| Revision as of 19:24, 28 March 2013 editGreenock125 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users41,678 editsm Updated Irish chart position← Previous edit | Revision as of 09:25, 29 March 2013 edit undoBobiSwiftie (talk | contribs)577 edits →Chart performanceNext edit → | ||
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| ==Chart performance== | ==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 ] chart, as well as at number 7 on the ''Billboard'' ] chart with sales of 108,000.<ref name="US">{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/951902/taylor-swift-sells-over-1-million-in-record-billboard-200-debut|title=Taylor Swift Sells Over 1 Million in Record Billboard 200 Debut|date=November 3, 2010|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|work=]|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=November 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-oct-28-2012-songs-chris-brown-213026172.html | title=Week Ending Oct. 28, 2012. Songs: Chris Brown’s Comeback | publisher=] | work=] | date=October 31, 2012 | accessdate=January 25, 2013 | author=Grein, Paul}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-01-12/hot-100?order=gainer | title=Hot 100 – Week of January 12, 2013 (Biggest Jump) | publisher=] | work=] | accessdate=January 25, 2013}}</ref> "22" also debuted at number 29 on the ''Billboard'' ], and has peaked at number 11 on the ].<ref name="CAN">{{Cite news|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/S/Swift_Taylor/2010/11/03/15941396.html|title=Taylor Swift shakes up charts|date=November 3, 2010|first=John|last=Williams|work=JAM! Music|publisher=]|accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="UK">{{cite web | title=Chart Log UK: New Entries Update – 3.11.2012 (Week 43) | url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/121103cluk.txt | work=''zobbel.de'' | publisher=Tobias Zywietz | accessdate=November 5, 2012 | author=Zywietz, Tobias}}</ref> | 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 ] chart, as well as at number 7 on the ''Billboard'' ] chart with sales of 108,000.<ref name="US">{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/951902/taylor-swift-sells-over-1-million-in-record-billboard-200-debut|title=Taylor Swift Sells Over 1 Million in Record Billboard 200 Debut|date=November 3, 2010|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|work=]|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=November 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-oct-28-2012-songs-chris-brown-213026172.html | title=Week Ending Oct. 28, 2012. Songs: Chris Brown’s Comeback | publisher=] | work=] | date=October 31, 2012 | accessdate=January 25, 2013 | author=Grein, Paul}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-01-12/hot-100?order=gainer | title=Hot 100 – Week of January 12, 2013 (Biggest Jump) | publisher=] | work=] | accessdate=January 25, 2013}}</ref> "22" also debuted at number 29 on the ''Billboard'' ], and has peaked at number 11 on the ].<ref name="CAN">{{Cite news|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/S/Swift_Taylor/2010/11/03/15941396.html|title=Taylor Swift shakes up charts|date=November 3, 2010|first=John|last=Williams|work=JAM! Music|publisher=]|accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="UK">{{cite web | title=Chart Log UK: New Entries Update – 3.11.2012 (Week 43) | url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/121103cluk.txt | work=''zobbel.de'' | publisher=Tobias Zywietz | accessdate=November 5, 2012 | author=Zywietz, Tobias}}</ref> | ||
| As of March 2013, the song has sold 560,126 copies in Swift's native United States. | |||
| ==Charts and certifications== | ==Charts and certifications== | ||
Revision as of 09:25, 29 March 2013
| "22" | |
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| 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 was released as the album's fourth single on March 12, 2013. The lyrics describe the joys of being 22 years old. The song 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
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." Swift, being a close friend of the actress Dianna Agron, dedicated "22" to her.
Composition
"22" is a pop song of three minutes and fifty-two seconds. The song is written in the key of G major with Swift's vocals spanning two octaves, between G3 and D5.
Release
The song was released to contemporary hit radio stations in the US on March 12, 2013 and in the UK on March 31, 2013. 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 in an exclusive package with Red Tour items and a T-shirt.
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".
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."
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 sass. There is a self-referential sound bite and a clip of the phone ringing saying "Who's Taylor Swift anyway? Ew.""
Music video
The music video for "22" was filmed in February 2013, and premiered on March 13, 2013. It 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, which includes former Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr. Unlike usual music videos nowadays that feature in widescreen format, this music video features in traditional 4:3 format.
Live performances
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. She will also be performing the song on her third concert tour, The Red Tour.
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. 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. "22" also debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, and has peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
As of March 2013, the song has sold 560,126 copies in Swift's native United States.
