming Pop Track". Idolator. October 18, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  12. ^ Corner, Lewis (March 14, 2013). "Taylor Swift: '22' - Single review". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  13. ^ "Taylor Swift, 'Red': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. October 19, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  14. ^ "TAYLOR TO PREMIERE VIDEO FOR "22" THIS WEDNESDAY". Taylor Swift. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  15. ^ Acuna, Kristen (May 20, 2013). "Taylor Swift's Brilliant '22' Billboard Music Awards Performance". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Grein, Paul (October 31, 2012). "Week Ending Oct. 28, 2012. Songs: Chris Brown's Comeback". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  18. ^ "Hot 100 – Week of January 12, 2013 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  19. ^ 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)
  20. ^ Williams, John (November 3, 2010). "Taylor Swift shakes up charts". JAM! Music. Canoe.ca. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  21. ^ a b Trust, Gary (November 11, 2014). "Ask Billboard: All-Taylor Swift Edition". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  22. ^ "Taylor Swift – 22". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  23. ^ "Taylor Swift – 22" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  24. ^ "Taylor Swift – 22" (in French). Ultratip.
  25. ^ a b BPP, ed. (September 2013). "Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (44): 88.
  26. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  27. ^ "Muchmusic Top 30". Top40-Charts. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  28. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  29. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  30. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 22. týden 2013 in the date selector.
  31. ^ "Taylor Swift – 22" (in French). Les classement single.
  32. ^ "Chart Track: Week 14, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  33. ^ "Media Forest Week 18, 2013". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved 2013-28-04.
  34. ^ http://www.olt20.com/Taylor_Swift#fragment-2&panel1-2
  35. ^ "Taylor Swift – 22". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  36. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  37. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201318 into search.
  38. ^ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2013-05-21". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  39. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  40. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  41. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  42. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  43. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  44. ^ "Best of 2013: Canadian Hot 100". Prometheus Gobal Media. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  45. ^ "Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  46. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  47. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Taylor Swift – 22". Music Canada.
  48. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart - 22 April 2013". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved April 22, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help)
  49. ^ "BPI Certified Awards database". BPI. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  50. ^ "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – 22". Recording Industry Association of America.
  51. ^ "Anual Reporte de la Música Venezolana 2013" (PDF). Reportland. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 11, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  52. ^ "Certificeringer - Taylor Swift - 22". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  53. ^ "Taylor Swift LIMITED EDITION "22" Single CD". TaylorSwift.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  54. ^ "LIMITED EDITION "22" Single Package". TaylorSwift.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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