Forever & Always (Taylor Swift song)
| "Forever & Always" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by Taylor Swift | |
| from the album Fearless | |
| Recorded | 2008; 2009 |
| Genre | Country pop |
| Length |
|
| Songwriter(s) | Taylor Swift |
| Producer(s) |
|
"Forever & Always" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her second studio album, Fearless (2008). It was a last-minute addition to the album[1] It received mixed reviews from music critics and became certified Platinum by the RIAA[2] peaking within the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, despite not being individually released or promoted as a single. "Forever & Always" revolves lyrically around a breakup and the resultant heartache.
Background and recording
Inspired by her recent break-up with Joe Jonas,[3] Swift quickly wrote and recorded the song at the last minute for inclusion on Fearless. As Swift explained in a track-by-track insight into the album, the song was written about a man in her life who she could see "slowly [slipping] away" from her and the confusion she felt in dealing with a crumbling relationship.[4] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Swift described the fallout of that relationship as a "really dramatic and crazy" experience that she "[needed] to address" through her music.[1]
Jonas addressed the song in the June 2009 issue of Seventeen Magazine. When talking about it, he said he wasn't bothered by Swift writing a song about their relationship. "It's flattering," said Jonas. "It's always nice to hear their side of the story."[5]
In 2009, Swift re-recorded the song in an acoustic ballad style for the Platinum Edition re-issue of Fearless. This remastered cut is officially titled "Forever & Always (Piano version)".
Live performances
Swift performed "Forever & Always" (along with "Love Story") on Saturday Night Live on January 10, 2009[6] and on the Fearless Tour. She also performed the song during the 2009 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve as part of a medley with "Picture to Burn", "Love Story", and "Change".[7] Swift performed "Forever & Always" again in 2018 as the surprise song on the Reputation Stadium Tour in Indianapolis on September 15.[8]
Chart performance
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] | 32 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 34 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[11] | Platinum | 1,000,000 |
|
^shipments figures based on certification alone | ||
References
- 1 2 Scaggs, Austin. "Taylor's Time: Catching Up With Taylor Swift". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ↑ "American certifications – Swift, Taylor". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ↑ Vena, Jocelyn. "Taylor Swift Talks About Joe Jonas Breakup Online, On The Radio, On TV And In Her New Album". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ↑ Swift, Taylor. "Cut By But". Bigmachinerecords.com. Big Machine Records. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ↑ "Forever & Always by Taylor Swift".
- ↑ Navaroli, Joel. "SNL Archives | Episodes | 01.10.2009 #12". SNL Archives. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ↑ LaCroix, Emy (5 December 2014). "The (Taylor) Swifts of New Year's Past | American Music Awards". American Music Awards. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ↑ Iasimone, Ashley. "All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on Her Reputation Stadium Tour B-Stage (So Far)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Taylor Swift – Forever & Always". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 23, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.