Jump to content

Babe (Sugarland song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Babe"
Single by Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift
from the album Bigger
ReleasedApril 20, 2018 (2018-04-20)
GenreCountry pop
Length3:35
LabelBig Machine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Sugarland singles chronology
"Still the Same"
(2017) 		"Babe"
(2018)
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Delicate"
(2018) 		"Babe"
(2018) 		"Getaway Car"
(2018)
Music video
"Babe" on YouTube

"Babe" is a song recorded by American country music duo Sugarland, featuring guest vocals from American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released by Big Machine Records on April 20, 2018, as the second single from Sugarland's sixth studio album, Bigger (2018). "Babe" is a midtempo country pop[1] ballad and breakup song. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, number 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, and at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was originally written by Swift and Pat Monahan of the American band Train, for Swift's fourth studio album, Red (2012); however, it did not make the final track-list. Swift re-recorded the song for her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version) (2021).

Background

[edit]
Taylor Swift co-wrote "Babe" with Train's Patrick Monahan, for her 2012 album Red. However, it did not make the final track list.

Scott Borchetta, CEO of Big Machine Records where Swift was signed at the time, first teased a collaboration with Monahan in September 2012 at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.[2] Patrick Monahan, the founding member of rock band Train, first spoke about the song during a 2013 interview with ABC News Radio. He said that when he asked Swift about collaborating on a song for Train's next album, she asked him to co-write a song for her album Red (2012). Ultimately, the song was not included on the album, but when Swift decided to put out a deluxe version of Red, Monahan thought it would finally be released.[3][4][5] The song was not previously recorded.[6][7]

Bigger's track list, which was released on April 12, 2018, shows that "Babe" is the only song on the album not co-written by Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Nettles and Bush noted at the time that it was the first time they had recorded a song that neither of them were involved in writing.[8][9] It also marks the second song Swift has written for a country act since making her full transition to pop in 2014, following Little Big Town's "Better Man", as well as the first country song on which she is credited as an artist since that time.[10][11]

Sugarland told reporters backstage at the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards that the collaboration came about after Swift, who is a Sugarland fan, called the duo wanting to work with them.[12][13] "She was gracious enough to reach out to us when she heard we were coming back together and doing a record," Bush said. "She said, 'I have a song, would you like to do it?' And we said, 'Uh, yeah!' I was a little anxious. I didn't want to mess it up!" Nettles added: "But she loved it and wanted [us] to be a part of it, which is exciting. She said, 'I have a song,' and we said, 'Okay. Send it over.'"[14][15][16] The duo found it to be an unusual experience, since they have never featured anybody on their past albums. "So we weren't really used to sorting through that and we didn't want to mess it up. We didn't tell anybody about it until we got finished and she liked it, thank God."[17] In a video Swift posted on Instagram, she expressed that she is delighted that the song "gets its own life" and that "Sugarland wanted to record it and has done such a great job with it".[18][19][20]

Swift revealed in August 2021 that she would be recording a solo rendition of "Babe" for the 2021 re-recording of Red.[21]

Composition

[edit]

"Babe" is an acoustic, midtempo country ballad about breaking up.[22][23][24] According to Rolling Stone's Brittney McKenna, the "foot-stomping" song bears a resemblance to Swift's Speak Now era. Nettles handles the lead vocals while Swift contributes to the song's backing vocals, which can be heard echoing in the chorus and the bridge.[25][26] Lyrically, the song addresses an unfaithful lover.[27]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The song debuted at No. 27 on Country Airplay dated April 28, 2018,[28] The following week it was released for sale, and the song reached No. 8 on Hot Country Songs with 38,000 copies in the first sales week. The song peaked at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number two on Digital Song Sales chart.[29][30][31] It has sold 166,000 copies in the United States as of November 2018.[32] Additionally the song peaked at number 94 in Canada and number 64 in Scotland.

Music video

[edit]

The trailer for the music video aired during the 2018 CMT Music Awards and was uploaded to Sugarland's YouTube channel on June 6, 2018, while the official music video premiered on June 9. Swift had the original idea for the video's concept, and as stated per the Sugarland duo themselves, they all got together before the video shoot to collaborate on ideas.[33] To date the video has over 37 million views on YouTube.

Synopsis

[edit]

The video, directed by Anthony Mandler, features Brandon Routh, Jennifer Nettles and Taylor Swift in primary roles.[34][35] Routh and Nettles are a married couple while Swift plays the role of a secretary who is having an affair with her married boss (Routh).[36] Routh is shown to be an unfaithful husband throughout the clip and is, ultimately, discovered by Nettles. However, it is later revealed that both women were victims, with Nettles being cheated on and Swift being told by Routh that he loves her and has written love letters to her, but later abandons her, breaking both women's hearts. The video ends with Routh leaving Swift's house to find his front doors locked and his belongings thrown out on the lawn. Nettles, now alone and free, lies down to go to bed, ready to enjoy her new life, and Routh leaves, as Kristian Bush, playing their neighbor, witnesses the whole thing while walking his dog.[37] Swift's attire in the music video was compared to that of character Joan Holloway from the television series Mad Men.[38][39]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2018 Country Music Association Awards Video of the Year Nominated [40][41]
2019 Academy of Country Music Awards Nominated [42]
CMT Music Awards Duo Video of the Year Nominated [43]
Collaborative Video of the Year Nominated
Golden Boot Awards Music Video of the Year Nominated [44]
Collaboration of the Year Won

Live performances

[edit]

Sugarland performed the song for the first time on Live with Kelly and Ryan on May 8, 2018.[45] On June 6, 2018, they performed it on The Today Show live from Blake Shelton's bar, Ole Red.[46] The song is also included in the Still the Same Tour set list. Swift included the song on her pre-show playlist on her Reputation Stadium Tour and sang it as the surprise song at her Cleveland show.[47] Sugarland joined Swift as the special guest at the second show in Arlington on the tour, where they performed the song together live for the first time.[48] Swift performed the song as a surprise song on the Eras Tour in mashup with Death by a Thousand Cuts during the fourth show in Singapore.[49]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[50]

  • Kristian Bush – producer, vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Jennifer Nettles – vocals, producer
  • Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriter
  • Patrick Monahan – songwriter
  • Brandon Bush – producer, keyboard, mixing assistance
  • Julian Raymond – producer
  • Zoe Rosen – producer
  • Brianna Steinitz – producer
  • Adam Chignon – mix engineering
  • Ted Jensen – master engineer
  • Tom Tapley – engineer
  • Lars Fox – engineer
  • Nik Karpen – mixing assistance
  • Sean Badum – record engineering assistance
  • Kevin Kane – record engineering assistance
  • Paul Bushnell – bass
  • Victor Indrizzo – drums
  • Tom Bukovac – electric guitar
  • Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
  • Justin Schipper – steel guitar

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Babe"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[61] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Babe"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various April 20, 2018
Big Machine [50]
United States Country radio
[62]

"Babe (Taylor's Version)"

[edit]
"Babe (Taylor's Version)"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album Red (Taylor's Version)
ReleasedNovember 12, 2021 (2021-11-12)
Genre
Length3:44
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"Babe (Taylor's Version)" on YouTube

Swift re-recorded "Babe", subtitled "(Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)", for her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), released on November 12, 2021, through Republic Records.[63] Swift posted a snippet of the re-recording on Tumblr a day before the album's release.[64] "Babe (Taylor's Version)" is a ska-pop song[65] that features trumpets, saxophones, and flutes that were absent from Sugarland's version. It includes additional, repetitive lyrics "What about your promises, promises, promises?" on the background.[66]

"Babe (Taylor's Version)"
A sample of the breakdown in "Babe (Taylor's Version)", which is not present in the Sugarland version.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[67]

  • Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriting, production
  • Patrick Monahan – songwriting
  • Jack Antonoff – production, acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar, keyboards, mellotron, percussion, programming, drums, engineering, recording
  • Mikey Freedom Hart – acoustic guitar, celesta, Hammond B3, electric guitar, slide guitar, synthesizer, engineering
  • Sean Hutchinson – drums, percussion, engineering
  • Evan Smith – flute, saxophone, engineering
  • Michael Riddleberger – percussion, engineering
  • Cole Kamen-Green – trumpet, engineering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • Bryce Bordone – mix engineering
  • David Hart – engineering
  • John Rooney – engineering, engineering assistance
  • Laura Sisk – engineering, recording
  • Jon Sher – engineering assistance
  • Lauren Marquez – engineering assistance

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Babe (Taylor's Version)"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[68] 56
Global 200 (Billboard)[69] 71
US Billboard Hot 100[70] 69
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[71] 21

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pascual, Danielle; Weatherby, Taylor (2022-08-19). "Taylor Swift's Top Collaborations, Ranked: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2022-08-22. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  2. ^ "Backbeat: Big Machine's Scott Borchetta On Taylor Swift Going Pop, Clear Channel Royalty Pact". Billboard Pro. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012.
  3. ^ "Train's Pat Monahan on Writing with Taylor Swift: "Her Perspective Is Very Fresh"". ABC News Radio. October 15, 2013. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  4. ^ Stone, Chelsea (April 20, 2018). "Taylor Swift Wrote and Is Featured on Sugarland's Newest Song "Babe"". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  5. ^ Chiu, Melody (April 20, 2018). "Sugarland and Taylor Swift Release Breakup Song 'Babe' — Find Out the Story Behind the Track". People. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  6. ^ Watts, Cindy (April 20, 2018). "Taylor Swift, Sugarland team for country duet 'Babe'". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  7. ^ Watts, Cindy (April 12, 2018). "Sugarland, Taylor Swift team for country duet 'Babe'". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  8. ^ Stephens, Samantha (April 13, 2018). "Taylor Swift Lends Vocals on Sugarland's Bigger". CMT. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  9. ^ Snider, Chase (April 15, 2018). "Sugarland dropping new track with Taylor Swift next week". 10News. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Hudak, Joseph (April 12, 2018). "Sugarland Announce New Album 'Bigger,' Taylor Swift Collaboration". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  11. ^ White, Caitlin (April 20, 2018). "Hear Taylor Swift Sing On 'Babe,' Country Duo Sugarland's New Breakup Anthem That She Co-Wrote". Uproxx. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  12. ^ Schiller, Rebecca (April 15, 2018). "Sugarland Talks Taylor Swift Collaboration on ACM Awards Red Carpet: 'It's Fantastic'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  13. ^ Thompson, Gayle (April 16, 2018). "Sugarland Reveal How a Taylor Swift Song Landed on Their Upcoming 'Bigger' Album". PopCulture. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  14. ^ Tailor, Leena (April 15, 2018). "Sugarland Teases Lyric Details on New Song 'Babe' Written By Taylor Swift (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  15. ^ Mastrogiannis, Nicole (April 18, 2018). "Sugarland Opens Up About New Taylor Swift-Penned Song "Babe"". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  16. ^ Runtagh, Jordan (April 15, 2018). "Taylor Swift's Upcoming Sugarland Single 'Just Might Be' Inspired by a Previous Relationship". People. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  17. ^ Freeman, Jon (April 16, 2018). "Sugarland on Recording Taylor Swift Song: 'We Didn't Want to Mess It Up'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  18. ^ Calvario, Liz (April 20, 2018). "Taylor Swift Returns to Country Music With Sugarland Song 'Babe' — Listen". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  19. ^ Daramola, Israel (April 20, 2018). "Taylor Swift Is Featured on Sugarland's New Song "Babe"". Spin. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  20. ^ Darmon, Aynslee (April 20, 2018). "Taylor Swift Reacts To All The Love For Writing Sugarland's 'Babe'". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  21. ^ Swift, Taylor [@taylorswift] (August 6, 2021). "I know some of you thought that would be like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there's no right answer BUT...you played it good & right. Congrats pals, you guessed the correct titles and feature artists on Red (my version). The vault tracks will feature @chrisstapleton, @phoebebridgers, @markfoster and the first song @teddysphotos and I ever wrote together the first time we met in 2012❗️I can't express my gratitude enough to these artists for helping me bring these songs to life. I can't wait til we can dust off our highest hopes and relive these memories together. We'll also be making a bunch of new ones too, since Red (Taylor's Version) includes so many songs you haven't heard yet. Til then, I'll be counting down and picturing it all in my head. In burning red. Red (Taylor's Version) out November 19. Pre-order now". Retrieved August 6, 2021 – via Instagram.
  22. ^ Rosa, Christopher (April 20, 2018). "Taylor Swift's Fans Are Living for Her New Country Song With Sugarland". Glamour. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  23. ^ Weatherby, Taylor (April 20, 2018). "Sugarland Teams Up With Taylor Swift For Acoustic Breakup Tune 'Babe'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  24. ^ Variety Staff (April 20, 2018). "Sugarland Drop 'Babe,' New Single Featuring and Co-Written by Taylor Swift". Variety. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  25. ^ McKenna, Brittney (April 20, 2018). "Hear Sugarland's New Song 'Babe' With Taylor Swift". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  26. ^ Chiu, Melody (April 20, 2018). "Sugarland and Taylor Swift Release Breakup Song 'Babe' — Find Out the Story Behind the Track". People. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  27. ^ Whittaker, Alexandra (April 20, 2018). "Taylor Swift Returns to Country with a Breakup Song Alongside Sugarland". InStyle. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  28. ^ "Country Airplay". Billboard. April 28, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-07-14. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  29. ^ "Hot Country Songs". Billboard. May 5, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-07-14. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  30. ^ "Digital Song Sales". Billboard. May 5, 2018. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  31. ^ Bjorke, Matt (April 30, 2018). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles: April 30, 2018". Roughstock. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  32. ^ Bjorke, Matt (November 13, 2018). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: November 13, 2018". RoughStock. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  33. ^ "Sugarland's Steamy 'Babe' Video Treatment Was Taylor Swift's Idea: 'She Reached Out to Us'". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  34. ^ Honeycutt, Shanté (June 11, 2018). "Sugarland & Taylor Swift's Glamorous 'Babe' Video Depicts a Retro Love Triangle". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  35. ^ Gage, Jeff (June 6, 2018). "See Sugarland, Taylor Swift Tease 'Mad Men' Video for Collaboration 'Babe'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  36. ^ Variety Staff (2018-06-11). "Taylor Swift Plays a Homewrecking Redhead in Sugarland's 'Mad Men'-Inspired 'Babe' Video". Variety. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  37. ^ "Watch Taylor Swift Wreck a Marriage in Sugarland's 'Babe' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  38. ^ Kiefer, Halle. "Taylor Swift Is Here to Ruin Your Life in Sugarland's 'Babe' Music Video". Vulture. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  39. ^ "Yes, Taylor Swift is giving us Mad Men vibes in Sugarland's "Babe" music video — but she's also serving serious Red vibes". HelloGiggles. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  40. ^ "CMA Awards announces 2018 hosts, will reveal nominees on August 28". The Tennessean.
  41. ^ "2018 CMA Awards nominations announced". The Tennessean.
  42. ^ "2019 ACM Awards nominations". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  43. ^ "CMT Music Awards 2019: Complete list of winners". The Tennessean. June 5, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  44. ^ Stefano, Angela (28 January 2019). "2018 Golden Boot Awards: See the Full List of Winners". The Boot. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  45. ^ Hermanson, Wendy (May 8, 2018). "Watch Sugarland Perform 'Babe' on 'Kelly and Ryan'". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  46. ^ "Watch Sugarland perform their new song 'Babe' live on Today". The Today Show. June 6, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  47. ^ Iasimone, Ashley. "All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  48. ^ Hudak, Joseph (7 October 2018). "See Sugarland, Taylor Swift's First Ever Live Performance of 'Babe'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  49. ^ Shafer, Ellise (2024-03-08). "Taylor Swift's Eras Tour: Every Surprise Song She's Played So Far". Variety. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  50. ^ a b "Babe / Sugarland TIDAL". Tidal. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  51. ^ "Sugarland Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  52. ^ "Sugarland Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  53. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 30, 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  54. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  55. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  56. ^ "Sugarland Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  57. ^ "Sugarland Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  58. ^ "Sugarland Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  59. ^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2018". Billboard. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  60. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  61. ^ "American single certifications – Sugarland – Babe". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  62. ^ Cantor, Brian (April 18, 2018). "Sugarland & Taylor Swift's New Single "Babe" Arrives At 6AM ET On April 20". Headline Planet. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  63. ^ Al-Heeti, Abrar (November 11, 2021). "Red (Taylor's Version): Release date, tracklist, why Taylor Swift is rerecording her albums". CNET. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  64. ^ Lynch, Joe (November 11, 2021). "Taylor Swift Teases 'Babe' Solo Version on Tumblr". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  65. ^ Snapes, Laura (November 12, 2021). "Taylor Swift: Red (Taylor's Version) review – getting back together with a classic". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  66. ^ Willman, Chris (November 12, 2021). "On Red (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift's Vault Tracks Are All Too Swell: Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  67. ^ "Babe / Taylor Swift TIDAL". Tidal. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  68. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  69. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  70. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  71. ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
[edit]


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Babe_(Sugarland_song)&oldid=1255384158"